Zara Hatke Vishu

"Vishu" Famously known as Kerala's New year is celebrated in all parts of Kerala with many hopes & aspiration for the coming new year.But 2013 is a special vishu in all ways.Oh yeah....I have started realizing I got married and I ought to be responsible."FIRST VISHU POST MARRIAGE" with many preparations Starting from"Vishukanni" and Ending in "Sadhya".
We decided it has to be special in all ways.

I always used to wonder why my mom takes so much time for a simple decoration on the previous day of vishu?Now I understood its not that easy as I think.For the first time in my life I decorated "Vishukani".We started charting our plans on the resources needed & grabbed most of them except "Vishu konna Flowers" which is too much to expect in US.We drove for another 13 miles to reach our destination & rushed to get the things from a malayali shop & "Mission accomplished" we got the "Banana Leaf alias Vazha illa" for our palatable "Vishu lunch/Sadhya"((I was more than happy because nothing could replace the feel of having in a vazhayilla)).

Now let me tell you our short story how we managed to include a bit of tradition on the day of "Vishu".It was around 10 pm on the previous day of Vishu I started decorating the Kanni with all the "Fruits" yeah In specific Jackfruit & mango which I thought I would never get it here.We didnt have the Uruli hence managed to get a tray on which we placed rice ,Kumkum,Mirror,Bangles,Kajal and ofcourse d Dollars ((which I loved the most)).
And "zara Hatke" we also placed a baking tray ((bcoz of the lack  of unused utensils had to go with it))placed some Diyas and aroma candles to brighten it up again.we didnt get the "Konna Flowers" hence adjusted with "Yellow roses & yellow Gerbera Flowers" :-).Oh tick tick time....It was 11.55 PM and I jumped to bed and closed my eyes forcefully because April 14 should begin by seeing "Bhagvans photo".Had a Nice sleep and got up around "4.OO AM" and saw this "Kanni".

d Incandescence effect 

We lighted all Diyas,Lamps, and candles with the fear when would the Fire alarm ring OR in other words the anxiety attack  which is quite common here.

By then we decided to go to a near by temple and got the "Vishu kaineetam" from the temple priest of Guruvayurappan temple & of course  my hubby((His Kaineetam gave me an Instant Rich feeling)) .Wow....It was gr8 indeed!!!

Then I started preparing the "Sadhya Vibhavangal" because we had invited few friends who will be joining us.I tried to make it as authentic as possible to get a perfect kerala feel((In between remembered you mom && understood the effort you took on every vishu to get thinks done))..Lovely ain't??A Beautiful and Memorable vishu to be treasured for ever keeping the spirit of tradition still alive.

So Vishu Aashamsagal to each and every one. May the new year bring you peace,Harmony,togetherness& Propitious year ahead. 

Foodie versus Fitness freak in me

Now let me tell about myself……I am a foodie & I believe it.No rather I consider myself as a foodie. Wondering y this post here then give me a moment I am a fitness freak too and I love having green tea, salads from salad Bar and Green chutney L of NJ which of course I am missing. Well is there such a thing to be confused about???Not really

But let me explain how the battle begins between the two……. 

 The Foodie in me is really obsessed to try variety foods and tasty dishes without worrying about the intake of calories /fat. I feel happy and excited when I see different cuisines in front of me.Sometimes I really go crazy and I just can’t stop me from having it.

  

(Foodie Versus Fitness Freak)

                                                                                                                                                            

OOPS Now comes the problem the fitness freak in me is very Conscious & Annoying. It’s an alarm Reminding me constantly -“Fat/ Obesity”” Tring Tring- Ringing in my brain. Sometimes I am really judgmental and when I order a Delicious food ((Rather say fatty foods))) -It says “”Are u Nuts??Are u really going to order this…I see only cholesterol && fats running on my plate”. This situation becomes really dicey ((confusion hi confusion hey))). And I try not  to cross my Fingers deliberately and console myself I will only have Easy clean Recipes from the cook book((I mean the salads only Veggie)) with no oil ,no cheese, no fats.

So I go with the Subway veggie combos or Mediterranean Eggplant,Brocoli Rabe, Hummus  or Baba Ganoush ((with the belief it has no fats)) ….Mouthwatering .Ain’t it??Its yum too. 

Yum Yum Baba Ganoush and leafy Veggie 

A week passed…….

Now the Suppressed & obsessed Foodie in me is back –It asks me Are u not tired having only salads, Pita Bread? It’s been a week dear you have never seen a hen ((OOPs I mean Chicken)).Come-on having a chicken once in a week is fine, Hardly makes any difference

Tring Tring Again. My Brain responds to the Fitness Freak……..Oh Fitness Freak u again!!!!Not this time. Brain changes the plan ((Dimaag khi Bathi Jali-twaing)))and she orders my Taste buds to get a feel and taste of the Non –Veg.And Here I go again with my favorite-Grilled Foods, Chicken Souvlaki, cheesy cheesy Pizzas and Much more.

