Tag: Indian traditions

Special Occasion

Mahalaya Amavasya 2025: Honouring Ancestors, Embracing Blessings

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo, Team Allycaral

Mahalaya Amavasya, also known as Shrad, is a deeply spiritual Hindu observance falling this year on Sunday, 21st September 2025. It marks the conclusion of Pitru Paksha, a sixteen-day period dedicated to offering prayers, rituals, and gratitude to ancestors. This sacred window is rooted in the belief that honouring our departed forefathers helps repay ancestral debts, cleanse karmic burdens, and invite blessings into our lives.

Rituals performed on this day โ€” Shradh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan โ€” are considered spiritually potent and deeply symbolic. Tarpan involves offering water and prayers to ancestors, while Pind Daan uses symbolic food offerings like rice balls, barley flour, and sesame seeds to nourish their souls. Shradh is a ceremonial rite filled with mantras and devotion. Traditionally, the eldest male family member performs these rites while wearing a ring made of kush grass, a sacred plant that symbolises compassion and purity.

After these offerings, food is given to a crow โ€” believed to be the messenger of Lord Yama, the god of death โ€” followed by feeding Brahmin priests, continuing a cycle of charity and reverence. It is also considered auspicious to read scriptures such as the Garuda Purana or Agni Purana during this time.

A poignant legend from the Mahabharata gives context to Mahalaya Amavasyaโ€™s origin. When Karna, the heroic warrior, died and reached heaven, he was offered gold instead of food. Puzzled, he asked Lord Indra why. The deity revealed that Karna had donated gold throughout his life but never food. Realising the importance of feeding the needy, Karna was allowed to return to earth for sixteen days to offer food to the poor. These sixteen days became known as Pitru Paksha, culminating in Mahalaya Amavasya.

On this solemn day, traditional attire is worn as a mark of respect โ€” white kurta-pyjamas for men and white sarees for women โ€” symbolising peace, purity, and spiritual focus. While the festival doesnโ€™t involve specific celebratory dishes, the food offered during rituals is rich with symbolic meaning.

The primary deities revered during Mahalaya Amavasya are Lord Vishnu, the protector, and Lord Yama, the guide of souls in the afterlife. Their blessings are sought to ensure peace for the departed and spiritual protection for the living.

Mahalaya Amavasya is more than a ritual โ€” it is a sacred bridge between generations. It reminds us that just as we inherit our ancestorsโ€™ blessings and assets, we also inherit their karmic residues. Performing these ancestral rites helps liberate both souls and families from spiritual bondage, paving the way for peace in this life and beyond.

May your ancestors bless you with wisdom, strength, and peace this Mahalaya Amavasya.
โ€”from Allycaral family

Entertainment

Indian Actress Sameera Reddy Celebrates Lord Ganesh Utsav at Sardesai Home in Savoi Verem

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

Bollywood actress Sameera Reddy, known for her grounded presence and love for tradition, was seen joyfully celebrating Ganesh Utsav with her husband Akshai Varde at the Sardesai family residence in Savoi Verem. The event, held yesterday, marked the welcoming of Lord Ganeshaโ€™s Mangal-Murti into the home with great devotion and festive spirit.

The couple participated wholeheartedly in the rituals, showcasing a beautiful union of faith and festivity. Known for being spiritual and family-oriented, Sameera and Akshai were seen fully immersed in the celebrations, highlighting the enduring beauty of Indian cultural traditions even among todayโ€™s public figures.

The home was adorned with floral decorations, devotional music, and the unmistakable energy that comes with the presence of Lord Ganesha. Guests and well-wishers gathered to offer prayers, perform the aarti, and seek blessings for prosperity and well-being.

This event underscores the strong cultural connection many celebrities maintain, using their platforms not only to celebrate but also to inspire. As the Mangal-Murti graced the Sardesai home, the celebration became more than just a festival โ€” it became a moment of unity, joy, and spiritual reaffirmation.

Human Interest

Rare White Owl Spotted on Kashi Vishwanathโ€™s Golden Peak, Seen as Auspicious Sign

Tanisha Cardozo

VARANASI: Devotees at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple witnessed an extraordinary and divine moment on Monday night when a rare white owl perched on the templeโ€™s golden spire. The incident occurred around 10 pm and was quickly noticed by temple staff and visitors present at the holy site.

The sighting has been described as highly auspicious in Hindu tradition, where owls, especially white ones, are associated with prosperity, blessings, and spiritual significance.

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trustโ€™s CEO, Vishwa Bhushan, remarked, โ€œVery good news for India.โ€ His statement has amplified the sense of reverence and excitement around the unusual event.

Spiritual Symbolism

In Indian culture, owls are considered the vahana (vehicle) of Goddess Lakshmi, symbolizing wealth and fortune. The rare sighting of a white owl atop one of Indiaโ€™s holiest temples is being interpreted by many as a divine blessing for the country.

