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Archana

Writes about practice: attention, breath, the body, the lamp

Archana writes about ritual as something you do rather than something you believe: the lamp, the breath, the fast, the few quiet minutes before the day begins. Her pieces usually end with a small practice to try for a week and notice what changes.

43 posts

Grief

Grief in Hinduism: Room to Mourn, Room to Heal

The Hindu view of grief is gentler than people expect: rites that give mourning a shape, room for tears, and practices for the body and breath while you heal.

Archana

Navagraha

How to Worship the Navagrahas at a Temple

Navagraha puja benefits start with doing it right: how to walk around the nine planets at a temple, which direction, what to offer, and what to hold in mind.

Archana

Recipes

Karadaiyan Nombu Adai: Savitri's Offering

A karadaiyan nombu adai recipe: rice flour, jaggery and cowpeas steamed into adai, offered with unmelted butter as the yellow thread is tied; Savitri's story.

Archana

Career

A Small Altar at Your Desk: Quiet Faith at Work

A desk altar at work can be tiny: one figure or stone, a leaf, a few seconds of attention before you log in, and respect for shared space and office fire rules.

Archana

Ratha Saptami

Ratha Saptami: The Sun Turns His Chariot North

Ratha Saptami significance: the day the sun's chariot turns north, the seven-leaf bath, a chariot kolam, and a morning sun practice to try for a week.

Archana

Career

A Prayer Before a Job Interview, in Two Minutes

A prayer before an interview you can do in two minutes: a slow breath, a short Ganesha or Saraswati mantra and one sentence of intention, even in a parking lot.

Archana

Homam

Homam vs Puja: What Is the Difference?

Homam vs puja: one is offered through fire, one through image and lamp. What the difference is, when each is used and which fits your intention and your home.

Archana

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti Meaning: Sun, Sesame and Winter

Makar Sankranti meaning for body and mind: the sun's turn north, why sesame and jaggery are eaten in winter, kites, early baths, and one practice to try.

Archana

Ekadashi

Ekadashi Fasting Rules for Beginners

Ekadashi fasting rules for beginners: what to eat and avoid, how strict to be, how to break the fast, and how to adapt the tradition to your health and routine.

Archana

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