The Jai Jais Blog

Why Do We Tie A Red String On Our Wrist Before Ceremony?

Why Do We Tie A Red String On Our Wrist Before Ceremony?

by Sunita Shah
I have sat in many puja’s since I was a little girl. Pujas during the wedding,  new home, new baby, Ganesh Puja’s and many more.  Each marking a milestone in my life.  I noticed every time we start the ceremony that the Brahmin would always tie a red string around out writs before we sat in pooja.  Has this happened you? I don’t know what it is but when that red string was tied on my wrist I always felt a connection to jai jais and felt special and empowered.
Hindu Ritual Red String Red Thread
Hindu Naming Ceremony

Hindu Naming Ceremony

by Sunita Shah
According to Hindu traditions, the Namkaran ceremony is usually performed within a few weeks of the baby's birth. The eleventh or twelfth day after birth is considered the most favourable day for the ceremony. The first initial of the child’s name, which is considered to be auspicious is determine by reading the astrological signs at the time of birth. In the past, most names were either names of gods and goddesses or reflected important qualities, e.g. Shanti-meaning 'peace'. While many Hindus continue this tradition today, it is also becoming more popular in both the UK and urban India to invent a name or to use Western names.
Baby Names Hindu Ceremonies Hindu Ritual Namkaran
The Journey of the Hindu Soul

The Journey of the Hindu Soul

by Sunita Shah

The Sanskrit word for death, “dehanta,” means “the end of body” but not the end of life. One of the central points of Hindu philosophy is the distinction between a body and a soul. Hindus believe that the body is a temporary vessel for an immortal soul in the mortal realm. When we die, our physical body perishes but our soul lives on.

The soul continues its journey of birth, death and rebirth, until a final liberation. This is at the heart of the philosophy of detachment and learning to let go of desires.

Hindu Ritual Hindu Soul Karma Lord Yamaraj Moksha Reincarnation Santandharma
What is Pind Daan Puja?

What is Pind Daan Puja?

by Sunita Shah
Respect for family and ancestors is a pillar of Vedic culture the Hindu religion is filled with reverential worship and rituals to Gods Goddess and Ancestors; departed and loved ones. Most of these rituals are aimed to ease the journey of the person towards final salvation Moksha. The Hindu way of life covers concepts of life and the afterlife in one continuous and seamless process. Hinduism has unique and complex rituals related to last rites. Last rites rituals in Hinduism are almost same throughout the Indian sub-continent. It is called  Pind Daan, it is one of the most important Hindu rites. Pind Daan is considered as a way to salvation, performing Post death ceremony in Hindu family is considered a must to do obligation for every Hindu.
Ancestors Hindu Ritual Lord Yamaraj Pinddaan Pindpuja Santandharma
Why Do Hindus Fast?

Why Do Hindus Fast?

by Sunita Shah
However, fasting is not only a part of worship but a great instrument for self-discipline too. It is a training of the mind and the body to endure and harden up against all hardships, to persevere under difficulties and not give up. According to Hindu philosophy, food means gratification of the senses and to starve the senses is to elevate them to contemplation. Luqman the wise once said, "When the stomach is full, the intellect begins to sleep. Wisdom becomes mute and the parts of the body restrain from acts of righteousness."
Fasting Hindu Ritual Hinduism Puja
Why Do Hindus Shave A Babies Hair?

Why Do Hindus Shave A Babies Hair?

by Sunita Shah
I have two boys… Syon is now 9 Years and Dhiyan is 4 years old.  My mother is law had told me not to cut Syon’s hair, as after 18 months we will sh...
Family Traditions Head Shaving Ceremony Hindu Ritual Mudan
Why do we avoid cutting hair or nails on certain days?

Why do we avoid cutting hair or nails on certain days?

by Sunita Shah

There are many rituals and traditional beliefs in Hinduism. I had put a questions box on my stories and so many of you asked the question… “Why is we do not cut hair on certain days”, some people said Tuesdays, Thursdays and some people said Saturday. People have said they avoided this as it brings bad luck…Let’s find out more The Jai Jais Way.

In Hinduism cutting hair on certain days is considered to be inauspicious… but why? There seem to be many stories related to this. Again it’s that melting pot I find of superstition, tradition, and religion, from what I have read there are certain reasons that avoiding this practice has its own benefits.

Cut Hair Hindu Ritual Hindu Traditions
What’s that all about? Chilli & Limes & Nazar?

What’s that all about? Chilli & Limes & Nazar?

by Sunita Shah

People believe in superstition and follow the tradition which is followed by their ancestors without questioning them once or finding out the truth or fact behind it. Some follow it because of their strong belief in that act, while some do it just because they've been following it for years. With this journey on The Jai Jais I seem to question so much about the reasons behind or rites, rituals signs and symbolism. This is also the inquisitive nature of my children too, always asking…..”but mummy why?”.  I have been humbled by your responses to my posts and blogs of how much you are also learning and teaching your children along our journey together.

There have been people who have tried hard to find reasons for these age-old practices. One of them is 'nazar utarna', or removing the effects of the evil eye. So today, we thought of investigating, The Jai Jais Way the logic of this superstition, which actually also has a scientific reason to it. 

Evil Eye Hindu Ritual Hindu Traditions nazar