The Svastika Journal

Stories, rituals & remembrances

कथा · परंपरा · स्मृति

Notes from our karigars and pandits — on the festivals, the deities, and the quiet rituals that turn a house into a home.

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Latest from the Journal

146 articles
Painting of the churning of the ocean: gods and demons pull the serpent Vasuki around Mount Mandara, with Vishnu above and the tortoise Kurma beneath it in the water Hindu Mythology & Stories 30 Sep10 min read

Kurma Avatar: The Story of Vishnu's Tortoise Form

Read story → Five Thai bronze Buddha heads on wooden stands, each with rows of tight curls and a raised ushnisha Hindu Mythology & Stories 30 Sep10 min read

108 Snails on Buddha's Head: The Story and What Scripture Actually Says

Read story → Rock-cut relief at Ellora: Shiva and Parvati seated on Mount Kailasa while the many-armed Ravana tries to shake the mountain from below Hindu Mythology & Stories 30 Sep11 min read

Who Is the Biggest Devotee of Lord Shiva? What the Texts Actually Say

Read story → A boy in his first pancha seated with his father at the ceremonial fire during a dhoti function Puja Rituals & Practices 04 Sep8 min read

What Is the Dhoti Function? Names, Age and What It Actually Means

Read story → A girl seated in a crimson and green silk langa voni at her half saree function while an elder places jasmine in her braid Puja Rituals & Practices 04 Sep9 min read

Half Saree Function Meaning: What It Is, and What Every State Calls It

Read story → A boy of about eleven in a new pancha at his upanayanam, his grandmother placing a jasmine garland on him beside the homam fire Spiritual Gifting Ideas 04 Sep8 min read

Upanayanam and Dhoti Function Gifts: What to Give the Boy

Read story → A girl in a magenta and gold silk langa voni seated beside lit brass lamps at her half saree function Spiritual Gifting Ideas 04 Sep8 min read

Half Saree Function Gifts: What to Give, and What to Give Back

Read story → A dark stone statue of Parashurama with matted hair, rudraksha beads and an axe, raised against palm fronds Hindu Mythology & Stories 25 Aug18 min read

Parashurama: The Sixth Avatar of Vishnu, and What the Texts Say

Read story → Raja Ravi Varma's 1908 painting of a young woman reclining on a divan in a white sari while an attendant fans her Puja Rituals & Practices 25 Aug12 min read

Godh Bharai, Seemantham and Valaikappu: Where the Rite Comes From

Read story → Balarama, crowned and carrying his pestle, drags the Yamuna into a new course with the tip of his plough Hindu Mythology & Stories 25 Aug11 min read

Balarama Avatar of Vishnu: Eighth, Not Ninth

Read story → Kalki, the tenth avatar of Vishnu, standing sword in hand beside his horse in a gold-flecked Punjabi manuscript painting Hindu Mythology & Stories 25 Aug12 min read

Kalki Avatar: What the Texts Actually Say

Read story → The Patitapabana Bana flying from the mast above the Nilachakra on the spire of the Jagannath Temple at Puri Hindu Mythology & Stories 24 Aug11 min read

Does the Jagannath Temple Flag Fly Against the Wind?

Read story → The 135 ft Veera Abhaya Anjaneya Hanuman Swami statue at Paritala, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, one of the ten biggest Hanuman statues in India Hindu Mythology & Stories 24 Aug11 min read

The 10 Biggest Hanuman Statues in India, by Verified Height

Read story → Luxury Table Decoration Ideas for Modern Homes Pooja Room & Vastu Tips 07 Nov8 min read

Luxury Table Decoration Ideas for Modern Indian Homes

Read story → Women stand in the river at Chhath, facing the low sun beside the Howrah Bridge. Indian Festivals & Celebrations 25 Oct10 min read

Chhath Puja 2026: Significance, Rituals and Vrat Vidhi

Read story → Clay diyas and a tall brass lamp burning along a terrace parapet on Diwali night, city lights glowing behind. Indian Festivals & Celebrations 10 Oct10 min read

Diwali Lakshmi Puja: Tithi, Rituals and Timing Explained

Read story → A woman in festive jewellery raises a decorated sieve towards the night sky on Karwa Chauth. Indian Festivals & Celebrations 09 Oct10 min read

Karwa Chauth: Importance, Traditions and How the Puja Timing Works

Read story → Budget Friendly Wedding Gift Ideas That Look Premium Spiritual Gifting Ideas 26 Sep6 min read

Budget-Friendly Wedding Gift Ideas That Look Premium

Read story → Trending Bulk Gift Items: What Actually Survives the Event Spiritual Gifting Ideas 23 Sep6 min read

Trending Bulk Gift Items: What Actually Survives the Event

Read story → Bestselling Diwali Gift Hamper Ideas You Can Order Online Today Spiritual Gifting Ideas 18 Sep7 min read

Bestselling Diwali Gift Hamper Ideas You Can Order Online

Read story → How Startups Are Using Corporate Gift Hampers to Build Brand Loyalty Spiritual Gifting Ideas 15 Sep6 min read

Corporate Gift Hampers for Startups: What Actually Builds Loyalty

Read story → Return gift ideas for Navratri and Kanya Pujan celebrations Spiritual Gifting Ideas 14 Sep5 min read

Return Gift Ideas for Navratri and Kanya Pujan: What to Give the Girls

Read story → Evening aarti before a Durga pratima, dhunuchi smoke rising against red and gold decoration Indian Festivals & Celebrations 12 Sep12 min read

Navratri 2026 Date and Nine Colours: 11 to 20 October, Tithi and Fasting Rules

Read story → A brass Lakshmi and Ganesha pair with lit diyas and a silk pouch on a desk, laid out as a Diwali corporate gift. Spiritual Gifting Ideas 10 Sep6 min read

Best Diwali Gift Ideas for Corporate Gifting (And What Actually Lands)

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