Rekindling the Sacred in a Modern World
As Hindu parents raising our children in North America, many of us share a common feeling: we deeply cherish the beautiful traditions we grew up with, but we sometimes wonder how to truly carry them forward in our busy modern lives. What do we need? What do we say? How do we make these moments truly meaningful in today’s world, especially for the next generation? We often find ourselves searching for accessible ways to connect our kids with the richness of Indian culture, amidst the demands of our everyday routines.
A Diwali Spark That Lit a Dream
This feeling really came to a head for me in 2024. Diwali was approaching, and once again, I found myself stressed—searching different stores for supplies, Googling mantras, and trying to piece together a meaningful puja. The joy of the celebration was overshadowed by the stress of preparation. That is when I had the vision of creating a one-stop solution that would make it easier for everyone to celebrate their most cherished occasions.
I reached out to my friend, Shivani Patel, shared how I was feeling, and to my relief, she immediately understood. She experienced the same challenges – uncertainty about making the sacred rituals she practiced with her parents easy and accessible for her child. Our conversations turned into something more: a shared dream of making these rituals easier, joyful, and meaningful for families like ours.
The Birth of Marigold & Ash
And so, Marigold & Ash was born.
At Marigold & Ash, we create thoughtfully curated puja boxes for all kinds of moments and celebrations. Each box is a reflection of our dedication – rooted deeply in tradition yet thoughtfully designed to fit seamlessly into your busy routine. Guided by a Vedic priest to ensure that we honor the sacredness of our ancient prayers, we have worked diligently to create puja kits that contain everything you need – except fresh items – along with prayer guides to conduct pujas. Our hope is that when you open a Marigold & Ash box, you feel that same sense of connection we sought to create for our own families.
Introducing Our Diwali Puja Kit
We’re thrilled to announce our Diwali puja kit, launching this year, and ready to ship across the US, one to two weeks before Diwali, so you can celebrate with ease. Currently, we have a limited number of kits available, but we are working diligently to expand our inventory and product range.
Join the Marigold & Ash Family
We invite you to be a part of our journey and explore how Marigold & Ash can bring more meaning and beauty into your home.
Come visit us at www.marigoldandash.com to sign up for our mailing list to receive updates. You can also connect with us and our growing community on Instagram @marigold_and_ash and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarigoldandAsh/
Passion Meets Purpose: Adithi Menon, Co-Founder of Marigold & Ash
Adithi Menon is a seasoned professional passionate about fostering positive change and impactful collaborations. Her extensive background encompasses grants and people management, communications, and business development.
The inspiration for Marigold & Ash stemmed from Adithi’s personal experience of the challenges North American families face in celebrating traditional Hindu pujas. Recognizing the need for a simplified approach, Adithi envisioned and proposed a one-stop solution to her friend and co-founder, Shivani Patel, who joined to bring this vision to life. This collaboration led to the creation of Marigold & Ash, a service dedicated to connecting busy families with their cultural heritage.
When she’s not curating new Marigold & Ash offerings, she enjoys exploring diverse cuisines, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Design Meets Devotion: Shivani Patel, Co-Founder of Marigold & Ash
Shivani Patel, a Creative Director and Graphic Designer with over a decade of experience, believes in the power of design to tell stories and foster connection. Her career includes collaborations with global brands and nonprofits, all fueled by a passion for culture and community.
Marigold & Ash is a personal endeavor for Shivani, co-founded with Adithi, to make Indian rituals accessible for families abroad. As a mom raising a daughter in the US, Shivani understood the challenges of passing on meaningful traditions. She joined Adithi to help actualize the vision for Marigold & Ash, aiming to bring beauty, intention, and ease to modern spiritual practices.
When she is not leading design, Shivani enjoys dancing to ’90s hip-hop and Bollywood, exploring new cuisines, and planning her next travel adventure. Her two beloved dogs, while staying home, are always pampered.
