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Coming out of the Winter blues and being welcomed by the colorful spring is what Holi is all about. Celebrated all over India since ancient times, Holi’s precise form and purpose display great variety. Originally, Holi was an agricultural festival celebrating the arrival of spring. Holi is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Fagan in Gujarati calender. The day of Holi in the evening public bonfire is held at a temple or around a culdesac. Many gather wood and things t

I love our Indian culture where we get to celebrate different bonds and relationships in festivals. Did you know Rakshabandhan is also known as Badev in Gujarat. Rakshabandhan = Raksha (Protection) + Bandhan (Bound by a promise.) Rakshabandhan or festival of Rakhi is one such festival where a sister ties a small thread of protection around her brother’s wrist with blessings and in return, the brother blesses her with gifts and promises to always be there for his sister. How b

Uttarayan, Makar Sankranti, Kite Festival are different names for this festivals we celebrate on January 14th every year. It marks the end of the winter solace according to the Vedic calendar. If you grew up in Gujarat, here are the few things you associate Uttarayan with: 1. Flying patang(kites), on roof top terrace of your home called “agaasi.” People prepare for this day’s event in advance. As you purchase the “patangs”(kites) and the “doro”(thread the kites are attached t

Shivratri Want to calm your days and bring more laughter? Then music is your key. Learning these simple mantras and songs is a great way to bring peace to your normally chaotic days. This Tuesday the 13th is Maha Shivratri – Hindu festival celebrating Lord Shiva. Here are some of our favorite Shiva mantras and songs for you to enjoy. Sing these mantras to celebrate Shivratri and honor Shiva! Want to learn more Gujarati Songs?? Come join our Gujarati e-club where you’ll have a

Holi is More than a Color Festival The day after the last full moon of phalgun, the last month of the Hindu calendar is celebrated as Holi in India. This falls normally around beginning the month of March in the English calendar. The origin of the Holi festival dates back to the time of Krishna, reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. Krishna in his childhood used to tease the gopis (the young ladies) in his town of Gokul by putting colored water or color powder on them. It became a so