A list of curious facts
One: The city of Santa Fe has its own twist on Dussehra—a festival where they burn a giant effigy of a demon. Except he is called Zozobra—and he represents not evil but anxiety. The residents stuff the 50-foot puppet with symbols of all that ails them—and then set him on fire. Sounds very uplifting though the scene sounds rather like ‘Children of the Corn’:
[Y]ou may find yourself surrounded by, and even join in with, the screaming citizens of Santa Fe as they string up this enormous, writhing pale-faced humanoid on a pole on a hill overlooking their homes and burn him while he moans until dead. “Burn him!” demand the children onstage. “BUUUURN HIIIIIM!” roar the adults from the crowd, a portion of whom are inebriated. Unseen, a local judge howls into a microphone, providing the voice of a gargantuan puppet being cooked alive.
Killing anxiety? We think not. You can see him in his entire glory below—and on fire in the lead image. (Smithsonian Magazine)
Two: According to a recent study, Michelangelo included images of a breast cancer patient in his painting of the Sistine Chapel. She is seen in a ceiling panel that shows people fleeing from the great flood. As you can see below, her right breast’s areola is not visible, and her nipple is puckered. There are also two lumps suggesting swollen lymph nodes—one on the right side of the breast—and the other just before her armpit. Artnet has lots more on this fascinating discovery.
Three: The perennial fashionista diet is now a fashion accessory. Behold Moschino’s celery-shaped clutch called Sedano—retailing at a mere $4,995 (Rs 375,000).
Worry not, you can always opt for the ‘Bakery paper bag’ below—which you can pick up for just $680 (Rs 57,380). Our fave bit: The supermarket Aldi’s epic response. (Stylist)
Bonus fact: We will soon have a video game starring the great king Rajendra Chola—because:
Rajendra Chola achieved much more than his father, the great Rajaraja Chola, yet very few people are aware of his accomplishments. From conquering Srivijaya, in present-day Indonesia, the island of Sri Lanka to leading expeditions to the Ganges River in northern India, he was a truly fascinating king. That’s why we chose Rajendra over other kings in the Chola dynasty.
The Mughals? Chee! The British? Chee! The Cholas? The bestest! Or to rephrase a famous Indian poetess: Tuadda kutta kutta, sadda kutta Tommy. You can catch the trailer below. (Indian Express, paywalled)
