The Diva Blog

Pratipat - Water What can we do without water? Nothing. It is a well-known fact that without water a person can not survive for even a couple of days. Will Durant in his ‘The Story of Civilization’ points out that among all factors, geological and geographical factors are the most important. Water and water sources are a major part of both of them.Yangtze and ​Huang He gave rise to Chinese Civilization. Ganga, Sarasvati, Yamuna, Sutlej and other countless rivers of the Indian Subcontinent still cradle the Indian Civilization. The Volga, Ob, Yenisei and Lena water the lands of Russia and...

From time immemorable, Varanasi has existed. So have its names. But among all of them, the name Kashi is the most often used in ancient texts and in conversations today. This is not without reason. Like all words of Samskrita, this word too has a clear etymology. It is derived from the root काश् which means primarily ‘to shine’.  Light in India has always taken to be a sign of knowledge. For example, in the Gita, Krishna says, “यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन । ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा ॥4.37॥”, which means, ‘just as burning fire turns fuel into ashes, Oh Arjuna, so does...

When you walk down the narrow gallis of Varanasi early in the morning, one can smell fresh food being prepared in the various eateries. Kachoris, Jalebas, Laung Lata, Lal Peda, Sev, hot Sabjis, Chai, Lassi… The list goes on. But among them all, Urad Dal ki Kachori stands out as a unique breakfast option.   An Urad Dal stuffed Poori with hints of Hing and Kasuri Methi, makes up the dish. When served with a hot Aloo and Chana Sabji, it simply irresistible to a food lover.   Serves 4 Preparation Time - 10 mins Cooking Time - 5 mins  ...

A line of thread and a cloth have no difference. Similarly, the Brahman and the universe are ultimately the same. Chanderi, Banarasi, Jamdani, Ikkat, Patola, Paithani... All these are nothing but names. And, the thread takes different forms according to the expectations which come with the name. What is cloth without threads? Can threadless cloth exist? Similarly, what use does a thread have without it becoming a cloth? It is simply the ability of the thread to become a cloth and the act of weaving which makes all the difference. This is Shakti, the ability of Brahman to bring out...