Happy Independence Day!

 

 Happy Independence Day! 

May Blessings in Shiva‑Shakti’s Light, Varalakshmi’s Grace, be Yours

 

In the sanctity of the first Friday of the month of Sravana,

In the radiance of Shiva‑Shakti’s rays of compassion,

With the gracious touch of Goddess Varalakshmi,

May your family be filled with joy and prosperity.

Adorned with the eightfold treasures,

May your life’s journey flow in bliss.

శ్రావణ మాసపు తొలి శుక్రవారపు పవిత్రతలో,

శివశక్తి కరుణాకిరణాల వెలుగులో,

వరలక్ష్మీ దేవి అనుగ్రహస్పర్శతో,

మీ కుటుంబం సుఖసంతోషాలతో నిండిపోవాలి.

అష్టైశ్వర్యాల అలంకారమై,

ఆనందమయ జీవనయాత్ర సాగాలి.

The Gentle Giants We Love - Celebrating World Elephant Day!

 

Today, 12th August 2026, is World Elephant Day, a day to celebrate, admire, and above all, remind ourselves of the importance of one of the most magnificent creatures on our planet, the elephant. It is an international event held on this day each year to focus on the protection and better care of African and Asian elephants. It was started in 2012 by filmmaker Patricia Sims and Thailand’s Elephant Reintroduction Foundation.

For generations, elephants have fascinated us with their enormous size, remarkable intelligence, strength and gentle nature. They are among the largest land animals on Earth, yet there is something deeply endearing about them. Their expressive eyes, affectionate behaviour and playful ways have made them favourites of children and adults alike, across cultures and continents.

For us in India, the elephant has a special place in our hearts. It is woven into our mythology, history, art and traditions. Lord Ganesha, with the head of an elephant, is worshipped as the remover of obstacles and the God of wisdom and prosperity. Temple elephants have also been an integral part of our cultural heritage for centuries.

Over the years, our family has had many wonderful opportunities to see elephants up close and even share a few memorable moments with them (and sometimes click photographs with them). The photographs accompanying this little post bring back those happy memories of family members, young and old, standing beside these magnificent animals, sometimes with a mixture of awe, excitement and affection!

But beyond the photographs and the joy they bring us, elephants deserve our respect and protection. They are intelligent, social animals that live in close-knit family groups and play an important role in maintaining the health of the forests and ecosystems they inhabit. Their survival is closely connected with the survival of many other species.

Perhaps that is why an elephant seems to inspire such universal affection. Big or small, young or old, people everywhere seem to have a special place in their hearts for these gentle giants.

On this World Elephant Day, let us celebrate not merely the elephant we admire in photographs, temples, books and films, but the magnificent wild creature that belongs in our forests and deserves to live with dignity, freedom and safety.

Here are a few of our family's elephant encounters - memories of some truly unforgettable gentle giants. 🐘❤️

Happy World Elephant Day!

A Live Chinese Canopy for the Cars!

 

About twenty-four years ago, I bought a small ornamental plant from the local market for our modest garden. It was sold under the name Ficus Panda, admired for its attractive foliage and air-purifying qualities. The vendor assured me that, with occasional pruning, it would grow to a manageable height of about six feet.

At that time, my mother, then around eighty-five years old, lovingly tended our little garden. After a while, I asked her to stop and took over its care. The plant, however, did not seem very happy in its original location and showed little growth. Thinking it needed more sunlight, I transplanted it to a corner of our compound where it could receive plenty of sunshine.

That simple decision transformed its future!

The plant responded with remarkable vigour, and over the next few years it grew rapidly, branching out in every direction. By 2012, it had become a substantial tree. Today, it stands a little over twenty-four feet tall and spreads all around. On two occasions, we had to cut its sprawling branches when they began reaching dangerously close to both our house and our neighbour's.

It was only then that we discovered that our so-called Ficus Panda was, in fact, Ficus Microcarpa, more popularly known as the Chinese Banyan Tree.

The discovery opened up an entirely new world for us.

We learnt that Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province in southeastern China, is famously nicknamed "Rongcheng" - The City of the Banyan Tree. The city is said to have more than 160,000 banyan trees in and around it, making them an integral part of its landscape and heritage.

We also came across the fascinating story of a naturally grown heart-shaped banyan tree, affectionately known as the "Love Tree," which has become a popular tourist attraction in Fujian Province.

Looking back, we smiled at how little we knew when we planted our tiny sapling all those years ago. Had we known its true identity and eventual size, we might have thought twice before giving it a home in our compound! But today, we are delighted that we did.

The Chinese Banyan offers numerous benefits. Its lush evergreen foliage enhances the beauty of the surroundings, its leaves help purify the air, and its dense crown provides a welcome habitat for birds. Yet, among all its virtues, the one we appreciate the most is its magnificent shade.

Every day, the tree spreads its broad leafy canopy over our cars parked outside our house. In fact, its cooling shade extends far beyond our compound, stretching almost across the road. During the scorching summer months, it serves as a natural shelter, protecting not only our vehicles but often those of visitors and passers-by as well. The shade and gentle breeze it provides in our garden allow me to enjoy my daily walks while helping keep our house cool.

