Guruvayur Chittuvalakku - July 28 2014

In 2009 Veena had booked Chittu valukku in Guravyur. It finally came through for the 28th of July. It was a good occasion for the entire family to meet. Amma after having gone through a few surgries was recovering and we decided that she should visit as well.

I was surprised at the facility they provide for a person in wheel chair. The place that is always bustling with crowd and people pushing and shoving to get a clear view of the sanctum sanatorium was stopped so my mom could get an unobstructed view of the deity and pray.

Pictures were forbidden inside the temple itself, however we snapped a few at the hotel.

Late that night, all of us as part of the chittu valukku ceremony got to light the lamps around the temple with a close witness to the closing ceremony for the day for the temple activities. The rituals comprised of walking 3 elephants around the temple with Chenda, Chengila, Ilathalam (Cimbal), Sankhu (Conch). Since the offering was from Veena's mom she got to perform ceremonies for the elephant. Over all it was a unique experience and will be remembered by all that attended.

USA summer 2014 - Birds flying east

Just as the Indian school year revs up and kicks into top gears the schools in the US close down for their summer vacation. Every year we see quite a few folks fly back east to visit and re-establish their connections with relatives and friends.

This time it started with the visit of Rajesh, Malini and family. Kids turned the house up side down and made the place always bustling with activity. Lots of playing, fighting and silly jokes floating in the air, we could notice the evolving maturity in the kids as the years roll by.

Some pictures to remember their visit.

Following Mali's trip, Harish and Mrs Harish visited the town

This was then followed by Rajesh, Janice, Reena and Jeslyn.