A HINDU WEDDOING

I attended a Hindu marriage.The bride is doing her final year degree to become an Ayurvedic doctor. The bridegroom is doing his post graduation in Ayurveda. Both of them will finish their studies next year and will jointly set up a practice.

The initial but brief ceremony took place in a temple. I could not witness this ceremony because I was late. However there were several elaborate ceremonies in the reception hall which I attended. Please click on the photos for a larger view.




The father escorting the daughter into the reception hall.Look at the jasmine flowers she is having.

She is wearing a gorgeous saree.And the father is watching anxiously.



The bridegroom takes the bride around the dias.

The bride posing with her husband, her father, her mother and her brother.

The bride all smiles.

Oil lamps brightly lit up for the occasion signifying a bright, happy, prosperous married life.


The bride posing with her college mates.

Look at jewelry. The parents pride themselves in decorating their daughter with gold jewelry at the time of wedding which the bride will take as her dowry.The gorgeous saree she is wearing is a treat for the eyes.This is a typical Kerala saree worn by Malayalees at the time of wedding.


Wow!The flowers,gold jewelry,the gold bordered saree are a treat for the eyes.sThe bride groom is always in a simple dress in typical Kerala style.The focus is on the bride.
Guests happily chatting away awaiting their turn of sadya(feast).

The feast is ready to be enjoyed.

The guests coming out of the reception hall completely happy and satisfied.

I hope you have enjoyed also. Please wish the couple a happy and successful married life.

COCHIN CARNIVAL - the end.

This is the last in the series of my posts under the heading COCHIN CARNIVAL. If you want to see my earlier posts on this, kindly visit my old blog LIFE IN MOTION and check on my posts dated 11th Jan.,15th Jan. and 29th Jan.
Best wishes:)

THIS TREE FASCINATED ME

This tree fascinated me from my young age. I remember eating a few petals of the flower from this tree when I was a boy with my friends. They tasted sour. The flower and the tree in full bloom looked grand even then.Please click on the photos for lovely large view.

They really grabbed my attention when I was working in Goa as branch manager of Avery India Ltd. I was living in Porvorim and the office was in Panjim. I had to cross the Mandovi Bridge both in the morning and evening. On the steep slope leading to Mandovi bridge there are rows and rows of these trees on both sides of the road. In the months of April, May and June they were in full bloom and there were thousands of bright red flowers on the trees. They looked so cheerful and fascinating that I forgot all the problems I had during the time I drove up or down the slope under the thick canopy of those gorgeous flowers.



Now in Kochi, where I am living, these tress are there but not in rows and rows as I saw them in Goa. Yet I am fascinated by this tree when it is in full bloom. They seem to challenge and defy the mighty hot sun during this season with their beautiful flowers. I wonder how many of us can face a difficult situation with courage, confidence and never say die attitude.

I salute this tree. I think this tree is called the May Flower tree.

Singara Melam

Churches in India are using local customs,traditions and practices to blend with the local population and identify themselves as truly Indian.There was a time when the Holy Mass was said in Latin and later on it was changed to vernacular.Similarly Churches have installed flag masts such as the ones that we find in Hindu temples made of wood,copper or brass.They also light oil lamps made of brass as done in Hindu temples.

Recently the Church to which I belong,St.Antony's Church,celebrated St.Antony's feast and engaged a Singara Melam group to entertain us after the mass in the evening. The unique thing about Singara Melam which is of Kerala origin and style, is not only the beat but also the various formations they make while beating the drums to a lovely loud sound which reaches a crescendo toward the end.

You can go to You Tube or google- Singara Melam- to see the sight,steps and hear the sound.See at least two or three videos to get a fairly good idea.Enjoy yourselves.








I understand ladies are forming Singara Melam groups and they are drawing a huge audience.Best wishes:)