Nemmara-Vallangy Vela-Vela day

Vela-Culmination of 20 days of cerebration and a year's waiting!!!

Festivities at Mannam starts with  placing "thidambu" on the main elephant. 

All decorated elephants stands side by side with 
the main one at the center

This is followed by "panchavadyam".

People from all ages enjoyed in spite of  the heat on a summer afternoon.

Some respite to blazing sun!!!

Heat was beyond limits for few people

 You normally see this person behind camera, this time managed to get him in front of mine!!! Thanks to Baiju, I got privileged spot among professional photographers to take pictures.

Nemmara-Vallangy Vela-Chamayapradarshanam

Nemmara-Vallangy vela is the biggest event in my hometown that happens on 20th day of Malayalam month of Meenam. Festivities start from 1st of Meenam, with last 10 days being the most active. It culminates on Vela day with panchavadyam, fireworks and "ezhunallathu" parade of decorated elephants.

These decorations are displayed a day before Vela. This includes decorated umbrellas, golden "nettipattam" "äalavattom" decorated with peacock feather and "venchamaram" made of yak's hair  and "thidamnu" which is representation of the goddess. 

This year's display was inaugurated by noted film stars in Malayalam Mr. Manoj.K.Jayan and Mr. Jayaraj Warrier, along with committee members and other dignitaries. 

Few on my close friends and Dad taking a break outside.

My Dad with committee members

December pics from Kerala

 My visit to Kerala this time was not very eventful and was not able to take as many pictures as I wanted. Highlight of this trip was meeting with college buddies after a long time. 

Whatever I managed to get is posted below.

This tiny fellow was found outside my house.

 




















There flowers are from my friend Dinesh's garden in Pallavur.

 








I had to visit an Ayurveda clinic this time and this lotus was there at the main entrance of the clinic.

 
















I visited my dad's native, Amayur, few kilometers from Pattambi. We were all in the car and that is when my dad called me to show a peacock that flew inside our house, for the first time. I jumped out of the car and took few shots, only one was good enough to be posted.

Below picture was taken on our way while we stopped for a tea break and the dragon fly is from Amayur

Macro-Indoors

While visiting one of the largest garden and hardware store, saw orchids and other flowers for sale. There was no restriction on taking pictures and got some macro images.

Road-side Macro

Driving back home after taking barn pictures around Carmel, Indiana, we saw some flowers and few bees (not very cooperative) by the side of the road. Took few pictures posted below.