North East Crafts Fair

Here are images from a fair at Thiruvananthapuram. The items on sale originate from the North-Eastern states of India (called Seven sisters).

Cruising by Houseboat on the Ashtamudi Lake

A 22 hour cruise by houseboat is something like what the doctors don't order these days. No TV. Simply ruminate while looking around at water, breeze, greenery and permanent lake-residents. I would prescribe it freely to anyone who considers time as being ever more valuable than money. It was a two-room houseboat, with an open sitting area. For day trips the boat could easily accommodate and cater to a group of 20. Here are views of Ashtamudi Lake and views from the houseboat. I wish I could share hundreds more!




Being vegetarians, we were treated to an extra-sumptuous feast soon after boarding. As many as six different vegetable preparations accompanied the typical Kerala sadya-like lunch. Dinner was simple roti-vegetables, and breakfast was a favourite - idiappam and vegetable stew. Rather reluctantly we disembarked to enable the noses to get back to the respective grindstones. Off season rate for the 22-hour cruise is Rs 8500/ (includes a 2-hour long mini-boat cruise along narrow canals, where you get a chance to see the life thriving by the canal-sides).
Our son had a go at the helm- was he thrilled!
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Creepy Crawlies

Earlier today, I saw this millipede variety for the first time ever. (I had only a key to show relative size)
This one is a more common neighbour.
I await expert's identification!

Updates from the Jackfruit Festival in Trivandrum

Have a look at the variety of products that you can get from jackfruit.

Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum

Have a look at pictures from a recent visit to this temple in Kerala.
The temple is in the news for the riches being discovered within.

Have a look at plenty of beautiful worlds

Compulsions of urban livelihoods - Part 2

A different city, different species of birds. Note the materials used by this urban resident. He has certainly made use of locally available stuff!
Where- the terrace of a residence in Hyderabad.
Is everything ready?
The nursery
Babies secure and cared for...

A spotted dove also chose the same house to make her home. She preferred the niche on top of the desert cooler placed outside the window. Her kids are secure too!

Watching Kathakali Live!

Between January and May, you can witness temple festivals galore in the state of Kerala. In the first week of May, we got to see the week-long festivities of the Nambikkal SreeKrishna Swamy temple in Cheruvukkal, North West Trivandrum, the capital city. Here are glimpses from the last day's cultural show of Kathakali one of the richest forms of traditional dances of India. Look up the entire Kathakali repertoire.






See how the make-up man carries out his task - one could watch for hours!

Look up different worlds here.

Dog-on-warmth

Good ol' Brownie is making use of the available 'heat' on a cold February morning.



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