Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Vishu - a popular festival in Kerala

Today we people in Kerala in India celebrated Vishu. 

The day of Vishu is considered as the first day in the Malayalam calendar, akin to the new year, according to the astrological calculations based on the movements of Sun. The most important event is Vishukkani, the arrangement of items like rice, fruits, vegetables, coins, religious texts etc. in a rounded vessel called 'Uruli' in front of the Gods and goddesses in the prayer room in households and viewing these as the first thing in the morning signifying 'all the very best' in the year throughout. The state flower of Kerala, Kanikkonna ( Cassia fistula ) depicted in the picture is an essential part of this auspicious occasion. 

A visit to temples is considered sacred and some offer their prayers to Gods and have darshan, as vishukkani, of their favorite deity as the first thing in the early hours of the morning. 

A grand feast on banana leaves follows at noon. Crackers and sparklers are common accompaniments of this festival almost everywhere.

Elders give vishukkaineettam, a gift in the form of money and new clothes to the young on the day of Vishu. 

In many parts of the world especially in Burma, Nepal, and Thailand as well, similar festivals take place. The popular Songkran in Thailand also falls during this period.


May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Vishu 😊

Let you all be blessed with luck, prosperity, happiness and love all throughout each day in the coming year 😊

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Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Anti-slip pad for car dashboard - a cool utility!

           

While shopping the local mall the other day I happened to notice this cool utility - Non-slip car dashboard pad - useful in keeping digital accessories on the dashboard. They just remain stuck on the sticky surface of this pad and will not fall off!

Anytime, phones can be just peeled off from the sticky pad. The pad can be re-positioned too. The sticky surface will not stain or damage the dashboard, it will not damage the gadgets also.

An ideal non-slip, car dashboard pad for all the gadgets 😊

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Friday, 7 February 2014

Some of the most beautiful beaches around the world

Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates


Negombo beach, Colombo, Srilanka


Muzhappilangad, longest drive-in beach, Kerala, India


Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

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Wednesday, 5 February 2014

A fine work of art

A fine work of art!
I have this awesome art adorning my living room wall. Invaluable, indeed!
A lady carrying a pot of water; a common sight in Indian villages!
Hats off to the great artist 😊

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Sunday, 2 February 2014

Ice cream



               

Cool..., tasty, smoothly it melts in the mouth
Caramel, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, honey
You name it, we have everything here, enjoy!
Be it low fat, full fat, with or without toppings!

Have it in a cone, order a scoop or two, or a drink
It is what you need this summer, something cool
Try a mixture, two to three flavors, sweet, yummy
Ok...why not? One more, let it be butterscotch...

Wonderful 😊, see the smiles all around here, 
No leftovers, ever, nice chatter..., everywhere
Young and old, happy, jolly, it is paradise
Let's make merry, melt away the stress, beat the heat!

So many new flavors, so many wonderful colors
Let it be more in the days to come, never it is excess
It is soothing, delicious, makes the mouth water
Can't say no! Never! It is a treat, something precious!

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Friday, 31 January 2014

MAGIC OF LOVE

MAGIC OF LOVE

Far away, oceans apart, amidst lush greenery
Still, it is glowing beautifully, all the time 
In the mind, in the heart, in the soul
The joy it brings! The sparkle it emits!

Entering at a time, shining like a star
Driving away the darkness with love
Like cool raindrops, soaking the dry land
An oasis of love, peace, comfort, and an anchor

A beautiful flower, velvety petals, soft
Blue, green, lilac, colors mingling sweet
Silky, smooth, smiling, it is wonderful
The fragrance, it is still all around... dear!

Deeply ingrained, bonded tightly, inseparable
Love can't be shaken, impossible to change
Stronger and stronger, the feelings will grow
You know... That is the magic of love!

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Tuesday, 31 December 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I wish all my friends an amazing new year!
May you be blessed abundantly this awesome year!
Let prosperity fill your life all throughout this wonderful year! 

Friday, 27 December 2013

Asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida, Food of Gods, Devil's dung)

Today's post is about an interesting ingredient very popular in Indian cuisine. I do not know how many of you have heard about Asafoetida. 

Asafoetida resin is a gum-like material, that is made by solidifying the juice that extrudes out of the cut roots of Asafoetida plant. Asafoetida is widely used in cooking in India particularly as a flavor enhancer. One such popular dish in Kerala is Sambar. It is a concoction of spices, grated coconut, its oil, mixed with vegetables and asafoetida is an important ingredient in it. Apart from rice, dosa, idli etc. are traditionally eaten along with sambar.

Raw Asafoetida has a strong, intense fetid smell. Once a tiny quantity of it is heated with ghee or oil it imparts a wonderful flavor to the dish.

In addition to the culinary uses, it has lots of medicinal uses as well.
  • Antiflatulent 
  • Cholesterol-lowering agent
  • Blood thinner
  • Antiepileptic
  • Contraceptive/Abortifacient
However, there is a lack of scientific data about its use as a medicinal substance. Besides, it is used as a moth/mosquito repellent. It is said that Afghans put a small quantity of Asafoetida in their shoes to repel snakes. I remember reading somewhere that water admixed with asafoetida promotes the growth of vegetables. Worcestershire sauce contains asafoetida.

Ancient Ayurvedic literature has detailed descriptions of its medicinal uses. It is available in two forms. As a fine powder that is a mixture of asafoetida, gum arabic and rice powder. The Asafoetida gum as such is amber colored and is very hard in consistency.

Note: Please read the DISCLAIMER attached to this blog.

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Wednesday, 25 December 2013

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 
I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

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Saturday, 10 August 2013

Lulu mall, Edappally, Kochi, on the eve of Eid-al-Fitr!

                                


Lulu mall as on 10th August 2013.
Overflowing with people on the eve of Eid-al-fitr!

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