How to throw a Diwali Party - Millennial Edition
I am sure you’ve heard that Diwali is the Festival of Lights. But what is the meaning of Diwali? Why do we perform the rituals we do? I...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Oct 10, 20212 min read
Pitrupaksh / Shraadh
#WhyDoWe Do you know what Pitrupaksh or Shraadh is? If you grew up in a Gujarati home, chances are you saw your elders or parents...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Oct 7, 20211 min read
Janmashtmi Celebrations
#WhyDoWe What did Janmashtmi Celebrations look like when you were younger? For me, it was staying up untll midnight, welcoming the...
632 views0 comments
Vaishali A. Patel
Oct 6, 20211 min read
Dressing in "chaandalo" or "bindi"
#WhyDoWe Tell me you are Desi without telling me you are Desi... One of the things I looked forward to as a young girl in the 80s -...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Aug 19, 20211 min read
Going All-Out for Birthdays
#WhyDoWe So, tell me you are Desi without telling me you are Desi. 🤣🤣 For the longest time I thought this is how everyone in the...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Aug 19, 20214 min read
Festivals and Celebrations during Shraavan Mahino
#WhyDoWe NAAGPANCHAMI Many of us are scared of snakes. That makes sense, as many snakes are poisonous! However, in a farming country like...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Aug 17, 20211 min read
Do you own a Saavarani?
#WhyDoWe Tell me you are Desi without telling me you are Desi... If you own a "Saavarani" "zaadu" or "peenchhi" raise your hand ✋🏾...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Aug 17, 20212 min read
Shraavan Mahino
#WhyDoWe What was self care and meditative life like for our grandparents? SHRAVAN MAHINO - Shraavan Month. Google may say it started...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Aug 17, 20212 min read
Share Your Debt and Sorrow
#WhyDoWe Would you tell people in your circle if you were in debt or terminally ill? “Dukh ane dard ek beejaa saathe vehchavu” (Share...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Aug 17, 20211 min read
Rotli
#WhyDoWe Tell me you are Desi without telling me you are Desi... Rotli no dabbo - Roti dabaa I remember when we spent our summers in...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Aug 17, 20211 min read
Do You 'Act' Your Age?
#WhyDoWe "Act your age" "Aa ummare aa badhu naa sobhe ("This doesn't suit you at this age") "At this age focus on Bhakti, raising...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Aug 17, 20212 min read
Oombaraa Pujan
#WhyDoWe Have you seen women around you cleaning the door frame (Oombaro) and putting kumkum dots or divo by it? Why do we do...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Aug 17, 20212 min read
Raising Daughters Like Sons
#WhyDoWe "I have raised my daughter like a son” (Maari dikari ne dikaraa ni jem moti kari chhe) hmmm... How about “I have raised my son...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Aug 17, 20212 min read
Judging Those Who Don't Speak English
#WhyDoWe We look the same, we dress the same, we eat the same food, then why do you say he is Bengali, Sri Lankan, Pakistani? And why are...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Jul 16, 20203 min read
Car Pooja - What, Why and How to bless and protect your vehicle?
Yes! Car Pooja is a thing (sometimes misspelled Puja). Many of us desi folks value and treasure our cars and being able to afford one and...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Oct 2, 20195 min read
Five days of Diwali - Meaning & What to Do
First day of Diwali is known as Dhan Teras: Meaning: Literal meaning of this is “Wealth - Thirteenth day of the new moon”. This is the...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Apr 16, 20192 min read
TO LOVE OR NOT TO LOVE THOSE UNEXPECTED MEHMANS (GUESTS)…
Why Love Everyone One of the first things we learn in an Indian home is this prayer: “Matru devo bhuv (Mother is a form of God) Pitru...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Apr 16, 20191 min read
DIVA, AARTI & DAILY PRAYERS
Do your parents tell you to do diva or aarti daily? Parents who are somewhat religious or spiritual will insist that you do diva or aarti...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Apr 16, 20191 min read
IS HALF OF YOUR FAMILY IN INDIA DURING DECEMBER?
This is the beauty of our culture, whenever there is a wedding or a funeral we go out of our way to attend the function. We support and...
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Vaishali A. Patel
Apr 16, 20191 min read
KAYPO CHE
Uttarayan, Makar Sankranti, Kite Festival are different names for this festivals we celebrate on January 14th every year. It marks the...
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