Welcoming you to my food blog

Sweet dish made by Ripe Papaya. To have a look at the recipe of Papaya Halwa

Aayudha pooja

Shots from our office -Ayudha pooja as part of Navarathri celebrations

'Ya devi sarva bhootheshu shakthi roopena samsthitha

Namasthasii namasthasii namsthasii namo nama

Ya devi sarvabhootheshu vidya roopena samsthitha

Namasthasii Namasthasii namasthasii namo nama

Ya devi sarvabhootheshu mathruroopena samsthitha

Namasthasii namasthasii namo nama '

Navarathri that means 'Nine nights' in sanskrit. Worshipping the goddess in 9 forms in these 9 days. This festival is observed in almost all states of India. In Kerala this festival has more connection with Saraswathi devi.

'Vella palungu niramotha vidagda roopi

Kallm kalanju kamalathilezhunna shakthi

vellathile thirakal thalli varu kanakkennullathil

vannu vilayadu saraswathi devi'

A sloka about Saraswathi devi in Malyalam.

'Pooja vekkal' and 'Pooja edukkal' will be in Saraswathi mandaps or in saraswathi temples. Pusthaka pooja and Ayudha pooja are conducted in temples. On vijayadashami day Children will start their official learning and it is known as 'Ezhuthiniruthal'. We can start learning arts in this auspicious day. If we are continuing our classes on any art form on vijayadashami day we have to give 'Dakshina' to the Guru. It is believed that on vijayadashami day we are restarting our learnings even if it is in school or in any art. After the 'Poojayeduppu' we have to write in rice or in sand. First we have to write the 56 alphabets of Malayalam. Now most of the children doesn't know malayalam alphebets. In most of the schools Malayalam is an optional language!!!

Ayudha pooja has also an important role in Navarathri. All of the equipments and tools are kept on the side of Devi for her blessings on the day after durgashtami. There will be thorough cleaning in offices prior to pooja and distribution of sweets after the pooja.

Navarathri is truly a festival that reminds us of the devine power above all letters, arts and the technology. In Kerala Navarathri means Saraswathi pooja. Through the internet we can see different types of poojas in different states. Through this post I am thanking Miss Anuradha for a detailed description of Navarathri celbration in her home and neighbourhood. Its a great attempt to know the happenings around us and conveying them to the world. Pls have a look at her blog, amazing world of 'Golus'.

Kathakali

Most of the Kathakali performances are at night. We were lucky to see one performance on the evening of Durgashtami as part of the navarthri celebrations of Venketeshwara mandir, Thripunithura. I am very glad to have my children with me to see this wonderful art form of our state.

The term Kathakali iteself brings the rich make up of the artist. Kathakali is an ethnic art form of Kerala. Most of the stories are from the great epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha. I had seen the Keechaka vadhom and Kalyanasaugandhikam. The music behind it is known as 'Kathakali padam'. Musician uses an instrument called 'Chengila' its made of bell metal. There will be percussion instrument like Maddalam, Idakka and chenda accompanied by Ilathalam.

The artist conveys the story through mudras and his facial expressions. The magical music of Kathakali has the power to grab the mind of audience. Colourful costumes, very familiar stories and the carnatic based music made its a popular art form before the Tele vision era. It may be the most popular entertainment of that time.

Very familiar song from a Malayalam Movie 'Danger Biscuit' written by Sri Sreekumaran Thambi and music by Sri Dakshinamurthy Swamikal

'Uthara swayamvaram kathakali kanuvan uthrada rathriyil poyirunnu' a very romantic song in the back ground of Kathakali. Kathakali is performed in front of a large vilakku and it is called 'Kali vilakku' . The stage is called Kali thattu.

To view the lyrics of that magical song

Kathakali Centres of Kerala are

1. Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthy
2. RLV College, Thripunithura
3. Unnayiwarrier smaraka Kalanilayam, Thrissur
4. PSV Natyasanghom, Kottackal
5. Gandhi Seva sadanom, Palakkad
6. Margi, Thiruvananthapuram
7. Mudra, Ernakulam
8. Cochin cultural centre, Kochi

