Giveaway! And thirteen cool things about an Indian culture Anju Gattani

Ever wonder what details contribute to the Indian Culture? 

'Duty and Desire', a novel set in the heart of India and Indian culture, revolves around of the life of Sheetal and Sanjeet Dhanraj and their tail-spinning forced relationship.  Anju's listed 13 facts… wonder which ones contribute to 'Duty and Desire'?  Check out the excerpt below… you might find some there and perhaps lots more in the book! 

Hindus follow the Hindu calendar which is drawn up according to the moon’s cycle.

Women used to (some still do) cover their heads with the mantle (pallus) of their sari as a sign of respect before elders.

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is the equivalent to Christmas for Christians.

 Hindus follow the Hindu calendar which is drawn up according to the moon’s cycle.

Women used to (some still do) cover their heads with the mantle (pallus) of their sari as a sign of respect before elders.

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is the equivalent to Christmas for Christians.

‘Namaste’ is the Indian custom of greeting where you press your palms together in front of your chest, and bow your head gently.

The sari is a single stretch of fabric, approximately 6 yards in length.

The color of death and mourning for Hindus is white.

The color for auspicious occasions and weddings are red, pink, yellow and other ‘happy’ colors.

Fire represents God (highest form of purity) in Indian weddings.

The staple diet for many Indians is either rice or chappati – whole-wheat, circular flat-bread which is cooked on a skillet.

Holi is the festival of color, re-birth and forgiveness; and it is celebrated in spring (sometime in March) by smearing family and friends with color powders and colored water.

Hindus generally begin their day, after having a shower and getting dressed, with morning prayers.

One of the holiest, Hindu books (equivalent to the Bible) is the ‘Bhagvad Gita’.  This is a 700 verse Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic Mahabharat.

Indians rank as one of the most hospitable people.  You’re always likely to be greeted with warmth, an offer of food, or something to drink by your Indian host(ess). 

Excerpt from ‘Duty and Desire’:

            “This was a dream. It had to be. Sheetal wanted to scream. She opened her mouth, but the smoke choked her lungs. It clouded her vision until Sheetal could barely open her eyes. Then she caught sight of her reflection in the brass vase that was leaning against a matki. This wasn’t just any wedding. This was her wedding! She was the bride! And she was marrying a stranger. She raised her right hand to signal her mother for help.

            The stranger grabbed her hand and forced her to rise from the lotus-like position. A priest then came to stand behind her and tied a sash draping from her left shoulder to a stole hanging from the groom’s shoulder. Then the pundit ordered her to lead the first six of seven pheras, or sacred perambulations, around the havan.

            Sheetal crushed the carpet under her toes as the weight of her golden anklets weighed her down. Her red ghaghra—a full-length embroidered skirt, with a matching blouse and dupatta—ran past her toes, ensnaring her in a cocoon of fabric. She moved forward, one inch at a time, her ghaghra dragging behind in a river of red silk.”

I am giving away 1 swag packet to a lucky commenter (US & Canada only).

The ‘swag’ packet includes:
1 exclusive hand-made, golden wedding invitation card (in the color of the Sheetal’s trousseau), inviting the winner to the fictitious wedding of Sheetal and Sanjeet Dhanraj in 'DUTY AND DESIRE'.
1 post card with the cover of 'DUTY AND DESIRE'
1 matching bookmark of 'DUTY AND DESIRE'

Author Bio:

Anju Gattani, fiction author, freelance journalist and former news reporter, has been published for over 2 decades in leading Asian and US publications. DUTY AND DESIRE, her debut novel, is available worldwide in hardcopy and on: Kindle, Nook, Kobo and all Apple products.  Anju writes fiction to bridge cultures and break barriers.  She hopes to inspire readers one book at a time. 

Visit Anju at: www.anjugattani.com, Twitter: @Anju_Gattani, Facebook: Anju Gattani Author

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