Before the days of TV and digital explosion of news and media children roamed free in parks and nature everywhere. Parks and museums were a usual spots for field trips and for spending weekends. In Gujarat, there are 7 designated national parks, near the developing, industrial cities. However people seek solace in small parks and museums. If you or you know someone who grew up in Baroda they know what Kamaati Baag or Sayaji Baag is. Baag in Gujarati is a garden and this particular one is right smack in the middle of the city near a busy railway station and a bus stand. You would think, well how fun could that be? This park has a museum, planetarium and a zoo along with a river flowing by near. A small spot of heaven for many who need a break from their daily lives and be able to see new things. Of course no park as large as this one is complete without a lovers spot. Growing up when we passed this spot, we closed our eyes and didn’t look at the intimate gazes and closeness of lovers lost. During Gaurivrat or Goro where young girls fast for five days and pray to Lord Shiv for a good, proper and prosperous husband, we went there often and played till sunset. Kamaati Baag/Sayaji Baag is a garden located in Centre of Vadodara (Baroda). This was dedicated to the citizens of Vadodara by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in Year 1879 thus the name Sayai Baag. On the river Vishwamitri, Kamaati Baag, is the largest garden in Western India, stretching over 113 acres (0.46 km2). It has a rich flora of more than 98 species of trees. The garden is home to the Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery, the Sardar Patel Planetarium, a flower clock, an operational toy train and the Sayaji Baag Zoo. When you are tired of exploring the park or the city you can take refuge under many large shaded trees and play grounds. Next time you visit Baroda, take a break from your busy shopping day and go see how the locals spend their time off! #VADODARA #BARODA #KAMAATIBAAG #indiantowns #india #parks #travel

This post is part of our Gujarati News for kids series. One of the easiest and fun ways to learn the sounds of alphabet letters is through tongue twisters. Come along and practice these tongue twisters with us. Want more fun Gujarati Tongue Twisters? My Youtube channel full of Gujarati Tongue Twisters, Gujarati Games and tons of fun ways to master the Gujarati language. Try this one next! Sign up for my email list for more tongue twisters in the future! #tonguetwisters #games #kaakikaapekaachikaakdi #gujarait #kids #language

Superstitions are in every culture and language. They are especially prevalent in Gujarati culture and Gujarati language. Some save their lucky rabit’s foot and some don’t wash their hair on Saturday. Why do people follow these? Because it gives them a feeling of control. If I avoid this, bad things won’t happen to me. I must follow this to avoid any bad things happening to me It is also fear-based. Indian people in general are highly superstitious and many do not know why they follow them. They do simply because they saw their parents do it and now the fear is embedded in them. Here are some Gujarati superstitions, also known as andhshradhaa in Gujarati. Andh meaning blind and shraddhaa is faith, blind faith. This is not to say they are good or bad, it simply is someone’s faith so be respectful, you don’t have to follow it but don’t judge them for doing so. Kadi Biladi: If a black cat crosses your path, you better turn around or say a mantra five times before you move on otherwise you are screwed as your day will be ruined and all bad things will follow you all day. Teen tikda Kaam Bigdaa: If you are doing something auspicious don’t take three people, or do things in threes, make sure the number is one of the good ones like 1, 7, or 11. Cash gifts gotta end in 1: If you give money as gift to someone make sure it is 11, 21, 51, or 101 as this will bring them and you luck. Mess aanjavi: Put black eyeliner or Kajal in eyes to avoid evil spirit as this will cast them off. Joda bandhavaa: Tie a shoe on your favorite fruit trees as other jealous folks can not cast a spell on them now, as the shoe will ward it all off. Pug nahi halaav: Stop shaking that leg while you are sitting because here goes all your money as Goddess Laxmi the Goddess of wealth apparently doesn’t like that and your bank accounts will be emptying slowly. There are many more that we shall explore next time. Please feel free to share your own Gujarati superstitions. Would you like to learn or have your kids learn Gujarati? Click here to get my Essentials course to begin your journey to speaking and understanding Gujarati. Click Here to see all the courses I offer that bring Gujarati culture to life. Keep in touch to always know when classes are going! #Gujarati #GujaratiLanguage #learnGujarati #LearnGujaratiOnline #GujaratiCulture #GujaratiTraditions #IndianTraditions #SuratGujarati #GujaratiSuperstitions #Andhshradhaa #IndianSuperstitions #LifeinGujarat #LifeinIndia #sanskarteaching #languagelearning #ANDHSHRADHAA #superstitions