Who would have imagined that the little "Ficus Panda" we planted over two decades ago would one day become a majestic Chinese Banyan, standing like a giant green umbrella and faithfully providing nature's own parking canopy?

I think the attached photographs will tell the story better than words ever can.

Mahakali Festival Par-tea Invitation!

 

After a sumptuous Mahakali Festival feast, we decided to continue the celebrations with a delightful family Par-tea a little later today. Attached is the invitation!

To make the occasion even more special, we gathered every variety of tea we could find at home: bagged teas, infuser teas, and a freshly brewed whole-leaf tea. Our menu includes Darjeeling Oolong Tea, Munnar White Tea, Goodwyn Darjeeling Tea, Goodwyn Jasmine Tea, Goodwyn Tulsi Tea, Goodwyn Masala Tea, Tetley Ginger Mint Lemon Tea, Celestial Mint Lemon Ginger Tea, and, finally, a fragrant, brewed Munnar Whole Leaf Tea.

And what is a tea party without something to nibble on? We'll be serving coconut cookies and cream cracker biscuits to accompany the teas.

This little write-up is just a teaser for the family members who will be joining us. Here's hoping our Par-tea is as enjoyable as the feast that inspired it!

And it was! As you can see in the pictures below!

A Divine Visit to the Sacred Temples of Mangalagiri

 

During our recent pilgrimage to the sacred Sri Kanaka Durga Temple (Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam) at Vijayawada in March 2026, we also had the good fortune of visiting the ancient and renowned temples of Mangalagiri, situated across the majestic River Krishna in Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. This is my third visit to these temples. The first time was with my parents in 1965, the second time was with my wife and sons in 1998, and now with my wife, after 28 years.

On 31st March 2026, we travelled to Mangalagiri and offered our prayers at the two famous temples dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, the hilltop temple of Sri Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, and the magnificent Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at the foot of the hill in the town. The visit was spiritually uplifting and left us with a deep sense of devotion and wonder.

The name Mangalagiri literally means "The Auspicious Hill." The hill is also known as Thotadri and has been revered for thousands of years in Hindu tradition. It is regarded as one of the eight sacred Mahakshetrams where Lord Vishnu manifested Himself (Swayambhu) for the welfare of mankind.

According to ancient scriptures and temple legends, the hill itself is believed to be self-manifested and sacred. The temple has a history that stretches back to the Kruta Yuga (Satya Yuga), making it one of the oldest places of worship dedicated to Lord Narasimha.

The Lord is believed to have appeared here after slaying the demon Namuchi, granting protection to the Devas and restoring righteousness. Since then, devotees have worshipped Him as the compassionate protector who accepts even the simplest offering made with sincere devotion.

The hill temple is world-famous for a unique and fascinating ritual that has continued for centuries:

The principal offering to the Lord is Panakam, a sweet drink prepared from jaggery dissolved in water. During the offering, the priest pours the jaggery water directly into the open mouth of the deity using a conch or a small vessel. As the Panakam is poured, devotees clearly hear a distinct gurgling sound, as though the Lord Himself is drinking the offering. Only about half of the Panakam is accepted by the deity, while the remaining portion flows back and is returned to the devotees as sacred prasadam. This phenomenon has continued uninterrupted for generations and is regarded as one of the enduring miracles associated with the temple.

Equally astonishing is another mystery. Although thousands of litres of jaggery water are offered to the Lord every year, no ants, flies, or insects are found anywhere near the sanctum or on the hill, something that continues to amaze devotees and visitors alike.

These remarkable occurrences strengthen the faith of millions who visit Mangalagiri every year to seek the blessings of Sri Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.

After receiving the blessings of the Lord on Thotadri Hill, we proceeded to the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in the town below.

This magnificent temple is renowned for its towering Raja Gopuram, one of the tallest temple gateways in India (153 feet tall and has 11 storeys). Rising majestically above the town, the beautifully sculptured gopuram is an architectural masterpiece that reflects the rich heritage of the Vijayanagara period. Every tier is adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and episodes from the epics.

The temple enshrines Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy along with Goddess Lakshmi, and the serene atmosphere inspires devotion and inner peace. The spacious temple complex, elegant mandapas, and impressive stone architecture make it both a place of worship and a treasure of South Indian temple art.

Our visit to the sacred temples of Mangalagiri beautifully complemented our pilgrimage to the revered Sri Kanaka Durga Temple at Vijayawada. Standing before the self-manifested Lord Narasimha on the holy Thotadri Hill, witnessing the miraculous Panakam offering, and later admiring the grandeur of the magnificent temple with its soaring gopuram made the day truly unforgettable.

As we completed our pilgrimage, our hearts were filled with gratitude and devotion. The blessings of Sri Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy will remain cherished memories for years to come, reminding us once again of the timeless spiritual heritage of Andhra Pradesh.