Hariharan writes about the myths, symbols and festival stories that most of us grew up hearing but were rarely asked to think about. He tells the story first, then asks what it is really about, and leaves the conclusion to you.
The Andal story: the girl found under a tulsi plant in Srivilliputhur who wore the Lord's garland first, sang the Tiruppavai, and chose her own devotion.
What the 13th day ceremony after death in Hindu homes means: the soul joining the ancestors, the end of mourning, and why families open their doors again.
Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra, Poorattathi in Tamil: Aja Ekapada and Guru, the two-faced man and sword, the star of intensity, and its Ranganathapuram temple.
The annual shraddham falls on the lunar tithi of a death, not the calendar date. What the rite means, the story behind the rice balls, and how families keep it.
Why Lakshmi is restless: the Vishnu Purana tells how she left Indra, why she is called Chanchala, and what her sister Alakshmi says about keeping prosperity.
The Kubera story: the god of wealth who lost Lanka to his brother Ravana, became treasurer of the gods, and was humbled by a hungry Ganesha at his own feast.
The Swayamvara Parvathi homam draws on the story of Parvati choosing Shiva. What the tale means, what the homam involves, and why it is sought for marriage.
Holi meaning told through the Bhagavata Purana: Prahlad, Holika and the bonfire, Narasimha at dusk, Krishna's colours, and what the fire and colour stand for.
Mangal dosha explained without panic: what Mars in certain houses means, the myths around manglik matches, how cancellation works, and traditional remedies.
What is a homam? The Vedic fire ritual explained: Agni as messenger, what is offered into the flames, how a homam differs from a puja and why families book one.
Maha Shivaratri meaning: why devotees stay awake all night, the stories of Shiva's dance, the Jyotirlinga and the hunter, and what the night of Shiva invites.
Pradosham meaning: the twilight window twice a month when Shiva is worshipped with Nandi, the story of the churned ocean, and why dusk matters to Shaivas.
Vasant Panchami significance: why Saraswati is worshipped at the start of spring, why yellow, and the story of the goddess who gave the silent world its voice.
Why is Pongal celebrated? The sun's turn north, the rice harvest, Indra, Surya and Nandi, and the four days from Bhogi to Kaanum, explained through their story.
A new business opening pooja usually honours Ganesha, Lakshmi and Kubera. The stories behind each, the coconut at the threshold, and a simple order to follow.
Arudra Darshan, the night Nataraja dances: the forest sages, the dwarf under his foot, Sendanar's kali, and why Chidambaram fills before dawn in Margazhi.
What is a muhurtham? How an auspicious time is chosen for weddings, housewarmings and new starts in Jyotish, and what the practice says about beginnings.
Hariharan ·
Subscribe to our blogs
To get more from Hariharan like this, subscribe for free.
