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Let's take a look at the fascinating traditions and celebrations during the 10-day festival that honors Maaveli's homecoming: Atham The Onam season begins with a visit to temples and a colorful procession called Atthachamayam. People also start decorating their homes with beautiful flower arrangements called Pookalam. The Pookalam laid on Atham is small and adorned with yellow flowers. Each day, the Pookalam grows bigger as more flowers are added. Chithira On the second day, people clean their homes in preparation for the festivities. They also add another layer of flowers to the Pookalam. Chodhi This day is for family bonding and shopping. Families go out to buy new clothes and jewelry to exchange as gifts. The Pookalam becomes even larger as more layers of flowers are added. Vishakam Considered an auspicious day, preparations for the Onasadhya (Onam feast) begin. Every family member contributes, no matter how small, to the preparations. The traditional feast consists of a nin...

At the age of 47, I often feel that I have retired quite early. However, when I encounter individuals who retire at the conventional age of 60, they often lack the energy to pursue their dreams. Their aspirations of traveling the world are limited to visits to their children's homes abroad, with brief stays primarily at their residences. If their children manage to find time on weekends, they might explore the surroundings, but it usually entails moving from one house in India to another. Frequently, I come across people expressing their desire to have a retirement home near a beach, atop a hill, or in the peaceful countryside, away from the bustling city life. They yearn to travel to the most beautiful locations, contribute to society, and fulfill various other retirement wishes before they "kick the bucket." However, I often find that these aspirations remain unfulfilled. Retirees often engage in conversations about health and inquire about their children's well-bei...

In the midst of a heated argument, she unleashed her fury upon Praveen. His attention was consumed by an IPL match, his incessant chatting with someone else, oblivious to her exhaustion. All she yearned for was a helping hand to fetch dinner from a nearby restaurant or even a quick outing for a meal. She hadn't even realized when Sunday had slipped away, lost in a whirlwind of cooking, laundry, and cleaning. Her back ached, her toes throbbed, pleading for relief. All she wanted was a steaming shower and to collapse into bed, even if it meant skipping dinner. But Praveen persisted, pestering her about their evening meal. And in that moment, she lost her composure. Frustrated and drained, she stormed into her room, slamming the door shut behind her. Collapsing onto her bed, tears streamed down her face. Praveen wanted to console her, but she wasn't receptive. She demanded solitude, urging him to leave her be. Sensing her need for space, Praveen decided to give her time alone. Eve...

                                                                      Travel, Taste & Treasure Part 1 (Magical Chain Tree & Mesmerizing View Point- Wayanad) Kerala- “The Never-ending landscape”, It makes you wonder if there’s a painter somewhere who’s making it all up, OH! That’s why it is called “God’s own country” …  Till the eyes can reach, feels fresh with the earthy fragrance sweeping the tips of tea plantations, The sky scrapers. not concrete buildings of the city but the Areca Plantation and the coconut Trees… One popular theory derives the name from Malayalam kera (coconut tree) and alam (land), thus "land of coconuts", that’s exactly what “Kerala” means: “the land of coconuts”. HMMM An incredible experience that you feel, where words are never going t...

Visiting Wayanad, I was sitting under a tree at Manikavu Temple and admiring the beauty of the surrounding, when I overheard a conversation of a kid and his mother, he asked an innocent question, “why do we have to visit temples?” She tried giving a Philosophical answer, which she was aware was not convincing One genuine reason could be is that she also doesn’t know…. It has been in our tradition for thousands of years and she has been following it. Before getting to my understanding, let me just tell you a bit Manikavu Temple… Manikavu Temple is one of the most visited temples in Kerala and also one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Wayanad. First and foremost, we don’t find any huge structure there, In between a very Sarine place, surrounded by tree we find a small temple, the presiding deity of this temple is Lord Shiva in the form of Shiva Linga. The Shiva Linga at this temple is believed to be Swayambu (formed by its own accord). The special feature of this temple is that str...

After the initial few days of enjoying most of my friends started complaining of WFH, they started cribbing, as we are accessible on our Smartphone most of the time, Office has started calling, mailing and messaging  all time and expectation of response is also very high. Reality is that, nowadays, a smartphone is an extended limb, it makes communication easier, tasks can be managed with ease from apps and we can buy things/ get directions to anywhere /or print documents only by tapping on your screen. Practicality. The idea behind the smartphones is to make our life easier, more practical, and productive. Smartphones are tools, we control how we use them and how we spend our time on them. Or at least, we should be. I too was facing the same problem, a year back, If the phone didn’t ring or a notification didn’t alert me, I would wonder if there were signals or the mobile had switched off, I would reach out to check it. Whenever I was alone or got some time in between my wo...

 “THE AWARENESS OF THE INNER LIGHT” A lot has been written on why Diwali is celebrated, Lord Rama returning to his people, Birth of goddess Lakshmi, Satyabhama Killed Narakasura and many more… For Me…. Diwali, which marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year, is an opportunity to make a fresh start. Starting afresh, clean our homes, put on new clothes, start new business accounts. But while giving so much attention to the world outside, I also remember my inner self. The real meaning of starting fresh would be to purify heart and mind from ignorance and acrimony. Soul needs cleansing for the light of Knowledge. So, I keep an appointment with myself every Diwali to make a fresh start. The sole purpose of the lights and firecrackers is to glorify the light of Knowledge and not some artificial glorifications. The lighting of a simple diya is meant to bring the luminosity of Knowledge to our homes and souls while chasing away all evil spirits. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped, ...