spirituality, faith, hinduism, hindu, hindu temple, art history, art, queer, shiva, hindu american, hindus, american hindu, indian american, shiva rathri, religion, dharmic faiths, sex, kama sutra, sexuality, sensuality, empowerment, reclaiming narratives, bhakti, devotion, prayer, self love, culture, healing, intimacy, dating, relationships sangeetha kowsik spirituality, faith, hinduism, hindu, hindu temple, art history, art, queer, shiva, hindu american, hindus, american hindu, indian american, shiva rathri, religion, dharmic faiths, sex, kama sutra, sexuality, sensuality, empowerment, reclaiming narratives, bhakti, devotion, prayer, self love, culture, healing, intimacy, dating, relationships sangeetha kowsik

Lord Shiva - The Ultimate Valentine

Valentine’s Day is not a Western invention.

Long before modern culture reduced love to consumption and spectacle, Hindu philosophy understood desire, intimacy, sex, and sensuality as sacred forces, paths toward balance, knowledge, self love, relationships, and spiritual union.

In this essay, I unpack how scriptures like the Kāmasūtra and stories of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Kamadeva were never about indulgence or vulgarity, but about love as cosmic power, distorted by colonization, fetishization, and misunderstanding. How modern culture suffers from generational and cultural trauma which leads to conservative societies when our actual faith is accepting, open, and at its core love. From Bhakti (devotion) poetry to temple art, from queer divinity to embodied devotion, this is a reclaiming of what love was always meant to be.

This is education the world urgently needs, now more than ever. Let’s reclaim our histories and narratives!

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Where Did Your Lady Balls Go?– South Asian Cultural Conditioning vs. Hindu Faith

Every day, I witness South Asian women weighed down by cultural expectations—pressured to conform, stay small, and stay silent.

Yet the Hindu faith we come from tells a different story.
Hinduism reveres amazing, fascinating, divine women.

Our goddesses are warriors, creators, leaders.

As a Hindu woman born and raised in the U.S., I have to ask:

Where did our courage go?

Where did our divine feminine strength—our lady balls—disappear to?

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activism, appreciation, art, artwork, change in thinking, change, classical traditions, compassion, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, design, diversity and inclusion, diversity, distinctive, educate, education, exhibition, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, impact, inclusion, indian american, inspiration, islam, language, languages, love, my story, oneness, prayer, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, temple, tamil american, tamil, travel, travel diaries, unique, world religions, unityindiversity, unity, sexuality, sensuality, museum of sex, museum, advocacy sangeetha kowsik activism, appreciation, art, artwork, change in thinking, change, classical traditions, compassion, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, design, diversity and inclusion, diversity, distinctive, educate, education, exhibition, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, impact, inclusion, indian american, inspiration, islam, language, languages, love, my story, oneness, prayer, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, temple, tamil american, tamil, travel, travel diaries, unique, world religions, unityindiversity, unity, sexuality, sensuality, museum of sex, museum, advocacy sangeetha kowsik

LOVE IS LOVE or IS IT? Why We Fear the God of Love & Hindu Muslim Marriages

"Love—true, soul-deep love—is not just a human emotion, but a divine force."

"The Western phrase 'the birds and the bees,' used to describe love and sexuality, traces its origins back to Hinduism."

"Our ancestors—Hindu and Muslim alike—knew what we’ve forgotten: that longing and love are not sins. They are sacred paths to the Divine."

Sex, sensuality, desire, have all been erased or labeled as forbidden in modern times.

Why are Hindu-Muslim romances still taboo in the U.S., when our histories—and hearts—are so deeply intertwined?

Why is it acceptable for South Asians in America to marry white partners with no shared cultural roots—but controversial when two brown people from different faiths (Hinduism & Islam) fall in love?

"To love fully is to abandon control. To love is to surrender your heart to the Divine—who is love."

