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| Narrowboat in Birmingham canal For SOOC Sunday |
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| Cruise boats on the Thames, London. London Eye and Big Ben are in the background! |
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| Stratford |
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| Intelligent Signage! |
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| Boats n yachts dotted at Beachy Head, Eastbourne during Red Arrows Air Show! |
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| Purnima or Full Moon (Presenting this for SOOCS) |
There is an interesting array of traditional food associated with the Mid Autumn or Moon cake festival, which falls on Full Moon day of the 8th month (Sept/Oct of Georgian calendar) of the Chinese calendar. Well, I'm not repeating the many stories associated with this festival, as you can find vivid representations online!
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| Moon Cakes - center filled with Lotus paste is my favorite |
It is believed that in Ancient China, to dethrone a malevolent invader, message and plan for rebellion were passed through hidden slips in Moon Cakes during this festival!
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| A sweet with rabbit design, specially consumed during this festival |
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| Pomelo - a type of citrus |
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| Dragon Horn |
Some of my friends call this as buffalo horn! Actually, it tastes like chestnut:)
Usually, all the family members gather to celebrate this festival and enjoy these goodies. We had one such celebration few years ago, at work...
If we celebrated with this many variety of food during tea time at work, you can imagine the actual spread at a typical family gathering!
At the entrance of the shop, the distinct sound of chisel and hammer emerges above all the chaotic noise that is predominant in Indian roads. I take time to look at the silent craftsmen, laboring to beautify brass/copper/stainless utensils.
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| Hand Engravers - very cheap labor |
This time, they were working on brass plates, which are used in pooja (Hindu religious activities).
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| Doing wonders with chisel and hammer |
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| Engraved with Vinayaka |
Once you enter the shop, the dazzling array of utensils from wall to wall is a sight in itself!
It's hard to decide on what to buy and what not, finally I end up buying things that I don't need as well^^.
Like teasers, vessels with handles are hung on the roof and it looks so colorful that I can't stop myself from gazing at them!
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| Colorful food containers |
Actually, this type of carriers is eco-friendly, because locals use it to pack food instead of plastic containers and covers.
Recently I learned that these beauties with its organza material like wings can fly as fast as 35 miles per hour!
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| @ Jewellery Quarter Museum - Birmingham, UK (Yet to post photos from this Museum) |
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| Somewhere in Reading, UK |
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| Apartments in Choa Chu Kang, Singapore |
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| Ancient Egypt - Universal Studios, Singapore |
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| Dome @ Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque Brunei |
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| Thorn shrubs @ Madurai, India |
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| World War II Memorial @ Labuan, Malaysia (yet to write a post on this) |
Hoping to catch up, before my memory fades!
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| Vibuthy Vinayakar |
He sits near the entrance of South Tower, and people shower him with vibuthy or holy ash and pray.
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| Mukkuruni Vinayakar |
He is the largest Ganapathy within this temple and today, special pooja or prayers will be performed. Extra large modhagam (rice based cake) will be offered to Him and later distributed to the public.
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| Narthana Vinayakar |
Narthana means dancing, this dancing Vinayaka is near the Mottai gopuram and people pray to Him on special occasions like Sasthiaptha poorthi (60th birthday).
Couples who are not blessed with a child are advised to do milk absheka (bathing the deity with milk) for this Narthana Vinayaka. Though many beliefs sound superstitious, at times, out of desperation and yearning I tend to believe in age old customs. Belief is everything, I too have done milk abeshikam here, as I had my kid only after a long time.
