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Wind Chimes are often seen as common household decorations today. They are popular for their aesthetic value and pleasant sounds that create a peaceful atmosphere inside modern homes. Interestingly, there is a deeply spiritual and historical significance to wind chimes.The ancient Chinese invented wind chimes over 3000 years ago.They believed that wind chimes have a great significance in Feng Shui, where these chimes are called Fenglings. Feng shui is an ancient Chinese system of arranging buildings, objects and space in an environment to achieve harmony and balance. Feng shui means “the way of wind and water.” Some cultures claim wind chimes can be used to drive away evil spirits and attract positive energy.Wind chimes started to gradually spread across the world through the East-West trade, finally making it to Europe and the Americas. Due to their natural appeal, wind chimes spread across homes and gardens all over the world.According to the Vedic system of Vasthu Shastra , wind chimes support the harmony and alignment of chakras in the human body and help get rid of any ‘Vastu dosha’ - understood as bad luck or negative energy.Similar to the resonance of Tibetan singing bowls and tuning fork wind chimes are believed to have healing powers. Some claim that their soft, melodious chiming aids in releasing unfavorable energy and bringing clarity.One can find a number of wind chimes with traditional designs and carvings. The most widely used bell or rod numbers in wind chimes to draw in good energy are six and eight. Using a chime with five rods is advised for people seeking to quell negative energy.Hanging a chime with an image of the Buddha in the north-east direction is said to promote spiritual development. The symbols on wind chimes determine their placement in a home. In Feng Shui, It is ideal to place them near the main door to keep the positive energy circulating throughout a living space. It is also believed that wind chimes should never be placed above or on the front of a door.While you can hang wind chimes any place in your house, it is recommended that you explore such details so you can gain desired effects. #blog #blogpost #homedecor #traditionalart #windchimes #decor #wallhangings #hangings 

Hindu Temple architecture has been developed to emulate a confluence of the arts, dharmic ideals, moral principles and the vedic way of life. Traditionally a Mantap or Mandapam signifies a pillared structure with distinctive Hindu Temple architecture and symbols. A pooja mandap (ceremonial pavilion) features an inner sanctum or the garba-griha (womb chamber) where the deity presides. The outer sanctum contains a vimana, a tower-like structure covered with symbolic carvings. The modern pooja mantapa has been adapted to house deities and idols within individual homes and are predominantly crafted with precious wood varieties. Vastu Shastra (Vedic Architecture Principles) considers Sheesham wood and Rosewood as auspicious. which are used with impeccable carvings reflecting Hindu temple artworks. The exquisite woodwork mirrors inspirations from vedic temple architecture and is filled with Hindu symbols and revered objects. House mantapas can also be made of stone such as granite that is used for ornate traditional temple carvings. A pooja mandap is a special gathering place for the family or devotees who can come together and pray in unison, especially on special occasions to ceremoniously worship the divine and seek blessings. A home temple also serves as an object to aspire as a rite of passage from one generation to the other. It enables elders to instill religious values, morals and traditions in youngsters. In a Hindu temple, all the cosmic elements that give birth to and celebrate life - fire, water, earth and other depictions of the divine are symbolically shown. Also represented are the fleeting sounds of bells, incense smells are blended in with Purusha—the eternal nothingness that is the universe. In temples, mandapas often lie between the sanctuary and the temple entrance. In a large temple other mandapas may be placed to the sides, or detached within the temple compound. The four pillars of a Mantapa symbolize the four stages of life as per the Hindu Vedas – Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa. Furthermore, the pillars also signify the four important aspects of a human life – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. There are primarily two styles of temple architecture - Nagara in northern India and Dravidian in the south. There is also a third style, the Vesara Style, which is a fusion of the Nagara and Dravidian styles of architecture. In South India, a pillared hall or porch in a Hindu temple - that may be attached or detached from the building - is called a mandapam. The shape and significance of the architectural components of a Hindu temple are intended to serve as the site where man and the divine connect, facilitating man's advancement toward spiritual knowledge and truth—what Hindus refer to as moksha—and his emancipation. Mandapas at home serve the purpose of a dedicated space for divinity. It honors and houses depictions of deities, exalted spiritual masters and ancestors. A mandapa is an enduring symbol of vedic spirituality..

