Onam has always been more than just a festival. For me, it has always been about being at home—with family, friends, and loved ones. The flowers, the laughter, the new clothes, and of course, the grand sadya—it was never about just traditions, but about the feeling of togetherness. When I think back to my childhood, my first memories of Onam take me to Mavelikara, my mother’s home. I can still recall the open spaces filled with countless flowers, the playful chaos of cousins running around, and the joy of slipping into brand-new dresses. Those days had a vibe of their own. Later, in Kottayam, Onam turned into a more intimate affair, but the spirit remained just as strong. After the festival, all of us cousins would gather at my great-grandmother’s house—a yearly reunion that we cherished deeply. My great-grandmother was the pillar that held our family together. She was a woman of wisdom and warmth, with a childlike charm that drew us to her. I remember her slipping small amou...
Every year on June 21 , the world comes together to roll out mats, stretch muscles, and celebrate International Yoga Day . And as social media floods with images of serene poses and peaceful parks, the word yoga becomes both a trend and a reminder. But yoga is far more than just a wellness routine or a path to flexibility. It's a civilizational offering , thousands of years old, rooted in profound philosophy, spiritual pursuit, and human transformation. Today, instead of another list of yoga’s health benefits, let’s trace its origin, evolution, and the surprising journey it took across the globe —a journey that began not in modern studios, but in the sacred fire of Vedic chants and the silence of Himalayan caves. The Ancient Birth of Yoga Yoga's roots reach back over 5,000 years , as recorded in the Rig Veda , one of the oldest known texts in human history. The Rig Veda—written in Sanskrit, the language in which yoga still speaks today—is a compilation of hymns and mantras...