Category India

Why Rohtang Pass was once dreaded

Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass in Himachal Pradesh, situated at an altitude of about 3,978 meters (13,050 feet) in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. It lies roughly 51 kilometers north of Manali and serves as a…

Why Tiruppavai replaces Suprabhatam in Dhanurmasam

Dhanurmasam is a sacred month in the Hindu calendar that spans mid-December to mid-January, when the Sun transits the zodiac sign Dhanus (Sagittarius). The name comes directly from this solar movement. Unlike many ritual periods defined by lunar days, Dhanurmasam…

The story behind Varanasi’s Shivala Ghat

Shivala Ghat is one of the historically significant riverfront steps along the Ganga in Varanasi. Located south of the more crowded central ghats, this ghat is known for its calm stretch of river, old temples, and palatial structures built by…

The moment that inspired “Bhaja Govindam”

Bhaja Govindam, one of Adi Shankaracharya’s most loved compositions, was born from a moment of deep compassion. According to a traditional account, as Shankaracharya walked through the streets of Kashi (Varanasi) with his disciples, he saw an aged scholar sternly…