Belief - Beyond Comprehension

Every visit to our farm house brings in new experience, as it is set in a remote village. The native villagers mostly live along with nature, may be that could be due to non-urbanization! Look at what I was intrigued at this time!

These are plantain stems. First I thought these people were slicing the stem and drying it up to make crisps, but I have never heard of such a thing. Well, we normally add these in daal or finely chop and toss it up and use as a side dish along with rice based meal. Now, curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to know what exactly it was, so started chatting up with the lady who was deftly making these stuff. She was equally excited to explain what she was doing!

They were oil lamp wicks, which is used in Hindu special prayers and it was called as வாழைத்தண்டு திரி (Vazhaithandu Thiri)! Meticulously she showed me how to make it...here we go

Slice the stem > pull out the fiber > wrap it > dry it. Roll the dried ones and make a wick, whenever you want to light the lamp. It is believed that lighting lamp with this wick will be relinquish any form of curse! 

Colorful Gooseberries n Folklore

Gooseberry! admit it, mouth waters at the very thought of it and the second you take a bite, you have a pursed lips and screwed up eyes, because of the inherent sour taste! 

When we came across these colorful berries at the road side in Yelagiri (a laid back high-land in Tamil Nadu in India), we just stopped by to try it out! To our pleasant surprise, we were told that these are local gooseberries (நெல்லிக்காய்)! Until then, I h'v thought that the color of these berries are shades of pale green. 

They used to sell gooseberries in front of school. All we had to do was shell out a small change and get a hand full of small sized அரெ-நெல்லிக்காய் or a big நெல்லிக்காய், of course with all the works including salt, chilli powder and blackish coarse mustard. 

Our World

If you grew up learning Tamil, am pretty sure you have heard Ovvaiyar (ஒவ்வையார்) and gooseberry (நெல்லிக்கனி/நெல்லிக்காய்) at least once! The folklore says that king Adiyamaan (அதியமான் ) once got a gooseberry which is supposed to increase his life span. The king after deep contemplation gave this to ஒவ்வையார் believing that increasing her lifespan means good to the society at large as she is not only a great poetess, but strives to bring peace among neighbouring rulers too! Such a noble hearted ruler!

Look at the ripe ones! They were not sweet, but certainly had a crispy tangy taste with a punch.
ஒரு வேளை ஒவ்வையார் உண்ட நெல்லிக்கனி இப்படி இருந்திருக்குமோ?

Memories of Mama

Every time I say/think of mama, I can clearly visualize his smiling face and 'what next' attitude. He was like a rock to all of us. He was always young at heart and used to enthrall us with his escapades.

It all happened 2 years ago, when he came back from the US. He had lost about 10kgs within 6 months and all of us were naive enough and attributed it to the low fat diet, that too devoid of the daily dose of deep fried stuff like vadai, kaaravadai and bajji, while in US.

At the maximum we thought it might be diabetics. But, all our assumptions were wrong and he was diagnosed with with level 4 stomach cancer. Since then the fight against that deadly enemy started. He was facing it with grace.

It is hard to believe that, even 2 weeks ago, when I was in India, mama was driving, talking and laughing with us. Life is too short. His health deteriorated drastically within a short span and his last 3 days were terrible, for the family.

Though, he was unconscious the thought that he might be silently suffering was terrifying. Yesterday, mama passed away and I was unable to go home and pay my last respect. Direct flights to my home town was fully booked because of Chinese New Year. However, tomorrow morning am going home to India to be with my aunt and give her moral support at this tough time.

During my childhood, like any other electronic items, camera was an expensive stuff and only he had an imported Yashika (B & W) film camera. He was my first inspiration to photography and here is a tribute to him.

Scenic Sunday, SOOC

Navaratri/Dussehra - Victory over Ignorance!

Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit and this festival is celebrated at nights in the Hindu temples and homes. It is a colorful festival, celebrated throughout India in different names like Navaratri, Dussehra or Durga Pooja. The basis of this festival is to celebrate the Destruction of evil power, Appreciation of Spiritual & Material Riches and Enlightenment. These three factors are represented by Goddesses Durga (Parvathi), Lakshmi and Saraswathi respectively. During Navaratri, 3 days are dedicated for each Goddess successively.

In temples, deities are adorned in various forms of the Goddesses in the evenings and special prayers are conducted at nights. On the 9th day, in most of the temples all 3 forms of the goddesses are presented!

This is from my family's trust temple. For SOOC Sunday

In the above shot, Saraswathi the goddess of education (enlightenment) is on the 1st left and she holds Veena (a classical musical instrument). Lakshmi the goddess of wealth is in the center and the next is Durga or Parvathi the goddess of power. At homes, children celebrate by arranging dolls to depict various religious and day to day life activities and it is called as Kolu. So, in this season, handicraft shops and shops beside the temples sell colorful dolls.

Kolu dolls at Pudhu Mandabam in Meenakshi Amman temple, Madurai, India

Ninth day of celebration is also called as Saraswathi Pooja. As children, we were always looking forward to this day, mainly because our school books would be kept in prayers and left overnight in front of the deity, which meant we didn't have to TOUCH the books^^.

After 9 days of celebration, 10th day is called as Vijayadasami. There is a belief that Lord Rama killed Ravana (demonic ruler of Srilanka) on that day, hence it is considered as triumph over evilness. This epic war is enacted in most of the Vaishnava temples.

Rama from (Sourashtra) South Krishnan Temple, Madurai. For Skywatch.

This shot shows Lord Rama with bow and arrow!

Spiritually, Vijayadasami means victory over ignorance and gain enlightenment. Hence, goddess Saraswathi is given importance on this day and in South India, this is the most auspicious day to start a child's education. Most of the schools take new admissions for Reception classes!

Utensils, Vessels and Hand Engraved Plates

Even now, in most of the Indian households stainless steel utensils and vessels are used. Whenever I go to my hometown (Madurai, India), I am tempted to checkout the shops for new arrivals. Let me try to relive the experience of how it feels to visit a prominent utensil seller.

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.

Hand Engravers - very cheap labor

This time, they were working on brass plates, which are used in pooja (Hindu religious activities).

Doing wonders with chisel and hammer

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!

Colorful food containers

Actually, this type of carriers is eco-friendly, because locals use it to pack food instead of plastic containers and covers.

Vinayaka @ Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai

Prime God of Hindus, Vinayaka or Ganapathy is worshiped before the beginning of anything like a wedding or business. And today is His birthday. He has an elephant's face and stout with a pot belly. Here are some of His avtars @ Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple.

Vibuthy Vinayakar

He sits near the entrance of South Tower, and people shower him with vibuthy or holy ash and pray.  

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.

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.

Mottai Gopuram - Towers of Meenakshiamman Temple - Madurai

Whenever I go to Madurai, my home town in India, I must go to Meenakshi Amman Temple, if not my home coming is never complete! Besides having a satisfactory darshan, I enjoy walking around the temple soaking up in the beauty of the tall கோபுரம்(towers), பொற்றாமரை குளம் (Golden Lotus Pond), and story telling sculptures! Here is a view of North Tower.

North Tower - Mottai Gopuram

All the towers are adorned with beautiful sculptures that depict stories from puranas (legand/mythology). However, this tower is almost bare and the locals call this as மொட்டை கோபுரம் (bare tower!?). The legend says that all the towers in this temple was built overnight by the bhootahganaas (Lord Shiva's heavenly followers). Sunrise occurred while building the north tower, so it was left incomplete!

View from Inside

Here is a shot of South Tower, which is filled with story telling sculptures...

South Tower

Glorious Sunrise

During my last visit to India (home town Maduari), I was staying with my parents for a couple of days. Sipping hot tea @ the balcony around 6AM is most enjoyable, that too when prepared by mom, tea tastes heavenly! Further, being near dad and mom at that time of the day feels like special gift:) On that day I felt that Heavens were sharing my thoughts, as it painted its rays gracefully, like this...

