part 12 of ...KALLAKURICHI
Wonderful and sweet grandparents on his mother's side of the family.
Here, I heard stories about Amjith's childhood - like how he used to run around this house in his bare bottom. All. the. time.
A young coconut as part of the Pooja (Puja) room, in celebration of Pongal.
A lotus in their doorway - it's that great?!
Going up to the roof. Doesn't he look huggable?
Saturday, 15 January 2011
Friday, 14 January 2011
Pongal Celebration
part 11 of ...PONGAL: a harvest festival
Amma drew this elaborate scene! When Amjith was little, she drew this exact picture and he liked it so much he took a picture with it.
This is a Pooja (Puja) room, where offerings to the gods are made. The long poles are sugar canes.
Offering to the gods:In the bowl - sweet pongal. On the banana leaf - Rice with sambar, cut plantain flowers.
Amma drew this elaborate scene! When Amjith was little, she drew this exact picture and he liked it so much he took a picture with it.
This is a Pooja (Puja) room, where offerings to the gods are made. The long poles are sugar canes.
Offering to the gods:In the bowl - sweet pongal. On the banana leaf - Rice with sambar, cut plantain flowers.
Monday, 10 January 2011
Having fun in Chennai
part 10 of ...
CHENNAI
Henna / Mehndi
Preethi making beautiful henna patterns on Susan's hands!
Waiting for the henna paste to dry.
Finished!
Cooking / Eating
Amjith's mother making dosa.
Susan and Amjith's favorite food!
yum!
Eating the dosa ~
Amjith's brother (Aaranyan) eating rice with sambar.
Tea time! (Abirami)
Preethi with tea.
Kolam
Patterns in front of the house are
CHENNAI
Henna / Mehndi
Preethi making beautiful henna patterns on Susan's hands!
Waiting for the henna paste to dry.
Finished!
Cooking / Eating
Amjith's mother making dosa.
Susan and Amjith's favorite food!
yum!
Eating the dosa ~
Amjith's brother (Aaranyan) eating rice with sambar.
Tea time! (Abirami)
Preethi with tea.
Kolam
Patterns in front of the house are
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Northern India: Shopping & such!
part 9 of ...
Roaming the streets of Northern India
Visited a place where they made the semi precious stone inlay. We couldn't get him to tell us the "family secret," but he did show us a flower...
and then gracefully pulled it apart.
Our tour guide also took us to a place where they made woodblock prints. It was pretty neat!
The green colored block is for the outline, the yellow colored
Roaming the streets of Northern India
Visited a place where they made the semi precious stone inlay. We couldn't get him to tell us the "family secret," but he did show us a flower...
and then gracefully pulled it apart.
Our tour guide also took us to a place where they made woodblock prints. It was pretty neat!
The green colored block is for the outline, the yellow colored
Northern India: Jaipur
part 8 of ...
JAIPUR
Hawa Mahal("palace of wind")
Contrary to it's name, it is more of a wall than a palace. Back then, women were not allowed in public, so this wall was a place for them to stand behind and watch the happenings of the city. Built in 1799.
Us rebels - standing in FRONT of the wall! :)
~ ~ ~
Jantar-Manar
("instrument and formula")
An ancient observatory built by Maharaja Jai
JAIPUR
Hawa Mahal("palace of wind")
Contrary to it's name, it is more of a wall than a palace. Back then, women were not allowed in public, so this wall was a place for them to stand behind and watch the happenings of the city. Built in 1799.
Us rebels - standing in FRONT of the wall! :)
~ ~ ~
Jantar-Manar
("instrument and formula")
An ancient observatory built by Maharaja Jai
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Northern India: Fatehpur Sikri
part 7 of ...
Fatehpur Sikri
(City of Victory)
photograph courtesy of Amitsalla, GNUFDL v1.2
Legend has it that Akbar made a pilgrimage to a renowned Sufi saint, Sheik Salim Chisti, to seek his blessings. The saint predicted that Akbar would have a son. Later, when Akbar had a son (Jahangir), he built Fatehpur Sikri as a tribute to the saint. The city was built from 1571 to 1573, and
Fatehpur Sikri
(City of Victory)
photograph courtesy of Amitsalla, GNUFDL v1.2
Legend has it that Akbar made a pilgrimage to a renowned Sufi saint, Sheik Salim Chisti, to seek his blessings. The saint predicted that Akbar would have a son. Later, when Akbar had a son (Jahangir), he built Fatehpur Sikri as a tribute to the saint. The city was built from 1571 to 1573, and
Northern India: Taj Mahal
part 6 of ...
Taj Mahal: A symbol of Love
We couldn't just walk into the Taj Mahal. We bought our tickets at a separate location, where they gave us complementary water and shoe covers.
Then, we took an electric vehicle to the entrance; the government's attempt to reduce pollution.
We went through security, as usual.
Outer gate.
We covered our shoes with cloth wraps.
It is common to
Taj Mahal: A symbol of Love
We couldn't just walk into the Taj Mahal. We bought our tickets at a separate location, where they gave us complementary water and shoe covers.
Then, we took an electric vehicle to the entrance; the government's attempt to reduce pollution.
We went through security, as usual.
Outer gate.
We covered our shoes with cloth wraps.
It is common to
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