Reactions from Devotees

Videos and images of the owl quickly began circulating on social media, with devotees calling it a sign of hope, prosperity, and spiritual awakening. Many expressed their gratitude for being able to witness what they termed a โ€œonce-in-a-lifetime divine sign.โ€

The incident has further reinforced the cultural and spiritual magnetism of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most revered shrines of Lord Shiva.

EduConnect

Shravan Celebrated with Culture, Nature & Joy at Smt. Sunandabai Bandodkar High School

Tanisha Cardozo

In the serene village of Salvador do Mundo, nestled among Goaโ€™s greenery, Smt. Sunandabai Bandodkar High School recently transformed into a vibrant hub of tradition and eco-learning as it celebrated the auspicious Shravan month.

The school’s educators curated a unique blend of activities that helped students experience the rich cultural tapestry and seasonal beauty of this sacred monsoon period.

Muddy Hands & Green Lessons:

The festivities kicked off with paddy transplantation, giving students a hands-on experience of farming โ€” a ritual deeply tied to Indiaโ€™s monsoon rhythm. Laughter echoed across the fields as students joyfully immersed themselves in muddy soil, understanding the hard work behind every grain of rice.

Clay, Chants & Culture:

On Nag Panchami, the school turned into a cultural classroom. Students molded clay idols of the Naag deity, chanted verses in the Navnaag Stotra recitation competition, and learned the ecological importance of anthill puja and collecting patri โ€” sacred monsoon leaves. A knowledge session on snakes helped students separate myth from reality, followed by a fun, fact-filled quiz.

Dance, Food, and Festive Joy:

Folk traditions came alive through fugadi, a rhythmic group dance that celebrates togetherness and joy. This was followed by the เคชเคพเคตเคธเคพเคณเฅ€ เคญเคพเคœเฅเคฏเคพเค‚เคšเคพ เคฎเคนเฅ‹เคคเฅเคธเคต (Monsoon Wild Vegetable Festival), where students explored local, seasonal veggies like shevla, taikulo, and kuleeth, gaining insights into sustainable, traditional food practices.

A swing hung from a mango tree โ€” decorated with flowers โ€” became the centerpiece of fun, as students queued up for their turn, while others adorned their hands with mehendi, blending festivity with tradition.

A Sweet Ending:

To conclude the celebrations, students prepared and shared เคชเคพเคคเฅ‹เคณเฅเคฏเคพ โ€” steamed rice dumplings filled with coconut and jaggery, symbolizing the warmth and sweetness of community living.

More Than a Celebration

The Shravan celebration was more than just a festive week โ€” it was an educational journey. Students absorbed values of sustainability, cultural awareness, community bonding, and respect for nature. The initiative stood out for its integration of learning with lived experiences โ€” a perfect example of holistic education rooted in heritage.

As monsoon winds rustled through the trees and laughter filled the air, the students of Smt. Sunandabai Bandodkar High School walked away with memories, skills, and a renewed sense of belonging โ€” to the earth and to their culture.

Human Interest

Vat Poornima: A Sacred Celebration of Marital Devotion and Spiritual Strength

allycaralgoa

Vat Poornima, also known as Vat Savitri Poornima, is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated with deep spiritual and cultural significance. Primarily observed in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and parts of North India, the festival takes place on the full moon (Poornima) of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha (Mayโ€“June).

This festival is a heartfelt tribute to Savitri, the legendary wife from the Mahabharata who showcased unshakable devotion and strength by bringing her husband Satyavan back from the jaws of death through prayer and determination. Her story is a powerful symbol of love, sacrifice, and the strength of a devoted woman

On this day, married women fast and perform rituals under the sacred banyan tree (Vat Vriksha), which represents long life and stability. They tie threads around the treeโ€™s trunk, pray for their husband’s health and longevity, and read or listen to the Savitri-Satyavan story.

Key customs include:

  • Fasting from sunrise to moonrise for their husbands’ well-being.
  • Tying threads around the Vat tree symbolizing the bond of marriage.
  • Offering soaked gram, fruits, and sweets as part of the puja.
  • Wearing traditional attire, especially in shades of red, yellow, or green, representing prosperity and marital bliss.

Vat Poornima is more than a ritualโ€”it’s a celebration of faith, resilience, and the deep-rooted cultural values that honor the sacredness of marriage. It emphasizes the role of prayer, perseverance, and love in nurturing relationships. The banyan treeโ€™s long life and expansive roots reflect the desired qualities of a strong marital bond.

While rooted in tradition, Vat Poornima continues to inspire modern generations. For many women, it serves as a moment to pause and reflect on relationships, express gratitude, and connect with ancestral values in an increasingly fast-paced world.