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திருப்பாவை - 15 (எல்லே இளங்கிளியே)

எல்லே இளங்கிளியே! இன்னம் உறங்குதியோ?
சில்லென் றழையேன்மின், நங்கைமீர்! போதர்கின்றேன்;
‘வல்லை, உன் கட்டுரைகள்! பண்டேஉன் வாயறிதும்!’
‘வல்லீர்கள் நீங்களே, நானேதான் ஆயிடுக!’
‘ஒல்லைநீ போதாய், உனக்கென்ன வேறுடையை?’
‘எல்லோரும் போந்தாரோ?’ ‘போந்தார், போந்து எண்ணிக்கொள்’
வல்லானை கொன்றானை, மாற்றாரை மாற்றழிக்க
வல்லானை, மாயனைப் பாடேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.

Explanation
What surprise (ellE)!, You beautiful parrot (kiLiyE)! you are still (innam) sleeping (uRangu)! The girl replies, "Hey girls (nangaiyeer)!, Don't call(azhaiyEn) me with such mind (min) chilling (chil) words. I am coming (aruginREn) in a little while (pOdhu)." We have known about (aRidhum) your (un) smart (vallai) tales (katturaigaL) for a long time (pandE) from your (un) own mouth (vaay). The girl says, "Ok, you (neengaL) are the smart (valleergaL) ones, Let me (naanE) be the loser (thaan aayiduga)". You (nee) start (pOdhaay) quickly (ollai) then. What (enna) other (vERu) job (udaiyai) do you (unakku) have? Come out (pOndhu) and count yourself (eNNi koL); all (ellaarum) who are coming (pOndhaar), have come (pOndhu). Let us sing (paadEl) the praise of the Lord (maayan), who destroyed (azhikka) the enemies (maatraar) in a war (maatru), and who killed (konRaan) the powerful (val) elephant (aanai). [the word 'pOndhu' is derived from 'pO' in the same manner as 'vandhu' is derived from 'vaa']

Purport
The girl: Don't you scream! My good friends! I shall come presently.

Group: Yes indeed! Don't we know you, full of eloquent promises!

Girl: Oh yes, I agree, you are the ones gifted with eloquence. Or let it be myself, if you insist.

Group: (Enough of all this banter!) Come along. Don't you be thinking of this and that.

Girl: Have all the girls come?

Group: Sure, you can count them, if you so choose.

Girl: Pardon me, what is the program?

Group: As we move down to the river, we shall keep on singing the glories of our mysterious Lord, Sri Krishna who killed the mighty elephant, Kuvalaya peetam, sent by Kamsa and who vanquished many other foes as well.

திருப்பாவை - 14 (உங்கள் புழைக்கடைத)

உங்கள் புழைக்கடைத் தோட்டத்து வாவியுள்
செங்கழுநீர் வாய்நெகிழ்ந்து ஆம்பல்வாய் கூம்பின காண்;
செங்கல் பொடிக்கூறை வெண்பல் தவத்தவர்,
தங்கள் திருக்கோயில் சங்கிடுவான் போகின்றார்;
எங்களை முன்னம் எழுப்புவான் வாய்பேசும்
நங்காய்! எழுந்திராய், நாணாதாய்! நாவுடையாய்!
சங்கொடு சக்கரம் ஏந்தும் தடக்கையன்
பங்கயக் கண்ணானைப் பாடேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.

Explanation
Look (kaaN)!, Red (sen) lilies (kazhuneer) have opened (negizhndhu) their petals (vaay), and waterlilies (aambal) have closed (koombina) their petals (vaay), on the pond (vaavi) in the garden (thOttam) in your (ungaL) back yard (puzhakkadai). The ascetics (thavaththavar), wearing ashes (veNbal) and saffron (sengaR podi) robes (koorai) are going to (pOdhanRaar) their (thangaL) sacred (thiru) temple (kOyil) to blow the conch (sangiduvaan). Hey girl (nangaay), you who boasted (vaay pEsum) that you would wake us (engaLai) up (ezhuppu) first (munnam)! now wake up (ezhundhiraay). Shameless girl (naaNaadhaay), talkative girl (naavu udaiyaay)! We are going to sing (paadEl) about the Lord, who bears (Endhum) the conch (sangu) and the wheel (chakkaram) in his hands, who has wide (thadam) arms (kai), and lotus (pangayam) shaped eyes (kaN).

Purport
You boastful chatter box! You promised to wake us all up. All tall-talk!Get up fast! Already, if you care to look at the pond in your back-garden, the red lotus has blossomed and the night lilies have closed up. Ascetics in ochre-robes, with their sparkling teeth are striding towards the temple to blow the conch. Are you not ashamed? Get up! Come, let us sing in praise of our Lord, the lotus-eyed Kannan (Krishna) who holds the conch (called Paanchajanyam) and the discus (called Sudarsanam) in his broad, powerful hands.

திருப்பாவை - 13 (புள்ளின்வாய் கீண்டானை)

புள்ளின்வாய் கீண்டானை, பொல்லா அரக்கனைக்
கிள்ளிக் களைந்தானைக் கீர்த்திமை பாடிப்போய்,
பிள்ளைகள் எல்லாரும் பாவைக் களம்புக்கார்;
வெள்ளி எழுந்து, வியாழம் உறங்கிற்று;
புள்ளும் சிலம்பினகாண்; போதரிக் கண்ணினாய்!
குள்ளக் குளிரக் குடைந்து நீராடாதே,
பள்ளிக் கிடத்தியோ? பாவாய்! நீ நன்னாளால்
கள்ளம் தவிர்ந்து கலந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.


Explanation
All (ellaam) the girls (piLLai) have reached (pukkaar) the place (kaLam) for 'paavai nOnbu', singing (paadi) the praise (keerththi) of the Lord, while going (pOy). The Lord, who split (keendaan) the mouth (vaay) of the bird (puL) shaped asura; who sniped (kiLLu) and disposed off (kaLaindhu) the heads of the naughty (polla) rakshasa (arakkan). Venus (veLLi) has risen (ezhundhu). Jupiter (viyaazhan) has gone to sleep (uRangu). Birds (puL) are chirping (silambina), See (kaaN)!. You have eyes (kaNNinaay) like the honey bee (ari) on a flower (pOdhu)! You (nee) are lying (kidaththiyO) in bed and sleeping (paLLi), without dipping in (kudaindhu) and bathing (neeraadaadhE) in the harsh (kuLLa) cold (kuLira) water. Oh girl (paavaay)! On this good (nan) day (naaL), leave (thavirndhu) your tricks (kaLLam) behind and join us (kalandhu).

Purport
You, dainty girl with that red lotus-like eyes! Don't you see? All the girls have arrived at the river bed for the worship (Paavai Nonbu), singing the glory of our Lord who killed the demon Bakaasura in disguise as a bird, by breaking up the mouth (in the incarnation of Krishna) and who just plucked away the ten heads of the wicked Raavana and slew him (in His avatar as Raama). It is time you got up. Venus has risen. Jupiter has gone to sleep. Can't you hear the chirping of the birds in flight? Don't you pretend to be asleep! Come, join us, get to the river for a refreshing bath on this auspicious day.

திருப்பாவை - 12

கனைத்திளங் கற்றெருமை கன்றுக் கிரங்கி
நினைத்து முலைவழியே நின்றுபால் சோர
நனைத்தில்லம் சேறாக்கும் நற்செல்வன் தங்காய்!
பனித்தலை வீழநின் வாசல் கடைபற்றிச்
சினத்தினால் தென்னிலங்கைக் கோமானைச் செற்ற
மனத்துக் கினியானைப் பாடவும்நீ வாய்திறவாய்!
இனித்தான் எழுந்திராய்; ஈதென்ன பேருறக்கம்?
அனைத்தில்லத் தாரும் அறிந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.

Explanation
You, the sister (thangaay) of the good (nal) prosperous (chelvan) cowherd, whose buffaloes (erumai) are yielding (sOra) so much milk (paal), through (vazhiyE) their breasts (mulai). They are standing (ninRu) and bellowing (kanaththu); out of passion (iRangi) to their crying (katru) young (iLam) calves (kanRu), that the house (illam) has become (aagi) wet (nanai) and swampy (sER) with milk! While the cold mist (pani) is falling (veezha) on our heads (thalai), we are holding on (patri) to your (nin) front door (vaasal kadai); we are singing (paada) about the one who gives us sweet (iniyaan) thoughts (manam), the one who destroyed (chetra) the ruler (kOmaan) of southern lanka (then ilangai) in his anger (sinam). You (nee) are not opening (thiRavaay) your mouth (vaay). At least (thaan) wake up (ezhundhiraay) now (ini). What (enna) is this (eedhu) big (pEr) sleep (uRakkam), after all (anaiththu) others in the house (illaththaar) are aware of (aRindhu) all this?

