Glance & Go - Thoughts, stories, sights and soul—all through my digital lens!!

Sanātana Dharma teaches that body, mind and nature move together like dancers in a  circle. When the sun shines, we often feel awake and happy. In Sanatana Dharma, the sun is the god Suryadev , who brings light and hope.  Suryadev  can “wake up” cheerful thoughts. I just c lose my eyes and picture a small sun in my heart and whisper “ Om Surya Namah ” (“I honor the Sun”). Dark clouds and thunder can make us feel sleepy or sad. Rain is linked to Indradev , the rain god.  Indradev’s rain can “wash away” our worries.  If I am tired on a cloudy day, I pray " Om Indraya Namaha ". Very hot weather can make us grumpy or restless. Hindus see strong heat as the fire god Agnidev at work.  Agnidev’s heat can “spark” our energy.  If I feel angry, I  take three slow breaths, think of a cool river and repeat “ Om Agnidevaya Namaha ”. Cold, quiet nights may lead to lonely or thoughtful feelings. Many people picture Bhagavan  Shiva , who meditates on snow...

धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः !! ధర్మ రక్షతి రక్షితః !! Bharatvasi,  Each of you carries a spark of bharat's soul whether you build, heal, teach or protect.  To those who stand guard at Bharat's borders and watch over her breath with sleepless eyes, know this:  every heartbeat of HER whispers your name in gratitude. You are not alone; HER love walks with you like a shadow. May your courage be unshaken, your spirit unbroken and your families forever wrapped in HER divine embrace. I bless all Bharatiya with strength, peace and honor that outlives time itself. Bharat Mata ki Jai !!! Jai bhajaran bali ki Jai 🙏 Please be safe... 🙏

In the ancient echoes of the Hindu Upanishads, the mahāvākya “ Tatvam Asi ” ( title of this topic) whispers a timeless truth: "You are That." It does not say he is That nor she is That, but YOU , the essence beyond form. In this sacred truth, Naari Shakti and Purush Shakti dissolve all dualities. The divine is not bound by gender, yet is expressed fully in both. HE is a symbol of wisdom, protection and action. SHE is an embodiment of creation, compassion and energy. In the eternal dance of the cosmos, divine balance is not an exception; it is the LAW . Together, they are Purusha and Prakriti like - Where Narayana sustains, Lakshmi nurtures abundance. Where Brahma conceives creation, Saraswati illuminates it with knowledge. And where Shiva holds stillness, Shakti awakens motion. These sacred pairs are not tales of hierarchy, they are symbols of synergy. Devi Lakshmi stands not behind Narayana, but beside him, the power that makes preservation possible. Devi Saraswati does not...

Photo credited to Google.  In Sanatana Dharma, the sacred lineage of Rishis and Acharyas , one radiant name shines timelessly, Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya was born during the Vaishakha Sukla Panchami in Kalady, Kerala, in the 8th century CE, around 788 CE, to a devout Nambudiri Brahmin family named Shivaguru and Aryamba, who were a devout and elderly couple, living a life rooted in prayer and selfless service. They had no children for many years and were longing for a child, they prayed earnestly to  Bhagavān  Shiva at the Vadakkunnathan temple in Thrissur, seeking His blessing for a son. One night,  Bhagavān   Shiva appeared in their dream, offering a choice: A long-lived but ordinary son or A short-lived but brilliant son who would change the world, the couple chose the second option and thus, Shankara was born . So,  Sri Adi Shankaracharya  was not merely a child prodigy but an avatāra purusha , believed by ...

