Prakash Kumar

Durga Puja, also known as Navratra, Vijayadashami, or Dasara, is one of India’s most celebrated religious festivals, symbolizing the victory of good over evil — Lord Rama’s triumph over Ravana and Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. This age-old festival has something for everyone — from children enjoying the vibrant melas, lights, and food, to spiritual seekers who observe deep penance, fasting, and introspection over the nine sacred days. Across India, the celebration takes many forms. In West Bengal, Durga Puja is the heart of cultural life — every lane and locality sets up beautifully themed pandals and idols of Goddess Durga. In Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other northern states, too, the festival holds immense significance. In the south, Mysore Dasara and the Kullu Dasara of Himachal Pradesh are equally grand, drawing devotees and visitors from far and wide. This year, I had the opportunity to spend the first few days of Navratra in Goa, and it was a beautiful experience t...

Goa: Beyond the Beaches — A Continuing Spiritual Journey Goa — that small, sun-washed state on India’s western coast- is often imagined as a paradise of beaches, seafood, and fun living. Yet beneath that lies another Goa: serene, soulful, and steeped in centuries of devotion and tradition. Its history stretches far beyond the shimmering shoreline — from being part of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BCE to flourishing under ancient Hindu dynasties between 1000 and 1200 AD, followed by the rule of the Adil Shahs, and then over four centuries of Portuguese influence. This long and layered past has given Goa a unique cultural rhythm — one where temple bells and church choirs seem to coexist in harmony after its liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961. When India became independent in 1947, Goa still remained under Portuguese control. It was only in 1961 that it found its own freedom — and since then, the transformation has been remarkable. Today, Goa offers world-class tourism infr...