Purport
Oh, young sister of the prosperous cowherd! The mansion is filled with mud and slush with the buffaloes pouring forth milk from their udder in their yearning to suckle their young calves. Here we are at your threshold unmindful of dew falling on our head, singing the glory of our beloved Lord (Rama), who destroyed, out of righteous indignation the King of Lanka, in the south. What about you? Not a word in response to our call! All the residents are awake and about. What is all this deep slumber? At least now, get up and get going!

திருப்பாவை - 11 (கற்றுக் கறவை)

கற்றுக் கறவைக் கணங்கள் பலகறந்து,
செற்றார் திறலழியச் சென்று செருச்செய்யும்
குற்றமொன் றில்லாத கோவலர்தம் பொற்கொடியே!
புற்றர வல்குல் புனமயிலே! போதராய்,
சுற்றத்துத் தோழிமார் எல்லாரும் வந்துநின்
முற்றம் புகுந்து முகில்வண்ணன் பேர்பாட,
சிற்றாதே பேசாதே செல்லப்பெண் டாட்டிநீ
எற்றுக் குறங்கும் பொருளேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
You prosperous (selva) girl (pEN)!, You are beautiful like a golden (pOn) creeper (kodi), among the flawless (kutram onRillaadha) caretakers of cows(kOvalar), who are capable of destroying (azhiya) the strength (thiRal) of the enemies (setraar) by going (senRu) to war (cheru cheyyum), who in their childhood have milked (kaRandhu) many (pala) youthful (katru) herds (kaNangaL) of cows (kaRavai)! You who has a waist (alkul) like that of a cobra (aravu) in his nest (putru)! You who are free like a forest (puna) peacock (mayil)! Come out (pOdharaay)!. while we, all (ellaarum) your relatives (sutram) and friends (thOzhi) have come (vandhu), entered (pugundhu) your (nin) living room (mutram) and are singing (paada) the names (pEr) of the Lord, who is dark like the color (vaNNan) of clouds (mugil); you are sleeping (uRangu) without even moving a bit (sitraadhE), ignoring (pEsaadhE) us. For what (etrukku = edhukku) purpose (poruL) are you sleeping (uRangu) so?

Purport
Oh, beautiful damsel, the pride of the guileless cowherd community! Our menfolk are justly famed for their energy for milking ever so many milch cows at a stretch and for their valor in going all out to destroy powerful foes. You charming peacock-like darling with your waist resembling the hood of the snake! Is it proper for you to lie motionless and without response to so many of us, your relations and friends who have gathered in the court-yard of your house, when we sing the praise of our Lord Naarayana in chorus?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

திருப்பாவை - 10 (நோற்றுச் சுவர்க்கம்)

நோற்றுச் சுவர்க்கம் புகுகின்ற அம்மனாய்!
மாற்றமும் தாராரோ வாசல் திறவாதார்?
நாற்றத் துழாய்முடி நாரா யணன்நம்மால்
போற்றப் பறைதரும் புண்ணியனால் பண்டொருநாள்
கூற்றத்தின் வாய்வீழ்ந்த கும்ப கரணனும்
தோற்றம் உனக்கே பெருந்துயில்தான் தந்தானோ?
ஆற்ற அனந்தல் உடையாய்! அருங்கலமே!
தேற்றமாய் வந்து திறவேலா ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
Oh lady (amman), who is entering (puguginRa) the heaven (suvarkkam) through penance (nOtru)! those not opening (thiRavaadhaar) the doors (vaasal)! Won't you at least give (thaa) a reply (maatram)? Kumbakarnan (kumba karaNan), who one (oru) day (naaL) long ago (pandu) fell (veezhndha) prey to death (kootraththin vaay) due to benevolent (puNNiyan) Lord Narayanan (naraayaNan), who wears (mudi) the fragrant (naatram) garland of 'thulsi' (thuzhaay), who is praised (pOtra) by us (nammaal), who blesses (paRai tharum) us; Did he (kumbakaraNa) appear (thOtru) in your dreams and give (thandhaan) you (unakku) his grand (perum) sleep (thuyil). You utterly (aatra) lazy (anandhal) girl! yet a rare (arum) jewel (kalam), wake up and come (vandhu) without loosing balance (thEtram), and open (thiRa) the door.

Purport
Oh Dear! You? Striving to enter heaven through practicing austerities? If you can't open the door, can't you at least respond to our call? Have you, by any chance, taken on the habit of Kumbakarna, of virtually interminable slumber, the Rakashasa who was felled by Naarayaaa (in the incarnation of Sri Rama), the protector and the benefactor of all living beings, who is bedecked with fragrant tulasi leaves on His head? Come on, our precious gem! Shake off your inertia and come with a clear head! Do open the door!

திருப்பாவை - 9 (தூமணி மாடத்து)

தூமணி மாடத்துச் சுற்றும் விளக்கெரிய,
தூமங் கமழத் துயிலணைமேல் கண்வளரும்
மாமான் மகளே! மணிக்கதவம் தாள்திறவாய்;
மாமீர்! அவளை எழுப்பீரோ? உம்மகள்தான்
ஊமையோ? அன்றிச் செவிடோ அனந்தலோ?
ஏமப் பெருந்துயில் மந்திரப் பட்டாளோ?
மாமாயன், மாதவன், வைகுந்தன் என்றென்று
நாமம் பலவும் நவின்றேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
Hey, daughter (magaL) of my uncle (mamman), you who are sleeping (kaN vaLarum) on (mEl) a mattress (thuyil aNai) in a palace (maadam) with flawless jewels (thoo maNi), with lamps (viLakku) burning (eriya) all around (sutrum) and surrounded (kamazha) by incense (dhoopam), open (thiRavaay) the latch (thaazh) of the jewelled (maNi) door (kadhavam). Hey auntie (maameer), will you wake (ezhuppeerO) her (avaLai) up. Is your (un) daughter (magaL) indeed (thaan) dumb (oomaiyO), or (anRi) deaf (sevidO), or lazy (ananthalO), or is she cursed (mandhira) and captivated (Ema pattaaLo) into a coma (perun thuyil). (Hurry up). We must benefit (navindhu) by repeating (enRenRu) the many (pala) names
(naamam) of the great Mayan (maa maayan) Madhavan, Vaikuntan.

Purport
Dear maternal cousin! How long are you going to be asleep on your luxurious bed in the gem-studded mansion, surrounded by lights all around and bathed in fragrance of incense? Open the lever lock of that ornamental door. Aunty! Won't you wake her up please? What is wrong with her? Is she gone dumb or deaf or is she just exhausted? Or has she fallen into a deep trance as a result of our Lord, some magical incantation? Shall we chant the thousand and odd names of our Lord-God of the great mystic power, the spouse of Goddess Mahalaksmi, the supreme Lord of Vaikunda and so on and on and get her to wake up?

திருப்பாவை - 8 (கீழ்வானம் வெள்ளென்று)

கீழ்வானம் வெள்ளென்று, எருமை சிறுவீடு
மேய்வான் பரந்தனகாண்; மிக்குள்ள பிள்ளைகளும்
போவான் போகின்றாரைப் போகாமல் காத்துன்னைக்
கூவுவான் வந்து நின்றோம், கோதுகலமுடைய
பாவாய்! எழுந்திராய்; பாடிப் பறைகொண்டு
மாவாய் பிளந்தானை, மல்லரை மாட்டிய
தேவாதி தேவனைச் சென்றுநாம் சேவித்தால்
ஆவாவென் றாராய்ந் தருளேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
The eastern (keezh) sky (vaanam) is whitening (vEL). The water buffaloes
(eRumai), which started grazing (mEyvaan), just a little (siRu) while
(veedu) ago, have spread all over (parandhana) the place. Look! (kaaN). The
children (piLLai), who are serious (mikkuLLa) about 'maargazhi nonbu', are
going (pOvaan). We have stopped (pOgaamal) those people who are going
(pOginRaarai) and have come (vandhu) standing (ninROm) and are waiting
(kaaththu) and calling (koovuvaan) you (unnai). You happy (kOdhugalam
udaiya) girl (paavaay), wake up (ezhundhiraay) If we (naam) sing (paadi),
observe the 'paavai nOnbu' (paRai kondu) and go (chenRu) and worship (sEvi)
the Lord of the devas (dhEvaadhi dhEva), who split (piLandhaan) the Asura
who came as a horse (maavaay), who conquered (maattiya) the wreslers
(mallar), he will examine (aaraayndhu) our requirements, and bless (aruL) us
with plenty (aa aa enRu).