There are 3 reasons why conversational Gujarati is important. Gujarati is the 26th most spoken language in the world. You are one of the lucky ones if you have ties to a Gujarati family and heritage. If you grew up outside of India, you may have been guided or even forced to learn to speak Gujarati and you may have appreciated it or not. However, you are privileged if you understand this language. Why is it important to learn a second language and in particular, to learn to speak Gujarati? The answer to this question is unique for everyone of us. Maybe you wish to explore the spiritual aspect of your Gujarati heritage and for that it would be great if you can understand the language as many things are lost in translation. Or maybe you want your children to learn this language so in public you can scold them or yell at them and not be embarrassed about it. Maybe you even enjoy watching Gujarati Nataks (plays) and you want to learn more about it. Maybe you love Garba (Gujarati folk songs) and you want to know what they mean? Perhaps you want to be able to communicate better with others who speak this language or you simply want to learn and treasure the language of your ancestors. Whatever yours may be, here are three simple reasons on why it is important to learn the spoken word regardless of if you can read or write Gujarati: Communication: If you can speak the language, you can express yourself better amongst others who speak this language. Especially in Gujarati when the sound of just one syllable can change the meaning of what you are trying to say. For example, MaDAvoo means to meet however if you say MaRAvoo it means to die. So lets not kill people with our simple mistake of saying it incorrectly! 🙂 Respect: If one can greet elders in Gujarati and show them that you value them enough to make an effort to learn this language. It always makes them happy that you care to learn this. Also the same words when spoken in Gujarati vs. in English are more meaningful and respectful. Survive: Although English has become a universal language, if you choose to be in the most rural areas of Gujarat as a tourist or as a social worker this need to be able to speak and communicate in Gujarati will be evident. Being able to speak Gujarati will also allow you to cherish and treasure this wonderful language along with the three things mentioned above. So come along and let’s learn to speak Gujarati. #Gujarati #conversation #speaking #language

Gujarati news time! Grandparents in Gujarati is not simply grandpa and grandma. Your father’s dad is Dada and your father’s mother is Ba. Your mom’s dad is Nana and mom’s mom is Nani. Love that Gujarati culture and language has so many unique names for different relationships. You are one of the few lucky ones if you grew up in an extended family where you had more than just mom and dad. Many Gujarati families, not just in India but globally live in extended families with Dada, Ba, Kaka (paternal uncle), Kaki (Kaka’s wife) and other relatives. Here are some silly and some important things Gujarati Grandparents say: Are… tu to bahoo moto thayi gayo? Chhele joyo tyare saav aatlo hato… (You grew up fast, you just saw them a month ago) Mara jamaanaa maa to… (In our days) Bagaad naa kar… chakalaa ne naakhi de (Don’t waste things, leftover food give it to the birds) Ooth Savaar padi gayi, saav aadsoo… (Wake up, and its 5am, you lazy bum) Paisa nu zaad chhe taaraa vaadaa maa?… (You have a money tree in your yard?) Aa le… Khaane… tu to ekdam sukayi gayo chhe… (Eat, eat, eat… they will stuff you till you are gagging… of course all out of love.) Stay in touch for more Gujarati culture and language by signing up for my email list! #grandparents #gujarati #parenting #wisdom #grandchildren #grandkids #family

Bole tena bor vechaay…. Discretion helps! Shakespeare once said the better part of valor is discretion. Knowing when to speak and when to be quiet is a skill we all have to learn. In Gujarati language and Gujarati culture, these little life lessons are passed down through idioms and proverbs known as kehvat. Many cultures around the world have little nuggets like this to teach us moral values. Growing up in India I heard many of these through my grandparents and parents using them appropriately when we did something that needed a lesson. Here are a couple that most Gujarati folks are familiar with: “Bole tena Bor vechaay & Na bolya na nav goon” First one means the one who speaks will be heard… Bole tena Bor vechaay. The literal meaning is if you are trying to sell Jujubies you will only sell if you are speaking aloud to sell them. No one will know you are selling them if you don’t say anything. On the contrary, the second one says, Na Bolyaa na nav goon …. which means sometimes it’s better to be quiet. The literal meaning is it’s smart to be quiet sometimes. There are nine values of not speaking. Although both of these are saying two different things one has to know when to speak one’s mind and when to hold their tongue. This was a valuable lesson as a child and as I was going through my adolescence. I wanted to be part of all adult conversations which I learned was not my place sometimes. There are situations where you may hear gossip or negative things about other people and although you may feel like you want to chime in it is better to be quiet. This is where Na bolya na nav goon applies. I have heard it say that when two people are gossiping about a third person always, ask yourself am I putting water to this fire or am I adding to the fire and choose to be the water. When you witness injustice or you want something in life this is where Bole tena Bor vechaay comes in, it says you must make your voice be heard. If you want change you will have to speak up. I have thoroughly enjoyed these Gujarati kehvats growing up and I continue to pass them down to my children. What are some of your favorite kehvats? Please share below I look forward to hearing and learning from you. #KEHVAT #proverbs #idioms #gujarati #language

