By Chahna Tailor Gupta A solar eclipse, where the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, obscuring the sun’s light, has always fascinated and alarmed civilizations across the world. Traditionally, in Jyotish (Vedic astrology) and Ayurveda—ancient Indian systems of astrology and medicine—eclipses are seen as significant yet potentially disruptive cosmic events. This April’s solar eclipse provides a timely opportunity to explore these ancient interpretations alongside today’s scientific understanding. According to Jyotish, an eclipse disrupts natural energies, as the sun, which represents the soul, health, and vitality, and the moon, which influences emotions and the mind, are obscured. This celestial…
Author: Chahna Tailor Gupta
By Chahna Tailor Gupta Growing up in South Florida, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the incredible impact of the Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation firsthand. From attending the annual events to volunteering and now serving as the President of the South Florida Chapter, my journey with Ekal has been deeply meaningful. In today’s digital era, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation is at the forefront of innovation, harnessing the power of technology to enhance education in rural and tribal communities. Recognizing the pivotal role of modern tools in education, Ekal has seamlessly integrated tablets, computer labs, and e-learning platforms into its curriculum. This forward-thinking…
Our skin, the largest organ of our body, is truly remarkable. It shields us from external threats, regulates our temperature, and safeguards our internal organs. While our skin acts as a protective barrier, it also has the ability to absorb what we apply to it. Unfortunately, many commercial skincare products contain harmful chemicals that can disrupt our skin’s natural balance. By making conscious choices, we can prioritize products that promote our skin’s health and overall well-being. The Impact of Common Personal Care Products Everyday products like deodorants, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and perfumes may contain ingredients that can have detrimental effects…
When I was in grade school, questions such as “why does your religion have monkeys, elephants and other animals,” were ubiquitous. I was always interested in our religion, but could never defend it because I felt I wasn’t well-informed. My friends practicing other religions were able to eloquently speak about their faith, but they also never had to defend it. It didn’t help that school textbooks contained incorrect details on Hinduism; probably because they were written by someone of a different faith (a huge thank you to Hindu American Foundation for changing that!). As the other religions had similar prophets…
By Chahna Tailor Gupta Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine from India, recognizes that different seasons of the year can have a significant impact on our health and well-being. According to Ayurveda, there are three doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha) that govern our physical and mental characteristics, and these doshas can become imbalanced during certain times of the year. In this article, we will explore the seasons in Ayurveda and which doshas are prominent during each season. Winter (December to February) In Ayurveda, winter is considered a time of increased vata dosha. Vata is responsible for movement and governs functions…
Happy August! Since we are in the full swing of the summer season, let’s go through some Ayurvedic tips to brighten your skin, make your hair healthier, and keep you calm and relaxed through this fun time! Skin Care Swedana, sweating, is great for opening up the pores and sweating out toxins. You can buy a facial steamer from Amazon, or boil some water in a pot, cover your head with a towel, and hang over the hot water (with the stove off!). The steam works just as well as a facial steamer! Brides (and grooms)…