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classical traditions, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, educate, faith, global cultures, hindu, hinduism, history, hometown, indian american, interfaith, love, new york, my story, nyc, oneness, religion, religions, reflections, spirituality, tamil, tamil american, tamil nadu, temple, unique, unity, unityindiversity, world religions, diversity and inclusion, diversity sangeetha kowsik classical traditions, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, educate, faith, global cultures, hindu, hinduism, history, hometown, indian american, interfaith, love, new york, my story, nyc, oneness, religion, religions, reflections, spirituality, tamil, tamil american, tamil nadu, temple, unique, unity, unityindiversity, world religions, diversity and inclusion, diversity sangeetha kowsik

Deepavali / Diwali - Commercialization, Consumerism, & COMMUNITY

As a Tamil Hindu, I never celebrated Diwali. As an Indian American I now do. It’s heartwarming to see Diwali bringing together people of diverse faiths and cultures, celebrating light, hope, and community.

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culture, desi american, cultures, cross cultures, compassion, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global cultures, global, hinduism, hindu temple, history, hindu, indian american, inclusion, inspiration, interfaith, language, languages, love, museum, my story, oneness, prayer, reflections, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil, tamil american, tamil nadu, temple, travel, world religions sangeetha kowsik culture, desi american, cultures, cross cultures, compassion, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global cultures, global, hinduism, hindu temple, history, hindu, indian american, inclusion, inspiration, interfaith, language, languages, love, museum, my story, oneness, prayer, reflections, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil, tamil american, tamil nadu, temple, travel, world religions sangeetha kowsik

Rahu - Friend or Foe? Solar Eclipses in Hinduism

Hinduism, the oldest living religion, embodies diversity and eternal truths, fostering unwavering faith and unity amidst life's challenges. Life is characterized by its cycles of good and bad experiences. Don’t blame the Navagraha or 9 planets in Vedic Astrology, have strength, show compassion, live fearlessly!

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activism, activist, appreciation, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, compassion, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, design, distinctive, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global cultures, global, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, holiday, hometown, impact, inclusion, indian american, inspiration, interfaith, love, new york, music, my story, nyc, oneness, prayer, reflections, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil nadu, tamil american, temple, tamil, unique, unity, world religions, unityindiversity sangeetha kowsik activism, activist, appreciation, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, compassion, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, design, distinctive, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global cultures, global, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, holiday, hometown, impact, inclusion, indian american, inspiration, interfaith, love, new york, music, my story, nyc, oneness, prayer, reflections, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil nadu, tamil american, temple, tamil, unique, unity, world religions, unityindiversity sangeetha kowsik

SELF HATING (Indian Americans). Loving HINDU TEMPLES. AUNTIES & UNCLE GUTS.

If Hinduism is such a DOPE OPENMINDED INCLUSIVE faith……then…

WHY DO SO MANY INDIAN AMERICANS GROW UP WITH SELF-HATRED, MAKING FUN OF HINDU RITUALS / PRACTICES, DEITIES, INDIAN ACCENTS, FOOD, DRESS ETC. & CONFUSE BEING “INDIAN” (WHICH IS A NATIONALITY/RACE) WITH BEING A HINDU (A FAITH THAT ANY PERSON OF ANY NATIONALITY/RACE CAN PRACTICE) ???

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appreciation, art, california, classical traditions, compassion, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, impact, hometown, holiday, inspiration, indian american, interfaith, islam, language, languages, love, music, my story, nyc, oneness, prayer, reflections, religion, religions, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil, tamil american, tamil nadu, temple, unityindiversity, unity sangeetha kowsik appreciation, art, california, classical traditions, compassion, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, impact, hometown, holiday, inspiration, indian american, interfaith, islam, language, languages, love, music, my story, nyc, oneness, prayer, reflections, religion, religions, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil, tamil american, tamil nadu, temple, unityindiversity, unity sangeetha kowsik

Transforming Spaces : The Power of Indian Classical Music

I adore that Indian Classical Music is a form of worship, the interconnectedness between Hinduism and Islam, the beautiful melodies and various ragas, has to power to transform and unite, but most of all it’s the way to reach the divine, who is LOVE!

