Forget expensive trophies. At Reed College in the US, students have spent generations fighting over a concrete owl that has been stolen, frozen in ice, set on fire and even featured in a music video.
Across India's history, warriors carried more than weapons. From Shivaji's contested Bhavani Talwar to goddess-given swords in medieval legends, these stories reveal how divine belief shaped courage, kingship and the memory of war.
The attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal has drawn fresh attention to Nanded, one of Sikhism's holiest pilgrimage centres. The city is home to Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, one of the faith's five Takhts, where Guru Gobind Singh spent his final days and declared the Guru Granth Sahib the eternal Guru.
Australia is returning three stolen Tamil Nadu temple antiquities to India under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. The return of a six-headed Karttikeya, a Nandi idol and a trishul with Bhadrakali marks not only the restoration of India's cultural heritage but also the beginning of a new chapter in the legacy of the southern Indian kingdoms.
Indonesia's 1,200-year-old Prambanan complex centres on a Shiva shrine with an idol instead of a linga. The uncommon icon, along with Ramayana reliefs and Trimurti temples, marks its distinct place in the Hindu history of the region.
Somewhere in a news article or a social media vlog, you may have come across claims about the origin of the idli and its long association not with India, but with Indonesia. Such assertions often raise eyebrows the moment they are mentioned. So, what is the real story of the idli? Let's explore it in this article.
Launched in 1983 as an affordable caramel-chocolate toffee, Parle's Melody has survived changing snack trends for decades. Now, after PM Narendra Modi gifted it to Italy PM Giorgia Meloni in Rome, the Re 1 candy has transformed into a viral diplomatic symbol tied to the internet-famous "Melodi" meme.
Women once carried essentials in hidden waist-tied pockets, but changing fashion gradually made them disappear. Today's tiny or fake pockets are not random. Design trends, cost cutting, and gendered choices shaped this shift, leaving many women still relying on handbags instead of functional clothing.
From beauty standards to marriage traditions, societies have historically imposed rules on women's bodies in the name of culture and honour. While some communities see them as heritage, others are increasingly questioning their impact on women's dignity and well-being.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategic waterways, but where did its name come from? Is it Persian, Zoroastrian, or something else entirely? Here's the layered history behind the name that has echoed across trade routes for centuries.
Iran is often grouped with Arab nations, but it is not an Arab country. Its people are largely Persian, its language is Farsi, and its history stretches back to ancient empires long before Islam. Here's a clear guide to Persian and Arab identity.
Israeli society is shaped by deep religious, cultural and political diversity. From ultra-Orthodox Haredim to secular Hilonim, Jewish communities differ widely in beliefs and lifestyle. Alongside Arab minorities, these groups form a complex social structure that continues to influence Israel's politics, identity and national debates.
The purpose of oral history is simple: to preserve people's experiences in their own words. It is more deliberate than casual conversation yet less rigid than written records. It documents the way people speak, their tone, hesitation, humour, and small but meaningful details, capturing aspects of lived experience that written records often overlook.
Valentine's Day has evolved from ancient Roman fertility rituals and Christian martyr legends into a global celebration of love, gifts and grand gestures. But behind the roses and chocolates lies a layered history of blood rites, myths and medieval storytelling.
Kissing is often labelled a Western import, but history tells a different story. From Vedic texts to Khajuraho sculptures and the Kama Sutra, India documented and studied the art of intimacy centuries ago. New global research on kissing only makes this cultural irony sharper and more fascinating.
Maharashtra has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites among Indian states. From Ajanta and Ellora caves to Mumbai's iconic architecture and the Western Ghats, here's why the state leads India's heritage map.
The Railways offered a diverse menu in the 1990s, ranging from vegetarian dishes to biryani. It had it all. Chai was served in traditional glass tumblers, and cutlets were especially popular among passengers. So what did the menu actually look like? Take a look. For many, it remains a journey of nostalgia.
A 129-year-old royal menu has gone viral. It was offered by the Maharaja of Baroda to the Maharaja of Gwalior and lists several French dishes, reflecting the global tastes of the era.
Known as the Temple City of India, Bhubaneswar boasts an extraordinary concentration of ancient shrines, sculptures and stone towers that span more than two millennia of history.
In Japan's volcanic valley of Owakudani, tourists line up to eat jet-black eggs believed to add seven years to life. The story blends folklore, geology and food culture — but what's myth, and what's science?
