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UNCOVERED: Ganesha - Caught on Camera

Which Form of Goddess Lakshmi Brings Lasting Prosperity?

Every Diwali, families bring home idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, decorate their puja spaces and pray for happiness, wealth and success. But have you ever wondered why Goddess Lakshmi is sometimes shown with an owl and sometimes surrounded by elephants? Or why Lord Ganesha rides a tiny mouse…

MyLifeXP · Oct 29

Why Women Visit This Unique Maa Parvati Temple in Ujjain

Can a temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati also offer a beautiful lesson in the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law? In Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, a distinctive temple tradition is associated with Maa Parvati in her role as a mother-in-law, with Siddhi and Riddhi depicted near her feet. The story has…

MyLifeXP · Oct 29

Why Do Women Celebrate Karwa Chauth? The Untold Story

Why do women observe Karwa Chauth, look at the Moon before breaking their fast, and listen to a sacred story as part of the ritual? The festival is often linked to the popular tale of Veeravati, but its traditional roots go beyond one folk story. References to Karak Chaturthi, the…

MyLifeXP · Oct 29

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Why Is Lord Vishnu Not Worshipped With Lakshmi on Diwali?

Every Diwali, millions of homes welcome Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha into their prayers. But have you ever wondered why Lord Vishnu, Lakshmi's husband, is not usually placed beside her in the main Diwali puja? And why is Ganesha given such an important place? The answer is connected to traditional…

MyLifeXP · Oct 28

Why Is Karwa Chauth Water Not Meant for Mothers Alone?

Why do some mothers share the water they drink after breaking their Karwa Chauth fast with their children? Behind this touching ritual lies a traditional story involving Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha. The story connects a mother's devotion, a child's well-being, and a belief passed down through generations. But what…

MyLifeXP · Oct 28

If Lord Ram Returned to Ayodhya, Why Worship Lakshmi?

Every Diwali, millions of people light diyas to celebrate Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya. Yet, when the evening puja begins, families also worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Why do these deities share the spotlight on a festival associated with Ram’s homecoming? The answer reveals a deeper message about prosperity,…

MyLifeXP · Oct 26

Vidyarambham: Why a Child's First Letter Is Written on Vijayadashami

The Day That Belongs to SaraswatiVijayadashami falls on the tenth day after Navaratri ends, the morning when the goddess is believed to have completed her battle and returned to stillness. In the tradition of Vidyarambham, this stillness is not rest, it is readiness. Saraswati, who presides over speech, letters, and…

Times Life · Oct 19

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Why This 3 KM Himalayan Trek Leads to a Mysterious Temple

Hidden among the mountains of Uttarakhand, Kartik Swami Temple is not just a destination for trekkers. It is a sacred place connected to a powerful legend about Lord Kartikeya, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Reaching the temple requires a trek through mountain forests, but the story associated with the shrine…

MyLifeXP · Oct 17

Why Is This Artwork Essential to Traditional Durga Puja?

During Durga Puja, most people focus on Maa Durga’s beautiful face, her weapons and the moment she defeats Mahishasura. But look just behind the idol, and you may discover another piece of art filled with stories, symbolism and centuries of tradition. Known as Chalchitra (also spelled Chandrachitra in some references),…

MyLifeXP · Oct 16

Nabapatrika: The Nine Plants Bengal Has Long Called Ganesha's Wife

A Banana Tree in a SariBefore the sun clears the Ganga on Mahasaptami, women carry a banana plant to the riverbank, bathe it in the water, wrap it in a white sari with a red border, and bring it back to the pandal to stand beside Ganesha. The crowd calls…

Times Life · Oct 16

Why Is Lord Kartikeya the Key to Skandamata's Identity?

Why does Goddess Parvati have a form named after her own son? The answer lies in the beautiful bond between a mother and her child. Maa Skandamata is worshipped as the fifth form of Navdurga during Navratri, and her name carries a simple yet powerful meaning. She is the mother…

MyLifeXP · Oct 15

Why Are These 5 Gods Called Panchdev? The Hidden Truth

Have you ever wondered why five particular deities hold such an important place in Sanatan tradition? Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Adi Shakti and Surya Dev are often remembered together as Panchdev. At first, they may seem to represent completely different powers. But there is a deeper idea connecting…

MyLifeXP · Oct 1

Was Riddhi Really Ganesha’s Wife? The Truth Revealed

Lord Ganesha is widely worshipped as the deity of wisdom, intellect and the remover of obstacles. But there is another fascinating layer in traditional stories about Ganesha’s wives, Siddhi and Buddhi. They are not simply names attached to Ganesha’s family. Their names themselves carry a deeper spiritual idea. Buddhi represents…

