Tag Archives: #relationship

What’s the Significance of Celebrating Festivals?

Durga Puja Pandal, Picture by ©Chitrangadasharan

India is known for celebrating many festivals, all with the same enthusiasm.

One might ask— So many festivals throughout the year?

Yes, it’s true— Besides the big festivals, such as Holi, Diwali, Dussehra and others, each day has some significance, and the fact remains that Indians love to celebrate.

The reason is very simple— To be joyful, to spread happiness, and to celebrate life.

Besides all this, festivals are the best ways to maintain our culture, traditions and rich heritage.

Festivals are an amazing way to have social harmony and brotherhood among the citizens of a country.

It’s perhaps the best way to spread positivity, where people forget all their differences, their personal struggles.

Life is not always easy. There are challenges almost everyday. But, we have to carry on, and win our battles— big or small.

Where do we get the inner strength for all this??

Festivals fills us up with hope and belief, to be strong, to start afresh.

The above picture is from a Durga Puja pandal, as the festival of Navratri and Dussehra is being celebrated throughout the length and breath of India.

The whole community works in coordination with each other, to make the festivals enjoyable for everyone.

It’s all a very pleasant sight to watch people together— and Happy!

Happy Navratri and Happy Dussehra!

©Chitrangadasharan

Durga Puja ©Chitrangadasharan

Precious Daughters 🌹🌹

Happy Daughter’s Day

Daughters are most precious, and great gifts of God.

With the presence of a daughter, life is full of happiness.

Having a daughter is vital for the fathers and brothers, and of course for the mothers. She brings a balance in the family.

As she grows up, she is a friend, and always a well wisher. A person, whom you can always trust, in tough times, in happier times, or sad times.

She always stands by you, and never leaves you alone.

The best compliment for a mother, with regard to her daughter is, ‘She is just like you.’

And, a daughter feels happy, when people say, ‘You have grown up into a wonderful woman, just like your mother.’

“A daughter is a little girl, who grows up into a closest friend and any girl, who has been a good daughter, is sure to become a good wife.”

©Chitrangada Sharan

Image source: Google

What is The Significance of ‘Pitri Paksha’

“Akshay Vat”, The Banyan Tree at Gaya, Bihar, India ©Chitrangadasharan

Pitri Paksh or Shradh Paksha is a sixteen day period in the Hindu Calendar, when Hindus pay homage to their Pitrs (ancestors.)

According to the Hindu beliefs and traditions, the Ashwin Krishna Paksha in the Hindu calendar is dedicated to those ancestors, who have left for their heavenly abode.

And, it’s the religious duty of their family— sons, daughters and other close family members , to offer ‘Tarpan’ to the ancestors, so they achieve ‘Moksha’ or Salvation.

Besides ‘Tarpan’, various kinds of ‘daan’ (offerings) is also given, in the form of food, clothes, other essentials, or money.

‘Tarpan’ is performed on the same ‘Tithi’ when the ancestor had passed away, whether it was Krisna Paksha or Shukla Paksha, in any month.

‘Tarpan’ can be performed, by chanting mantras, guided by the pandit (priest) or by self, near river banks, temples, or even at homes.

But, for the final ‘Pind Daan’ there are many religious places assigned for this.

‘Teertha Sthal Gaya’ situated in the state of Bihar, India is considered to be the most revered and auspicious place for ‘Pind daan.’

The above picture is of the ancient and pious Banyan tree at Gaya, which has a deep religious significance.

The mighty Banyan tree is also called, ‘Akshay Vat’, which literally means, which can’t be destroyed.

The devotees believe in tying the sacred red thread, on the vast and widespread branches of the supporting roots, trees, all around the Banyan tree, for the fulfilment of their wishes, and to seek the blessings of the departed elders of the family.

Pitri Paksh ends on ‘Sarv Pitri Amavasya’, and immediately the ‘Matri Paksha’ or ‘Mahalya’ begins, followed by ‘Navratri.’

