Customs involving gold and silver ornaments are very popular among the Hindu customs. Do you know: A woman wearing a toe ring on the second toe has a healthy Ayurvedic effect on the body. According to the Hindu customs, a married woman must wear a toe ring on her second toe after marriage. This custom […]
Sumantra took the chariot to the southern bank of the Ganga, which marked the boundary of the kingdom of Kaushala. They decided to rest there that night. Guha was the chieftain of all the Nishada tribes, the forest dwellers. He was a great admirer of Rama, and devoted himself to his service. He came to
The chariot halted on the banks of the Tamasa River that night. Everyone slept, exhausted, from walking and from grief. While Sumantra unhitched the horses and watered and fed them. Rama, Seeta and Lakshmana said their evening prayers. Rama told Lakshmana and Seeta the value of keeping a fast as a way to become more
The Tree-Marrying custom is also prevalent amongst people in the south of Thailand. Do you know: Men specifically at the age of 21 are married to a tree in Thailand. Young men at the age of 21 years are married to a tree in Thailand as a sign of vitality being bestowed on the young
Dasharatha was miserable seeing not only Rama but also the delicate Seeta leaving for the forest. How would she cope with the hardships of life in the forest? His brave Lakshmana was also with them. He was losing all three at one stroke! He asked Sumantra to escort them as far as possible and look
The news of Kaikeyi’s demands, and Rama’s decision spread like wildfire through the palace and the kingdom. It was received with grief and anger everywhere. But Rama’s face was as peaceful and pleasant as always. He was doing his duty as he carried out his father’s instructions. Whether he was asked to be the Crown
Ptem and Gaat Sah are wedding customs celebrated in Cambodia. Do you know: The two singers who perform the Gaat Sah symbolize heavenly creatures. Ptem is a ‘knot ceremony’, where knots are tied to a string bracelet symbolizing the blessings and good wishes of the elders for the bride and the groom. The GaatSah is
Lakshmana had waited outside the door and was furious at Kaikeyi. Rama calmed him down. He had to uphold his father’s promise and ensure that his word was honoured. Lakshmana said he would go with him to serve him in the forest. Nothing Rama said would stop him. Rama told his mother, Kaushalya, who was
Common name : Banded duiker, Striped back duiker Scientific name : Cephalophus zebra Family : Bovidae Native to : Liberia, the Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Guinea Interesting fact : Its main predator is the leopard. Conservation status : Vulnerable Zebra duikers have gold or red-brown coats with 12-16 distinctive zebra-like stripes, dark markings on
With a heavy heart, Dasharatha called Sumantra. Kaikeyi sent him to fetch Rama immediately. Sumantra gave the message to Rama, who hurried to obey. Rama entered the Anger Room, and was shocked to see his father sitting on the ground, looking shattered. “Mother,” he asked Kaikeyi. “What has happened to father?” “Rama, your father promised
This custom is a wedding custom in Vietnam. Do you know: A night prior to the wedding, the bride’s mother will make her hair neat with many combs, each serving a different purpose. In Vietnamese weddings, the groom’s mother is meant to carry pink chalk and betel nuts to the bride’s home. Both these items
Shaving their heads is a common custom amongst the Lahu tribe from the Yunnan province in China. Do you know: Being bald is considered a sign of cleanliness and beauty amongst the Lahupeople. While this custom is not very common in today’s day and age, those who observe it shave their heads completely once they
Shooting Arrows at the Bride is a Chinese custom practised by the Yugur people. Do you know: During the wedding, the groom has to shoot three arrows to the bride. The Yugur custom has a unique wedding ritual where the groom shoots arrows without any arrowheads at the bride three times. However, the arrow does
Common name : Mountain zebra Scientific name : Equus zebra Family : Equidae Native to : Africa Interesting fact : The name means wild horse. Conservation status : Vulnerable There are three species of zebra–the plains, the mountains and the Grevy’s zebra; the last is endangered. All three are differentiated on the basis of the
Sending the bride 12 presents is a wedding custom in Taiwan. Do you know: The objects chosen to give as gifts have words that sound similar to Chinese words for ‘plenty and fast boy’. The custom dictates that the groom gifts the bride 12 presents, which may include shoes, jewellery, pagoda-shaped candies, etc. After the