On a sunny sunny day......

There is something about temples.....however crowded and busy the streets outside maybe, its so quiet and peaceful when you are inside. I've always wondered about that. 

We went to the Ranganathaswamy temple this sunday and I noticed one more thing - temples are always cool no matter the weather outside! The stone floors and the pillared hallways keep you refreshingly cool. We finished our darshan and could have left but sat there for a long time enjoying the breeze and the calmness of the place. 

My daughter hates heat! She sweats and gets all cranky but in the temple premises, she was happily running all about......not a care in the world!

There is something about temples......

Leena

Divine......

Seeing the lime diyas lit in front of the Attukal Temple in Trivandrum during our visit this time brought back a lot of memories.....

As kids, every year we used to come to Kerala for our vacations and every vacation one day we would  go to the nearby temple to light 101 lime diyas. I used to be all excited about it because all my cousins and aunts used to come to help my mother out and it was a fun day! We would all have lunch at my house and then carry the limes, oil, cotton to light the diya, matches and knifes and head out to the temple.

I was usually in charge of squeezing out the juice from the cut limes and what fun it was! I would race to squeeze all the juice out and pass the limes onto my aunt to turn them inside out and pour oil in them. By late evening we would be done....having placed all the limes in front of the deity, oil poured in each one and the cotton threads ready to be lit. And then we would light them as the priest recited the evening prayers......I still have a vivid memory of the smell of incense and flowers, the sounds of bells ringing and birds fluttering back to their trees and the beautiful light from all the lamps lit...... 

Returning home all happy and sticky from the lime juice and glowing from the prayers, I used to wait for the same day next year......

Leena

One............

Time flies..... I always feel that but the last one year has been the fastest ever! Its just gone by so so fast and the quiet little bundle I held last March is now a little whirlwind with a fierce personality of her own! Sigh!
As I am typing this I am trying to remember all the little times and all the little things she and I have shared over the last year and its truly overwhelming....such beautiful times....such joy.....such precious moments.....
And the best part, I remember each and every second! I know what I felt and how she laughed and how we hugged and kissed......
One of the very best years of my life.....motherhood is truly a blessing....
Leena

Beautiful beautiful things......

It is so difficult to walk by seeing the most gorgeous colours and wares displayed all around you and not buy all of it! Happens to me everywhere but in Goa, all those things are comparatively cheaper and it took so much effort on my part to just walk away....

The most amazing part about all the markets in Goa are the vendors. The ladies dressed in chiffon sarees with pallus over their heads speak everything from English to Finnish and Konkani to Tamil! I was shocked and impressed by the ease with which they switched between languages and all so fluently!

I will go to Goa once with a budget just to shop away and come home laden with everything beautiful in the flea markets and roads of Goa! One day.....
Leena

 The Basilica calls again and again.....

The first time I visited the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa was when I was in school....I dont remember exactly but I think I was in my 9th or 10th grade and that would be in 1997-98. I thought it was beautiful then but I was too overwhelmed by the heat and travel and all I wanted more was to get back to the beach....
The next time was when I was in college. Our thesis trip in 2004. I saw the church in a more architectural light then and was in absolute awe at the magnificent structure! The beautiful laterite masonry and the majestic buttresses.

After those 2 visits, I have gone to Goa many many times but never managed to visit The Basilica. This trip I really wanted to visit it and as luck would have it, we did. Every time I visit, my wonder at the structure just increases! I was just as awe struck this time especially looking at it through my lens. To imagine it being built so long ago is just absolutely amazing!

I know I'll go back again......wonder what my reaction will be the next time.....

Leena

Quintessential Kovalam.....

This image, the Light house on the hill is what Kovalam is for me....When ever I think of Kovalam, this is the picture that comes to mind, the coconut palms framing the light house and the little hillock reaching out to the blue blue sea.
Kovalam with its green, abundant palms, beautiful stretches of beaches, perfect rocky hillocks and steep climb down is one of my favourite beach destinations. Somehow though, I have never gone in for a dip. Just always walked along the waters edge and maximum ventured in knee deep.
This year when we made our annual pilgrimage to this famed beach we didnt get to see a spectacular sunset. But the water did turn golden in the setting sun and the amazing beauty of the beach awed us as always.....
Leena