Best of The White Hindu 2013

I started this blog in January 2013 and now it is very nearly a year later! (Prior to that I had a Blogger blog for three years).

On that first day, there were 81 page views and now we almost always break 1,000 each day. The Facebook Fanpage grew from zero to 1,711 fans. There has been much discussion and robust debate. I know I’ve learned a lot about myself and about my religion. I hope that you have too!

With the help of Google analytics, I can see exactly which posts have been the most popular over the course of this year.

1) Happy Diwali

Can you believe the number one post was published just one month ago? It didn’t have 12 months to build pageviews, but it didn’t need it! We had a record day of over 4,000 pageviews in one day in the lead up to Diwali and my Diwali post has remained by far the most popular one I’ve ever done.

2) The Branches of Hinduism

I had no idea this post would be so popular. It was a really quick summary and now I think I need to do a more detailed post about it, as clearly people are curious about the branches of Hinduism.

3) How to Wear a Sari

Wearing a sari may not be necessary to being a Hindu, but knowing how sure does help you fit in if you’re a girl. Saris are also just so elegant and beautiful that I’m sure lots of people are curious how they are worn.

4) The Ten Avatars of Vishnu: A Guide

I’m glad people are finding this one. It’s a post I’m proud of. Lots of information and the type of information that it’s important to know as a Hindu!

5) Who Is Krishna?

More important information for Hindus to have. Krishna, I think, is the most well known of the Hindu Gods to non-Hindus, so I imagine they must be pretty curious who he is.

6) Hinduism and Abortion

Another post that I am very proud of and I hope it continues to be read!

7) The Karwa Chauth Fast

Holiday posts seem to do very well, and no surprise since I’m sure people are searching for information about them as they are coming up. This one surprised me, though. It’s a more regional holiday.

8) What I Don’t Get About Christianity

This post was from the beginning of the year and had a lot of page views then. I don’t think it’s been seen as much recently. I feel like this is possibly my most misunderstood post even as I kept trying to add disclaimers to explain what my point was. But I still think it’s a very valid one! Christianity doesn’t work for me, doesn’t make sense to me, and that’s okay. That’s why it’s not my religion!

9) Marriage Equality and Hinduism

This is an issue I feel pretty passionately about. My point of view on it certainly is not the same as all other Hindus. There is division on this one and sometimes culture, tradition, and history can get in the way of our religious obligation to love. That’s how I see it, anyway.

10) Happy Birthday, Krishna

Another detailed holiday post.

I think as I work on this blog more and more, I’m getting a sense of what kinds of material people are most interested in. I want to help people find the information they are looking for and also to share my perspective on life, the universe, and everything. I like that my blog is a balance of research and information with personal stories, pictures, experiences. I’ll try to maintain that balance in the coming year!