Kaikeyi spoke very sweetly to Bharata, “Your father, my dear Bharata, has gone to his final rest after having spent a life of great virtue and righteous conduct. Now he is with all the gods in heaven.” Bharata was completely stunned by the news of his father’s death and collapsed on the floor, weeping like […]
Sometimes we see omens or dreams that tell us something good or bad is going to happen in the future. Bharata saw a dream showing him that someone dear to him had died and he woke up feeling very unhappy. He became even more worried when messengers from Vasishtha arrived in the morning asking him
For six days after Rama had left the palace, Dasharatha lay slowly dying. One day, he found he had lost his sight and told Kaushalya that he had become blind like Shravana’s parents. He felt his death was close. He called Rama over and over again as he finally breathed his last. The palace and
There is an interesting wedding custom in the Marquesas Islands that comprise 14 islands in French Polynesia. Do you know: Local weddings in the Marquesas Islands end in a ‘human carpet’. After the wedding, there is a custom where the bride’s relatives all lie facing down on their bellies. They form a long row in
Not having a single knot on the bride and the groom is an Orthodox Judaism custom. Do you know: This custom is emphasized more for the groom than the bride at the wedding. In the Lubavitch Hassidic sect of Judaism, the groom must arrive at his wedding without a knot on his body. Before the
Placing a doll similar to the bride at the wedding is a popular wedding custom in Puerto Rico. Do you know: The bride in Puerto Rico carries a bouquet made of poppy flowers and a fan, which are meant to bring good luck. A doll made in the likeness of the bride is during weddings.
There are many symbolic customs that surround weddings in Finland. Do you know: According to Finnish customs, the bride and the groom are supposed to take a sauna before their wedding. In Finland, the future bride-to-be wears a golden crown on her head. An older married man accompanies her. Along with him, she goes from
Blindfolding the groom is a common custom in Estonian weddings. Do you know: Only the groom and men at the wedding carry out the blindfold tradition in Estonia. After the wedding, the groom in Estonia is blindfolded at his own reception and single men are made to stand around him. The groom is spun around
There are some strange amusing customs surrounding Russian weddings. Do you know: The guest who wishes to get married soon, secretly pulls the tablecloth at the couple’s reception. Russian celebrations last for two days, and on the second day, the Russians have a tradition where guests have to buy their forks, spoons and knives at
“I removed the arrow and held him as he breathed his last. The regret and grief in my heart was terrible. But the deed was done,” said Dasharatha, “I took the water to them. Just the sight of those two blind and helpless people shook my soul! I fell at their feet and sought their
Kaushalya wanted to know about the incident, so she asked him to narrate the story. “As a young man,” Dasharatha said, “I was very proud of my prowess as an archer. I could hit a target merely by hearing a sound from it. I went hunting one night and sat waiting for the prey on
A special banner is made as a part of wedding customs in Bulgaria. Do you know: The bride kisses the rings of all married women at the wedding, each of who gives her a fig for luck. At the wedding, the groom’s best man has the important task of carrying a special kind of banner.
When Sumantra returned to Ayodhya alone, he found Dasharatha and Kaushalya grieving deeply. Kaushalya requested him to take her to the forest where she too would live with Rama and Seeta. Dasharatha kept asking for Rama. “Where is he? He is an ideal son. Only I have failed as a father. Otherwise, he would not
Making the marriage bed is a wedding custom followed in Greece. Do you know: Brides in Greece carry a little sugar in their gloves to ensure her future is sweet. Making of the marriage bed is a wedding custom that is carried out before the wedding festivities. It begins with the fathers of the bride
Claddagh Rings are a part of Irish wedding customs. Do you know: This popular engagement ring was first produced in the 17th century during the reign of Queen Mary-II. The Claddagh Ring is a popular engagement and wedding ring that originated from a fishing village of the same name. The Claddagh is shaped like a