KOTTANKULANGARA CHAMAYA VILAKKU

23rd,March,2012

RITUALS ARE DIFFERENT..........! Dear Friends,

Happy Ugadi.......Happy Gudipadwa !

May Your New Year Be Filled With Happiness, Peace and Prosperity!

This is the season of temple festivals in Kerala.People those who stay

far away from hometown adjust their leave in such a away that they can join these festivals of their village temples.It's totally a different experience,getting a chance to pray during the annual festival time,when the temple is decorated and at the auspicious moments,getting a chance to meet the long lost friends.And a chance to witness the celbrations in a wide scale,the orchestra,danceprogrammes ,kathapraskathaprasangam[story with recitation]and the amazing fireworks.

Kottankulangara chamayavilakku is a unique festival,which is held at the Kottankulangara Sreedevi Temple,Chavara,Kollam,Kerala.The presiding deity is Bhagavathy and is Sw

ayambhoo[self-origin] and faces east.There is no roof for the Sanctum Sanctorum.Three poojas are offered and thanthric rites are administering the Adimattam.Sub-deities are Sasthavu,Yakshi and Nagarajavu.From Meenam1st to 11th the temple festival is celebrated.The uniqueness of this temple is that the boys and gents derss themselves as girls and ladies to hold the traditional temple lamp.

Can you believe,thousands of gents[from boys to older people] dress up as beautiful females.This is an offereing to the Goddess.I must say,they look awesome!

In this unique ritual,Chamayavilaku[make-up lamp] the damsels come to the temple at night in a long procession holding the lighted lamps in their hands.The ritual occurs during March-Apri

l,every year.

Applying kaajal[that we apply in the eyes],putting a striking bindi on the forehead,jasmine strands on the long hair,wearing sarees,traditional KeralaMundum veshti,salwar kameez or skirt and blouse,the gents look enchanting.:)

Parents accompany their sons,wives their husbands and a group of friends to dress up their friends as the best female.Fulfilling the temple tradition,they will be holding the lamps,mounted on along wooden rod with five lighted wicks.Men do this offering for their dreams tParents accompany their sons,wives their husbands and a group of friends to dress up their friends as the best female.Fulfilling the temple tradition,they will be holding the lamps,mounted on along wooden rod with five lighted wicks.Men do this offering for their dreams to come true and for expressing gratitude for the blessings received.Devotees want to wash away their sins at the sacred presence of the Goddess.

There are many stories about the origin of the festival,but the most popular one says,a group of boys who used to herd cows would playfully dress up as girlsandoffer flowers and a coconut dish called,'kootan' to a stone.The story continues that Goddess appeared oneone day before one of the boys.Subsequently a temple came up and the ritual of men dressing up as women to offer prayers to teh Goddess got underway.Kottnkulangara Sree Devi temple is thrteen kilometres away from Kollam.

The gents who want to dress up as females must observe certain rituals.They begin the rituals by the end of the previous month,Kumbham.One can get this long lamp on rent from the nearby shops.The hotels will be fully booked.The temple premises and houses will become the greenrooms.Professionals are available to change you into a beautiful damsel within no time.Photographers are ready.The photos give sweet memories.There will be cultural programmes for eighteen days.During these days,the stage will be built under the huge banyan tree.Only devotional musical programmes will be presented.The villagers and devotees offer the vegetables and fruits to the Goddess.This ritual is known as Anpolippara.By 2a.m,gents dresse as damsels will stand in two lines for the procession holding the lighted lamps.

In the beginning boys under fifteen years used to dress up as girls.But today irrespective of age gents come forward for this unique offering.This year this festival is celebrated on 24th and 25th March for two

days.

Those who have come once will come again for the forthcoming festival.That is the strong belief of the devotee in the Goddess.

May Goddess Bless One And All!

Friends,let us know the different festivals,rituals and traditions of our own native place.Festivals are occasions of arousing devotion,unity and communal harmony.This is the happy occasion of family get togethers.Filling our minds with positive energy,let us surrender ousrelves at the lotus feet of the Goddess.

It's Anu signing off................

Kottankulangara chamayavilakku is unique and and it is a religious offering!

When the tender green leaves of the banyan trees whisper in the evening breeze,

When boys and gents are getting ready to be transformed as the beautiful damsels,

I remind you,Anu loves you dil se...........

Wishing you and requesting the blessings of Goddess,

It's Anu signing off,

Sasneham,

Anu

TO MY BELOVED SPARROWS..............