Purport
Wake up you vivacious young girl! The Eastern sky has already brightened. The buffaloes have already set out to feed themselves on the dewy grass We have even kept the other girls from moving ahead, for your sake and here we are, at you doorstep. Come, let us march singing the praise of our Lord of Lords who killed the demon Kesi who came in the guise of a horse by cleaving his mouth and who slew the wrestlers sent by Kamsaa. Our Lord will surely bestow His grace on us after due consideration for our devotion.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAVI

December 21st has become one of the most "Special Days" of my life!!

I am greatful for this day, 'coz if not for this day, several years ago,I wouldn't have got such a wonderful person in my life!!Yes!! This day is the day my sweetheart was born.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAVI!!

What a wonderful husband you are!

I love you in every way.

Just look how we've gotten this far,

and getting better every day.

You mean the world to me

and yet so much more.

Here's hoping your birthday

will be one you'll adore.

This year it has become even more special as Ravi is entering another important role in his life...FATHERHOOD!!
It was SUNDAY! what more can I ask for?? Very special isn't it??
The day started of with a series of phone calls from nears and dears wishing him and blessing him for his birthday.
With him busy talking on the phone, I started preparing the lunch for the day.
We could have had a treat in a wonderful restaurant. But unfortunately, these days as I am in my third trimester, I am unable to have meals outside home. The spicy food outside doesn't do any good for my health.
Plus, Ravi always prefers to have home food.
So I made lunch at home. The combinations might seem a little absurd. But to me the only thing that mattered, was Ravi's favourites.
So Lunch menu was made.

The menu was as follows:

• Sweet of the day: Kesari
• Sundal
• Brinjal curry : Ravi always longed for Brinjal curry for quite sometime now. So made it Exclusively for him.Not for me!!!
• Moar Kulambhu : Another favourite dish of Ravi's.
• Appalam & Thamarai thandu fry.
• Kothamalli Thuvayal.

Having had this wonderful feast at home,"undha mayakkam" nu solluvanga illa??? That's what happened exactly!! Ravi was too tired to do anything further!! (LOL)

Evening, we headed to his collegue's home to share the sweet and sundal.

After that, we all went to the Lakshmi Ganapathy Temple in San Jose. We had a wonderful darshan at the temple.

It was a cold and rainy evening , so not staying out much, both our families headed back to our homes.

Though the day was not that surprising and grand like last year, we yet had a peacful celebration.

Hope all you readers out there wish their best for my dear hubby!!

திருப்பாவை - 7 (கீசுகீ சென்றெங்கும்)

கீசுகீ சென்றெங்கும் ஆனைச்சாத் தன்கலந்து
பேசின பேச்சரவம் கேட்டிலையோ? பேய்ப்பெண்ணே!
காசும் பிறப்பும் கலகலப்பக் கைபேர்த்து
வாச நறுங்குழல் ஆய்ச்சியர் மத்தினால்
ஓசை படுத்தத் தயிரரவம் கேட்டிலையோ?
நாயகப் பெண்பிள்ளாய்! நாராயணன் மூர்த்தி
கேசவனைப் பாடவும்நீ கேட்டே கிடத்தியோ?
தேசமுடையாய்! திறவேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.

Explanation
You dumb girl (pEy peNNE!), the 'aanai chaaththan' birds are humming (keesu)
together (kalandhu), everywhere (engum). Don't you hear (kEttilaiyO) the sound
(aravam) of these birds talking (pEchchu)? The cow girls (aaychchiyar) with
fragrance (naRum) spreading (vaasa) from their hair (kuzhal), wearing garlands
of gold coins (kaasum piRappum), are skimming the yogurt (thayir) using a
skimming gadget (maththu), with their ornaments making (paduththa) a jingling
(kala kala) sound (Osai), tiring (pErththu) their hands (kai). Don't you hear
(kEttilaiyO) the sound (aravam)? Hey leader (naayaga) of the girls (peN
piLLaay)! while we are singing (paadavum) the praise of the Lord Narayana
Murthy and Kesavan, you are still sleeping (kidaththiyO) while listening
(kEttE). Glamourous (dhEsam) as you are (udaiyaay), open (thiRa) the door.

Purport
You, deluded girl! Don't you hear the screeching chatter of the king-crows? And the sound of the cowherd women wearing fragrant flowers in their locks of hair churning the curd in the urns, using both their hands, with their bracelets and other ornaments clashing against one another and producing that jingling sound? Oh, prominent damsel! How can you keep on sleeping even after you have heard our singing of our Lord Naarayana (who is also called Kesava for having slain the demon Kesi in his incarnation as Sri Krishna)? Dear girl of radiant presence! Come on open the door!

திருப்பாவை - 6 (புள்ளும் சிலம்பினகாண்)

புள்ளும் சிலம்பினகாண்; புள்ளரையன் கோயிலில்
வெள்ளை விளிசங்கின் பேரரவம் கேட்டிலையோ?
பிள்ளாய்! எழுந்திராய், பேய்முலை நஞ்சுண்டு,
கள்ளச் சகடம் கலக்கழியக் காலோச்சி,
வெள்ளத்தரவில் துயிலமர்ந்த வித்தினை,
உள்ளத்துக் கொண்டு முனிவர்களும் யோகிகளும்
மெள்ள எழுந்து அரியென்ற பேரரவம்
உள்ளம்புகுந்து குளிர்ந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
Hey children (piLLaay)! See (kaaN) the birds (puL) are chirping (silambina).
Don't you hear (kEttilaiyO), the loud (pEr) sound (aravam) of the white
(veLLai) conch (sangu), used for callings (viLi) the people, at the temple
(kOyil) of the king (araiyan) of the birds (puL); The yogis (yOgi) and the
saints (munivar) who are slowly (meLLa) waking (ezhundhu) with (kondu) the
thought of Lord in their minds (uLLam) and uttering the name of the Lord. The
Lord who ate (uNdu) the poison (nachchu) from the breast (mulai) of the
raakshasi Bhutan (pEy); who kicked (kaalOchchi) and destroyed (kalakkazhiya)
the asura Sakatasura, who came as a fake (kaLLa) wheel (chakatam); the source
of all life (viththu), who is in yogic sleep (thuyil amarndha) over the snake
(aravu) on the ocean (veLLaththu) of milk. The big (pEr) sound (aravam) of the
name of the Lord (ari) has entered (pugundhu) our hearts (uLLam) and made it
calm (kuLirndhElOr).

Purport
Young girls, don't you hear the chirp of the early birds? The beckoning sound of the white conch from the temple of Vishnu who rides on the king of birds, Garuda? Wake up, innocent girl! The sages and ascetics with their minds ever focused on the great Lord, who sleeps on the serpent-couch in the ocean of milk, have risen. These sages have started chanting the name 'Hari' over and over again, in a rising crescendo. While they chant His name, no doubt, they are reenacting in their own minds the deeds of the child-God who sucked the poison from the breast of the demoness Putana and who kicked to death, with his little toe, the demon that came to destroy Him in the guise of a cart. Don't you hear all the loud chanting which enters our hearts and makes them rejoice?

திருப்பாவை - 5 (மாயனை மன்னு)

மாயனை மன்னு வடமதுரை மைந்தனை,
தூய பெருநீர் யமுனைத் துறைவனை,
ஆயர் குலத்தினில் தோன்றும் அணிவிளக்கை,
தாயைக் குடல்விளக்கம் செய்த தாமோதரனை,
தூயோம்ஆய் வந்துநாம் தூமலர் தூவித்தொழுது
வாயினால் பாடி மனத்தினால் சிந்திக்கப்
போய பிழையும் புகுதருவான் நின்றனவும்
தீயினில் தூசுஆகும் செப்பேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
Let us (naam) come (vandhu) with a clean (thooya) body and mind, spraying (thoovi) clean flowers (thoo malar), and worship (thozhudhu) the Lord Damodara (dhaamOdharan); who is a magician (maayan); who is the son (maindhan) of the northern (vada) madhurai; who is the hermit (thuRaivan) on the pure (thooya) and great (peru) river (neer) Yamuna (yamunai); who appeared (thOnRum) in the cowherd (aayar) community (kulam) as a sacred (aNi) light (viLakku); who brought maternal honour (kudal vilakkam sey) to his mother (thaay). Let us sing (paadi) orally (vaayinaal) and think (sindhikka) mentally (manaththinaal) about the Lord. Our past (pOya) sins (pizhai) and the the future unintentional sins (pugutharuvaan ninRanavum), will become (aagum) like sawdust (thoosu) on a flame (thee). Let us say (cheppu) his names.

