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Celebrating Gudi Padva and Ugadi Peace, Good Health and Success in the New Year. |
Gudi Padva, Ugadi Greetings
Meera says: Shubh Deepavali – Happy Diwali
(more Meera pics below)
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On this joyous festival of Diwali, Wishing you and all your loved ones Happy Diwali! |
Continue reading “Meera says: Shubh Deepavali – Happy Diwali”
Ram Navami – battle against terror continues
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Wishing All
A Wonderful Rām Navamī Bliss in Śri Rām’s Grace M&m and A |
The frieze above is from the outer wall of Khetapai Narayan Temple in Bhatkal, which I recently visited. This tiny stone temple was built ca 1546 when Konkani traders escaped Portuguese persecution in Goa and settled in Bhatkal. The Bhatkal port had become the primary port for trade by the Vijayanagar empire with its capital in Hampi. Continue reading “Ram Navami – battle against terror continues”
Krishna Janmashtami – Shri Krishna Muth Udupi
Greetings for Krishna Janmashtami!
The Shri Krishna Muth in Udupi, Karnataka was founded by Sant Madhvāchārya, a Vaishnava Saint (1238-1317) who also propounded the Dvaita philosophy of Vedanta.
Continue reading “Krishna Janmashtami – Shri Krishna Muth Udupi”
Makar Sankranti – To Brighter Days
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Praise be to Surya, the Sun God
As he starts his Northerly trek Grace us with Warmth and Light Happy Sankranti to All! |
Dussehra: Glory to Durga Devi 2011
Wishing you all a Wonderful Dassara. |
Diwali: Madurai Meenakshi Temple
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On this joyous Diwali, Coz, with it comes Happy Diwali |
Ganapati and Gauri Puja
Na tatra suryo bhaati na chandra tarakam
nema vidhyuto bhanti kutoyamagnihi |
tameva bhantam anubhati sarvam
tasya bhasa sarvam idam vibhati ||
Sun cannot illumine him, nor the moon, nor the stars
Lightning cannot, much less this little flame I wave |
Verily, when he shines everything is illuminated
By his light alone all of us shine ||~ Kathopanishad II v 15
Krishna Janmashtami: Celebrating Krishna
Wishing you all a M&m&A |
Video: Weaving Jaaii Flowers
During recent travels, I was visiting relatives in Honavar, Karnataka – a sleepy coastal town south of Kumta (see google map below). I had stopped by a family store to add money to my pre-paid cell phone. There, this older gentleman was weaving these delicate pink buds called jaaii-che kaLo. These buds only sprout after the monsoon rains (June – August), have a delicate fragrance and are highly sought after during the festival season in July-September. It was a simple, yet mesmerizingly beautiful weave and he agreed to let me record it on my flip video. Continue reading “Video: Weaving Jaaii Flowers”
Makar Sankranti: Here’s To Longer Days
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To Surya, the Sun God as he starts his Northerly trek
Grace us with Warmth and Light Happy Sankranti to All! Tiil gool ghya, goaD goaD bola! |
Notes:
- Recipe for making tiil laddoos.
- Makar Sankranti Greetings 2012
- More info on Makar Sankranti.
Flower Sellers at Dadar
Few years ago I wrote about the Dadar Flower Market, in Mumbai. Tucked under the bridge next to the Dadar train Station, like alien slime it oozes into adjoining alleys and walkways, filling every doorway and cranny. So jam-packed, my cousin cautioned, “don’t even try to put your hand in your pocket, it will go in someone else’s.” Aaargh! Only in Mumbai. Continue reading “Flower Sellers at Dadar”
Diwali: Festival of Lights
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On this festive occasion of Deepavali,
May the Gods grace you and your loved ones with Peace, Good Health and Success! Happy Deepavali! |
Previous Greetings:
Video: Making Puran Polis
When in Mumbai, we attended a puja at my aunt’s place in Jogeshwari. There we enjoyed a delicious south india lunch, served on banana leaves. Freshly made, warm puran polis, dribbled with home-made tuup (clarified butter), was one of many desserts. The catering crew were making it in the back. Enjoy the video.
And see this older post, where I describe how our extended family comes together to make Sanzori, a variant of the puran poli. So much fun.
Here is Shilpa’s (Aayis Recipes) excellent recipe for puran poli (also called Obbattu).
And another recipe for Puran Poli from Sailu’s Kitchen.
Some of my Other Videos:
- Approaching Kumta on the Konkan Railway
- Weaving Jaaii flowers in Honavar.
- Making Ganna Ras in Colaba, Mumbai.