The world outside slowed down this weekend, perhaps because of the freezing fog. The chill in the air wrapped the city in a soft, quiet blanket, inviting us to pause and cherish the little moments that often get lost in the rush of everyday life. So, sitting together at the Starbucks, we each held a cup that told its own story. It might be a chai latte—rich, spiced and soul-warming. Its aroma filled the room, intertwining with the laughter of my family. Across from me, a steaming mug of hot chocolate topped with a swirl of whipped cream. There’s always special kind of joy in sharing drinks that reflect your mood. We reminisced about shared memories, planning new adventures ahead and allowed the moment to remind us what truly matters: Connection. Stay Safe friends and Have fun exploring my Blog and if possible do visit these places whenever ur free… Until my next article …. Follow me for more details, photos and reels - Instagram - @sk.digilance

Many years ago during a family trip to Florida, we took our space-loving teenager to explore NASA's Kennedy Space Center. My kid had been dreaming of this moment for years devouring books on physics since elementary and eagerly following every NASA website. Seeing the eyes light up as we approached the entrance, I knew this day would be special. I still remember the excitement the moment we walked through the gates and were greeted by the iconic Rocket Garden. I watched my teenager with eyes wide with awe as he stood among these towering giants of space exploration. He eagerly pointed out the various rockets, rattling off facts and stories he had learned over the years. As a parent, it was incredible to witness his passion come alive.  Next, we made our way to the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit. His excitement was contagious as he navigated the interactive displays explaining to us the intricacies of the shuttle's design. In that moment, I felt a swell of pride knowing that his...

As you may know, I enjoy taking time to browse through my photo albums to relive the memories of my past travels. Recently, I came across pictures from my trip to Hershey's Chocolate World of Pennsylvania in 2018, and it was truly a remarkable experience. The trip was filled with excitement and wonder as I explored the world of chocolate and indulged in delicious treats.  Wow & wow! This store is like a dream come true for me! The place is enormous and filled with all kinds of Hershey's candies. They also have 3-D movie and historical Trolley ride which is a must-see. The selection is immense and the atmosphere inside is joyous, colorful, and fun. As soon as I walked in, I started smiling because I love Chocolates, I was so impressed with its history too. The prices for rides or candies were good. As i said before, we can experience all the rides for fun, and the best part is that we will get sample chocolate on all the rides as a compliment.  The "Make Your Own Choco...

Happy Holi to you all !  May our lives be as vibrant and colorful as the hues of Holi and the colors of Holi fill our hearts with love, peace, and positivity. 

 I have started writing my travel articles for this blog since few days again and didn't get time to post it online.  I will probably post regularly from now onwards without any delay.  Dear readers, watch out for new posts on my blog https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/ Few months ago, I visited Hamilton Viewpoint Park , a popular spot for tourists and locals located in the West Seattle neighborhood that offers panoramic views of the city skyline, Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.  We went towards hillside and stopped at a small parking lot with a grassy area that is great for picnics and saw few benches to sit and enjoy the views. There was also a play area for children and a small shelter that can be reserved for private events. It's an amazing spot for photography, esp the panoramic views of the city which is often used as a backdrop. If you are visiting Seattle, I would highly recommend checking out Hamilton Viewpoint Park for its stunning views of the city a...

  If you all read my previous article about "Hamilton Viewpoint Park" ->  https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/2023/02/hamilton-viewpoint-park-seattle.html ,  after visiting this place we were on our way to one of my Favourite place in Washington, one of the world's most recognizable brand -  " The Starbucks Center " -  the headquarters of the global coffee giant @ Seattle,  a must-visit destination for coffee/ Tea lovers. I must say, I am a tea lover and my spouse is a coffee lover. The headquarters is the largest  and oldest multi-tenant building. An impressive building with an interesting history. It was originally built in 1912 as a Sears, Roebuck & Co. distribution center and was converted into the headquarters of Starbucks in 1997. The building has undergone extensive renovations to transform it into a modern, sustainable workspace that reflects the company's values. While the Starbucks Center is primarily a working office building, it ...