Purport
Our mysterious Lord, born at North Mathura, who sports in the pure deep waters of the great river Yamuna and who is the veritable jewel-light of the race of cowherds, gloried his mother Devaki by being born to her and transported his foster mother Yasoda into a world of joy by showing her his little belly with the imprint of the tiny ropes with which she bound him to put him out of mischief. If only we approached Him with pure mind and body and worship Him with fresh and fragrant flowers, singing His praise and meditating on Him, we can be certain that our sins of the past births and those which ensued without our intentions, will all be extinguished the way cotton is reduced to ashes in a fire.

திருப்பாவை - 4 (ஆழி மழைக்கண்ணா)

ஆழி மழைக்கண்ணா! ஒன்று நீ கைகரவேல்
ஆழியுள் புக்கு முகந்துகொ டார்த்தேறி,
ஊழி முதல்வன் உருவம்போல் மெய்கறுத்து
பாழியந் தோளுடைப் பற்பநா பன்கையில்
ஆழிபோல் மின்னி, வலம்புரிபோல் நின்றதிர்ந்து,
தாழாதே சார்ங்கம் உதைத்த சரமழைபோல்
வாழ உலகினில் பெய்திடாய், நாங்களும்
மார்கழி நீராட மகிழ்ந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
Oh Lord (KaNNaa) of rain (mazhai) and oceans (aazhi),
please do not discontinue (kai karavEl), any thing (OnRu).
Diving (pukku) into (uL) the ocean (aazhi);
fetching the water (mugandhu kodu), causing thunder (aarthu);
going up to the sky (ERi);
darkening (kaRuththu) your body (mey) like (pOl)
the form (uruvam) (uruvam) of the prime Lord (mudhalvan) of the universe
(oozhi);
standing (ninRu) and roaring (adhirndhu) like (pOl) the shining
(minni) conch (valamburi) and the chakram (aazhi) of Lord Padhmanabha
(paRpanaaban) with broad (paazhi) and beautiful (am) shoulders (thOl);
please do cause it rain (peydhidaay), like a torrential rain (sara mazhai)
like (pOl) shooting (udhaiththa) with the divine bow (saarngam), without
delay (thaazhaadhE); so that we (naangal) may live (vaazhndhida).
Let us enjoy (magizhndhElor) the maargazhi nonbu (maargazhi neeraada).

Purport

O Lord Varuna (God of Rains), please do not hold back your gift of rains.
For the sake of the prosperity of the world and for our sake so that we can
gleefully bathe in the river during this scared month, plunge into the sea,
gather as much water as there is, make thunder, and rise into the sky in
the form of a cloud mass which would resemble, in its black color,
the body of our primordial Lord (Vishnu).
May you then pour down your bountiful showers!
You will then become resplendent with lightning like
the discus held by Lord Padmanabha.
Your thunderous roar would reverberate like the couch called
Panchajanya held by our Lord in his left hand.
May you bring forth rains in abundance without a pause in the
manner of the flow of arrows from the bow of Sri Rama called Sarngam!

திருப்பாவை - 3 (ஓங்கி உலகளந்த)

ஓங்கி உலகளந்த உத்தமன் பேர்பாடி
நாங்கள் நம் பாவைக்குச் சாற்றிநீர் ஆடினால்,
தீங்கின்றி நாடெல்லாம் திங்கள்மும் மாரிபெய்து
ஓங்கு பெருஞ்செந்நெ லூடு கயல் உகளப்
பூங்குவளைப் போதில் பொறிவண்டு கண்படுப்ப,
தேங்காதே புக்கிருந்து சீர்த்த முலைபற்றி
வாங்கக் குடம் நிறைக்கும் வள்ளல் பெரும்பசுக்கள்
நீங்காத செல்வம் நிறைந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
If we (naangaL) bathe (neeraadinaal) and perform our (nam) 'paavai nOnbu'
(paavaikku chaatri), chanting (paadi) the name (pEr) of the best Lord
(uththaman), who measured (aLandha) all three (Ongi) worlds (ulagu). The whole
(ellaam) country (naadu) will be free of (inRi) evil (theengu). It will rain
(peydhu) three rainfalls (mum maari) every month (thingaL). Little fish
(kayal) will play (ugaLa) amidst (oodu) overgrown (Ongu) big (perum) rice
fields (sen nel); bright (poRi) beas (vandu) lieing drowsily over (kaN
paduppa) the flower bushes (poonguvaLai); Cows standing (pukkirundhu)
motionless (thEngaadhE), cowherds milking (seerththa mulai patri vaanga), the
generous (vaLLal) and big (perum) cows (pasu) fill up (niRaikkum) the
containers (kudam); the land will be filled with (niRaindhu) long lasting
(neengaadha) prosperity (chelvam).


Purport

When we sing the glory of the the Lord (Trivikrama) who took the cosmic form and measured the three worlds in two gigantic strides and put his foot, for the third stride on the emperor Mahabali, and when we perform the paavi nonbu the whole country will be rid of evils. It will then rain three times every month. Fishes will gleam and leap amidst the rich paddy plants. Spotted bees will fall sleep among the water lillies. Cow milked tirelessly will yield copious bounties enough to fill pots and pots. Prosperity will thus prevade the land.

திருப்பாவை - 2 (வையத்து வாழ்வீர்காள்)

வையத்து வாழ்வீர்காள்! நாமும் நம்பாவைக்குச்
செய்யுங் கிரிசைகள் கேளீரோ! பாற்கடலுள்
பையத் துயின்ற பரமன் அடிபாடி,
நெய்யுண்ணோம்; பாலுண்ணோம்; நாட்காலை நீராடி
மையிட் டெழுதோம்; மலரிட்டு நாம் முடியோம்;
செய்யா தனசெய்யோம்; தீக்குறளைச் சென்றோதோம்;
ஐயமும் பிச்சையும் ஆந்தனையும் கைகாட்டி
உய்யுமா றெண்ணி உகந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
Oh! you people born to live (vaazhveer gaaL) in this world (vaiyam), won't you
listen (kELeerO) to the deeds (kirisai) we do (chey) to ourselves (naam) and
to our (nam) idol (paavai)!. We sing (paadi) in praise of the feet (adi) of
the Lord (paraman) who is in meditative sleep (paiyath thuyil) on the ocean of
milk (paal kadal). We do not eat (uNNOm) ghee (ney). We do not drink (uNNOm)
milk (paal). We bathe (neeraadi) early morning (naat kaalE). We do not use
(ezhudhOm) eye liner (mai). We (naam) do not braid our hair (mudiyOm) with
flowers (malar). We do not do (seyyOm) prohited things (seyyaadhana). We do
not go and recite (chenRu OdhOm) evil (theeya) demons (kuRaL) works. We donate
(kai kaattu) to poor people (pichchai), to deserving people (aiyam), to
ascetic people (aandhanai). We think (eNNi) about our salvation (uyya) and
feel happy (ugandhu).

Purport
People of this Earth! listen to the austerities we shall perform during the paavai-nonbu! We shall sing the praise of Naarayana who sleeps in the milky ocean. We shall abstain from ghee and milk. We shall bathe before daybreak. We shall not indulge in gossip nor perform actions which are taboo. Of alms and gifts, we shall give liberally. We shall follow the path of a life of contentment and happiness.

திருப்பாவை - 1 (மார்கழித் திங்கள்)

மார்கழித் திங்கள் மதிநிறைந்த நன்னாளால்;
நீராடப் போதுவீர்! போதுமினோ, நேரிழையீர்!
சீர்மல்கும் ஆய்ப்பாடிச் செல்வச் சிறுமீர்காள்!
கூர்வேல் கொடுந்தொழிலன் நந்தகோபன் குமரன்,
ஏரார்ந்த கண்ணி யசோதை இளஞ்சிங்கம்,
கார்மேனிச் செங்கண் கதிர்மதியம் போல்முகத்தான்
நாராயணனே, நமக்கே பறைதருவான்,
பாரோர் புகழப் படிந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
Oh bejewelled girls (nEr izhaiyeer)! Prosperous (chelva) young girls (chiRumeer) of the rich city (seer malgum) of Tiruvoypadi (aaypaadi)! This is the month (thingaL) of December/January (margazhi), an auspicious day (nan naaL) filled (niRaindha) with moonlight (madhi). Those of us who want to go (pOdhuveer) to perform the penance of 'paavai nOnbu' (neeraada), let us go (pOdhumeenO). The Lord (naaraayaNan), who was the son (kumaran) of NandagOpan, who could give a lot of trouble (kodun thozhilan) to enemies using his sharp spear (koor vEl); who was the little lion (iLam singam) of the beautiful (Eraarndha) eyed (kaNNi) YasOda; who is dark (kaar) skinned (mEni); who has perfect (sen) eyes (kaN); and who has a face (mugaththaan) like (pOl) the radiance (kadhir) of the moon (madhiyam); will give (tharuvaan) us (namakkE) his blessings (paRai). Hey (El)! Let us immerse in water (padindhu) and do the penance of 'paavai nOnbu' (Or embaavaai), a practice praised (pugazha) by the people of the world (paarOr).

