Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
Tholu Bommalata, literally “leather puppet show” when translated from Telugu, is a centuries-old shadow puppetry tradition from Andhra Pradesh. Believed to have originated during the Satavahana period and flourishing under the Vijayanagara empire, it served as a powerful medium for…
Tea and chai are two names for the same drink, depending on where you are. The difference comes from the way tea spread from China to the rest of the world. Tea originated in China, where the Mandarin word for…
What connects a wild boar, the sun, the moon, and a dagger? These four powerful symbols formed the royal emblem of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the most influential dynasties in South Indian history. Spanning over 300 years from the…
Ever wondered what courtly manners have to do with tickets? The word etiquette comes from the Old French estiquette, meaning “label” or “ticket.” It originally referred to small notes or placards used to post public notices. In the royal court…
Varahi Ghat in Varanasi is named after Goddess Varahi, one of the Sapta Matrikas or seven mother goddesses in Hindu tradition, often depicted with the face of a boar. The ghat derives its identity from the Sri Varahi Devi Temple…
The term “blue blood” refers to someone of noble birth or aristocratic lineage and has a well-documented origin. Although commonly associated with British royalty, it first emerged in medieval Spain, where it was used to describe the pure-blooded nobility, especially…
Adi Keshav Ghat is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu first stepped into Kashi. Located on the northern edge of Varanasi, where the river Varuna meets the Ganga, the name Adi Keshava means “First Vishnu.” Keshava, literally “the…
Panchaganga Ghat in Varanasi holds a unique place among the city’s revered riverfronts. Its name derives from the belief that five holy rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kirana, and Dhutapapa—once converged here, sanctifying it as a spiritual confluence even though only the Ganga flows physically through Varanasi…
Dashashwamedh Ghat, one of the most prominent ghats of Varanasi, is closely tied to the city’s mythology and devotion. Its name comes from the Sanskrit words dasha (ten) and ashwamedha (horse sacrifice). According to tradition, Lord Brahma performed ten such…