Where are you from? Tu Kaya Gaam Ni Chhe? India ma Taru gaam Kayu? These are normal questions Gujarati people get asked when they meet other Gujarati people from different parts of Gujarat. What part of the state your ancestry is from makes a difference in how you speak the language, what traditions you follow and what food you eat. As you could see in the world map when you look at the map of India the state of Gujarat is the western part of India that borders Pakistan. The state of Gujarat has 32 different districts, for most of you generation Z people this may sound like the hunger games and the districts in it. Districts are simply division of territories made or created to make voting easier and for census purposes. Although the official language of the state of Gujarat is Gujarati, it is spoken differently in different parts of the state and there are certain traditions that are different as well. Look at this map and if you don’t already know, find out where are your ancestors from. Some of you still may have a house or relatives back there and some of you live there. Share with us what district of Gujarat are you from? Looking forward to hearing from you. #kids #map #mapofgujarat #gujarati #india #indiamap

Shimant: Gujarati Baby shower Gujarati blessings and traditions begin with the conception of a child. The arrival of a new baby is auspicious and fortunate for everyone in the family and everyone rejoices in it. The traditional baby shower in a Gujarati household is known as Shrimant ( literal meaning of the word is wealthy, for the baby shower it means the abundance & wealth we wish upon the baby and the family) or Khodo Bharavo ( Literal meaning is to fill the mother to be’s lap with wholeness & abundance) Although this tradition is practiced differently in different families, the similarity and the spiritual significance remains the same, to welcome the newborn with an open heart and all the blessings in the world. along with the safety and safe recovery of the mother from childbirth. Here are the traditions and methods followed for Shimant-baby shower in our family: People taking part in the ceremony are the mother to be, her youngest brother in-law-known as Devar and an older sister -in-law or a family member that has not had a miscarriage (who is whole and healthy). This is one tradition I don't agree with that the other woman participating in the Shimant vidhi has to be someone who has never had a miscarriage. This is one of those rare ceremonies were a presence of the priest is not required. This is normally carried out by the older ladies in the family. HOW is it performed: The momma to be is seated across from her sister in law (or another female from her husband's family) participating in the ceremony. They exchange a whole coconut with water- Nadiyer and rice (Some families put other grains like Mung beans and sesame seeds as well) to symbolize prosperity, abundance and health. They exchange this for seven times. Exchange is made in to the pallu or a scarf tied around the pregnant women's waist and to be sure nothing drops on the floor. After each exchange the sister in law or whoever the other female participating in the ceremony is goes around the momma to be. This has to be performed seven time. Then the brother-in-law (Devar) gently puts kankoo – kumkum red powder dipped fingers across the Momma to be’s cheeks ( gentle slap:) to remind her that don’t forget about me now that you are having a baby. The pregnant lady reciprocates by doing the same to the little boy and reminding him that now you will be uncle and you will have to help take care of the baby. This tradition came to be because in the old days everyone lived in an extended family where the younger brother-in-law got the motherly love from his sister-in-law. The ceremony normally takes place towards the last trimester and one of the rituals is to tie a raksha or rakhdi ( a small thread or a gold bracelet for those more affluent) to ward off evil eyes and keep the mama to be healthy & safe. This raksha is tied by the baby's foi (Dad's sister traditionally) Of course, as in all Gujarati traditions that include Puja, there is a divo  – small lamp or candle, kankoo  – red powder, chokha – rice and haldi  – turmeric, fresh flowers and agarbati  – incense to purify the environment. During the ceremony you can play Ganesh Mantra in the back or the Gayatri Mantra and when the ceremony is over then the momma to be stands up and takes blessings from the older women in the family. And what would a Desi function be without some yummy, delicious, Gujarati food to go with it. Have you been to a Gujarati baby shower? Or have you had a Shimant of your own? What part did you like the most? Please share your experience with us in the comments below. We would love to hear from you. If you are just newly pregnant, it may be too soon to think about teaching your baby to speak Gujarati, so this is just to keep in mind for slightly ahead in the future. On Amazon, I sell a Gujarati Memory Game (and a Hindi version too!) that is a really fun way to play with your youngest one and secretly teach them Gujarati words. Once your child gets to be about 5 years old, they can join our live Gujarati language and culture classes hosted on Zoom. Beginner classes are just an easy 30-minutes. Check them out here. If you need a brush up on your own Gujarati, we have live Adult classes as well or you can choose to do self-paced learning with our online Essentials Gujarati Course here. Any which way, I'm grateful that you are with me in preserving our beautiful culture. Let's stay in touch! #gujaratibabyshower #babyshower #baby #babies #shower #shrimant #gujaratitraditions #ceremonies #ceremony #parenting #childrearing #raisingkids #gujaratifood #pregnancy #gujaratimemorygame #hindimemorygame #learngujarati #learngujarationline