Silk painting is a type of traditional painting deeply rooted in Asian cultures like China, Japan, Vietnam, Tibet and India. The most well-known religious painting is the Tibetan Thangka which is made on cotton or silk appliqué or on Chinese scroll paintings. Historically, this form of textile painting has its origins in China with one of the earliest Chinese silk paintings still in existence being a 2-meter-long T-shaped artwork from the Mawangdui that dates back roughly to 165 BCE (2100 years ago). The earliest evidence of silk dates back to more than 8,500 years ago and has been found at the early Neolithic Age tombs of Jiahu, China. The production of silk originated in Neolithic China within the Yangshao culture (4th millennium BCE). Though it would later reach other places in the world, the art of silk production remained confined to China until the Silk Road opened at 114 BC, though China maintained its virtual monopoly over silk production for another thousand years. The use of silk within China was not confined to clothing alone, and silk was used for a number of applications, such as writing. Within clothing, the color of silk worn also held social importance, and formed an important guide of social class during the Tang dynasty. Silk painting can also be recognized within Vietnam's traditional craft, known as Tranh lụa. Several antique silk paintings, including portraits of Nguyễn Trãi, Phùng Khắc Khoan, Trịnh Đình Kiên, Phan Huy Cẩn, Phan Huy Ích, Phan Huy Thực, and Phan Huy Vịnh from Lê and Nguyễn dynasty are considered amongst the oldest known relics of Vietnamese silk painting. Silk painting in India dates back to the second century A.D., when silks were decorated using the wax resist technique. It reached its height of popularity during the Mughal Empire (17th–19th centuries), when numerous wall hangings and portrait paintings were created. Marking the beginning of an incredible creative process in creating textile art with the method of employing conventional materials, with pure silk cloths stretched in a frame and applying textile paints or dyes. Basically, a resist is anything that prevents dye from reaching the fabric, it resists the dye. There are two major categories of resists commonly used for silk painting : Guttas and Water-soluble resists. Solvent based Gutta is a thick substance that is derived from Indonesian rubber trees (Gutta Percha). Gutta, which is a rubber like latex derived from the plant of Gutta-percha, started to be used in silk painting as a resist to help achieve finer patterns. Indian silk paintings have a distinct style with the emphasis on the beauty, softness, and flexibility of design which make it unique. Silk is skillfully utilized as a canvas for portraits and painting. Another distinctive feature that serves to draw attention to the designs is the extensive usage of gold. Rich court life, religious themes, and epic stories are frequently depicted in silk paintings. Gold, diamonds, and glitter can also be noted to be frequently used.  

Festival of Lights: Countless Smiles & New Beginnings Diwali, Deepavali or the festival of lights as it is known globally is considered the grandest occasion for celebration by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the Indian Subcontinent and beyond. Diwali is one of the most well-known Hindu holidays representing the victory of light over darkness, spiritual good over evil and the end of ignorance over knowledge. Diwali is a holy day to celebrate the return of the god prince Shri Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Laxmana, from their 14 year ‘Vanavasa’ or exile. The Ramayana is an epic chronicling Lord Rama’s journey, trials and tribulations. They returned to their home kingdom of Ayodhya after their victory over Ravana the ‘rakshasa’ king of the island of Lanka. To celebrate the return of Lord Rama, people decorate their homes, surroundings and places of business with diyas (lamps) and rangolis (colorful patterns and decorations on the floor) in order to ward off evil-eyes and dark souls and extend a warm and cheerful welcome to the promised one’s victorious return. People dress their best for Diwali and offer Lakshmi puja to honor the goddess of riches and success - apart from attending family feasts where sweets and presents are exchanged, in recent decades people have been lighting fireworks too. The festival is also frequently associated with ‘Lakshmi’ the goddess of prosperity and ‘Ganesha’, the god of wisdom. Several communities additionally celebrate Kaali Puja paying obeisance to the Goddess of Destruction during this time. Diwali is typically observed twenty days after Vijayadashami or Dussehra. Dhanteras, which is also called by other regional names, marks the festival's opening day when people start to prepare for Diwali by cleansing their homes, decorating surroundings and creating rangoli art. In some parts of India, Govatsa Dwadashi marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations the day before Dhanteras. The second day is observed as Naraka Chaturdashi. Lakshmi Puja is observed on the third day, which is also the darkest night of the month and is a new moon day. The day following Lakshmi Puja is observed in various regions of India with the Govardhan Puja and Balipratipada or Padwa. Bhai Dooj, Bhau-Beej or Bhai Phonta is celebrated in India, Nepal and other countries on the second lunar day of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the Kartika month. After the five day long celebrations of Diwali or Tihar festival, Sisters pray to God for the well-being and longevity of their brothers against all the evils and bad fortune. In return, brothers reaffirm their responsibilities of caring-for and loving their sisters. Other Hindu and Sikh craft communities observe Vishwakarma Puja on this day to honor the craftsman deity and the divine architect. Some traditions recognize Diwali as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon king Narakasura and for some regions of India, it also coincides with the Hindu New Year. Most people celebrate more generally as a time to gather with friends and family, feasting and looking forward to the year ahead.   #Diwali #HappyDiwali #Festival #DiwaliVibes #IndianFestival #FestivalofLights #DiwaliDecor #Celebration #DiwaliGifts #DiwaliDecorations #HomeDecor #Diwali2022 #GoddessLakshmi #Lakshmi #LakshmiPuja   

