HALADI: (Turmeric) Curcuma longa Family: Zingiberaceae Sanskrit name: Haridra Hindi name: Haldi Take ground root of turmeric, lentil flour, a touch of pure camphor, paste of white sandalwood, and a little dried orange root. Blend. Apply on the face...
Vaital Deul is a tantric Shakta shrine located near Bindusagar in Bhubaneswar. Built during the eight century, this temple belongs to the Khakhara order – an offshoot of the Kalinga School. A striking feature is the shape of its sanctuary...
INDIAN LABURNUM: Amaltas/Sonari I wish Bhubaneswar had more flowering trees. I saw a splendid Amaltas at Raj Bhavan roundabout yesterday, the drooping sprays of clear yellow flowers clothing the tree in a mantle of gold. I remember streets in Delhi...
SANKHAPHALA: (Sponge Tree) Latin Name: Prosopis spicigera Hindi: Sami, Shami, Jand, Khejra Kannada: Jambi, Banni Malayalam: Parampu Marathi: Shemri Punjabi: Jand Sanskrit. Shami Tamil: Perumbay Telugu: Jammi Family : Leguminosae Prosopis in Greek...
Ingredients: Arua rice – 2 cups Gur – 2 cups Ghee/Refined oil – 2 cups Salt – 2 pinches Sesame seeds (rasi) – 1 tbsp. Water – 1 cup Procedure: Soak rice overnight in water. Drain the water and spread the rice on a...
KADALI (Plaintain) (Musa paradisiaca) Family: Musaceae Sanskrit name: Kadali-phala Hindi name: Kela As the sheath and branching leaves of the plantain are seen in its stem, so You are the stem of the universe, and all is visible in You. ~ Prayer to...
Ingredients: For the pitha batter: Rice – 2 cups Biri dali – 1/4 cup (skinless) Salt – 2 pinches. Soak rice and biri dali separately for 2 hours atleast. Grind separately to a thick paste, not too smooth. Then mix the two pastes...
One of the names of Lord Shiva is Chandrashekhara. He got this name after he gave refuge to Moon or Chandra on this matted locks after Chandra was cursed by Daksha Prajapati. Legend has it that Daksha Prajapati, one of the creator-gods and manas...
GUA: (Betel nut) Areca catechu Family: Palmae Sanskrit name: Puga Hindi name: Supari Even now I remember Wine on the lip she innocently licked… and her mouth spiced still with camphor and areca. ~ Bilhana in Vikramadev Charita (twelfth century) The...
The Sun ensconced within a Rainbow ~ a celestial sight non-pareil; a start to the day with the Gayatri mantra thanks to Sanjeev, … here’s some more on the supreme invocation to the Sun … this is the complete Gayatri mantra. Among...
