‘Magical realism’: how a fake #Hindu nation tried to take over Indigenous land in #Bolivia - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/08/fake-hindu-nation-kailasa-indigenous-land-bolivia-contracts "after he fled India while facing charges of abducting children for his ashram and one of raping a follower." bonkers
Today, the ninth day of the #Hindu lunar year, is observed as "Raama Nawami" in most parts of India. It is the birthday of Raama, the 7th of Wishnu's 10 incarnations.
Greetings to all who observe.
At least in South India, on this day, people give out free water, lemonade, buttermilk, and such to help beat the heat. Some build shelters/stalls ("prapaa" in Sanskrit, "arawattige" in Kannada) for this purpose. Some also give out "kosambari" which is cucumber salad, sometimes mixed with soaked lentils.
Despite her shocking appearance, Kali is the great defender of all that is good in the world: her appearance is meant to put fear in the hearts of those who are evil, for no evil can stand before her. #Hindu #mythology #folklore
images of Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjuvar, India, constructed between 1003 and 1010 CE
Today, Hindus around the world celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, and nowhere is it more raucous than in India. Kids and grownups filled their water balloons and water guns yesterday, and have packets of colored powder ready to ambush friends, neighbors and strangers. "If you're spotlessly clean, you're a target," write Mithil Aggarwal and Max Butterworth for NBC. Here's their story about the meaning of the festival and how it is celebrated — complete with some absolutely stunning photography.
A good-natured pandemonium breaks loose in the Zenana during the festival of #Holi, the #Hindu Festival of Colours
A princess stands watching behind the crowd, identifiable by her red Halo
(I too would be doing the disappearing act!)
c1800 CE #IndianMiniaturePainting from #Rajasthan, #India (Property of Cleveland #Museum of #Art) sold by Sothebys (March 15, 2017)
Agony of a Dejected Lover
( #Hindu God Lord #Krishna)
c1780 #Pahari folio from Gita Govinda attributed to a 1st Generation Master after #Artist #Nainsukh from #Kangra or #Guler #HimachalPradesh #India on Sothebys upcoming sale on 20th March 2025
Estimate £300,000-500,000
Composition based on #Raga Gujjari #Ragamala (Garland of Melodies)
Sad to leave #Udupi but grateful for 65 days of immersive and enlightening #sabbatical. I think/hope that I'm leaving a better person. Regardless, my sincere thanks to Sri Krishna and to both Swamijis of Paryaya Sri Puthige Matha for the opportunity. 
An #IndianMiniaturePainting so beautiful that it is someone's screen saver!
(It IS the famous #ArtHistory specialist William Dalrymple's)
#Hindu God Lord #Shiva tests His Archery Skills while riding the Nandi Bull
This astounding c1825 AD #Pahari #Painting from #Guler or #Chamba #HimachalPradesh #India is now at Indian #Museum #Kolkata
#IndianHeritage #Art #IndianHistory #Religion #Hinduism #Himalayas #History #MastoArt #Histodons #Heritage #IndianMythology #Punjab Hill State #ArtOfTheDay
Sivarathri was last night in Australia, as you saw with my post yesterday. It is "the long night of Siva" and rather than the festivities associated with a lot of other Hindu festivals, this one is one of meditation and introspection spent at the temple. A beautiful, quiet night, and many many years I have stayed for the full 12 hours.
This chant (Rudra and Chamaka), long in its entirety (about 40 mins), is sung over and over on Sivarathri. Many years I've been part of the group in our temple chanting it. It can be hot and thirsty work, but the devotees bring us water.
The first time I ever heard this chant it was sung by a group of 30 or so Hindu monks in their temple, and it was so beautiful with their voices all melding that I promised to learn it.
I found a local teacher and oh my goodness, how long it took me to get my tongue around the sounds. I must begin to chant it regularly again. With that teacher I learnt many chants, including Guru Gita which is also one of the most beautiful. Quite different to Rudra tho.
The Manifestation of Sadashiva
c1820 #Pahari #IndianMiniaturePainting from #Kangra now at Bhuri Singh Museum #Chamba #HimachalPradesh
The inscriptions identify the Heads of #Hindu Lord #Shiva as (l to r): Ishana, Tattvapurush, Sadyojata, Anghora & Vamadev of which Vamadev is more widely known worldwide as associated with Kama Sutra
Today is #Shivratri, His Wedding with Parvati
Towers with Faces at the Bayon Temple, #AngkorWat complex, #Cambodia. Bayon temple dates from 12th. Bayon name originally was Jayagiri which means Victory Mountain. The temple features 216 faces of #Buddha. 216, like 108, is a mystical number in both #Buddhist and #Hindu traditions.
#BuddhistArt #Buddhism
Bali
