Knowledge Bank

Kol became Aligarh

The original name of Aligarh was Kol (Koil). This name was given by Balarama after he defeated the asura called Kol here.

What is Apaddharma?

Apaddharma refers to the religious protocol applicable during times of distress, disasters, or societal decline. It temporarily suspends normal social rules, especially those regulating interactions and dining among different social groups (jatis), which are typically influenced by notions of purity, impurity (ashaucha), and social hierarchy. The core principle of apaddharma is that preserving life takes precedence over maintaining these rules. For example, in emergencies like fires or floods, customary restrictions on physical contact with lower-status individuals are set aside to ensure survival. This flexibility underscores the primacy of life over rigid social norms.