Cheera

Cheera, I had done some earlier posts about it. As a house wife I am more concerned about the health of my family members, as a nature lover I am keenly observing the wonders of nature and as a blogger I am curious to find new interesting topics to discuss. So I am repeating the cheera post:)
Yesterday I had purchased some cheera stalks from a vendor. Here almost all cheera vendors are ladies I don't know the correct reason behind that. We can have cheera from the vegetable shops but I opt for the lady vendors because it will be fresh from the field. Whenever I purchase cheera, there will be a confusion of colour purple or Green. I had learnt from net that green is always better than others but mostly I opt purple because I need to add more colour to my life and my children love the purple colour:))
From my fellow bloggers I had learnt that the purple cheera is available only in Kerala. Then we have to be proud of our ethnic colourful leafy vegetable. I had done a post about my relatives cheera krishi.
Malayalm:cheera
English:Spinach
Cheera is rich with Iron and its good for our eyes too.
I am trying to get the images of varieties of Cheera.
Our nadan dishes with cheera are cheera thoran, cheera aviyal and cheera kichadi.
I had listed various varieties of cheera available in Kerala in this post.
Variety of dishes from a veteran blog Mahanadi

If you are searching about the nutrition content of our traditional dishes Pls have a look at this link

A short visit to Thalavady

My earlier post about Thalavady

Its a Kuttanadan village. It was a journey to my father's home for a 'Sarpam pooja' at the Aayilyam day of Kanni month.
The above scene is from Thalavady. There we can see these type of hangings from every home. Most of the homes have traditional type of cooking they use 'viraku' or wood for cooking food. Here coconut tree is a common tree and these are the stem of the leaves in malayalam it is called 'Kavalan madal'. After removing all the leaves these are hanged out to dry.

'Ney kumbalanga' . Ash gourd variety used for Ayurveda medicine.

An earlier post about Kumbalanga. In sanskrit it is known as Kushmanda.

'Ada palaka' used to drain water from the rice( Ari varkkumbol adakkan use cheythirunnu) . In ancient times a special vessel made of wood used to collect the water drained from the rice is called 'Maravi'(kanji vellam collect cheyyan).

Some people tried to get the old versions. This 'Ada palaka' is a new one made for my cousin who is living in Muscat for more than 10 years. It was a curious news for me because he is a bachelor and trying to make a Kuttanadan touch to his new home there .

Punna -A common tree from Kuttanadu

Punna tree with punnakka

Punna leaves
Scientific name-Calophyllum inophyllum

Name in Sanskrit-Punnaga

Name in English-Ball nut tree

Images of Punna maram from Aanaprambal. This tree is familiar to me through the stories of my father's ever green childhood.

The seed of punna rich with oil is very hard. Its collected, dried and given to oil mill. The oil is used to light lamps. The oil is very thick. Its 'Thavidu' remainings after the oil processings is a good pest repellant. This tree is widely seen in Kuttanadu. There will be a boat (vallam)
for every home for their daily use. The wood of the tree is used to make 'Vallam' and its also used to make the wheel(chakram) which is used to push water from one side of the paddy to the other.

My father still remembers the 'goli kali' with the seed of this tree. Children used to collect the punnakka under the tree and earned extra income through this. This oil is used as bio diesel and its also used in cosmetics.

All the details above are given my father who is an ardent lover of nature.

Its blooming denotes prosperity. Its leaves and oil are used in nervous disorders.

More details of punna tree

Some names with punna

Punnamadakkayal-Lake where the famous snake boat race take place

ezhupunna-A place near Cherthala

More details of this tree from Wiki pedia

Pranams to the Great Poet

• Got Jnanapith award for the year 2007
• Got Padmasree in 1998
• Is the second poet in Malayalam who got Jnanapith
• Jnanapith award is the highest Literary award in India.
• The first Jnanapith winner is G Shankara Kurup, the famous writer from Kerala
• Other Jnanapith winners from Kerala are G. Shankara Kurup, S K Pottakkad, Thakazhy Shivashankara pillai and M T Vasudevan Nair.
• To know more about Jnana pith from Wiki pedia

Ezhilam Pala(Alstonia Scholaris)

Ezhilam pala is a common tree in Kerala. It filled our yakshi stories with its great fragrance. It became a common element to our poets. I am also curious to take some images of this plant and its amazing flowers. In my memory these flowers were formed like a carpet in front of the 'Sarpa kavu' of the temple. Its smell with the smell of turmeric and salt made a great mix. There were some manjadi seeds behind the sarpa kavu to add a different hue to the picture. Dedicating these pictures to the innocent childhood that passed by.....

Earlier post about Ezhilam Pala

Scientific Name:Alstonia Scholaris

Sanskrit name:Saptha parna (Leaves 5-7 in a whirl), Saptacchada, sharada, Vishama chada

Malayalam:Yakshippala,Daiva pala,ezhilam pala,pala

English:Indian Devil tree

The flowers of this tree will fell down from the tree within hours. The wood of the tree is used to make slates in some countries. The flowering months are November -October.

Flower of Pala tree from Vyttila. These trees are from the compound of Shiva subrahmanya temple, vyttila. These small white flowers filled the area with great smell.

