World of Books and Travel

Wish you all a very Happy Navratri, Durga Puja and Dasara! In some areas it is called Ayudha Pooja today. People do puja on this day to the tools and equipment used in our daily life with flowers, banana trunks, and other puja items as a mark of honor and respect. Sweets form an another important part of this festival. Tomorrow is Vijayadashami and the children are initiated to writing on this auspicious day.

The big banyan tree in the temple compound. Kunnath Kavu, a temple in Mundakkottukurissi village in Shoranur, Palakkad Dist, Kerala. This is our "kudumba kshetram" (family temple). I clicked these shots during my recent visit to my native place, where we had our large family meet, to which people came from all parts of the country. Get more Palakkad Attractions here. Our family members are lighting the lamps. The temple pool. The main festival here is called Vela which takes place in March every year. It is a chariot festival. Chariots will be coming from the neighboring villages also during this festival. We shared our nostalgic memories of the festival, going around the temple. The entrance to the temple. Our family members are lighting the lamps around the temple, called Chuttu vilakku, after having a get together of our extended family.

This year I had a wonderful Onam in our ancestral home. I really enjoyed being with my family members who had come from different places to celebrate the great festival. (The ancestral home welcomes us all) (Vegetables are kept ready for chopping) (The dishes are being served one by one on the banana leaf, before the rice is served).