Social Science Questions & Answers

Navratri Customs: Navratri is a very important and popular festival of India. It comes twice on a year, once around March-April and the second time, around September-October. The nine days and nights of Navratri are entirely devoted to Mother Goddess. Throughout this period, fasts, strictly vegetarian diets, japa (chanting mantras in honor of the Goddess Shakti), religious hymns, prayer, meditation …

Why we worship Mother Goddess on Navratri? We think this energy is only a form of the Divine Mother, who is the mother of all, and all of us are her children. “Why mother; why not father?“, you may ask. Why we worship Mother Goddess on Navratri? Let me just say that we believe that God’s glory, his cosmic energy, …

What is Navratri Kolu or Navarathri Golu? Bommai Kolu or Bommala Koluvu is the artistic display of dolls by women during Navratri and Dussehra in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and among certain communities in Kerala. The dolls, called Kollu or Golu, represents the durbar or assembly of Goddess Durga. This assembly is held just before Mother Goddess ventures on …

Why Navratri comes twice a year? Every year the beginning of summer and the beginning of winter are two very important junctures of climatic change and solar influence. These two junctions have been chosen as the sacred opportunities for the worship of the divine power because: Navratri comes twice a year The festival of Navratri occurs twice every year. One …

Why did Gandhi fast? Gandhi (1869-1948), known as Mahatma meaning ‘great soul’, is regarded as the father of India. From 1919 he led the country’s campaign for independence from the British, which was eventually granted in 1947. He was committed to non-violent action, such as refusing to pay taxes, strikes, and non-cooperation with the British, believing that independence could not …

Is Lord Ganesha Married or Celibate? It is interesting to note how, according to tradition, Ganesha was generated by his mother Parvati without the intervention of her husband Shiva. Shiva, in fact, being eternal (Sadashiva), did not feel any need to have children. So Ganesha was born out of the exclusively female desire of Parvati to procreate. Consequently, the relationship …

Who was Subhas Chandra Bose and his role in India’s Struggle for Independence? When one thinks of the Indian independence movement in the 1930s and early 1940s, two figures most readily come to mind: Mahatma Gandhi, the immensely popular and “saintly” frail pacifist, and his highly respected, Fabian Socialist acolyte, Jawaharlal Nehru. Who was Subhas Chandra Bose and his role …

What is the significance of fasting in Muharram? Fasting is advocated in the month of Muharram. The Prophet is believed to have said: “The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram.” Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet one who fasts in these days out of his own …

Name: Bidhan Chandra Roy Born: 1 July 1882, Bankipore, Patna, India Died: 1 July 1962, Kolkata Party: Indian National Congress Awards: Bharat Ratna Profession: Physician, Politician, Educationist What is the history of National Doctors Day? Doctors Day in India was established by the Government of India in 1991 to be recognized and celebrated every year on 1st of July as …

Why do we celebrate National Doctors Day? National Doctors Day is celebrated every year all across the India on 1st of July to provide honor to the most famous and legendary physician as well as 2nd Chief Minister of the West Bengal, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. Why do we celebrate National Doctors Day? It is a great observance in India …