TO MY BELOVED SPARROWS..............

20th March,2012

Tuesday

ON THE WORLD HOUSE SPARROW DAY.....!

Dear Friends,

Good Evening!

As my days begin with the chirping of sparrows that stay in my window panes and balcony corners,they make a major part of my life.Their cheep-cheep wake me up.Working in the kitchen is exciting only because of these cute little birds.I talk and they respond.Watching the sparrows is fun.They love pecking the grains/cerelas from the roof top.I feed them twice.They are often hungry and unless I feed them,they chirp loudly.The crows and pigeons too join them.Sparrows are many.They sit on the cable wire and swing.Whatever I share with them will never pass on!:)And I do have the relief that they know my untold life experiences.What a relief!

We see the sparrows often in crowded places.They love human company.Birds,animals and flowers are our best friends.They are forever,no separations,good byes or impatiently waitings.It is really sad that sparrows are disappearing from many places.To create awareness, a few NGOs have teamed up to mark the first World House Sparrows Day,today.Let's do our share for getting sparrows back into our lives.

The World Sparrow Day (WSD) is being celebrated on 20th March across the globe to raise public awareness about the decline of the house sparrow and throw light on the problems faced by the species in its daily fight for survival.

The World Sparrow Day also celebrates the common biodiversity around us.

The first World Sparrow Day was celebrated on March 20, 2010 across the globe to celebrate the beauty of the house sparrow. National and international organisations, NGOs, clubs and societies, universities, schools and individuals across the world celebrated the event by organizing awareness programs.

Friends,

Sparrows are the lovely creations of God.

The cute small and chirpy birds,

Win our hearts and be our friends.

They are drab brown or grey creatures.

In Hindi speaking areas,

Sparrows are called as goraiya

They are known as 'kuruvi' in Tamil and Malayalam.

It is known as'pichhuka' in Telugu,

It is known as'pichhuka' in Telugu,

And in Kannada,'gubbachchi'.

The Gujaratis call it,'chakli',

Whereas the maharashtrians call it,'Chimani'.

It is known as 'chiri'in Punjab,

And 'gharachatia' in Orissa.

If you have a little space,make a small garden.

Pots with straw can be hung as nesting sites.

Let's say no to pesticides in our homes,

Learn to live eco friendly.

Please sprinkle some grains or bread crumbs,

In the courtyard or balcony or roof top,

Set up a bowl of water,they love water.

Search for the roosting spots and

Take out your binoculars and watch them close,

It's really amazing to watch the chicks,

The feeding of baby sparrows

arouse interest.

The upbringing is done by both male and female birds,

And this is a special feature of sparrows.

Earthen pots can be put in open spaces

Inviting sparrows to come and stay.

Plan an outing and do watch the birds!

Sparrows love safer places to build nests.

They are our feathered neighbours,

See that they never leave us and go.

In the old markets sparrows were many,

Pecking on the grains and food waste.

Urbanisation has done away with home gardens;

Which had worms and insects for the sparrows.

The tribals like sauras and Warli have incorporated

These small cute birds in their paintings!

Famous poems are written by poets like,

Subramanya Bharati in Tamil.

The popular novel,Goraiya in Hindi,

Written by Smt.Mahadevi Verma,

Makes one wish that sparrows should

Be back to us to enrich our urban lives.

Friends,please start loving,

The little cute birdies!:)

Sparrows have been enlisted in the most endangered species of birds.The celebration of the day is not for just one day,but it is to develop awareness and to bring the like minded people in a common platform.The most recent reason for the disappearance is the mobile phone towers.The waves from the tower are capable of destroying the life in the eggs.Thereby they are incapable of hatching.

Friends,

In last June when I came back after the summer holidays,I felt so lonely as none of the sparrows were in the nests on the kitchen window pane.I felt miserable and wrote a post Where Have You Gone?Later,they did come back bringing back the sounds and laughter in my face.

This is the second post I am dedicating to my feathered neighbours.

Tomorrow 21st,Sunday is Anya,my friend's Brthday.All the Best Wishes,dear!May God Bless you!Many Many Hapy Returns Of The Day!

22nd,March is my Kishen's Happy Birthday!Wishing You A Wonderful Day and A Big God Bless You!Many ManyHappy Returns Of The Day!I Love You Dearest!May Your Dreams Come True!

It's Anu signing off........

