The Grandsons with Their Nanamma (Grandmother)

 

I came across this photograph and felt like sharing it with the family. It is a lovely old picture of my late mother with her four grandsons.

As she grew older, she had the joy of watching her four little grandsons grow up into fine, strong young men. In this photograph, she looks so small and fragile beside them, but she was the heart of the family and a quiet source of strength for everyone who grew around her.

She lived to the wonderful age of 94, and what a blessing it must have been for her to see the family she had nurtured grow and flourish around her.

A precious photograph of Nanamma with her four grandsons is a beautiful reminder of the love and strength she left behind.

 

Nagula Panchami Festival: A Tradition Woven into Our Family History

On this auspicious day, may the blessings of Lord Shiva and the Naga Devatas be upon you and your family. Happy Nagula/Naga Panchami 2026! 🙏🐍

Nagula Panchami (Cobra Snakes Panchami – fifth day of Sravana month)  holds particular significance for our family, as our connection with the Nagula Pamu/cobra goes back a few generations.

My great-great-grandfather’s family surname was Nallanagula, a name associated with a black cobra. According to our family history, a black cobra was often seen moving about in their house at Narayanaraopeta Town, and over time this became closely associated with the family’s reputation, and hence the surname Nallanagula (people associated with black cobra). There is a fascinating story behind it, which has been recorded in our family history.

When my great-great-grandfather later migrated from Narayanaraopeta to Secunderabad, the family name gradually came to be associated with Narayanaraopeta, the town from which the family had originated.

The family’s reverence for the cobra is so deep that it even found its way into the names of family members. My eldest uncle was named Nagabhushanachary, meaning one adorned with the Naga, while the son of another elder uncle was named Nagaraj (cobra king). Yet another younger uncle’s son also has the name Nagaraj.

In earlier times, Nagula Panchami was observed in our home with great devotion. As the attached photographs show, a live cobra would be brought to the house, and family members would offer their prayers and worship it. For us, it was not merely a ritual, but an expression of an age-old reverence for the Naga Devata.

With changing times, greater awareness of wildlife conservation, and laws protecting snakes and other reptiles, bringing a live cobra into homes for worship has, quite rightly, come to an end.

Yet the tradition, the reverence and the fascinating story connecting our family to the Naga Pamu/Cobra remain very much alive in our memories, and in our family history.

On this Nagula Panchami, may we remember that ancient bond with humility and gratitude, while also respecting and protecting these magnificent creatures in their natural world.

Happy Nagula Panchami to all! 🙏🌺🐍

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!