Fingerhakeln is a game played in the Alpine regions of Austria and Germany. Do you know: There is also a championship held annually for this game. Fingerhakeln is played between two players, who sit in traditional Alpine dresses and place their middle fingers in a strap. The winner is required to pull his opponent over […]
Common name : Japanese raccoon dog Scientific name : Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus Family : Canidae Native to : Japan Interesting fact : It is immortalized in Japanese folklore tradition. Conservation status : Least Concern It measures 45-71 cm and has a 12-18 cm long tail, and weighs about 3 kg in spring and 6.5-7.0 kg
Once again, Vishwamitra asked Vasishtha the secret of his power. “What is the use of being a powerful kshatriya, when I can be defeated by a mere sage?” he wondered. “I must be a Brahma Rishi like Vasishtha!” With this desire, Vishwamitra began to perform more austerities. But even after years, he was recognized as
The Queen’s Birthday is celebrated twice a year in Australia. Do you know: The custom of celebrating the actual Queen’s Birthday is on April 21st. Following the practice of King George-II, the Queen too has her actual birthday and an ‘official birthday’ to celebrate in June. All over Australia excepting in Western Australia, the Queen’s
Jaanipäev is the most important holiday in Estonia with many customs and rituals observed on that day. Do you know:Jaanipäev is also known as Midsummer Day or Saint John’s Day, and follows the longest day of the year–the Summer Solstice. Jaanipäev was celebrated a long time before Christianity reached Estonia. Hence, many of the customs
When all his efforts failed, Vishwamitra asked Vasishtha the secret of his great power and strength. “My strength comes from my inner being and is created by meditation and austerities,” replied Vasishtha. “I have been a powerful king and want for nothing. And yet today I am humbled by a sage in a forest. I
Common name : Sunda flying lemur, Malayan flying lemur or Malayan colugo Scientific name : Galeopterus variegatus Family : Cynocephalidae Native to : South-East Asia Interesting fact : It is unable to function on the ground. Conservation status : Least Concern It glides as it leaps among trees, but is not a lemur and does
The two sages had a long history. Vishwamitra had been the king of Chedi and had once visited Vasishtha’s ashrama in the forest with a large entourage. He had been surprised at the lavish hospitality provided for such a huge army of people at short notice. He asked the sage for the secret. Finally, Vasishtha
Sit Down Before any Trip is an extremely common custom in Russia. Do you know: The Russians believe that saying ‘goodbye’ over a threshold of a house is bad luck. According to the Russian customs and traditions, a person leaving for a long journey must always say his goodbye inside the house, sit for a
Sage Vasishtha sent a message to Ayodhya when the princes completed their education. Dasharatha sent his minister, Sumantra, to fetch the youngsters. Taking the blessings of their venerable teacher, the princes left for Ayodhya. The city had turned out into the streets to welcome them home. A great cheer went up as the people saw
The princes were not pampered. When they were a little older, Dasharatha sent them to the ashrama of Sage Vasishtha, where he lived with his wife, Arundhati, and his disciples. Even princes had to serve the teacher as ordinary students. The four princes were intelligent and soon mastered the scriptures and state-craft. Vasishtha was an
Saluting the Lone Magpie is a custom in the United Kingdom. Do you know: People not only in the UK, but also everywhere in the world consider a lone magpie an omen of bad luck or death. It is believed that since magpies mate for life, a lone magpie without his mate is a sad
Common name : Honey bear Scientific name : Helarctos malayanus Family : Ursidae Native to : South-East Asia Interesting fact : It has avoracious appetite for honey and honeycombs. Conservation status : Vulnerable Usually, the sun bear’s fur is jet-black, short and sleek with some under-wool and some individual sun bears are reddish or grey.
He gave half the prasada to Kaushalya and half the remaining part to Sumitra. As he gave one half of that to Kaikeyi, an eagle came and took it away for Anjani, who was to be the mother of Hanuman, Rama’s devotee. Kaikeyi was upset. But Kaushalya gave some more to her and to Sumitra.
While Dasharatha was holding his yajna, the devas spoke to Lord Brahma about Ravana, the rakshasa king. Brahma’s boon to Ravana had made him so powerful that he was now treating the devas and the sages and all creatures very badly and causing them great misery. Brahma’s boon had made Ravana unconquerable by the devas,
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