Purport
Now is the month of Maargazhi. It is the auspicious full moon day. Lovely young ornamented maidens of the cowherd colony which is flourishing in wealth! Don't you want to bathe in the Yamunaa? Please come take part in the festival! (Paavai Nombu). Naarayana, the son of Nandagopa who is the terror of his enemies with his sharp spear, Naarayana, the young lion's cub of Yasoda, of charming eyes, Lord Naaraayana with his dark-cloud like complexion and eyes of crimson lotus hue, with his lustrous face shining like the sun and cool like the full moon. He will surely grant us all our desires! Come, let us bathe and celebrate the festival, for which the world will praise us.

VilluDada Remix

Dance Pe Chance Remix

Dance Pe Chance Remix @

Villu Ready Mix

KING TITLE SONG

Ghanna Ghana (Funny version) from KING

HEARST CASTLE VISIT

On Monday , We made a trip to the HEARST CASTLE, situated in San Simeon , California.

This time we didnt make the trip alone.
We accompanied Mr.Gangadharan and his Family.
Actually the plan was initiated by them to which we agreed to go.
We planned for this trip earlier before Thanksgiving for the reasn that this Castle will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
The day before the trip, we made preparations for our stay in San simeon for a day.

So Ravi took the charge of booking hotel situated near San Simeon , 3 miles away from the castle.

Me and Brehanya(Mrs Ganga) talked over for lunch preparations to take with us as we had the least idea of wasting the day , searching for a restaurant.

On Monday we started around 10 am in Mr. Ganga's car.

Believe me it was fully loaded!!! (LOL)

Around 1.30 when we were somewhere near the castle, we parked in a picnic spot for lunch.

Our lunch menu included:

Lemon Rice (by Brehanya)

Coconut Rice (by Brehanya)

Tomato Rice (by Saratha)

Curd Rice (by Saratha)

Vathals & Vadaams (by Brehanya)

We reached the castle around 5.00 pm and purchased our tour tickets for 5.15pm.

Our tour was the basic tour which described the basic rooms of the buildings.

We boarded the Tour bus to head to the Castle which was situated high up the mountain. It was pretty to look. On our arrival, our guides for the day was waiting for us to start the tour.

ABOUT THE CASTLE

By 1947, Mr. Hearst had created an estate boasting 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools, and walkways.

This legendary California manor sits at 1,600 feet above sea level; often just resting on the coastal fog. Hearst Castle presents guests with a choice of five different guided tours, including daytime and evening opportunities.

EXPLORING THE CASTLE

Hearst Castle is one of the largest of approximately 5,000 historic house museums in the U.S., with one of the most sophisticated guided tour programs in the country. Once the home of William Randolph Hearst, California State Parks strives to keep the estate looking like a private residence.

The tours take the visitor back through time exploring the life of William Randolph Hearst and his family, the art collection, architecture, gardens and history of the Castle. Formal guide training is an integral aspect of Hearst Castle®. Castle tour guides are initially trained a total of 168 hours with additional in-service training and ongoing independent study between tours, resulting in a high quality interpretive experience for all who visit "The Enchanted Hill."
The mansion was donated to the State of California in December of 1957 by the Hearst Corporation. Dedication ceremonies for the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument were held June 2, 1958 at the old visitor's center. Following the ceremonies, tours opened to the public at 1:00 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets were $2 for adults and $1 for children. There was only one tour, now called Tour 1: The Experience Tour, and its route was similar to today's; covering the first floor rooms of Casa Grande and one of the three guesthouses.
In the summer of 1964, the State introduced Tour 2 to provide viewing and explanation of the upper rooms of Casa Grande. In June 1968 Tour 3 was added, and in 1982 Tour 4. The accessibly-designed tour began in 1974. This tour covers the ground floor of the main house, the gardens and pools, and the main level of one guesthouse, Casa del Mar.

Over the years the public indicated an interest in touring the estate at night. In response, a pilot program for an Evening Tour was developed and presented for the first time on April 21, 1989. The interpretive objective of this program is to recreate an evening at Hearst Castle in the 1930's, with a general emphasis on the social history of 1930-1935 and, more specifically, on Hearst employees and former guests. Volunteers in the Living History Program, dressed in period clothing, provide representation illustrating the social history discussed on the tour.

Tours and Exhibits

Escorted by an experienced guide, tour Hearst Castle and personally witness the brilliance and wonder of this historical manor.

• The Experience Tour - The perfect Introduction to the Castle
• Tour 1: Be a part of Hearst Castle’s® most popular tour! The Experience Tour is highly recommended to first time visitors looking for an introductory overview of the Castle with the giant-screen, 40 minute companion film, Hearst Castle: Building the Dream, presented by National Geographic Theater. This tour takes you through the Esplanade and Gardens, Casa del Sol, and Casa Grande.
• Tour 2: The Casa Grande Tour gives guests a closer look at the main house’s upper floors, Mr. Hearst’s private suite, the library and kitchen.
  
• Tour 3: The Casa Grande North Tour explores the Castle’s North Wing, guest rooms, and the 10-room guest house known as Casa del Monte.
  
• Tour 4: The Garden Tour features the extravagant gardens and grounds, the largest guest house, the wine cellar with at 7,000 bottle capacity, and the Hidden Terrace.
  
• Tour 5: The Evening Tour highlights tours one, two, and four. This tour allows guests to experience the Castle as one of Mr. Hearst’s own visitors with members of the Living History Program.
  
• Tour 6: The Accessibly Designed Tour is an option for individuals who have difficulty with climbing up and down stairs, or who have difficulty with standing or walking for lengths of time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE TOUR

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ALL TOURS

All tours spend time outside as well as inside the historic buildings. The weather can be changeable on the hilltop and can range from very warm conditions to cold, foggy and windy conditions on some days. We have to plan to dress in layers to accommodate these conditions and wear comfortable shoes as the tour routes include stair climbing, standing and walking. Tours are conducted in the rain and are canceled only if the inclement weather conditions pose a hazard to the safety of the visitors and staff. The interiors of the historic buildings are not air conditioned in the summer. Visitors who have medical conditions, special needs or other conditions may want to consider the Accessibly Designed Tour or check at the Visitor Center for current hilltop conditions before proceeding on tour.

All tours include two 15-minute bus rides up and down the hill for each tour and this 30-minutes of riding time is in addition to the hilltop time for each tour.

Accessibly Designed Tour

The Accessibly Designed Tour is an option for individuals who have difficulty with climbing up and down stairs, walking, or standing for any length of time. The tour route is similar to the Tour 1 route but without any stairs. Visitors may use their own wheelchair, borrow one from our facility, or can walk at a slower pace using ramps. A specially equipped bus that can accommodate wheelchairs takes visitors up and down the hill to the historic estate. Trams are used to escort visitors on the tour route. The duration of the hilltop tour is 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Tour 1 (The Experience Tour) consists of approximately 170 stairs (up and down) and a 2/3 mile route to walk. The duration of this tour is 1 hour and 15 minutes with a considerable amount of stair climbing, standing and walking.

Tour 2 (Casa Grande Tour) consists of approximately 404 stairs (up and down) and a 3/4 mile route to walk. The duration of this tour is 1 hour and 15 minutes with a considerable amount of stair climbing, standing and walking.

Tour 3 (Casa Grande North Tour) consists of approximately 343 stairs (up and down) and a 3/4 mile route to walk. The duration of this tour is 1 hour and 15 minutes with a considerable amount of stair climbing, standing and walking.

Tour 4 (The Garden Tour) consists of approximately 240 stairs (up and down) and a 1 and 1/10 mile route to walk. The duration of this tour is 1 hour and 15 minutes with a considerable amount of stair climbing, standing and walking. This tour spends the majority of the tour time outdoors. This tour operates from April through October.

