What is a Kolam? From Wikipedia:“Kolam is a form of painting that is drawn using rice powder, chalk, white rock powder and/or naturally/synthetically colored powders. It is mainly practiced in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and a few other Asian countries. A Kolam is a geometrical line drawing composed […]
Ganesh Chaturthi 2012, Pune: Pandals, 1
Two days ago I wrote the following: “Ganesh Chaturthi starts with the installation of these Ganesh statues in colorfully decorated homes and specially erected temporary structures (pandals) in every locality. The pandals are erected by the people of a specific society or locality or group by collecting monetary contributions. The pandals are decorated specially for […]
Ganesh Chaturthi 2012, Pune: Idols
In my post from yesterday I wrote the following: “Two to three months before Ganesh Chaturthi, artistic clay models of Lord Ganesha are made for sale by specially skilled artisans. They are beautifully decorated and depict Lord Ganesh in poses. The size of these statues may vary from 3/4 of an inch to over 70 […]
Ganesh Chaturthi 2012, Pune
We were lucky to be in Pune during the famous Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations that last 10 days. What is Ganesh Chaturthi? How is it celebrated? Some exerpts from Wikipedia: Ganesha Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated on the birthday (re-birth) of Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati. It is believed that Lord Ganesh bestows his presence […]
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi everybody!
Today is the start of the 10 day festival of Ganesh Chaturthi in Pune. I hope to be able to catch some of it on several days, take some nice pics and blog about it next week or so.
Pune, India, part 4
Reading the local newspapers gives you an idea of what the hot topics are in Pune and India at the moment. I will share them with you: 1. the weather, in particular the monsoon. In general, this year there is not enough rainfall, creating problems like agriculturally and for the water supply for households. Having […]
Holi turns tragic
In my previous posts about Holi I already mentioned the dangers, particularly the safety of the used color powders. The week before the festival the newspapers wrote articles about that every day. Educational, informative entertaining and preventive: About schoolexams coinciding with the Festival… About the dangers About the bonfires the night before Holi. We only […]
Holi Festival 2012
This week it is gonna be the festival of Holi, a religious Hindu festival. Festival of colors, welcoming spring. The idea is that it is one big crazy, happy day where everyone makes fun with everyone. By throwing colored powders onto each other. Or, even better, mixing those powders with water, e.g. in megahuge […]
Thaipusam
Thaipusam: a Walk of Faith Thaipusam is a highly symbolic Hindu festival celebrated by Singapore’s Tamil community. It is an annual procession by Hindu devotees seeking blessings, fulfilling vows and offering thanks. Celebrated in honour of Lord Subrahmanya (also known as Lord Murugan), who represents virtue, youth and power to Hindus and is the destroyer […]
Chingay 2012
In 2010 I saw my first Chingay; Singapore’s big street parade. We bought tickets and watched the show; it was beautiful! The year after, 2011, we did not buy tickets, but went ‘behind the scenes’ in the hours before the show and we had a great time taking pictures. This year, 2012, I […]