Before going to sleep,I just want to make sure my sparrows have a goodnight's sleep,

I want to tell them how much I love them

I want to make them feel,my days are brighter due to their presence.:)

Wishing you all a beautiful and relaxing Sunday,

Requesting you to love all animals and birds,

Reminding you not to ask personal questions,please

Anu loves you so dearly ,

Sound sleep and sweet dreams!

Sasneham,

Anu

WHO IS THE WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE?

Who Is The Woman In Your Life?

8th March,2012

Thursday

Dear Friends,

A Pleasant and Happy Holi To One And All !

Holi is the festival of colours

An occasion to celebrate the triumph,

Of goodness over evil,

If wishes come in rainbow colours then,

I would send the brightest one to say Happy Holi !

Anu wishes you a colourful morning!

It is a major day of global celebration for the economic,political and social achievements of women.

We celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th.Happy Women's Day !

''Be to her virtues very kind,
Be to her faults a little blind''.Matthew Prior

My Mother Is the Wonderful Woman In My life ! My Amma Is My Role Model,My Source Of Inspiration,My Guru and My Guide!

I Love You Amma Beyond Words! Happy Women's Day!

I dedicate this post to all women across the globe A woman is the epitome is the of tenderness woman is the epitome of tenderness, care and wisdom.

Woman,the wonderful and beautiful creation of God,
The amazing and powerful,
The loving and caring.
She has the ability to give
The gifts of her heart,
Love,hope,care and concern,
Kind words,encouragement and appreciation;
She makes your soul filled with calmness,
She shares your pain and pleasure;
She as the Mother, moulds your life,

To the perfect form.
Your guide,philosopher and counsellor.
As the grandmother,she gives you the warmest hugs,
Who showers love and joy on you;
Who takes you the amazing
World of imagination,

By her bedtime stories.
As a daughter,she is the priceless gift,
God has given you,
Who holds your hands to walk the miles.
loving friend forever,Who lends her shoulder to lean and cry,
And to brighten your days.
A loving sister who shares her best things with you,
A granddaughter who is a bundle of joy,
And who makes you sing lullabies once again.
A colleague who shares the lighter moments,
Who gives you solutions to the problems.
She makes your soul filled,
With love,peace and confidence.
She wakes up early in the morning,
Cooks food and does the household work,
After which she has to rush for work.
And beautifully she balances between home and work.
With her, your burdens become lighter.
The nature becomes more beautiful,

The one who pours out the magical words,
Of love and inspiration;
Without her your life loses the charm
The days turn out to be colourless,
The warmth of closeness wraps you,
In comfort and happiness. Once they forgive,they forget,
The bitterness of the past.
She listens to you with patience,
For hours and hours.
As she knows listening is as important as talking.
She understands you so well,
And the smile she gives you,
Emerges from the heart;

Have you watched the eyes ,
Speaking the true feelings,
Making you stronger with prayers,
Without whose support,
Your life will be incomplete.
She encourages you to accept challenges;
She helps you to discover,
The hidden talents,
Which you don't know you possess.
She has the potential beyond your imagination,
To make you confident!

She hugs you when your spirits sag;
She makes you patient,
To see the rainbow after the clouds.
Whatever she does,she does,
With grace,style,warmth and a smile,
Have you ever thought the secret,
Behind the bubbling energy?
I must tell you friends,
She creates the wonderful and magical ambience
For you to feel life is still beautiful.
Friends,
This is the right time to express your sincere feelings,
To encourage your women,
To give her the true recognition,
The right time to express gratitude,
To all the women in your life,
As Mother,sister,wife,lady love and friend.
This weekend,think it over,
What do you like in the women around you,
And why she has become the woman in your life!:)

Are you not getting excited? I'm...................:)

You can have your unique ways ofcelebrating the special day of your woman........And I'm sure you have lots of surprises in galore.
It's Anu signing off..............

''A woman can say more in a sigh than a man can say in a cermon''.Arnold Haultain

My dear women friends,

Every heart craves for you.Remind your man,it's your day and you want to celebrate!::)From my side I have given enchanting flowers to all of you.
Wishing you a beautiful day
And grand celebrations,
Requesting you to answer my question of the title of the post,:)
Yaar,you're so lucky to have her in your life,
Make her feel she is so precious,
Start giving her a world of happiness.
Please don't take her for granted.
If not ,she is on your way..................!

A woman is a boon in your life! Trust me!

May this bright and beautiful morning,

Give you happiness and prosperity!
Reminding you Anu loves you dilse...............
Sasneham,
Anu