» Kathak classes in India and Nepal usually run eight to ten hours a day, seven days a week. It takes a student approximately 10-15 years to reach a proficient level after studying with a guru and passing strict written, oral, and practical examinations.

» Saraswati Puja marks the day that children first start to learn their alphabet. The goddess of learning is thought to help all those who ask for assistance, and it is believed that beginning one's studies in this manner will ensure success.

» The Sal tree (Shorea robusta) has beautiful and strong leaves, which are often used to create plates, either for eating or for carrying puja items to the temple. During the preparation for village weddings, neighbors of the bride make hundreds of these plates by hand. It is an environmentally friendly form of dish on which guests enjoy their delicious meal of rice, daal, and a variety of curries. Ten leaves are needed for a plate, and five for a bowl. A typical village wedding may have up to 500 guests, so the village must gather up to 7,500 leaves to create a sufficient number of plates.