Peanut Festival
What an interesting read—”Peanut Festival, Anyone?” I loved learning about this unique celebration (Apr/May/Jun 2026) which mentions Basavanna and reminded me of his teachings on simplicity and community. Speaking of which, I had a chance to connect with his philosophy during my Master’s in Dharwad, Karnataka. It’s amazing now to revisit his ideas with a fresh perspective!
From the article: “I stepped out of the hotel and was immediately wrapped in a warm, nutty fragrance. The air smelled of roasting peanuts! That is when I learned that “Kadalekai Parishe” simply means “peanut fair” in Kannada. The street was filling with vendors. Some had wheeled carts, some had tarps spread on the ground, some stood behind neat pyramids of raw peanuts still in their shells. Steam curled up from large pots where peanuts boiled in salted water. Iron pans hissed with oil as vendors stirred and roasted peanuts for those who could not wait to snack.”
Amit Verma
akverma2009@gmail.com
Deities on Pilgrimage
The article “200 Deities Pilgrimage to Mandi for Mahasivaratri” (feature story, Oct/Nov/Dec 2024) was really heartwarming, showing our tradition and beauty.
From the article: “Birbal Sharma further explained that the Gods also communicate with one another—apparently a consequence of so many convening in the same place at once. When two palanquins meet, each with its respective God, interaction between them may be evidenced by involuntary movement of the palanquins, which become difficult for their carriers to control. The gur for one Deity may speak to the gur of another. It is a hypnotic sight—mood, sentiment, even insistence is expressed. It may seem exotic to outsiders, but for the hill people, the Divinities are living inner-plane beings able to bless you with peace and prosperity and make prophecies for the future. People find solace in Their company.”
Shubhanya Thakur
shubhanyathakur@gmail.com
Protein for Vegetarians
Wow, amazing article, Vandana. Thank you for your time to present this insightful message. It has cleared my doubt. I always thought I needed to add non-veg food in my food! (“Where to Get Protein,” Apr/May/Jun 2026).
From the article: “Experts agree: a vegetarian diet provides all the nutrients needed for growth, energy and vitality, provided that meals are diverse and well balanced. My protein sources are wide-ranging: nuts and seeds, dairy, legumes, soy, sprouts, whole grains and fortified foods. Legumes are incredible protein sources, but they also contain carbs, and eating them daily can sometimes cause bloating, so I vary the sources. Nut butters, and dairy-based proteins like paneer, cheese and butter, are delicious but can be calorie-dense, so we keep them to once or twice a week. That said, if calories and health risks didn’t matter, I would happily eat butter every single day—I absolutely love it!”
Jayshree
jayshree.bhikoo@rogerscapital.mu
The Power of Spiritual Practice
Hinduism is hard to find today, and even when one is fortunate enough to find it, it is not easy to sustain the practice. Without practice, it is lost to oneself and to future generations. So I set out on a quest for that which can never be lost, and in time I found the path to Truth. Now I simply practice and tread the path, and from that perspective I resonate deeply with what this boy and his parents are doing as described in the article “Performing Sandhya Vandanam, One youth’s discovery of the power and challenges of daily sadhana,” (Jan/Feb/Mar 2022). It works.
Sushma Checka
nvchecka@gmail.com
On the River to Muktinath
Beautiful article! (“Exploring the Kali Gandaki River and Muktinath Temple,” Jan/Feb/Mar 2026.) Thank you for letting me travel with you on your inspiring journey to Muktinath. Your vivid descriptions and engaging anecdotes brought the region and its kind people to life. You were truly blessed to undertake this sacred pilgrimage. Mother Bhairavi herself seems to have guided you along the way, appearing in the form of a beautiful dog. Jai Sri Matre Namaha.
From the article, “Near Kagbeni is the Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site of Muktinath, revered in the Muktinatha Mahatmya of the Varaha Purana. The text proclaims that whoever undertakes the arduous journey to this high Himalayan shrine (elevation: 12,000 feet) and bathes in its 108 sacred waterspouts will cast off the bonds of samsara—the endless cycle of rebirth—and attain liberation.
“My own journey here, from June 30 to July 14, 2025, was first and foremost a pilgrimage, with research coming only secondarily. Walking its banks, speaking with local priests, and tracing the river’s course to the upper reaches where the ammonites are said to originate, I sought to understand how geography, geology and devotion converge in the making of these sacred icons. Discovering the origins of the Shalagramas brought new depth to my understanding of Mustang as a sacred landscape, where rivers and rocks are not merely natural formations, but also vessels of divine presence.”