Tour 5 (The Evening Tour) consists of approximately 308 stairs (up and down) and a 3/4 mile route to walk. The duration of this tour is 1 hour and 40 minutes in length with a considerable amount of stair climbing, standing and walking. Visitors experience a variety of visual lighting conditions ranging from daylight to twilight to darkness with both exterior and interior artificial lighting, ranging from dim to very bright.

BROUCHER OF THE HEARST CASTLE (Click here)

Day 1 came to an end with this visit. We headed back to the hotel we booked, QUALITY INN.
Our night dinner consisted of Chapathis, Chana Masala, Remaining Lemon Rice, Tomato Rice.
We played with Baby Akshay for some time and then by 9 pm both our families dozed off to sleep to start the trip back home next day.

Next day, Nov 25th was forecasted to be rainy and so it was. We had planned some vista point stops on our way back home. But unfortunately the climate didnt help us continue our plan.
We had this movie ticket pending from yesterday's visit. It was a National Geographic Movie about the castle in a Gaint Screen. Screening time was for around 45 minutes.
We used that ticket to watch the 45 minute movie.It was nice to know more about the castle after having visited it personally.

Without having much to do after that we headed home down the mountains with the Oceanic View to our sides. The trip was overall facinating and that too,when accompanying with a friend and family it makes the trip even more exciting.

Sunday lunch Special

This Sunday , out of the influence of amma's lunch, I wanted to have some variety in my lunch.
I wanted a lunch that was healthy too at the same time.
So we decided to make Avial which obviously is healthy as it has various veggies.
Then for digestion , we also included the delicious LEMON RASAM too!!
Both the recipes doesn't take much of time to cook if we have everything in hand ready.
The lunch turned out great with Appalam and curd too!!

Viewers..If you are tempted towards the dish and want to know the ingredients, just comment me.
I will update the section with the needed stuffs.

Rajma Masala

Note: All ingredient quantities are approx.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of dried Rajma (washed and soaked overnight)
  
• 4 medium sized Onions (roughly chopped)
  
• 3 medium sized Tomatoes (nice red ones)
  
• 1 tsp. of Garam Masala
  
• 3-4 Green Chillies sliced vertically
  
• Few Curry Leaves
  
• 4 tbsp. of Oil
  
• Salt to taste

Method

1. Drain the water from the soaked rajma and boil it in the pressure cooker till done.
   
2. Be sure that the Rajma is cooked right, it must not be overcooked.
   
3. Grind the chopped onions and tomatoes separately with little water to a fine paste.
   
4. Heat oil and add curry leaves and sliced green chillies.
   
5. Pour the onion paste and fry on medium heat, till the paste turns pinkish in colour.
   
6. Pour the tomato paste and stir.
   
7. Fry on high heat for 5 to 8 minutes, till the mixture is slightly reduced
   
8. After this add the boiled Rajma alongwith the water and salt.
   
9. Cover and cook for 10 minutes on medium heat so that the masala blends well with the Rajma.
   
10. Once done, sprinkle the garam masala and stir.
    
11. You can garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
    
12. Serve hot with Rice/Rotis.

Do You Have Too Many Online Friends?

Do You Have Too Many Online Friends?

If you’ve ever joined an online social network, you know the whole point
is to connect with friends. Some people even make a game of adding as
many friends as possible! Before you go gathering hundreds – or even thousands – of online “friends,” consider this intel we found in Wired magazine.

• Having lots of online friends creates more work for you.
  Theoretically, you could use MySpace or Facebook to keep track of every
  friend you’ve ever made since you were born and social networks offer
  plenty of tools to help you keep in touch online. For example, you can
  send birthday greetings, instant messages, event bulletins, comments or
  just an old fashioned email. Problem is, with so much friend
  maintenance to deal with, you may find yourself spending more time
  online, and less time actually seeing your friends face-to-face.

• Another problem with excessive online “friending”: It devalues your real friends.
  Like it or not, friends are the “currency” of the socially networked
  world. Just like in real economics, the law of Friendonomics holds that
  the more friends you have, the less valuable each one gets. Your
  buddies will begin to feel like collectible commodities – like stamps
  or trading cards and that makes each friend in your network a little
  less important.

• Having too many online friends takes away your right to lose touch!
  Think back to your childhood, and try to remember all the people you
  once declared to be your “best friend forever.” Chances are there were
  quite a few you lost touch with as soon as college, careers, spouses
  and kids came into the picture. The reality is that some bonds are meant
  to be broken because that’s nature’s way of letting you grow and change
  as a person – and to prepare you for all the great possibilities life
  has to offer.

It’s great to have a lot of friends. In fact, studies show that having strong social bonds can
lower your stress, and help you live longer. However, being friend-rich
online will never be as valuable as being friend-rich in real life!!

PULI AVIL

PULI AVIL

Puli Avil- Poha (beaten rice) cooked with tamarind sauce is a delicious dish that can be made in minutes.

Ingredients

• break down the Poha in mixer till rava consistency : 1 cup
• mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
• broken white urad Dal 1 tsp
• Channa Dal 1 tsp
• Peanuts (few)
  
• Red chillies 2
• fenugeek powder - pinch
• hing - a pinch
  
• Sambhar powder 1/4 tsp
• Jaggery (or) sugar - a pinch (optional)
• Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
  
• Tamarind water 1/4 to 1/2 cup ( depending on the sourness of the tamarind)
  
• little oil
• salt to taste
• curry leaves few

Method

1. Heat a pan and add oil.
2. When the oil is heated add mustard seeds.
3. when they splutter add the chillies and curry leaves.
4. Add the urad Dal .Channa Dal and fry till golden.
5. add the tamarind water,salt and sambhar powder,hing,jagery,fenugeek powder,turmeric powder and boil.
6. Wash the broken Poha in warm water just once so that dirt washes away and add it to the boiling tamarind water.
7. Cover with a lid and let it soak.
8. Stir it in intervals of 1 minute and let it be soaked till u have for breakfast/snack/dinner or whatever!!!
   

User Comments & Tips

• Best results can be achieved when cooked on a medium flame.
• Potato chips or some Rice appalams go well with this dish

So people try it and let me know your comments.

HAPPY DIWALI TO ALL VIEWERS!!!

Thavala (V)Adai

Thavala (V)Adai

After several days of temptation, I decided to finally prepare one of my favourite dish. It doesn't take much time but just the energy required to prepare. Making sure I have all the ingredients with me, I decided to prepare and share this dish with all my favourite readers!!!


Ingredients

• coarsely powdered rice& Toor dhal 1 cup
• grated coconut 1/2 cup
• mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
• broken white urad dal 1 tsp
• chillies chopped 2
• ginger chopped 1/4" piece(optional)
• water 2 cups
• little oil
• salt to taste
• curry leaves few

Method

1. Heat a pan and add 2 tsps of oil.
2. When the oil is heated add mustard seeds.
3. when they splutter add the chillies and ginger
4. Add the urad dal and fry till golden
5. add the water,salt and grated coconut and boil.
6. Pour it on the Rava Consistency flour and mix.It shouldn't be too dilute but semi solid state. Cover with a lid and let it soak for about half an hr.
7. Make small balls on palm and flatten and make a hole in the centre
8. Put on a warm tava
9. Pour some oil around and cover the tava
10. After a minute remove cover and turn the adais
11. Add more oil and keep on flame till golden in colour and crispy on top

User Comments & Tips

1. Don't powder the rice into a very smooth flour at the same time it shouldn't be too granular
2. Best results can be achieved when cooked on a medium flame.
3. Coconut Chutney would make a perfect side dish for this menu.

My dinner was finally done. And guess what?? We couldn't wait till it was time!! I already had several inside even before dinner!! So people try it and let me know your comments.

Creative Ways to Boost Your Health

Sure, diet and exercise are important, but there are a few health-boosters that have nothing to do with eating right or tackling the treadmill! We got these from Condé Nast Publications.

• Head to the nearest park! Sounds relaxing, right? That’s the idea! British researchers found that strolling through a park reduces tension twice as much as walking around indoors. So what if you’re stuck at the office and can’t get away? Just looking at a picture of nature has been shown to lower blood pressure and muscle tension within five minutes. Try changing the wallpaper on your desktop to something outdoorsy.

• Dust off that scrabble board! Or grab your baseball mitt or play some duck-duck-goose with the kids. Turns out that games are more than just fun! According to Dr. Stuart Brown, playing improves immunity and helps people who are already ill recover more quickly.

