After a refreshing early morning run in Mumbai I recounted the route to my parents. I had run from Electric House, via Mantralaya, along the Chowpatty sea face, past Wilson College to the top of the hill. “That's Walkeshwar hill!” my father revealed, “and if you had gone a little further you would have reached [...]
Filed under: Hinduism, Sanatana Dharma, Temples | Leave a Comment »
This follows a longer write-up on the Ramnathi Devasthan. The Mangeshi Devasthan in Goa is a crown jewel of Konkani Temples. The Shiva Linga representing Mangesh, was originally in the ancient temple of Kushastali (Cortalim, Salcete Taluka). When the Portuguese destroyed the original temple in 1561, the linga was relocated across the Zuari River near [...]
Filed under: Goa, Hinduism, Konkani, Sanatana Dharma, Temples | 1 Comment »
The Ramnathi Devasthan (place of God, or Temple) in Ponda, Goa is our family's ancestral temple. Millenia ago, groups of Konkani families settled in extended family-based communities in Goa. Each community had their own spirits, which protected them from evil and satisfied their spiritual curiosity. The spirits and associated deities also received gratitude for agricultural [...]
Filed under: Devi, Goa, Konkani, Sanatana Dharma, Temples | 12 Comments »
Outside the Mangeshi Devasthan in Goa, this lady sold cut cucumbers. It's a refreshing snack in the middle of a hot day. As I composed the pic, I was irritated at this guy walking across, but then I noticed her face light up at an approaching customer! Perfect! For her brilliant smile, and inviting pose, [...]
Filed under: Goa, Konkani, Temples | Leave a Comment »
Ramnathi, Goa: On every trip to India, we first visit our ancestral Ramnathi Temple in Ponda, Goa. On the cab ride from the train station, you are taken-in by the lush fields rimmed by coconut trees swaying in the breeze, beautiful bungalows on either side of the road, with folks just hanging out on the [...]
Filed under: Goa, Konkani, Temples | Leave a Comment »
In March, I posted a photo essay on the Flower Sellers in Dadar. These beautiful people, with little material belongings, seemed so content with their lives. That left a lasting impression. When I visited Goa, there too I was touched by the flower sellers. We had camped at the Ramnathi Temple, Ponda. After the main [...]
Filed under: Flowers, Goa, Temples | Leave a Comment »
