ICH Learnings

Why do we light a Lamp or Diya in India ? - # 4

Globally, light is used as a metaphor for knowledge and information. In India, the act of lighting a Diya or a Lamp has been practised since time immemorial.
A ritual that is performed everyday before the family altar at dusk, an auspicious occasion, birth, death and during festivals.
As per the Vedas (Ancient Indian scriptures), the Fire is the central element of the 5 elements of pure energy. It produces positive vibes, protects us from negative energies, and dispels the darkness.
The Diya has 3 constituents, which are :
1. Oil – signifies negative thoughts, intentions, lower emotions,
2. Wick symbolises our ego
3. Flame illuminates our path.
One may wonder, why not just light a bulb instead of a Diya. It is because the flame of a diya produces electro-magnetic forces, which pe*****te the human body and activate the nerves.
When Paul Simon, said – “When you are weary, feeling small, and when evening falls so hard” – it’s time to light up your life.

Guru Shubhada Varadkar will be conducting an introductory Odissi Workshop this month. Please DM on +9198203 16986 for more details....

If anyone is asked to identify the above symbol, more likely than not, they will identify it as the N**i Symbol misappropriated by the Third Reich during World War-2.

However, in the Indian civilisation, it is the symbol of auspiciousness and good fortune. It is called the Sw****ka which is derived from the Sanskrit Words
Su : Good or auspicious
Asti : being

Which loosely translated means “All is well” or “Good fortune”.

It is applied on the entrance of the house or during auspicious events such as marriage, birth, launch of a new business or during important festivals such as Diwali.

This ancient Indian symbol represents the sun and has various interpretations such as the 4 Directions, 4 Vedas (ancient Indian Scriptures), 4 goals of life and 4 Seasons.

The next time you see the symbol, remember it represents the symbol of peace and well-being and not about heinous crimes against humanity.

The Mark on the Head – Tilak - #2

Indians often adorn a colored mark, between the 2 eyebrows on the forehead. It is a sacred and auspicious mark applied during the daily prayer rituals or important events like marriages and birthdays. They are usually made out of a paste of Sandalwood powder, Turmeric powder turned red with lime.

The mark is referred to as Tilak.

The Tilak is not just a ceremonial application of color or mark on the forehead. This spot between the eyebrows is major nerve point in the human body. It is also an important 3rd eye energy centre or “Ajna Chakra” in the human body.

Applying pressure on this spot improves concentration, reduces stress, clears sinuses and improves blood supply to the facial muscles. This will also assist in keeping your eyes and skin healthier.

If you visit an Indian Hotel and if they apply this mark on your forehead as a welcome gesture, you now know why.

Beat your Stress - Free Yoga Session for kids!
With spiralling stress levels increasingly becoming a part of our lives, we often do not realise that our children are probably experiencing the same stress. We may attribute part of our stress to the children’s behaviour, without realising that it works both ways.
Yoga, is a holistic solution that works not only the physical body but also the emotional, social and spiritual well-being of the practitioner.
We at ICH Learnings offer a multi-pronged approach to teaching yoga, which includes story-telling, Indian mythology, and games to make it a more engaging way to keep the children engaged.
We are offering a FREE Online Zoom Class this Sunday, 28th March at 930 AM Singapore Time.
Give yourself a break and enrol your child (Ages - 5 - 12 Years).
Time- 7-8 am (India time) - 930-1030 Am (Singapore time) on Sunday 28th March

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 983 493 3620
Passcode: 123456

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Origin and Significance of Namaste!

Have you ever wondered why Indians join their hands and greet each other the with the word Namaste ?

Namaste – the traditional and ancient Indian greeting, has now acquired the exalted status of being a standard greeting across the world in these Covid times. It is a word of Sanskrit origin which is derived as follows :

Nama - bow
As - I
Te - you

Or “I bow to you. “ This greeting helps to build a connect with the person you greet at a much deeper level, and certainly more than the casual “Hi”.

It is one of the deepest forms of respect and your Yoga teacher will always end his yoga class with a Namaste. We place the hands together at the heart, close the eyes, and bow the head. The practise evokes a sense of gratitude to the world and your teacher. A sense of peace and calm will overcome you.

Give it a shot and feel the difference! Namaste !

Hi, do you sometimes worry that your children are forgetting or unaware of India’s rich artistic traditions and cultural roots? We ICH Learnings, offer fun-filled, interactive, and engaging programs to introduce and familiarise them. We are starting with programs of Yoga, Indian Mythology-Story telling, Indian Music, and Indian Dance. These Programs are curated by globally renowned faculty. Let your child benefit from attending one of our programs. Details are given on www.ichlearnings.com