- Making Rava Dosa and Masala Dosas
Ganesh Chaturthi – The Day Before
After a few days respite in Goa and Kumta, we returned home for the Ganesh Chaturthi Utsav (festival). Over the next few days, our extended family home transformed into a festive temple. Resident cooks arrived and made traditional Konkani snacks (chivda, mando, shankar paLLan, masala shaenga, chuklee, etc). Siblings and cousins descended on our home. Professional flower stringers decorated our main hall in elaborate arrangements of plump marigolds. Humongous pots and pans, giant oil lamps and other puja accompaniments were retrieved from storage and polished to a high gleam. Continue reading “Ganesh Chaturthi – The Day Before”
Diwali: Tribute to Lakshmi
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On this Wonderful Diwali,
May the Grace of Lakshmi bring you and your loved ones Peace, Health and Prosperity! Happy Diwali! |
Notes are excerpted from my book, Prarthana: A Book of Hindu Psalms;
© Arun Shanbhag
Mahalakshmi
As Goddess of Good Fortune and Wealth, Lakshmi embodies abundance and prosperity. She is eternally benevolent and adored as the shakti or power of Vishnu.
Continue reading “Diwali: Tribute to Lakshmi”
Ganesh Chaturthi
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vakratunda mahaakaaya kotisurya samaprabhaa |
nirvighna kuru mae deva sarvakaaryeshu sarvadaa || |
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With a curved trunk and generous form
Whose splendor matches ten million Suns Remove obstacles Deva! In all that I do! |
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Ganapati Bappa, Mowrya! M & A |
Ganesh Vandana – Tribute to Ganesh
The light of the Sun imbues our existence with life and summons our gratitude and reverence. Daylight breaking over the horizon is a very auspicious time for all Hindus, and heralds the start of a new day. A time for new beginnings, new hopes and possibilities. A pristinely beautiful time to thank the Supreme Being for our good fortune, to pray for the courage and fortitude to face old and new challenges; and to uncover our kinder and compassionate souls in dealing with his children.
What better way to start the day than by appealing to Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of Beginnings. Ganesha, the pot-bellied darling of children all over, is also identified as Vignesh, the Remover of Obstacles, and Vakratunda, One with the curved trunk.
Notes are excerpted from my book, Prarthana: A Book of Hindu Psalms, from the prayer Ganesh Vandana. © Arun Shanbhag 2007
Earlier Ganesh Chaturthi Posts:
- Ganesh Chaturthi 2009: The Day Before
- Ganapati at GSB Seva Mandal 2011
- Video: Best of Mumbai Ganapati Street Dancing
- Meera at Seva Mandal Ganapati: Worth her weight in bananas
- Ganapati Visarjan: Wadala and Lalbaug cha Raja
- Ganesh Chaturthi 2009
- Ganesh Chaturthi 2008
- Ganesh Chaturthi 2007
- Ganapati Bappa 2005
- Saraswati Lakshmi & Ganapati
Ganapati Flower Sellers:
Deepavali Wishes 2007
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May the Purifying Lights of Deepavali
Guide you to an Inspiring Life. Wishing you Good Health, and Happy Deepavali! |
Other Diwali Greetings and Posts:
Dassara, Dussehra: Celebrating Devi’s Grace
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Wishing you all a Wonderful Dassara. M&M & A |
Continue reading “Dassara, Dussehra: Celebrating Devi’s Grace”
Ganesh Chaturthi
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On Ganesh Chaturthi
Wishing you all A Blessed Ganesha’s Grace! M&A |
Notes are excerpted from my book, Prarthana: A Book of Hindu Psalms;
© Arun Shanbhag 2007
Ganesha Stotram – Hymn to Ganesha
The visage of Gaṇeśa (or Gaṇapati) is easily recognizable as the elephant-headed God of Knowledge and Wisdom. Gaṇeśa is very popular in all parts of India, and amongst all sects: Vaiśnavās, Śaivās, Śaktās, Buddhists and Jainās. He is considered the controller of, and thus remover of, all obstacles (Vighnéśwar), thus he is remembered at the beginning of all religious services. The likeness of Gaṇeśa in the form of artwork, sculptures or murtī adorn many homes and offices. Tiny Gaṇeśa figurines also grace dashboard of cars, and Gaṇeśa icons in a variety of poses is a popular gift for family and friends (from Prarthana).
Continue reading “Ganesh Chaturthi”
Gokulashtami Food Spread
Over the last several weeks I have found scores of excellent Indian Food Blogs. These are not written by celebrity chefs, but by regular, albeit very talented women cooking everyday meals at home for their families. And many are based in the US and use locally available ingredients. The collection is truly spectacular and makes me drool.
Even M has taken to following their recipes and trying them at home!
Many of these home chefs also organize ‘Round-ups’ with a theme such as ingredients (Rice, Banana, etc) or festivals; and have others submit their related posts. Latha from the Yum Blog recently compiled a virtual gathering of Janmashtami foods. She had more than 30 submissions and they are all posted in this Janmashtami Round-up.
Browse, link through and revel in these beautiful culinary creations. A lot of easy to make desserts!!! Of course, I was thrilled she highlighted my Gokulashtami post. 🙂
Arun Shanbhag 