• Get in the pool! A study from Sweden finds that floatation therapy can reduce pain and speed healing. According to the study, lying back in a quiet pool for 20 minutes produces a deep state of relaxation in the body.

PALAVATTAM -MALAYALAM HIT ALBUM

Orginal Version

Watch Palavattam, Slim Kumar in Music Videos  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Usha Utup's Remix version:

WEEKEND GETAWAY : ROARING CAMP RAILROADS

This Weekend we went for a Train Ride!!

Not the AMTRAK or CAL TRAIN... but the ROARING CAMP RAILROAD in Felton, CA

We started around 12.30 pm and in an hours time, we were there. 

With lots of doubt if we would get a ticket for the ride or not, we headed for parking.

Before paying for the parking we made sure if there might be availability, and the guard said "yes"!

We Parked our car, walked into this magnificent area where it took us to the early 1800's

It was more like a "Cowboy Area"

After purchasing the Tickets we had about half an hour for us to board the train. So we walked around to see what interesting things they had around there.

Lets start with this CAMP...

The Roaring Camp & Big Trees Railroad is a narrow gauge tourist railroad in California that starts from the Roaring Camp depot in Felton, California and runs up steep grades to the top of nearby Bear Mountain, a distance of about 2.5 miles. The travel is through second-growth redwood forest.

HISTORY

Roaring Camp Railroads operations began in 1963 under the guidance of F. Norman Clark (1935-1985), who was the founder and owner. Clark's wife, Georgiana, assumed the ownership and management responsibilities following his death.

Originally, two large trestles formed a "corkscrew" loop at Spring Canyon, but these were destroyed by a 1976 fire. Within six months, a switchback was constructed to bypass the severed loop and the entire line was returned to service. The length of the tail tracks in the switchback restricts the trains that may be operated to six cars or fewer.

ACCESS TO OPERATION

The railroad parking lot may be accessed directly from Graham Hill Road off State Highway 9. The standard-gauge Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway reaches the railroad from Santa Cruz. Visitors to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, which contains large old-growth redwood trees, picnic facilities, and river beachfront, may easily walk to the train operation.

Even before we reach the Ticket office, there were a few  interesting things.

• John, the Blacksmith teaches us how to form strong metal items into rings and other fun things.
• Linn, An old time Photo studio , will dress us in terrific 1880 costume. 
• There is also a town MARSHAL L's OFFICE where a magnificent trophy is displayed.

After the  ticket office, 

• A Food Stall having hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream called the RED CABOOSE. We got ourselves a Golden Fried French Fries just to break our fast for lunch. 
• A GENERAL STORE with many old trinkets.
• DEBRA, a portrait sketch artist.

The steam train through the Redwoods to Bear Mountains will take an hour and twenty minutes. The travel is through one of the few remaining virgin redwood forests in the country.

By virgin , we mean that the place was not manhandled for any logging or lumbering or any of that sort.

This property is as pristine as it was when the OH-LONE INDIANS lived, prior to the coming of Western settlers. Today, it remains in its natural state.

When finally the steam engine arrived to pick up passengers for the last tour of the day, it was exciting. The engine operating for the day was DIXIANE.

Of the several operational steam locomotives on the Roaring Camp & Big Trees roster, two 3-foot gauge Shays do the bulk of the work. No. 1, the Dixiana, is a 42-ton, two-truck Shay built in 1912. No. 7, the Sonora, is a 60-ton three-truck Shay built in 1911, and once served the West side Lumber Company.

We boarded the topless compartments of the train and waited for about 10 minutes for the last party to arrive before we started our journey into the Redwoods. 

We were all boarded for Big Trees , Indian Creek , Grizzly Flats, Deer Valley and Hallelujah Junction!

The train took us through the Welch big Trees grove. The conductor narrated the history of the Roaring Camp, railroading and the forest. Upon reaching the Bear mountain, the train stopped at a cathedral grove of coastal redwoods. We were allowed to get down walk around and explore the place. People interested to know more about the place stood beside the TTR and listened as he explained the hidden past and present happenings of the woods. There were picnic benches around. If we start early on the day, we can take the first train to this spot, picnic, and explore and take the last train back to where we started. 

After about 20 minutes of halt, the train was headed back to the Camp to drop off the last passengers of the day and end the Tour.

Roaring Camp operates 2 heritage railways. One being this steam engine to Bear Mountains and another one Beach Trains to Santa Cruz. 

The second was however closed for the season and will reopen in November with HOLIDAY LIGHTS TOUR.

We are thinking about making that tour as well but dunno how far we can make it. But for now we headed home happy with this trip.

Weekend Getaway: Monterey Bay

Last weekend was Fantastic!!
After a long long time, we had a break!!
We didn't actually plan anything for the trip and everything happened just like that!!
We headed to Monterey after lunch on Saturday.
After an hours drive we reached the place and we made a stop at the visitors centre to see if anything was worth seeing around apart from the famous AQUARIUM.
The climate was totally different when compared to San jose. It was cloudy and nice and I was determined to spend the night there no matter what!!
So having decided on that , we wanted to make sure if there were any other attractions around.
That evening we walked around one of the beaches and then headed off to book a hotel and purchase some basic ammenities for the night.

ABOUT MONTEREY BAY

Monterey Bay is a bay of the Pacific Ocean, on the coast of California, south of San Francisco, between Santa Cruz and Monterey, CA. The roughly semicircular bay is ringed by a segment of State Route 1 which connects Santa Cruz at the north end to Monterey at the south end.

Monterey Bay is home to many species of marine mammals, including sea otters, harbor seals, and bottlenose dolphins; as well as being on the migratory path of Gray and Humpback Whales and a breeding site for elephant seals. Many species of fish, sharks, mollusks such as abalone and squid, birds, and sea turtles also live in the bay. Several varieties of kelp grow in the bay, some becoming as tall as trees, forming what is known as a kelp forest.

The Monterey Canyon, one of the largest underwater canyons in the world, begins off the coast of Moss Landing, exactly in the center of Monterey Bay. In 1992 the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary was created, protecting over 4,000 square nautical miles (14,000 km²) of the bay and the surrounding ocean.

Courtesy: Wikipedia

The next day we headed to visit the famous AQUARIUM.


MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM

The Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is located on the site of a former sardine cannery on Cannery Row in Monterey, California, is one of the largest aquariums in the world. It has an annual attendance of 1.8 million and holds 35,000 plants and animals representing 623 species.

Among the aquarium's numerous exhibits, two are of particular note.

The centerpiece of the Ocean's Edge wing is a 33-foot (10-m) high tank
for viewing California coastal marine life. In this tank, the aquarium was the first in the world to grow live California Giant Kelp
using a wave machine at the top of the tank (water movement is a
necessary precondition for keeping Giant Kelp, which absorbs nutrients
from surrounding water and requires turbidity), allowing sunlight in
through the open tank top, and pumping in raw seawater. The second
exhibit of note is a one million gallon tank in the Outer Bay Wing
which features one of the world's largest single-paned windows (crafted
by a Japanese company, the window is actually four panes seamlessly
glued together through a proprietary process).

Sealife on exhibit includes stingrays, jellyfish, sea otters, and numerous other native marine species, which can be viewed above and below the waterline. For displaying jellyfish, the MBA uses an aquarium called a Kreisel tankwhich creates a circular flow to support and suspend the jellies.

Visitors are able to inspect the creatures of the kelp forest at
several levels in the building.

Courtesy : wikipedia

Click on the links for :

Map of the Aquarium

Gallery Exhibits

Highlights of the Trip

• We were able to see some of the Feeding shows of the day: Kelp Forest Feeding & sea Otter Feeding.
• We watched an interactive show in the auditorium that lasted for 25 minutes.
• JellyFish Exihibts were awesome!!
• Purchased an Art piece that has a jellyfish blown inside a glass. the speciality is it glows in the dark!!! (caution: no direct sunlight!)

For More information about the Aquarium visit their Home page of the Aquarium

This tour lasted for about 3 hours after which we had our lunch and headed off to the 17 Mile Drive.

17 Mile Drive

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 17 Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, California, United States, much of which hugs the Pacific coastline and passes famous golf courses and mansions. It also serves as the main road through the gated community
of Pebble Beach. Like the community, the majority of 17-Mile Drive is
owned and operated by the Pebble Beach Corporation. This corporation is
currently owned by Plaut Inc. Entry into Pebble Beach costs US$9.25 per
automobile. Residents of Pebble Beach and their guests enter for free.
Entry is also free for bicyclists and pedestrians. Motorcycles are prohibited from entering 17-Mile Drive.

