A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas. He said the expression "going bananas" is from the effects of bananas on the brain. Read on: This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.
Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fibre. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. Anaemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia. Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke. Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school (England) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert. Constipation: High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives. Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system. Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief. Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness. Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation. Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady. Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan. Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack. Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%! Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape! So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away

REASON WHY DRINK COCONUT WATER

CocoWater is naturally:
Low in Carbs
99% Fat Free
Low in sugars
Coconut Water contains organic compounds possessing healthy growth promoting properties that have been known to help -
Keep the body cool and at the proper temperature.
Orally re-hydrate your body, it is an all natural isotonic beverage.
Carry nutrients and oxygen to cells.
Naturally replenish your body's fluids after exercising.
Raise your metabolism.
Promote weight loss.
Boost your immune system.
Detoxify and fight viruses.
Cleanse your digestive tract.
Control diabetes.
Aid your body in fighting viruses that cause the flu, herpes, and AIDS.
Balance your PH and reduce risk of cancer.
Treat kidney and urethral stones.
Boost poor circulation.
Coconut Water -The English name coconut, first mentioned in English print in 1555, comes from Spanish and Portugese word coco, which means "monkey face." Spanish and Portugese explorers found a resemblance to a monkey's face in the three round indented markings or "eyes" found at the base of the coconut. On the Nicobar Islands of the Indian Ocean, whole coconuts were used as currency for the purchace of goods until the early part of the twentieth century. Coconuts are the fruit of the coconut palm, botanically known as cocos nucifera, with nucifera meaning "nut-bearing." The fruit-bearing palms are native to Malaysia, Polynesia and southern Asia, and are now also prolific in South America, India , the Pacific Islands , Hawaii and Florida. The light, fibrous husk allowed it to easily drift on the oceans to other areas to propagate. In Sanskrit, the coconut palm is known as kalpa vriksha, meaning "tree which gives all that is necessary for living," since nearly all parts of the tree can be used in some m anner or another. The coconut itself has many food uses, including milk, meat, sugar and oil as well as functioning as its own dish and cup. The husk was also burned for fuel by natives, but today a seed fibre called coir is taken from the husk and used to make brushes, mats, fishnets, and rope. A very potent fermented toddy or drink is also made from the coconut palm's sap. Coconut oil, a saturated fat made from dried coconut meat, is used for commercial frying and in candies and margarines, as well as in non-edible products such as soaps and cosmetics. Although it takes up to a year for coconuts to mature, the trees bloom up to thirteen times a year, so fruit is constantly forming yielding a continuous harvest year-round. An average harvest from one tree runs about 60 coconuts, with some trees yielding three times that amount. The coconut's name is a bit of a misnomer, since it is botanically classified as a drupe and not a nut. It is the largest seed known. If you've ever opened a fresh coconut, you will have seen the thin, opaque almost clear coconut juice or water which has a slight almond flavor. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the coconut milk. However, the water is consumed as a drink fresh from the coconut by many, and it can also be used in recipes. Here are some more information about Coconut Water -"It's a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It's the fluid of life, so to speak." In fact, during the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water - siphoned directly from the nut - to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers. Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas - once exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics, and begins to ferment.
Coconut Water is More Nutritious than whole milk - Less fat and NO cholesterol.
Coconut Water is More Healthy than Orange Juice - Much lower calories.
Coconut Water is Better than processed baby milk - It contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother's milk.
Coconut water is naturally sterile - Water permeates though the filtering husk.
Coconut water is a universal donor - Its identical to human blood plasma.
Coconut Water is a Natural Isotonic Beverage - The same level we have in our blood.
Coconut water has saved lives in 3rd world countries thru Coconut IV.
"Coconut water is the very stuff of Nature, biologically Pure, full of Natural Sugars, Salts, and Vitamins to ward off fatigue and is the next wave of energy drinks BUT natural", according to Mortin Satin, Chielf of the United Nation's Food & Agriculture Organization. Coconut water contains more potassium (at about 294 mg) than most sports drinks (117 mg) and most energy drinks.
Coconut water has less sodium (25mg) where sports drinks have around 41mg and energy drinks have about 200 mg.
Coconut water has 5mg of Natural Sugars where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25mg of Altered Sugars.
Coconut water is very high in Chloride at 118mg, compared to sports drinks at about 39mg.Data is based on a 100ml drink

