Backwaters of Kerala

 Backwaters of Kerala 😊

Kerala, in India, is known as ' God's own country'. The state is blessed with lush greenery all over, with coconut trees, rivers, backwaters and a beautiful coastline with awesome beaches!

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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.

Check my post about last year's Vishu: http://magnificentdewdrops.blogspot.in/2013/04/vishu-time-of-joy-hope-and-celebration.html

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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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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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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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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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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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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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! 

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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Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

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