At the north end, the road originates in Pacific Grove at the
intersection of Del Monte Blvd and Esplanade Street. The famous portion
of 17-Mile Drive then begins a few miles south of this point. Where Highway 68 (Holman Highway/Sunset Drive)
crosses 17 Mile Drive marks the entrance to Pebble Beach. The road runs
inland past Spanish Bay, then adjacent to beaches and up into the
coastal hills, providing scenic viewpoints. Travel along 17-Mile Drive
takes as long as the traveler likes, a minimum of 20 minutes to Carmel
without stops. There are numerous turnouts along the road to stop, take
pictures, or get out and stroll along the ocean or among the trees.
Visitors receive a map that points out some of the more scenic spots.

Chief among these is the Lone Cypress Tree, the official symbol of Pebble Beach and a frequent fixture of television broadcasts from this area.

In 1990 the Monterey Journal reported that Pebble Beach's lawyer, Kerry C. Smith, said "The image of the tree has been trademarked by us," and that it intended to control any display of the
cypress for commercial purposes. The company had warned photographers
that "they cannot even use existing pictures of the tree for commercial
purposes.

The only services open to the public in Pebble Beach (gas stations,restrooms, restaurants) are at the Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Inn at Spanish Bay; there are plenty of comfortable and scenic spots to picnic. Spyglass Hill and Poppy Hills golf courses also have restaurants open to the public.Just outside the Pacific Grove 17 Mile Drive entrance to the gated community of Pebble Beach is Pacific Grove's Sunset Drive (which becomes Ocean View Boulevard) and follows Pacific Grove's scenic coastline and is called by some the "poor man's 17-Mile Drive."

Click here for INTERACTIVE MAP

The road then passes through the Pacific Road Gate and enters the start of 17-Mile Drive proper.
Car drivers have to pay for the privilege ... but cyclists are free and can smugly overtake the line of cars at the pay booth.

The road then sweeps around Spanish Bay, through woods, past the junction with Old 17-Mile Drive and on out to Point Joe.

Next stop after Point Joe is Bird Rock. This lives up to its name supporting thousands of cormorants.

Along this section there are some seriously smart houses.

Older houses were being bought up, demolished and replaced by more modern designs.

After Bird Point comes Seal Point.

Yes you've guessed it ... home to lots of seals.

A short section of the foreshore was cordoned off by a six foot high fence intended to give the seals some privacy whilst pupping.

We passed the first of numerous golf clubs ... Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, Cypress Point Golf Course.

The trail then climbs away from the shoreline into a thick grove of Cypresses.

Hidden among the trees are expensive mansions surrounded by manicured gardens.

The trail, still buried in the trees, skirts around Cypress Point and then turns south eastward.

This grove contains the largest and oldest Monterey Cypresses in the world.

The twists and turns of the road yield occasional glimpses of the sea down below.

A further kilometre on We arrived at the Lone Cypress®.

'Lone Cypress is the corporate logo and trademark of Pebble Beach Company'.

'As such, the use of the tree's image is regulated by law. ...

Photographs ... for personal use only are welcomed'.

The small parking lot by the Lone Cypress was swarming with visitors.

The mansions along this section of the road are even more expensive and elaborate than the ones further north.

We next arrived at Pescadero Point at the southern point of the
peninsula.
This offers views southward to Carmel .There is currently a proposal cut down around 17,000 trees in the rare coastal forestland at Pebble Beach in order to construct a new golf course and to expand two luxury resorts.The California Coastal Commission is against the plan which is backed by high profile celebrities such as Clint Eastwood and Arnold Palmer.

After Carmel GateWe left 17-Mile Drive we took the highway 1 exit and headed off home.

The Trip was overall marvelous!!

Don't miss this place when you head to California.

HAPPY NAVARATHRI '08

Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)

Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)

Actors : Surya,Sameera Reddy,Divya Spandana,Daniel Balaji
Director : Gautham Menon
Music Director : Harris Jayaraj
Producer : Gautham Menon,Oscar Ravichandran

Click to download

• Adhiye kolludhue
• Annal maele
• Ava Enna Enna
• Mundhinam Parthenae
• Yethi yethi
• Oh shanthi shanthi
• Nenjukul Paendhidum

Note: PLEASE DELETE THE SONG within 24Hrs of DOWNLOAD AND BUY THE ORGINAL CDS.
Our website will not bear the responsibility for Piracy.We encourage buying the orginals.

Jet Lag and How to Beat It

I’ve got the facts on jet lag and how to beat it. We found this in Forbes Traveler magazine.

• First, here are some of the symptoms of jet lag. It’s everything from dehydration to interrupted sleep, irritability, disorientation, lack of motivation and memory loss! Despite what you may have heard, the length of the flight has nothing to do with jet lag. It’s all about how many time zones you cross. That’s what throws off your body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock because your circadian rhythm is what controls the release of the hormones that let you know when to eat, sleep and wake up.
• Chris Colwell is a psychiatry professor at UCLA Medical School and he says that rapid travel between time zones is the biggest culprit for jet lag because your body can only adjust gradually, a little each day. Like if you fly from New York to Madrid, you’re going through six time zones and if you travel from North America to Asia, it can take a couple of weeks to adjust!The worst is traveling East. Eastward travel is more difficult because it compresses days into shorter time periods. Westward travel is much easier to adjust to. To put it simply, it’s easier for us to delay our clock than to speed it up.
• So what can help? Exercise. If you want to delay sleep once you land, exercise. It’ll take a couple hours for your body temperature to drop to a level that makes you feel sleepy. Or exercise right after you wake up at a normal time in your new time zone. The sunlight and adrenaline from exercise will help you feel more alert.
• The worst things you can do? Drink on the plane. Alcohol dehydrates the body and increases symptoms of jet lag. If it’s daylight when you land, don’t hole yourself up in a dark hotel room and watch TV. Your body and brain will shut down. Do that, and it could take an entire week to adjust going from LA to New York.
• Also, do what NASA astronauts do to prepare for missions. They adjust their sleep schedule ahead of time. So a few days before you take off, edge your meals and bedtime closer to that of your destination.

SEACLIFF BEACH

After almost 3 months of being jammed in home, I was desperate to go out this weekend.

On Sunday, I pestered Ravi to take me for a drive. Somewhere!! Someplace!!

I just didn't want to be at home...so restless!!

Finally, after our weekly shopping, we headed on hwy 1.

Actually Ravi planned to drive around the place where the wildfires were happening months ago.

But later as we drove , our plans changed when we saw several sogn boards of beaches.

We finally took the exit that had SEACLIFF BEACH. We didn't have any idea of what this beach had for us.

But after our arrival, the scene was so spectacular and the beach was just awesome place to enjoy with family and friends.

ABOUT THE BEACH

• This long stretch of sand and bluffs has great accessible facilities including picnic areas, an interpretive center, and RV camping.
•  This beach is known for its fishing pier and fossils of extinct marine creatures in the bluffs.
•  The beach is also a popular swimming spot.
•  One of the most unusual attractions in the Santa Cruz area rests at the end of the fishing pier. The USS Palo Alto, one of only three cement ships built during World War I, has been a popular attraction for visitors since it was put in place in 1929. The plan was to turn the ship and the pier into an amusement and fishing ship. The Cal-Nevada Company quickly constructed a dance floor on the main deck, a cafe in the superstructure of the ship, a 4-foot heated swimming pool and a series of carnival type concessions on the aft-deck. Unfortunately, the Cal-Nevada Company went bankrupt after only two seasons. The ship was then stripped, leaving the pier and the ship to be used only for fishing.

Directions
From Hwy 1 take the State Park Drive exit into the neighborhood of Aptos.

Camping

RV camping only
26 sites:-$44 premium, $39 inland. Full Hook-up (Incl. 1-Disabled)
Reservations: 800-444-7275

Climate/Clothing
The weather ranges from cool and foggy to hot and sunny. Layered clothing is recommended.

Amenities

Restrooms
Showers
Picnic areas
Food, lodging and supplies nearby

Educational Activities

Docent-led educational programs 
Family programs
Exhibits

General Info/Trails

More Camping Information

JUVENILES (those under 18 years of age) not camping with a parent or legal guardian must have WRITTEN permission to camp in the park. Permission letters must include the name of the park, the name of the juvenile, the dates they may stay and the name, address, phone number and signature of the person's parent or legal guardian. The parent must be reachable at all times during the juvenile's visit. Children 14 years of age and under may not camp without a parent present during the stay.

After little exploring the beach we headed home , keeping in mind to return to this elegant beach with friends and family and have a picnic for a day!!