Tiny Tale (11)

Fate

They stared at each other fondly for a whole minute, only to be snapped back into reality by the honking of the car behind hers.

If we were Strolling Together (15)

Can’t believe we’ve been doing this for almost 2 years now. I don’t quite remember when my blogging anniversary would be, but it does feel like almost two years since I started writing here. And that would mean that you guys have been a part of my journey for 2 years too!!!!! Thank you so much for stopping by, reading and commenting on my various posts. 

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The Indian Speaks (5)

“We’re a schizophrenic nation, civilised on one level and medieval on another.” – Saif Ali Khan (a prominent Indian film star in his recent interview to the Times of India)

Brotherhood of the World Award!

I got nominated for this lovely award by Swapna at The Dreamgirl Writes. She is “…a free-spirited girl who writes what her heart says!” Her blog is a nice space with some poetry and a lot of ‘random thoughts’as she categorises them! Do visit her space for more.

A Pilgrimage to Sabarimala (3)

Hello again! This is a post featuring my mother as she talks about the pilgrimage to Sabarimala. This is a continuation from my previous post, so if you haven’t had the opportunity to read it, I suggest you first read those two and come back here for more. After having described the events leading to the start of the pilgrimage, my mother now talks about the journey itself.

A Pilgrimage to Sabarimala (2)

Today I am back with a narrative from my mother about the arduous pilgrimage to Sabarimala by the devotees of the Hindu Lord Aiyyappan. I suggest you read the previous post to know what this pilgrimage is about. When you come back, I will be right here with the rest of her narrative.

A Pilgrimage to Sabarimala (1)

On one of our visits to the Kumbeswara Temple (the famous temple after which Kumbakonam is named), I saw a few men, dressed typically in black, shouting “Swamiye Aiyyappo, Aiyyappo Swamiye” in unison. They were huddled up together on the floor and one elderly man was tying some things in a cotton cloth bag. I hadn’t seen this before but at once, I knew what was going on. I had heard several times from my mother the descriptions of what I was seeing. These were devotees of the Hindu God Aiyyappan and were going to Sabarimala (a mountain in Kerala, on top of which is the most famous and significant Aiyyappan temple in the country). My mother’s father was a devout follower of Aiyyappan and has undertaken this journey to Sabarimala for 40 continuous years while he lived. Her brothers have also been on this journey many times.  So instead of asking Google about it, I decided to ask my mother to narrate all she knows. Today, I feature her on the blog as she narrates a custom she holds very close to her heart and has seen from close quarters over the first three decades of her life. Here is what she has to say…

Roy

When you work, you could either just do what is expected of you or you could smile a little and make each day a pleasant experience for everyone around you. I will always remember Roy for he is one of the latter.

Kumbakonam Degree Coffee

Kumbakonam is known for three things, my father has frequently said to me and others in the past couple of weeks. The three things on his list are – Degree Filter Coffee (the topic of today’s post), Betel leaves (I’ll probably share an anecdote about my grandfather chewing on these in another post) and Temples (I’ve got a lot to show and share!). Interestingly, one of the news articles in the Times of India today reads “India’s ‘first coffee’ brews GI tag” as its headline. And that was the prompt I needed.

If we were Strolling Together (14)

Hello there!!! Welcome to the stroll today and I hope you are warm enough. Winter this year isn’t exactly being considerate!! I read somewhere that this is the coldest winter in the last 7/8 years in the UK. I’d like a cup of warm cafe latte for myself. That’ll keep me warm. What would you like for yourself? Should we just walk to that little cafe right around the corner instead?