Category Miscellaneous

Decoding “Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam” in Tirumala

Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam is a purification ceremony undertaken at the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala. The term literally means “cleaning of the holy shrine” in Tamil, with Koil signifying holy shrine, Alwar meaning devotee/sanctified ones, and Thirumanjanam referring to an…

Remembering M. S. Subbulakshmi on her birth anniversary

Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, popularly known as M. S. Subbulakshmi, was born on September 16, 1916, in Madurai. Her mother, Shanmukhavadivu, was a veena player, and their home often hosted musicians who shaped young Subbulakshmi’s musical instincts. She gave her first…

How Zeno’s loss sparked the philosophy of Stoicism

Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy that teaches self-mastery, fortitude, and the pursuit of virtue. It was founded in the 3rd century BCE by Zeno of Citium, whose journey to philosophy began after a major personal loss. Historical accounts suggest…

Why do ACB traps use pink-colored bottles?

The pink-colored bottles seen in Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) traps may look ordinary, but they play a crucial role in scientifically proving bribery. Before a raid, the ACB dusts the marked currency notes with phenolphthalein powder, an invisible compound. When the…

The Healing Symbol Doctors Should Use

Two ancient symbols are often associated with medicine: the Rod of Asclepius and the Caduceus. The Rod of Asclepius, a single serpent entwined around a staff, comes from Greek mythology. Asclepius, the god of healing, was linked with snakes, which…

Why September still means “seven”

Did you know September derives its name from the Latin word septem, meaning “seven,” reflecting its position as the seventh month in the early Roman calendar? Before the Julian reform of 45 BCE, the Roman year began in March, which…

Why Jodhpur is the Blue City

Jodhpur, Rajasthan’s second-largest city, is known as the “Blue City” for the cluster of azure houses surrounding the 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort. The custom began with the Brahmin community, who painted their homes blue to signify status and align with the…