MyLifeXP · Sep 26

Why Ganesh Visarjan Happens on Anant Chaturdashi

Why does Ganesh Visarjan take place on the same day that devotees worship Lord Vishnu in his Anant form? At first, these two traditions may seem completely unrelated. One marks the farewell of Lord Ganesha, while the other involves tying an Anant Sutra, traditionally made with 14 knots. But there…

MyLifeXP · Sep 26

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Times Life · Sep 25

Ganpati Bappa Morya and the Promise of Return: What the Visarjan Farewell Really Means

The moment the idol enters the waterYou have watched it happen, or you have been the one holding the edge of the aarti thali while someone else lets go. The clay Ganesha tilts, the colours begin to bleed into the water, and the crowd around you does not go quiet.…

The Economic Times · Sep 24

Ganesh Visarjan 2026 date and time: Check when and how to bid farewell to Ganpati Bappa this year

Ganesh Visarjan 2026 date and time: The immersion of Ganesha idols is scheduled for September 25, concluding the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Devotees engage in rituals including prayers, offerings, and idol immersion to honor Lord Ganesha. The Chaturdashi Tithi for immersion begins late on September 24 and continues until September…

MyLifeXP · Sep 23

Did Surya’s Curse Lead to Ganesha’s Beheading

Why would Lord Shiva, the father of Ganesha, raise his weapon against his own son? The familiar story says that Shiva returned while Goddess Parvati was bathing and found a young boy guarding the entrance. Ganesha refused to let Shiva pass because he was following his mother's command. Angered by…

MyLifeXP · Sep 22

7 Layers, 56 Vinayaks: Kashi’s Sacred Ganesha Blueprint

When people think of Lord Ganesha, the first image that often comes to mind is Ganesh Chaturthi, grand celebrations and famous idols such as Lalbaugcha Raja. But deep inside the ancient lanes of Kashi, Ganesha appears in a very different form. The city is traditionally associated with 56 Vinayakas, a…

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The Economic Times · Sep 21

Ganesh Visarjan Anant Chaturdashi Date 2026: When is it September 24 or 25? Check the correct date, puja vidhi, vrat rules and significance

Anant Chaturdashi 2026 falls on September 25, with devotees worshipping Lord Vishnu and observing the vrat. The day also marks Ganesh Visarjan.

MyLifeXP · Sep 21

Why Ganesha Got an Elephant Head: The Shocking Meaning

We have all heard the story of how Lord Shiva cut off Ganesha’s head and later gave him an elephant’s head. But what if this famous Ganesha birth story is pointing towards something much deeper than a family conflict? In a Vedantic reading, the story can be understood as a…

MyLifeXP · Sep 19

Why Modak Became Ganesha’s Favourite Sweet

What if a small modak sitting on your plate carries a story much older than the festival itself? For generations, modak has been closely associated with Lord Ganesha, especially during Ganesh Chaturthi. It is often described as his favourite offering, but traditional stories give this simple sweet a much deeper…

MyLifeXP · Sep 18

Who Received the First Puja? Shiva-Parvati Wedding Mystery

There is a fascinating question hidden inside the story of Shiva and Parvati's marriage. If Ganesha was born as their son later, how could Ganesha be worshipped before their marriage? Was someone else being worshipped, or is there a deeper meaning behind the names Ganapati and Ganesha? Hindu traditions offer…

MyLifeXP · Sep 17

Why Does Ganesha Get Exactly 21 Durva Grass Blades?

Why does a simple green grass hold such a special place in Lord Ganesha's worship? During Ganesh Puja, devotees often offer 21 blades of Durva grass, but the reason behind this number is rarely explained. According to a popular Puranic tradition, the custom is connected to a fierce demon named…

MyLifeXP · Sep 17

9 Things Lord Ganesha Can Teach You About Living Better

We all recognise Lord Ganesha by his elephant head, large ears, trunk and distinctive form. But have you ever wondered why he is traditionally depicted this way? Beyond devotion and symbolism, each feature of Ganesha's form is often interpreted as carrying a practical lesson for life. His big ears can…

MyLifeXP · Sep 17

Why Does This Temple Show Ganesha With a Human Face?

जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा। माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥ We usually recognise Lord Ganesha by one unforgettable feature: his elephant face. But deep in Tamil Nadu, there is a temple where devotees worship a rare form of Ganesha with a human face. Known as Nara Mukha Vinayakar,…

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