gOOday rules

1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK: If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind...I will not respond in a like manner.
2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY":If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy"could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker, or a stranger.
3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY:I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip.
4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE:I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.
5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE:I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.
6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE,BUT I WILL NOT DO IT SECRETLY:I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.
7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BETREATED: I will practice the golden rule - "Do unto others as I would havethem do unto me" - with everyone I encounter.
8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE IDISCOURAGED:My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling life.
9. TODAY I WILL NATURE MY BODY:I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank God for mybody.
10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY:I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin readingsomething spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place(at some point during the day)!

sOme famOus persOnalities frOm manGalOre

Aishwarya Rai (Aishwarya Bachchan):
Aishwarya Rai ( now Aishwarya Bachchan) was born on November 1, 1973 in Mangalore. Her father Krishnaraj Rai, a marine engineer, and mother Vrinda Rai, a home maker on 1 November 1973.She belongs to the Bunt community. The girl with the cutest eyes is a former miss world and termed as one of the most beautiful women on earth and is a three-time Filmfare Award-winning Indian actress. Rai is married to Indian actor Abhishek Bachchan and is daughter-in- law to Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri Bachchan. ============ ========= ========= ==
Sunil Shetty:Sunil Shetty: born 11 August 1961 is an Indian Bollywood actor. He was born in Mulki, near Mangalore.Sunil Shetty made his Bollywood debut in 1992 with the film Balwaan. The film was a success, largely due to some dangerous stunts he performed in the movie, without a double, and started his career. His breakthrough role came with the film Mohra (1994). The cool guy who is commanly refered as "ANNA" within his friends circle has acted in many action movies and is also a sucessfull businessman ============ ========= ========= =
Shilpa Shetty:Shilpa Shetty: (born 8 June 1975 in Mangalore, India) is a four-time Filmfare Award-nominated Indian film actress and Supermodel. Since making her debut in the film Baazigar (1993 ),
Shamita Shetty:Shamita Shetty (born 2 February 1979 - Mangalore) is an Indian actress. She is the younger sister of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty. She made her debut with the 2000 blockbuster Mohabbatein. Since Mohabbatein, she mostly found success in item numbers,She is the eldest daughter of Surendra and Sunanda Shetty, manufacturers of tamper-proof caps for the pharmaceutical industry, and her native language is Tulu although she can speak nearly ten other languages
============ ========= ========= ==Sneha Ullal: Sneha Ullal: born December 18, 1987 is a Bollywood film actress.Sneha Ullal, a Mangalorean born in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, is a Bollywood actress of Indian origin and Hindu. She rose to stardom with her first movie Lucky opposite Salman Khan, who discovered her. She did her initial schooling at the Indian School Muscat. She then attended Durelo Convent High School in the suburbs of Bandra. Later, she went to MMK College, Mumbai, with Khan's younger sister Arpita, who told her brother about her. Indian media shot her to fame for her performance in Lucky. She bears an uncanny resemblance to Bollywood queen Aishwarya Rai. It is believed she got the role in Lucky because of her resemblance to Aishwarya Rai who was the girlfriend of Salman Khan. ( Ullal Famous Coastal place of Mangalore-Karnataka)
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Amrita Rao:Amrita Rao (born June 17, 1981) chitrapur north canara near Mangalore is an Indian model and Bollywood actress. Amrita was born to well-to-do Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin family. She speaks English, Hindi, Marathi & Konkani
============ ========= ========= =Deepika Padukone:Deepika Padukone: (born 1986 in Mangalore, Karnataka) is an Indian supermodel. She is the daughter of former World badminton Champion Prakash Padukone. Deepika has been modelling appearances in print and television advertising campaigns for Liril soap, Close-Up toothpaste and Limca,She started by starring in the music video for Naam Hai Tera a song from the pop album Aap Ka Suroor, an independent album by popular singer-composer Himesh Reshammiya.
