September brings Onam on the 2nd
Navatra starts – oh wait a second!
Isn’t that the 9 day prayer?
Of meat, onions and garlic – beware!
Soon will follow Ramadan’s end
But only with Dussera around the bend!
One of our friends, Susan Holdridge, living in San Francisco is on a visit to Kerala with her family. She sent us the picture (above) and a little note about Onam. ” Onam is in full swing! And on each of the ten days of the festival, one finds ornate, fresh flower petal decorations everywhere from in people’s homes to public shops. Here we found one in a men’s wear store, carefully arranged first thing on the morning by the retail workers.
This is a time of plentiful food, sweets, and, as you can see, fancy new clothes!”
Folks, get ready for a busy September!
- 2nd – Onum
- 19th – Navratra starts
- 21st – Eid al Fitr
- 28th – Dusshera
62 Years of Free India on August 15. Good to be free! Happy Independence Day!!!
- Indian Flag, by Alya Yousuf
Ganesh Chaturthi
For 10 fun filled days
We feast, laugh and pray,
To Ganesh, the God of wisdom and anything new
The Elephant- Headed God has descended from above
So we celebrate Him in His many hues.
On the 11th day, it’s time for Him to depart
He’s bid farewell, with songs, dance and a happy heart,
Into the sea, He goes
While everybody chants with frenzy and prose:
Ganpati Bappa Morya, Aagle Varsh Tum Jaldi Aao!
Lord Ganesh, please do return soon next year
We wish you a Ganesh Chaturthi filled with much cheer!
The day of immersion was on Sunday, the 23rd of August
Hail to Ganesh, the God of Wise and Just!
INDIA DARSHAN, SUMMER 2009
Crowded, dirty, smelly and fun
The steady rains block the sun
Coconut palms sway in the wind
Aha – we were back in the hind!
Yoga, massages and food galore
Mummy, daddy, in laws and more
Old friends, old haunts, memories abound
Everything’s familiar – each sight and sound
It’s home
Counting the days till we need to depart
Things to be done, people to catch up with
Where do we start?
Wait! We’ve barely begun, the song isn’t sung
But the trip’s over, the hat must be hung ☹
A new countdown begins, 10 months to go
In the meantime we pick up life as we know
Work and school and Trader Joe’s
Over email and skype we will bridge the gap
Of continent and ocean; stare at the map
But before we know we’ll be packing once more
And soon be a-knocking on nana and nani’s front door
—Bindiya and Avanti
Come hear about books and movies, recipes we have tried, parenting and parenthood, and let fashion not be denied!