Bellevue Arts Museum ( also known as BAM), a nonprofit organization established in 1975 is located in Bellevue, Washington across from Bellevue Square and has a history of hosting a diverse range of exhibitions and programs that explore a variety of themes and artistic mediums every season. The architectural model of Bellevue Arts Museum was designed by Steven Holl ( an architect) which opened in 2001. The building is a three floors distinctive and modern architectural design featuring a blend of concrete, glass and steel. This museum's mission is to provide a platform for artists to showcase their work and to engage the community in dialogue about contemporary art and culture. I recently visited this art Museum last week and to my bad luck only first floor was open for showcasing "Hamed Shirzadian's jewelry" and "Brain Injury Art Show" and the remaining floors were closed due to renovation. However, I loved both the showcasings - Hamed Shirzadian's jew...

It's November and today we had the first snow ❄❄ of the season which is quite early compared to previous years. Snow in November is rare at least in our city.  But I am not complaining 😃, I've been waiting for snow fall and today I'm very excited and thought to take some photos and videos before writing this article for all my readers who have been waiting for my blog posts. I know, I know I've been busy recently so haven't updated but surely will make it up to all my readers by posting many of my travel articles in next 3 months. So, stay tuned !! Follow me for more details, photos and reels - My blog - sk-digilance.blogspot.com Instagram - @sk.digilance Twitter - @SDigilance The recent uncertain weather made me excited and my heart is busy pounding for early winter ❆ but also sad that the Fall/  Autumn   🍂  season came to an end earlier than it was supposed to.  I am very excited to snowy days ahead (at least...

Every year on Govardhan we go to ISKCON temple for the Govardhan puja. The temple is beautifully decorated with strings of flowers and lights. So few may ask, What is a Govardhan puja? As you all know by now (if you have read my articles on Diwali ) that Diwali/ Deepavali is one of the biggest festivals celebrated and is celebrated for 5 days starting on the 13th day after the full moon or "Poornima" (is the word for full moon in Sanskrit). Day 1- Dhanteras. People worship Goddess Lakshmi ( Goddess of wealth) and Lord Kubera (God of wealth). Day 2 - On 14th day we celebrate Narak Chaturdashi or "Choti" Diwali which commemorates Lord Krishna and Satyabhama's victory over the demon king Narakasura. Day 3 - On 15th day which is Amavasya (or No moon day) we celebrate Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped everywhere.  Day 4 - On 16th day we celebrate Govardhan Puja and we worship Lord Krishna.  Day 5- On 17th day we celebrate Bhai Doo...

Happy Fall, Y'all !!🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂 I can honestly say Fall or Autumn season is the most incredible time of the year apart from Spring with visible changes in mother nature with rusty and vibrant hues of yellow, orange, red and brown. As most of us know, on September 21st each year, we embrace the fall season with the arrival of the fall equinox (also known as the autumnal equinox ), the autumn leaves start to fall with cool and crispy air surrounding us, tempting us to have warm beverages all the time in a day wrapping in cozy Jackets or sweaters. I live in an area where "foliage " changes according to the seasons. My house is surrounded by trees producing the best and fullest fall foliage every year. In 2021, I wrote an article on " Enchanting Fall " , Do read this article as to how I enjoy the nature with Fall/autumnal leaf color changing to vibrant shades of yellow, orange, red and brown in September, October, November and with...

Hey, It’s Diwali time !!! 🪔🪔 Do check out my last year's article about how I celebrate this amazing dazzling festival every year 😍- https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/2021/11/celebrating-dazzling-deepavali.html But to give you all some highlights, Diwali is one of my favorite festival where I do enjoy variety of homemade/ store bought lip smacking sweets and savories at least for few days during this festivities in-short a face full of sweets and a home full of diyas. 😋😋 One of the best part of Diwali is the way it can bring many people ( from North- South- East- West) together, often only at this time of year to share a feast together dressing in colorful traditional clothing with lights decorated both inside and outside of homes. Hope you all agree with me....🎆🎆 Deepavali or Diwali symbolizes "positivity" is a Sanskrit term - Deepa - Lamps (Preferably Clay) or lights Avali -  Row So, its "Row of lamps/ lights" symbolizing the vict...