Chitrangada Writes

Traditional Delicacies: Weekend Festival Vibes

The harvest festival of Makar Sankranti is known by many other names in India, like Uttarayan, Pongal, Maagh Bihu, Pongal, Til Sankranti, khichdi and some other names, in different regions of our multi cultural, multi lingual country.

We all know that it is to celebrate the new crops, by offering it to Agni, to Gods, and to the needy or less privileged people.

We also prepare traditional Delicacies with the new crops, like sessame seeds, puffed rice, jaggery, new vegetables etc.

Til- gud laddoo and murmura- gud laddoo is my family’s favourite. I enjoy making it for them. Nothing can replace the joy of having traditional Delicacies prepared at home.

Sharing some pictures here.

Happy Makar Sankranti to all the wonderful fellow writers 🌹🌹

Moving On: Wordless Wednesday

Thoughts and Reflections: The Dawn of Another New Year (2024)

“—-And miles to go before I sleep—“ ©️Chitrangadasharan

The year 2023 is about to end, and once again we will welcome another new year.

Many thoughts are occurring in my mind—

* Nothing changes overnight; it takes time and effort, patience and perseverance, Hope and belief.

* Life is moving and we must move with the flow.

* When one year ends, it’s not the end or another beginning, but it’s going on.

* What we can actually do is, Be grateful for the life, and try to do our best, with all those experiences that life teaches us.

* So, another chance to fill in the blank pages, and make our presence (on this planet) worthwhile.

Wishing all my fellow writers here—

🌹🌹 Happy and Prosperous New Year 2024! 🌹🌹

Wordless Wednesday: Wise Words

As we are nearing the end of another year, it’s time to reflect and learn from our mistakes. But, with a positive thought, to let go, to move on and keep moving forward.

Oftentimes, what seems like the end, is often the beginning.

🌹🌹🌹

Banke Bihari and Radha Rani Darshan: Weekend Thoughts

Whenever I go to Vrindavan, for the darshan of Banke Bihari, I feel a supreme sense of soulful happiness.

I wonder, what the Lord feels about it! Not only me, thousands of devotees visit Vrindavan to have a glimpse of Lord Krishna.

And, one cannot understand the feelings, unless they have been there.

Needless to describe the difficulties, the narrow lanes, the never ending queues, the limited time etc. etc.

But, the enthusiasm of the devotees, the amount of positive energy, the joy, the curiosity on the faces of everyone, to get that one glimpse of Krishna surpasses it all.

As if, nothing else matters, if you get a brief glimpse of the mesmerising Krishna.

You forget everything and just feel happy to be there.

Feeling, how fortunate you are to get a darshan of Krishna at Vrindavan!

I wonder, what Krishna thinks about it!

I am sure, the Lord enjoys to be in the company of his devotees.

Because, as they say in Hindi—

“भक्त के बिना क्या भगवान,

भगवान के बिना क्या भक्त ।”

यानी दोनों एक दूसरे के पूरक हैं ।

Which means— There can’t be God, without the devotees, and there can’t be devotees, without the God.

Both complete each other.

The above pictures are from the Banke Bihari temple, at Vrindavan and the Radha Rani temple at Barsana.

🙏🙏

About Paan: Weekend Thoughts

Eating ‘Paan’ after a sumptuous dinner, is a wonderful Indian tradition.

Eating Paan dates back to ancient times in India, and then it became popular in other Asian countries.

The basic Paan or Betel leaf is filled with chopped betel nut, chuna (slaked lime), red katha (prepared from khair tree). It is then folded into a triangle and ready to be relished after a delicious dinner.

The meetha Paan or Gilori has additional filling of sweet or meetha masala, which includes Gulakand (made with rose petals), saunf (aniseeds), sweet mint, cardamom, cloves etc.

Though it’s not as popular nowadays, I like having Paan on special occasions, such as weddings and special dinner parties.

Had the privilege of enjoying this Paan/ Gilori at a wedding last night.

Simply amazing!

Glimpses of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments: Wordless Wednesday

Glimpses from my recent visit to the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a World Heritage Site, certified by UNESCO.

It’s a magnificent example of ancient Indian art, architecture and sculpture, from the Chandela dynasty.

Digital Detox: Weekend Thoughts

Think about this—-

For one day, or even for few hours, can you switch off your mobile phone, your laptop, and other electronic devices?

In today times, it’s unthinkable for people to refrain from checking their smart phones, every now and then, whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, What’s app, LinkedIn, Google, Twitter, and a host of other social media apps.

All this use of electronic devices is in addition to the office or work related requirements, which is unavoidable.

While it’s impossible to avoid the screen time, we can at least reduce it, consciously and thoughtfully.

It’s important to do so for our physical and mental health and also important for the health of our Eyes.

Think about this—

Think about Digital detoxification.

My Thoughts: Financial Independence For Girls/ Women

What all has changed from my times?

I belong to the times when girls were educated, but not necessarily working in a full time job.

It’s a completely different picture now, and I have seen this happening over the years.

I am happy for this positive change in our society.

Why?

Because, the Girls are educated in such a way, that they are professionally qualified to join high paying jobs.

Girls are no longer financially dependent on others, be it their fathers, brothers, husbands or anyone else.

Previously, they had to be dependent on others, even for their basic, day-today needs.

But, it’s a completely different situation now.

They are an asset to the family and contribute financially also in maintaining the family, besides their other responsibilities as daughters, wives and mothers.

Isn’t this a beautiful change!

Doesn’t it reduce the financial burden of the men in the family, so that the whole family can have better lifestyle, better education for the children, better medical facilities, better future planning etc.?

Most important, and we might not even realise this, but education, profession, and identity of being ‘Someone’ helps to prevent exploitation of the girls/ women.

(Sadly, this used to happen, even within their own close family)

More Power to the Girls! 👍👍

Ancient Indian Heritage: Wordless Wednesday

Tryambakeshwar Jyotirling, Nashik, ©️Chitrangadasharan

Architectural Marvels of India, Trayambakeshwar Jyotirling, Nashik, Maharashtra, India 🙏🙏