Tired of advising and competing with d Foodie in me.Hence I came into a conclusion without concluding anything -Eat More, Relish Food, Enjoy Life to the fullest (Jiyo khulke)

Because “ Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” and who knows “Kal Ho Na Ho”???     ((Courtesy::Hindi movies)) 

Sindoor Ritual -Still Followed???

Definitely not in a mood to write giggling posts  & I am  seriously upto something.Red - my favorite & lucky Color creates highly-Positive Energy and Enthu around me. Hence it is unique in its own way.

“Vermilion/Kumkum/Kumgumam/sindooram/Sindoor””((In the languages  English/Kannada/Tamil/Malayalam/Hindi) available in deep red color represents a married lady or the marital status of woman. It is considered as a good omen and has its own power. 

Has it merely become a fashion statement Nowadays ??

Its Not only the symbol for Marital status.....It has its own power(shakti); sacredness; auspiciousness

I remember my Grandmother telling that in the earlier days married ladies were not allowed to step out without applying the sindoor. From  my personal experience (3 years back) when I reached my home after visiting the temple and  applying the kumkum on my forehead my maid started screaming at me. According to her an unmarried lady applying sindoor is totally a sin.

Few years later .........I was in a Hurry -Burry ((It was the Recently-post married period)) so we were in our own fantasy world (the Honeymoon period should be an apt word JJJ).I thought of visiting my new Neighbor to say a Hi-Hello . She came immediately with a Puja Thali -Thali had many sweets ,Flowers,Diya ,Kumkum & Idols of BhagavanJi (GanapathiJi and Lakshmi). 

PUJA THALI DECORATED

I told my neighbor that I was Busy & will catch up some other day to do the Puja.  In spite of all my requests she did not listen to me and I was unsuccessful in convincing her.She made me waited for half an hour  did Puja, chanting shlokas ;Offered me Sweets -Flowers;and applied the kumkum on my Fore head.Thanks to her we missed our Train   to the planned Destination but thanks again to her I found the Mythological reason behind this from my Mother In Law.((In Between I loved the energy she<My Neighbor> bridged to make this effort...as some message is hidden in that)).

Then I decided to ask my Mother In law - <<To Build Impressions by show the anxiety on Rituals would definitely flatter her >>

Mythological story shared by MIL

<<This story happened in purana kadhas>>

There was a poor family who lived on daily wages and was devotee of "goddess Lakshmi"  There were lot of bad time which they have undergone, and they considered all of them as the trial given by the goddess and kept their devotion growing. Once Lakshmi [the goddess of wealth] in the form of a house wife came to their home and wanted to see how they treat a guest.It is considered bad, if Mahalakshmi goes out of home. So the lady at home got to know that it was the Goddess who appeared and she did not want the goddess to leave home, as the prosperity of their home will be lost if the goddess leaves.So the lady mentioned that she would be back in some time with the KumKum and requested the goddess not to leave home without taking the KumKum. And the lady jumped into the well and died.It was later said that the Goddess did not leave their home ever since then. So this shows even the goddess respects KumKum.

And in Indian tradition, any married female is considered a form of Mahalakshmi. And hence it is a tradition to give KumKum to the married ladies for any good festivals and functions.It is also said that a well traditionally dressed lady brings prosperity and positive energy to the house. Hence it is generally seen that all the ladies at home will be well traditionally dressed for any festivals and functions. It is said that there will be presence of Mahalakshmi in their home.

2)Kumkum attracts the savior((Parvathi devi protects the longevity of her husband –who applies  sindoor after parting her hair line))

Through thick and thin with you for ever…..Her desire for husbands longevity !!!

Then I Surfed Google to find the scientific reason behind this ((Thanks to Wikipedia))It has so many facts to share).Few facts found from that apart from the Mythological reasons....

Scientific reason

It is a common fact that sindoor is first adorned by her husband on the day of wedding by parting her hair lines (((Maang mein sindoor))).Lord paramashivas ((Mystical-Invisible third eye/Thrilochana ) is located on the centre of forehead directly below where the sindoor is placed. Now there is a link in it…. There are six chakras in the body and one at the forehead.When Human Meditate through the forehead ((the chakra)) they become powerful or Gyanis.Hence the applying kumkum on the centre of forehead awakens the soul energy /Positive energy(By removing negative energy) and helps to  achieve divinity in Human.

Coming to the modern generation ((I mean the Fashion Kha Zammana)) girls have so many varieties to choose. Kumkum available in different shades of red - different sizes, pattern. These variety kumkum are on High Demand in Markets. The new Varieties have become an alternative for the original “red powdered “kumkum.Will it be rude to tell from my side that  it has merely become an art ??

It reminds me of a wonderful dialogue in Hindi Movie "OM SHANTI OM"

 Ekh chutki sindoor khi kheemat Tum kya jaanu" ((Do you know the value of a pinch of vermillion)).

                                 

                                     Many answers to this are:-

"Ishwar kha aashirwaad hota hey chutki sindoor"(Pinch of vermilion is gods grace)

"Har suhhagan khe sir kha Taaj hota hey chutki sindoor" (Its the crown of every lady)

"Har aurath kha kwaab hota hey chutki sindorr" (Its the dream of every lady)