With this mood, even the ghastly mobile phone tower was not bothering me. Silver lined clouds and glorious rays made my day!

Diwali Bazar

After 10 years, I'm in my hometown, Madurai, India. Usually Diwali is synonymous with home made sweets, new dress and fire crackers (this order varies depending on the age).  Last few days before Diwali people get frenzied with shopping. Moreover, vendors create hype by advertising attractive offers, where you happen to get great deals for all kinds of stuff. However, the rush is unbelievable and you could say as "people people everywhere".

As it has been a decade since I've been in this crowd, it was quite difficult for me to walk in it. Instead, I just opted to gaze and take pictures from my aunt's house.

A typical roadside vendor selling fancy frocks - target customer is usually 18 patti grama makkal (this directly means rural folks from near by 18 villages)! This time, most of the shop assistants were yelling as "masakali", which is the name of a salwar suite! Then as for as sarees, I heard about "Ravaana" & "Enthiran" (supposed to be names of new hit movies) sarees! I dunno how they end up with giving such names, as you could never see such sarees worn by any of the characters in those movies^^

Brisk sale of inner-wares...

Sweets and chaat variety...

Poor lambs, they don't know that they are going to be butchered by tomorrow...For Diwali some of the locals eat non-veg and heard that most of the meat sold during this period is not checked or approved by concerned authorities...

Without fire crackers Diwali is incomplete. But, until now I haven't had a chance to take picture of these shops as I dare not to shop in the crowd.

Gopura Darshan

Elders say that Morning Gopura Darshan is punniyam. Here is the view of Therku Gopuram (East South Tower) of Meenakshi Amman Temple...

Each sculpture in the tower depicts Purana stories. I have bought the Sthala Varalaru (History of the Temple) in Tamil & this includes pictorial explanation of all the stories am hoping to translate and pen down these stories in my blog, wish me luck...

Sound Sleep

While visiting relatives in my hometown, I happened to capture him in his deep slumber...

Relaxing like a baby!

Rattling to Unwind...

After a Day's Sightseeing, am itching to share my experiences, but before that I wanna unwind, and rest so that I can carry on for the next couple of days...so here goes my rattles...

Well, I have not yet downloaded 260+ photos that I took today in Kensington Palace, Thames Cruise and Trafalgar Square. In St Paul's Cathedral, there is a display that requests not take photos. I wanted to respect that request, but with much regrets. However, I saw few tourists snapping fervently, so I too followed suite and took very few pictures, that too using my hand-phone.

Here in UK, we are entirely relying on public transport. Even after buying car, I don't think I would like to take my car to Central London, because of excessive Congestion Tax and heavy parking rates. Besides, The Transport For London is quite good and mostly reliable. 

Whenever, I go to Central London, I have been watching a couple of things. Every time, I go to Overground railway stations in London and its suburbs, am reminded of Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, Madurai and Kuala Lumpur Railway Stations. Yes, I agree that these places had British influence in the past. But, what irks me the most is the poor lighting facilities in all these stations.

The, the Underground or Tube stations in Central London is similar to Singapore Underground network. Here, the minute you enter the underground level, you can see people always moving in a great hurry, as if their whole life depended of catching that train. Today, at one of the stations, I was suddenly reminded of rats scurrying! Now, I realize what has made me to think like this:)

Especially in the tubes, always I can see young adults necking. Here, I can't understand what motivates them to behave like this.

Then, comes the basic necessity. In Malaysia & Singapore, washrooms in shopping malls and railway stations are maintained with acceptable quality and in most places, it is free of charge. As for Chennai & Madurai, there are both unpaid and paid restrooms, but you cannot expect decent maintenance. But, as for as London is considered most of the railway stations and tube stations do not have washrooms. Even the ones that has this facility, they charge, yet not in good condition!