Mysore Dasara ( ನಾಡ ಹಬ್ಬ )  Celebrating Victory With Royalty The Mysore Dasara is celebrated in honor of goddess Chamundeshwari, a form of goddess Durga - ‘Chamundi’ is the fierce form of ‘Shakti’. According to legends, she is the slayer of demons, ‘Chanda’ and ‘Munda’ and also ‘Mahishasura’, the buffalo-headed monster, every year the celebration is held in honor of this triumph. According to historians, the magnificent custom of the Dasara celebration known as the Mahanavami was started by the Vijayanagar rulers in the 15th century - the celebrations are also shown in the relief artwork on the outside wall of the Hazara Rama temple in Hampi. In recent years, it is being practiced today by the royal family Wodeyars of Mysore. During the celebrations, a special durbar or a royal assembly was held. The first Dasara durbar was held in the Mysore Palace in 1805, under the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III. Since Srikanta Wadiyar's passing in December 2013, this custom has been maintained by placing the "Pattada Katti" (royal sword) on the throne. A grand inauguration and a cultural event kick off the celebrations on the first day of Navratri. Celebrations are done in honor of the goddess Saraswathi on the sixth day of the Mysore Dasara. On the eighth day, the goddess Durga is honored, and on the ninth day, the goddess Lakshmi is honored. A bustling exhibition takes place on the Doddakere Maidana. It starts during Mysore Dasara and remains open till December. It showcases the cultural and religious heritage of the city where visitors can also buy clothes, kitchenware and other souvenirs. For visitors’ entertainment there are Ferris wheels and other thrilling rides, and one can also enjoy mouthwatering delicacies and authentic cuisine. Other attractions include traditional wrestling or ‘Nada Kusti’ and a special Dasara Flower Show that usually takes place in Nishad Bhag or Kuppanna Park. The spectacular climax is celebrated with tremendous fanfare on the tenth day, which is known as Vijayadashami. There is an elaborate parade called the ‘Jambu Savari’ begins at the renowned Mysore Palace and ends at the Bannimantap, a significant historical site in the city. This is a spectacle consisting of 12 Dasara Jumbos (elephants) that are specially selected and trained particularly to participate in the show march in unison which is one of the procession's main draws. This dazzling parade displays the grandeur of Karnataka’s glorious history accompanied with spectacular fireworks, bike shows, cultural programs, and laser shows. During this cultural extravaganza, the Mysore palace (the royal residence and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore) is illuminated with thousands of lights, making it a treat to the visitors. The beautifully embellished palace with around 97,000 bulbs is a rare sight to behold.

The festival of Navaratri is observed by Hindus all over the world through different customs and traditions to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Depending on the region of India and the legends revolving around them, the Navratri celebrations last over nine days in honor of Goddess Durga who is also known as Shakti. In the month of Ashvin the festival celebrates the divine feminine energy over nine days which are popularly known as Navratri, ‘Nava’ and ‘Ratri’ meaning a period of nine nights. On the tenth day, Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, marks the end of Navratri. While most people use this time for dancing and feasting, many others engage in learning religious thought and fasting. Garba is a popular dance ritual followed in Gujarat during Navratri celebrations. Maharashtra and Karnataka also celebrate Navratri as a very popular event. The nine nights of the festival are often devoted to various aspects of the divine feminine energy or Shakti. The first third of the festival usually concentrates on features of the goddess Durga, the second third on the goddess Lakshmi, and the last third on the goddess Sarasvati, however, the pattern varies significantly in different places. Offerings and ceremonies are frequently done in honor of the goddess and their incarnations. Navratri in Bengal is celebrated in the form of Durga Puja ("Rite of Durga"), the biggest state festival and holiday where devotees pray and make offerings to Devi Durga. The tenth day is revered as Vijaya Dashami where joyous processions carry Durga idols to honor her victory over the buffalo-headed demon ‘Mahishasura’. The idols are immersed into local rivers or reservoirs. The triumph of good over evil, such as Durga's over Mahishasura, is celebrated at Dussehra. Dussehra is also celebrated in various regions of India as the day that Lord Rama defeated the evil king Ravana. Ram Lila ("Play of Rama") is enacted throughout parts of north India. Young performers in extravagant costumes and masks recreate many scenes of the epic fight sequence between Lord Rama Ravana from Ramayana, concluding with the burning of enormous Ravana effigies. Dussehra is believed to be an auspicious occasion to begin new endeavors.