Its very interensting to know more about the flowers with this peculiar smell. More detailed description of its name in Sanskrit from this site. These flowers had their roles in Kalidasa kavyas.

Some malayalam film song which mentioned 'palapoo'

'Ezhilam pala poothu Poomarangal kuda pidichu Velli malayil Veli malayil '

In the film 'Njan gandharvan' directed by padmarajan Pala comes into a song, heroine ask the tree about her thali because hero is a gandharvan.

'Palapoove enthiru mangallya thali tharoo makara nilave neeyen neehara kodi tharu

Kanathe vinnithalay marayum manmathanennullil kudiyeriya chandrotsavamay'

'Palapoovithalil vennilapuzhayil' from 'Thirakkatha'

Australia through Jayasree

I am always curious to know more about the world. When I started blogging it became my platform for learning also.
This picture is from my friend's blog who is now in Australia. Big thanks to Jayasree for sharing these amzing pictures. Have a look to her blog .
More about the Apostles from Wikipedia
Another note about a fellow blogger . We are so familiar with lavender perfumes and lotions but how many of you are familiar with Lavender fields. Please have a look at these wonderful photos.

Vallasadya at Aaranmula Parthasarathy temple, Kerala

'Thuzhakkar' singing vanchipattu at nadappanthal with great vigour

The great Aaranmula vallasadya. Adaprathaman, Aravana payasam, Aval , Avial , Banana chips; Chammanthi powder , Chukku vellum ,Curd,Ellunda , Fried banana, Ghee, Ginger curry, Holy water from river Pampa, Kaalhen , Kaalipazham payasam , Kalkandum , Kadala Prathaman ,Kychadi , Mango curry, Munthiri pachadi ,Olen, Koottu curry, Pacchadi , Paal payasm , Pachamoru, Pulisserry , Resam, Red Cheera Thoran , Sambar, Thakara Thoran Unniappam and vada.

Receiving Oarsmen at the Kadavu with Ashtamangalyam, fireworks, Kurava and thalappoli

Parasols during the procession

' Palliyodam' in Pamba river (Snake boats) in front of the Aaranmula temple 'Kadavu'. Pamba river on a rainy day. The famous 'Uthruttathi boat race' is taking place here.

Aaranmula parthasarathy temple, nadappanthal and Gopuram

Arrangements in front of the kodimaram for valla sadya
Niraparayum nilavilakkum

Aaranmula temple on a rainy day

Aaranmula temple 'kizhakke nada'

'Valla sadya' in Malayalam means feast in small boats. Kerala is famous for its back waters. In ancient times it was the only transporting system in Kerala. Its a very unique ritualistic feast to the crew 'Thuzhakkar' of Snake boats considering them as the representatives of the diety. Its a 'Vazhipadu offering to the diety of the Aaranmula temple( Krishna as partha sarathy).

Its an energetic ritual to praise the lord with hymns (vanchipattu) and serving them with a great feast which contained 41 ethnic Kerala dishes.

'Nale naleyennayittu bhagawane kanan ithra nalum purappedanja njan innu chellumbol

naleeka nayananenthu thonnumo innu nammodu naleekam karimbanameleytha poleyo'

It was the only vanchipattu familiar to me. This song accompanied by 'Thithitharo thitheytho thithey thaka theythey thom' create a positive atmosphere.

Vallasadya offered on Ashtami Rohini day is the largest one with almost one lakh people attending the feast.

My earlier post about Aaranmula Vallamkali

Earlier post about Aaranmula Kannadi

Isn't it interesting and Informative??

Shots from the Ginger and Mango
When I had started blogging this blog was my dearest one. Its my time to say a special thanks and congrats to her for her great works. Blog contains very informative tips for gardening. Ginger and Mango is from US and contains wonderful pictures also. Its actually a food blog but in some posts she peeps into her garden and vegetable garden that's also a part of her life. This blog is an inspiration for me to write more posts about nature.

Wonderful Green Images from Urban Gardener
This picture is from the Urban Gardener. Its my favourite blog to see the cute Vegetables. Her poetic explanations and great pictures make us more close this greenery. Through this post I say a great thanks to Sunitha for sharing this great Knowledge and these amazing pictures.

Tips and Tricks to Kitchen Gardening from Geek Gardener

This picture led me to this blog. Its a must visit place to nature lovers and very informative posts to them that love kitchen gardens especially in cities. The blogger describes deeply with step by step pictures to start your own kitchen garden. Through his posts he lists tips to the newcomers to this field. I say a big congrats to the geek gardener for his great efforts. He explains his tirals in Hydroponic method also.

