Kolam by Sudha Balaji

How to make thick fresh flower garlands  The first picture shows thick garlands of various flowers, kakada (called kattu malli in Tamil) kanambaram and jasmine (called malli in Tamil)  This type of decoration can be used for bridal hair decoration for wedding, baby showers, seemantham or valaikappu The bright, orange-coloured flowers are beautiful.  I purchase either at the local flower vendor or go to the flower market in Koyambedu, Tie flowers on both sides of a string somewhere near the centre Turn after tying Tie two or three flowers with stalks placed on the thread on the left side of the image The thread on the right side goes around the stalks and the other part of the thread The next set of flowers are placed to the right of the previous set of the flowers such that the stalks are on the thread Repeat the procedure, the thread on the right side goes around the thread on the left side tying the stalks of the flowers A...

Mango leaves are considered auspicious in South India.   We invariably find toran made of mango leaves hung on the doorways of houses for festivals - Diwali, Sankranti, Varalakshmi Pooja Navratri and also during functions - housewarming, Aksharabhyasam, baby showers etc. So kolam with mango leaves called maavilai kolangal are also important to emphasise happy occasions in our homes.  Above what we see is a collection of rangolis using these patterns. When drawn in white we can decorate with geru to denote a function or festival. Rangoli auspicious Diwali  2 by 2 dots maavilai kolam 3 by 2 dots maavilai kolangal  4 by 4 dots mango leaves rangoli  5 by 3 dots mango leaf rangoli 7 by 4 dots maavilai rangoli 9 by 5 dots maavilai kolam - different type. maavialai thoranam kolam - 11 to 1 pulli design A very simple rangoli with 11 dots.  Still two steps have been shown to explain the design. The four patt...

I went to this temple before Rama Navami to have a darshan of the Lord.  The Google map shows the route from Vandalur Zoo a very famous landmark in Chennai.  It is 4.7 km when we turn right near Tamil Nadu Police Academy in Unamancheri.  If you take the grey route shown in the map it goes through the village.  Take a right turn at the last right ,  you can see a small temple on the road. Proceed further towards the right .  You will reach the temple shown in the map after travelling through some narrow lanes in the village. Old temples in Chennai | Historic temples in Chennai  The temple is very beautiful in a serene atmosphere.  There is temple pond as is common in very old temples. This is the side view of the temple.  What we see in the front is Hanuman sannidhi.  On the left is the main temple.  The rare fact about this temple is  that Sri Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshman,  Bharat, Shatrughan idols are there in the t...

Khichdi ,kadhi easy to  understand step by step pictures A Maharastrian dish my sister in Nagpur prepares quite often.  It is very tasty and healthy too.  This is not the usual khichdi made with rava in Tamil Nadu.   We need , chopped onion, tomato, vegetable like potato , carrot , peas , beans It is prepared directly in a pressure cooker .  I add oil and a little ghee too Saute with mustard and  curry leaves Add onion pieces When onion is cooked , add tomato this ensures that the tomato is  not over cooked For one and half measures raw rice ,  I have taken quarter measure toor dhal and quarter measure moong dhal.  We can also prepare with half measure toor dhal  or half measure moong dhal Wash the  rice and dhals well Add the vegetables Add turmeric powder Add dhania powder ( coriander powder ) Add chilly powder .  If you want it hot , two chopped green chillies can ...