For centuries, a spectacular ritual has been performed in a unique region of India, one where a human transforms into a living deity. Early colonial writers like AC Burnell, misunderstanding the ritual, dismissed it as ‘devil worship.’ However, the reality is far more beautiful: it is a vibrant system of spiritual justice and community. This […]
Let’s begin with a classic chudail / churel story. A young man, traveling late at night down a lonely road through a dense forest. It’s quiet, and the moonlight can barely cut through the trees. Suddenly, he hears soft weeping. Under a giant banyan tree, he sees a woman, her face hidden by her long,
Introduction: When Divine Power Meets Cosmic Necessity What happens when an entire race becomes so dangerous that the creator of the universe must intervene? In Hindu mythology stories, few tales are as gripping as the curse of the Naagas – the powerful serpent beings whose growing malice threatened the very balance of creation itself. This
The seed of ‘Daiva’ may have been planted just a year ago, but the inspiration for this exploration of Tulunadu’s mighty deities stretches much further back. Interestingly, the wellsprings of creativity that fueled ‘Daiva’ may surprise you – they don’t directly involve the Daivas themselves. Let me take you on a journey through time as I unveil the literary gems that ignited the spark that became ‘Daiva.’
When I began this journey last year, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to complete it. When an author says ‘journey’, then it obviously means a book, and that too of such a great magnitude. But then the Sathyolu of Tulunadu had held me tightly…