Sivaruban Sivanesan
rsivanesan@hotmail.com
Kashi Vishvanath Renewed
Great article—“Kashi Reimagined: A Corridor Through Time” (Jan/Feb/Mar 2026). I loved the pictures. There are always two sides to every coin—progress and preservation. I visited Kashi while the renovation work was underway, and navigating the maze of narrow streets lined with shops and homes was an experience in itself. I would love to visit again to see the new corridor.
Bhaskar
bountymail-at@yahoo.com
Saying Farewell at Pashupati
Thank you for the precious description, “Thirteen Days of Mourning & Release.” It has helped me to better understand the mindset and traditions regarding departure and cremation. (Oct/Nov/Dec 2014.)
From the article: “Few tourists who snap pictures of the shrouded, marigold-covered bodies burning along the Bagmati River realize that unlike Western funerals that happen many days after death, the person being cremated typically passed away just a few hours earlier and the family’s grief is woefully fresh.
“And so it was that Komal, with her suitcase still in the car and her legs shaking, found herself approaching the yellow-wrapped body of the mother she had longed to hug. All around was a sad blur of activity: lighting the fire, circling the pyre, chanting the prayers. Then she and her siblings retired to a bare, brick-floored room a few hundred yards from the riverbank to experience the evolving culture of mourning in the modern Hindu world.”
Rajesh Sachdeva
rajeshnehu@rediffmail.com
The Flawless Law of Karma
This article (“Karma and Reincarnation,” Sep 2019) makes the idea of karma quite clear. It is interesting to learn about Hindu philosophy and its beliefs. Body, spirit and mind must be in balance and harmony. It is true that bad actions one does return to oneself. It is very important to always believe in God.
Jayshree
jayshree.bhikoo@rogerscap
Young Hindus in Two Worlds
Congrats to you both, Naavalan and Kapil, for being proud Hindus and embracing our Saivite traditions, values and culture with assertiveness. Keep it up. (“Majority or Minority: How It Matters,” Jan/Feb/Mar 2026).
From the article: “Our stories reflect two very different realities. In the United States, Hindus often feel excluded, stereotyped or pressured to assimilate or convert. In Mauritius, Hinduism is part of the national fabric—respected, celebrated and protected.
“But both of us share the same desire: to preserve and practice our faith openly, without fear or judgment. We believe that countries everywhere can learn from places like Mauritius, where multiculturalism is not just tolerated, but embraced. Creating an inclusive society means recognizing all traditions, whether they are practiced by 1% of the population or 48%.
“For Hindus living as a minority, visibility, support and education can go a long way. And for those in the majority, such as in Mauritius, it’s a reminder of how lucky we are to celebrate freely—and how important it is to protect that freedom for everyone.”
Kevina
Kevina1822@gmail.com
Sharing Timeless Insights for Today’s Hindu Journey
By Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami
Our April 2026 issue contains two in-depth articles providing fascinating insight on aspects of Hinduism not normally covered in publications. The first is “Exploring East India’s Mighty Brahmaputra River.” From its origins near Manasarovar Lake and Mount Kailas, the world’s ninth largest river flows 1,900 miles through Tibet, into India, then Bangladesh, to the Bay of Bengal. Our photographer Thomas Kelly and writer Ellen Coon journey along the river meeting people of various faiths and ethnicities along the India portion, all of whom view the abundance-giving and sometimes destructive river with great devotion.
In the article “Afghanistan’s Hindu Antiquity,” Inderjeet Singh shares little-known facts about Hinduism in Afghanistan dating back over a thousand years. He opens with “Most people are only familiar with Afghanistan as an Islamic nation, so in this article I trace some of the documented history of Hindus in Afghanistan from the 7th century ce until today. It also serves as a rebuttal to those who contend that the British brought Hindus into the country for the first time in the 19th century.”
The Educational Insight section presents selected songs, life story and profound philosophy of the poet saint Tayumanavar. Tayumanavar was a mystic of great interest to Dr. B. Natarajan, an economist by profession. Dr. Natarajan’s short biography of the saint provides deep insights into his life, and his translation renders the saint’s songs in compelling English.
A regular series in Hinduism Today lets Hindu youth share their experiences and perspectives in hopes that the articles will inspire other youth in their Hindu endeavors. Divya Srinivasan, 16, is a high school junior from the Greater Seattle area. She is passionate about journalism, linguistics, puzzles, research and connecting to her Hindu roots. In her article “Krishna’s Festival Month,” Divya shares details of her family’s practice: “For Srivaishnava families like mine, the month of Margazhi (approximately December 15–January 15) is centered entirely around Andal and her Tiruppavai. Every morning, we gather as a family to chant the entire Tiruppavai together. During the chanting, we recite twice the specific pasuram that was composed on that particular date.”
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