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appreciation, art, california, change in thinking, change, classical traditions, compassion, cross cultures, culture, cultures, education, educate, diversity, design, desi american, friendship, faith, global, global cultures, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, hometown, impact, inspiration, interfaith, inclusion, indian american, islam, love, museum, my story, oneness, nyc, new york, reflections, religion, religions, spirituality, spiritual activism, south asia, tamil, travel, unique, unity, unityindiversity sangeetha kowsik appreciation, art, california, change in thinking, change, classical traditions, compassion, cross cultures, culture, cultures, education, educate, diversity, design, desi american, friendship, faith, global, global cultures, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, hometown, impact, inspiration, interfaith, inclusion, indian american, islam, love, museum, my story, oneness, nyc, new york, reflections, religion, religions, spirituality, spiritual activism, south asia, tamil, travel, unique, unity, unityindiversity sangeetha kowsik

A Muslim Musician wrote a MANTRAM!

A mantram can be repetitive (but doesn’t have to be) and is used for meditation, prayer, and maybe even to set your intentions/goals. For me, Alam Khan’s album Mantram is a true spiritual/religious experience. I LOVE every single track and I am in tears by the end of it, but happy tears because I’ve seen my beloved Lord. It reminds us that no matter how much crap and emotional turmoil we’ve all gone through in life, HOPE & LOVE is what wins at the end.

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activism, activist, appreciation, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, design, diversity, distinctive, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, graphic design, hindu, hinduism, history, impact, inclusion, holiday, inspiration, interfaith, islam, language, languages, museum, my story, music, oneness, painting, religion, religions, prayer, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, travel, unique, unity, unityindiversity, travel diaries, reflections, world religions, islamic art, racism, Islamophobia, anti semitism, love, compassion, new york, nyc sangeetha kowsik activism, activist, appreciation, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, design, diversity, distinctive, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, graphic design, hindu, hinduism, history, impact, inclusion, holiday, inspiration, interfaith, islam, language, languages, museum, my story, music, oneness, painting, religion, religions, prayer, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, travel, unique, unity, unityindiversity, travel diaries, reflections, world religions, islamic art, racism, Islamophobia, anti semitism, love, compassion, new york, nyc sangeetha kowsik

Interconnectedness, Hate, Love, & Ahimsa (Non Violence)

As a lifelong practicing Hindu who adheres to the principle of Ahimsa, which means “nonviolence” meaning not to harm any living creature with your words, thoughts, or physically.

it boggles my mind that the 3 great Abrahamic faiths of the world Christianity, Judaism, and Islam lived in relative peace and unity, and gave the world beautiful art, architecture, and an interconnected culture before someone drank CUCKOO juice, and decided to fill their minds/hearts/brains/souls with hatred and expelled Jews and Muslims, which led to the bloody Spanish inquisition of 1492!

These are my reflections of the interconnectedness, unity, inspiration, and beauty, I saw through religion, faith, culture, and art.

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activism, activist, appreciation, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, cultures, desi american, design, diversity, educate, education, exhibition, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hinduism, history, impact, indian american, inclusion, inspiration, interfaith, language, museum, languages, my story, music, oneness, religion, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, religions, tamil, tamil american, tamil nadu, travel, unity, temple, hindu temple, prayer, unique, culture, distinctive sangeetha kowsik activism, activist, appreciation, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, cultures, desi american, design, diversity, educate, education, exhibition, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hinduism, history, impact, indian american, inclusion, inspiration, interfaith, language, museum, languages, my story, music, oneness, religion, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, religions, tamil, tamil american, tamil nadu, travel, unity, temple, hindu temple, prayer, unique, culture, distinctive sangeetha kowsik

Faith, Fusion, ABCD, Cultural "Norms", it’s time to CHANGE!

This is the same issue many children of immigrants face if they don’t have light skin, light eyes, and a “white” name. We always have to prove our “Americaness” or our “Ethnic Identity” over and over again and frankly, it’s just EXHAUSTING.

I HATE the word “ETHNIC” which needs to be removed from the English language! Ethnic literally describes anyone who is not white! HOW RUDE!

I am sick/tired of folks confusing “Indian culture/communities/society” with the FAITH of Hinduism.

I always found solace, peace, and understanding in my faith in Hinduism though I grew up in a chaotic/mishmash often contradicting Indian/Hindu/American culture and society. For example, I never understood why “Brown/Indian” American women were made to feel ashamed to date, go to school dances, date/marry folks of other races, wear tank tops, bikinis, etc.

SOCIETY & COMMUNITIES create stupid rules, divisions, racism, sexism, hate, patriarchy, and bigotry, not FAITH.

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