©Chitrangadasharan

Rakshabandhan: A Beautiful Indian Festival to Celebrate the Brother-Sister Relationship

Rakhi ki Thali ©Chitrangadasharan

One of the most beautiful Indian festivals is Rakshabandhan.

This festival is about the special and pious bond, to celebrate the brother-sister relationship.

When the siblings are growing up together at their parents home, it is always about fun, sweets, gifts etc.

But, as we grow older, it’s unlikely the brother-sister will remain in the same city, or may be in the same country.

Yes, life takes the siblings to different directions, due to education, work, career, even marriage.

It’s then that the festival of Rakshabandhan becomes an emotional festival.

The sacred thread, which the sisters tie on the wrist of their brothers, to wish them happiness, prosperity, good health and all good wishes, can’t be done in the same way, as it was done in their childhood days.

So, there is a practice to send the colourful and auspicious Rakhis in envelopes, via post, or couriers, or even online.

That little small sacred thread, called Rakhi is symbolic of the pure and true love and the special bond, which the brother and sister share with each other.

If the brother is married, a special and beautiful Rakhi is also included for the sister-in-law.

Perhaps, it’s only in Indian culture and traditions, that the brother-sister relationship is celebrated in this beautiful manner.

Because, this is a relationship, Forever. 🌹🌹

Raisin, Cinnamon Cake: Weekend Treats

Picture by ©Chitrangadasharan

When you want to make your loved ones smile,

Bake a cake,

When you feel relaxed, because it’s weekend,

Bake a cake,

When you are feeling a bit low,

Bake a cake,

When you have something to celebrate,

Bake a cake,

Happiness is- – – – –

Baking a cake for your loved ones.

©Chitrangadasharan

Father’s Day: My Thoughts

“What we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they are not trying to teach us.”— Umberto Eco.

Happy Father’s Day!

The love of a father is often unexpressed.

Fathers usually don’t show their tears or their fears.

But, the invisible protection, which his presence provides us, remains the pillar of strength throughout our lives.

Remembering my father not only on this Father’s Day, but everyday.

Yes, I miss him every moment, and feel his presence and blessings always upon me.

My Father— A Memoir

Some quotes to express my feelings on ‘Father’s day.’


1. There is no teacher equal to mother and there’s nothing more contagious than the dignity of a father. — Amit Ray

2. Confident women are raised by loving dads. —-Nitya Prakash

3. Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, storytellers, and singers of song.—-Pam Brown

4. I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection. —Sigmund Freud.

5. To the world, you are a dad. But to our family, you are the world. —Unknown

6. It is a wise father that knows his own child.—William Shakespeare

7. The heart of a father is the masterpiece of nature. —Antoine Francois Prevost.

8. A girl’s first true love is her father. —Marisol Santiago

9. The greatest mark of a father is how he treats his children, when no one is looking. —Dan Pearce.

10. To be the father of a nation is a great honour, but to be the father of a family is a greater joy. — Nelson Mandela.

11. My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: He believed in me. —- Jim Valvano

Family—My Thoughts

©Chitrangadasharan

Family is like Music,

Some high notes,

Some low notes,

But always, a beautiful song.

Love binds together,

Understanding keeps it going,

Mutual respect and care,

Makes it work, each time.

Communication is the key,

Talking to each other,

Rather than, holding on the grudges,

Makes it easier to find solutions.

Family is precious,

It will always support you,

Through thick and thin,

Cherish it, love it, enjoy it.

©Chitrangadasharan

Stay Connected—Poem

Picture by ©Chitrangadasharan

To someone near or far,

After a long time,

A simple phone call,

A simple text message,

For no specific reason,

To know their welfare,

Greetings, and good wishes,

To uplift and reassure,

To exchange pleasantries,

Sometimes, it’s important

To listen, to be there,

To be the healing touch,

The magic of staying connected,

The medicine fails,

The person heals.

© Chitrangada Sharan