A parambikulam story from Niraksharan

A very cool trip description from a fellow blogger with refreshing pictures. The description is in Malayalam. I am also eagerly waiting to visit Parambikulam. Wishing him all the success in life.

Ganesha Chathurthi

'Vakra thunda mahakaya

suryakodi samaprabha

Nirvighnam kurume deva

Sarvakaryeshu sarvada'

Wishing you all the success in this auspicious day and praying Ganesha to remove all obstacles for a peaceful living. A very nice description of Ganesha picture from this site.

We had participated in Ashtadravya Ganapathi Homam at Pandavathu temple, Maradu. They had arranged a Gajapooja after the homam for the blessings of Ganesha.

Eight materials are used in Ashtadravya Ganapathi Homam. These are Coconut,Banana, Honey Sugarcane, Ghee, Modhaka, Jaggery and Puffed rice.

A well told picture of this celebration in other parts of the country by Lakshmi Sharath
In this auspicious day I am listing some of the famous Ganapathi temple sites from Kerala

Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathi temple

Kottarakkara Ganapathi temple

Edappally Ganapathi temple

Malliyoor Sri Maha Ganapathy temple

Say it with flowers

Flowers, the most tender the most beautiful and the most lovely part of nature I love them because through that I love mother nature in all aspects.
Posting this flower image and linking it to the keybunch as part of their blog carnival and wishing them a nice and informative journey.

Images of nature

A soothing image from Victoria Bennett Mayor in her daily photoblog. I am a follower of her wonderful blog. In this blog we can see her amazing work. Its a cool and refreshing blog. Its a must visit blog for nature lovers. Wishing her all the success in her life through this post.

Arootha plant

Wishing you all a very happy Onam

Sree and Hari spreading flowers

Pookkalam pictures from our office

Story of leaves

'Leaves of life' This post from Windy skies is the true reason behind this post. Its truly inspiring and a solid reminder of our ancestors who loved green more than anything in the world. In this post Anil gives a detailed description of the use of leaves in various phases of society and at the same time he opens a bundle of leaves from his childhood also. As a Keralite I am not aware of Patravalli. Its very interesting to know more about nature because its very common to all of us.
In one of my earlier post I had written about the uses of Vazhayila (banana leaf) in Kerala. Here you can see it.
Other than Vazhayila we use Lotus leaves and teak leaves. Vatta leaves are used in some temples. Colocasia (chembu) are used to wrap meat and fish. Please share yr views about the usage of leaves. We can use more leaves and save mother earth from Plastic.

Ona Pachakam

This is not a food blog. These pictures will remind you of a a food blog. These are from my kitchen. Its the preparation for the great Onam celebration. I am not a veteran cook but I managed to do all these things with my mother in law who is a very ritualistic hailing from Thalayolaparambu. Its a most time consuming process to make all these at home. But its a real joy to take it in snack time and share with relatives, some home made items on this auspicious time. I enjoyed these preparations and sharing my happiness through this post with all my heartfelt Onam wishes for all of you.

Sharkara peratti preparations in Uruli

Ethakka upperi in Uruli

Plantains cut ready to fry

Oh so yummy!!!!

Onam in my Kitchen.

Ethakka upperi(Plantain chips) a must item in Ona sadya and a very common snack in Onam time. The smell of the chips fried in coconut oil reminds me of my onam in childhood with lot of friends and relatives. Its a pleasure to have some chips prepared in our own way. Other snacks are Cheeda(Kaliyadakka) and the tasty 'Sharkar varatti' . Some make chips with Kappa'tapiocca', chembu and chena. Its also delicious. Onam is a harvest festival that may be the reason behind all these delicacies. Days before Onam we prepare all these fries and then we have to make these pickles. Inji(Ginger), Manga(Mangoe) and Naranga(Lemon) is a must in Onam sadya.

A very nice story about Ona pachakam from Adukkala

Another story of making upperi and sharkara peratti from Renu Ramanathan

A post about palada Pradhaman from Archana

Onam Wanderings

Some terracota thoughts lead to this post. This picture is from 'Dress your Home'.

One of the stalls from the Manorama Fiesta at Kaloor International Stadium, Kochi. Large collection earth friendly pots for interior decoration. After uploading this photo I browsed for interior decorations using Terracotta. Terra cotta is an Italian word which means 'Baked from Earth'.

Found some bloggers who are taking this as a hobby and sharing their easy tips. Some of them are

A live story in Dress your Home about terracota pots

Lovely collection of Terracotta pots from Reshmi

Some Terracota news from The Hindu

Some doubts about Clay, Ceramic and Terracotta

Some more terracota news from Sangeetha

Floating flowers and some earthen pots from Mudram