Puranas

Decoding the great historical conspiracy to turn Saraswati into a mythical river

Recent scientific research, British era documentations by geologists and other experts, and our ancient texts speak of a mighty river that originated in the Himalayas and reached the Arabian sea

Decoding India's love for cricket, Bollywood — and why we value individual growth over team endeavours

India's fondness for both cricket and Bollywood can be traced to the need to constantly look inward to find answers and seek self-realisation

Saffron parties' campaign to rewrite Ramayana militates against India's cultural framework

The attempts by the trio of BJP, VHP and RSS to rewrite Ramayana militates against the core of Indian culture and tradition as it would mean de-legitimising a host of other extant versions of the epic

Durga Saptashati: How a centuries-old epic shaped the spiritual backbone of Navratri

One of the integral parts of Navratri is the recitation of a centuries old text called the Durga Saptashati or the Devi Mahatamya. The Saptashati (700 verses) has influenced what we know today of Goddess Durga

Navratri special: How the Durga Saptashati shaped our knowledge of the goddess

One of the integral parts of Navratri is the recitation of a centuries old text called the Durga Saptashati or the Devi Mahatamya. The Saptashati (700 verses) has influenced what we know today of Goddess Durga

Beef politics and religion: Why the idea needs to go beyond just cow protection

To posit the ban on beef as something imposed only by a Brahmin caste on society is unfortunate. There is a strong case for providing all animals the protection from an over-expanding animal husbandry industry and excessive meat-eating

History according to puranas: RSS's next big project

Upto 200 scholars from universities including Delhi, JNU, BHU and Patna have been roped in for the project, says Balmukund Pande, the organising secretary of the ABISY.