Story in Gujarati is known as Vaarta. Sitting on our porch listening to my grandma tell stories to all the neighborhood kids is how I spent my summers in India. In this series, I will be sharing different Gujarati stories in Gujarati and in English to help you understand them. This is a story about a couple of sparrows. It’s a fun story to follow as I will ask you questions in the middle of the story so feel free to pause the video and think of the answers. To jump into our ongoing conversation, comment below with some of your answers from the video. When learning Gujarati, listening to stories spoken in large chunks of Gujarati helps you understand the language and improve your comprehension skills. For more videos and an ebook to help you along, check out this story package. Also sign up for my email list to always stay in touch! #kids #stories #CHAKOANECHAKI #bird

Kehvat – Early to rise… “Raate vahela je suve, vehalaa oothe veer,
Bal, budhdhi ne dhan vadhe, sukhamaan rahe shareer…” The literal meaning of this is, “One who goes to bed early and who wakes up early will have strong body, strong mind, health and lots of wealth.” English Idiom similar to this is: “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise…” In an idealistic world, this totally makes sense. If one goes to bed early and gets enough rest then they can rise early when their brain is alert and sharp to get more productive hours of the days utilized. In the world of digital information overload, instant gratification and easily and always available entertainment it is difficult to Think of anybody’s bedtime to be earlier as most people fall asleep watching TV, watching a show on Netflix, or live streaming something. On a Saturday or Sunday, if someone has to wake up before 8 AM, it seems like torture. It definitely depends on an individual if the early morning hour works for them or late nights. However, there is some truth in the saying as many these days stay up late not to get things done but mindlessly browsing on social media or watching videos. So the brain is simulated right before going to bed and optimal rest is not achieved. Thus the morning will begin in a frenzy and the rest of the day you may need supplements and energy drinks to keep you going. It is a cycle that unconsciously many of us fall into. No media or screen time at least half an hour before bed is a great idea. Listen to music or read a book right before falling asleep then whether you fall asleep at 8 pm or midnight you will get some good rest. Are you an early riser or you like to stay up to get things done in the quiet of the night? Share with us in the comments section below. #Gujarati #proverb #kehvat #wisdom #earlytorise

Namkaran – Naming the Baby In Gujarati and many Indian families, the rituals begin with the conception of a baby till their passing to another world in their old age. Last month you learned how a Gujarati family celebrates the arrival of a newborn into the world. Through a very special ceremony called Shrimant or Khodo bharavo, the blessings are placed upon the mother to be and the baby growing inside her. After the baby is born, in many Gujarati households, the right to name the baby is given to his paternal aunt (his dad’s sister) known as foi. In the progressive age we live in now, many couples give Foi the options of names to choose from or they name the baby themselves. Many look for a meaningful name for their little one that has a significance to them. Traditionally, foi chooses the name of a baby based on their Rashi-Vedic astrological sign the baby is born with. This is similar to the astrological signs followed in the western world; however, the vedic signs have letters that their names should begin with. For example, if the baby’s vedic sign is vrishabh, his or her name may begin with Ba, Va or Oo. Many families invite a vedic astrologer to come and choose their baby’s name. Traditionally, the baby also carries his/her father’s name as their middle name. How did you get your name? What is your story? Share below. #babynaming #baby #babies #pregnancy #Gujaratitraditions #traditions #gujarati #parenting #names #naming

Who was Mahatma Gandhi? When I asked this question to the students in our face to face live Gujarati class, here are the answers I got from the kids who are second and third generation in the United States: Is he the bald guy with glasses? Didn’t Ben Kingsley play him in a movie? Didn’t the movie Munnabhai with Sanjay Dutt mention him? He was the first prime minister of India? He was Indira Gandhi’ dad? He used a cane and walked around without any clothes? He invented Yoga? I am so disheartened to hear their response as they know who Ben Kingsley is or who Munnabhai is but have no real understanding of this great human being who was not only Indian, but was also Gujarati. It is not their fault as they were never introduced to him or his ideas. So we start slowly at the beginning. Did you know India was ruled by the Britishers for over 200 years? Their eyes pop open and they shake their heads. How did India become an independent nation? Who helped India become a democracy? There are certain things one should know as being of an Indian decent and one of them is to know who Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, lovingly and respectfully known as Gandhiji. He was born in Porbandar, Gujarat. By education, he was an attorney who was once thrown out of a train for sitting in the whites-only section in South Africa. He practiced, preached and lived simplicity, nonviolent civil disobedience and truth. He inspired many nations under the Commonwealth British rules and others to become independent nations along with the civil rights movement in the U.S. He went to Jail numerous times, held fasts to prove his rebellion against the Britishers, he refused to wear anything but cotton and home-grown fabric to show his love for his country of India. He was the leader that brought India to its independence along with others. Take this time and help your children learn who Gandhi was? Share: What do you know about Gandhiji? #GANDHIJI #kids #indianhistory #history #mahatmagandhi #leaders