Here
is a free verse with randomly selected photos. An article with a proper
presentation of photos and videos will follow soon:
For us city dwellers
A family of twenty-four
To be at a Manor
A lovely farm
So peaceful
And comfortable
With games indoors
And outdoors
Amidst a large plantation
Surrounded by huge trees
Fruit orchards
Vegetable bearing plants
Rarely seen fauna
And rows of flora
Cold drinks
And hot foods
Is so spectacular
And memorable!
Wish it could happen
More often.
Today, November 16th, 2022, is
my 70th Birthday. I celebrated it happily with my family at home, and on
November 19th and 20th (Saturday and Sunday), for two days much more happily
with the entire family circle at a resort, a little away from the city.
The attached photos and video are of the celebration
at home. At the end of this post, you will find the link to my extensive photo article
on our two-day celebrations at the resort.
VIDEO
To read my article on my birthday
party at the above farmhouse you may click on the link below:
So very
different elections,
Are these US Midterm elections?
In comparison to the Telangana elections
Which brings about gifts abundantly!
No
magnanimous liquor gifting,
No money: alms-giving,
No free-meal supplies,
No freebies,
No subsidies,
No reservations,
No concessions,
To influence the voters,
And grab their votes!
In short,
No votes were bought!
Why is
the US so decent,
And so very honest,
Is it to insult,
Telangana leaders,
And Telangana voters?
Anyway congratulations,
To all the US election winners!
Today
is the holy day of Karthika Pournami. Karthika Masam is the name of the current
Lunar month and today is Pournami which is Full Moon Day hence the day is
called Karthika Pournami. Today is also called Karthika Punnami and Karthika
Poornima / Purnima. It is a holy celebration of both Lord Shiva and Lord
Vishnu. It is the day on which Lord Shiva killed Tripurasura a demon king and
protected the world. With boons from Lord Ganesha, Tripurasura became
indestructible, grew into an evil force and defeated all the kings of Earth and
the Gods in Heaven. According to Lord Ganesha’s boon, Tripurasura could be
killed only by Lord Shiva. After witnessing the evil deeds and destruction
unleashed by Tripurasura, Lord Ganesha approached Tripurasura in the guise of a
Brahmin with a plan to eliminate him.
The Brahmin displayed 64 arts to the demon king, and pleased with the
Brahmin; Tripurasura offered to grant him any wish he made. The Brahmin asked
for the Idol of Chinthamani which is with Lord Shiva. As Lord Shiva refused to
part with the Idol, a war took place between Lord Shiva and Tripurasura. The
Chariot that Lord Shiva rode in this war is described as Prithvi (Earth) with
the Sun and Moon as its wheels and the bow as Meru (the huge mountain) and Lord
Vishnu as the arrow. This single arrow from Lord Shiva destroyed all the
materialistic boons that Lord Ganesha had offered to Tripurasura in the form of
palaces and vimanams (planes). The speed and force of the arrow caused heavy lightning
which made Tripurasura faint and ultimately brought about his end.
People
in very large numbers bathe in the holy rivers of the country today. They visit
Temples and offer prayers. ‘Abhishekam’ is performed to Lord Shiva. As such,
Karthika Masam that is the entire month of Karthikam is considered very
auspicious. During this entire month and especially today oil lamps are lit at
Temples, at holy rivers and houses with hundreds of wicks, sometimes thousands
of wicks (‘Karthika Deepa-aradhana’) and in modern days 365 wicks to represent
the days of the year. Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi along with all the Gods
are said to visit and reside under Amla that is Usiri or Gooseberry trees by
the side of Tulisi plants that is Basil plants, in this month. Hence a lot of
prominence is given to these plants, prayers are offered to the plants on this
day and in this month, and picnics are organized outdoors, preferably under
Amla trees. These rituals are called Vana Mahotsavam or Vanabhojanalu. All
these actions are considered very beneficial, they are said to liberate us from
all sins and bless us with good health, wealth, prosperity, success, longevity
and fulfilment of all wishes.
The attached photographs are of Karthika Pournami puja at our house today.
As an appetite booster
I shall use this poster
As my guests sit for dinner
And as my very first starter!
My guests will surely marvel
At the size of the giant prawns
And me the beholder of the prawns
And look at me with smiles
Anticipating great dishes!
I shall cook these prawns
For a starter and a main dish
And with a strong appetite
The guests would certainly relish!
Internet has countless food pictures
They are more than the stars
They serve as appetisers
Even my pictures of uncooked prawns!
On 9th February 2026, my wife and I had the divine opportunity to visit the world-renowned Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapura...