============ ========= ========= =Hansika Motwani:Hansika Motwani:Born in Mangalore, India, on August 9, 1991, former child artiste Hansika is the daughter of Pradeep Motwani and Mona Motwani. She has a brother by the name of Prashant Motwani. Although Hansika knows a number of languages, she mainly speaks Tulu and Hindi.She started her career as an child artist and went on to undoubtably become on of the best child artists the Indian Film and TV Industry has ever seen. She entered the film industry in the movie Yahoo where she acted as a child artist with Juhi chawla and Govinda the film though was delayed and never actually hit the silver screen, She played major roles in popular TV serials like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Desh Mein Nikla Hoga Chaand, Shaka Laka Boom Boom etc. She also kept appearing in a number of ad films which she love doing. She appeared in the commercials of popular brands like Samsung, Bournvita, Pepsi Hyundai Santro advert with Shahrukh khan. She acted in Rakesh Roshan's super hit film Koi Mil Gaya which starred Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta. She has also done films like Hawa and Escape from Taliban, Hum Kaun Hai etc.In the second inning as a mature artist she started her career as a heroine in Puri Jagannadh's Telgu film Desamuduru along with Alu Arjun. In this picture she played a role of crime reporter and fall in love with a Sanyasi. This film was very much popular because of the excellent performance by this talent. Hansika Motwani is now again in news with her playing the lead role in Himesh Reshammia's "Aap Ka Sarur- The real love story"
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Sandeep Chowta:Sandeep Chowta: is an Indian Bollywood music director. He has also sung some of his songs.Sandeep Chowta is from Mangalore. He started his Bollywood career with the movie Mast. He also sang the title track for the album. His father D K Chowta is a welknown writer who has won many academic awards.
============ ========= ========= = Shirish Kunder:Shirish Kunder born in Mangalore, he is an Indian editor and film director working in the Hindi Film Industry, also popularly known as Bollywood. He was an Electronics Engineer by profession and worked for Motorola. He graduated as an electronics engineer from SDM College of Engineering and Technology, Dharwad, KarnatakaHe then turned to directing and his directorial debut is titled Jaan-E-Mann, for which he also wrote the story, screenplay, dialogues, edited and composed the background music score.. He is married to well known choreographer Farha Khan.
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Daya Nayak:Daya Nayak is a sub-inspector with the Mumbai police force. He was born in Yennehole village near Karkala in South Canara – Mangalore,Karnataka. He is known for eliminating gangsters of the Mumbai underworld, acting on tip-offs from a well-developed intelligence gathering network. There are allegations that these shootouts, known as encounters, are staged. He is often referred to by the print media as an "Encounter Specialist" for this reason. He has shot dead 83 gangsters to date and arrested over 300 criminals. Daya Nayak belongs to the Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins(RSB) which mainly reside along the western coast of the state of Karnataka and Maharastra
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Ravi Shastri:Ravishankar ("Ravi") Jayadritha Shastri pronunciation (born 27 May 1962 in Mumbai (Bombay), India) is a former Indian cricketer. He was recently assigned the post of the coach of the Indian cricket team. , Shastri's family originally came from Mangalore in Karnataka but he was born and brought up in Mumbai, then called Bombay. His father, Jayadratha Shastri, was a doctor and the family had a strong academic tradition. It was only as a teenager that he took cricket up seriously .
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Guru Dutt:Guru Dutt (July 9, 1925 - October 10, 1964) His parents were Chitrapur Saraswats, originally settled at Panambur- Mangalore South Kanara district of Karnataka. Guru Dutt was an famous Indian film director, producer, and actor. He is most famous for making lyrical and artistic films within the context of popular Indian cinema of the 1950s, and expanding its commercial conventions, starting with his 1957 masterpiece, Pyaasa. ============ ========= =========
Vijay Mallya:
Vijay Mallya (born December 18, 1955) is an Indian businessman and Rajya Sabha MP. The son of Mangalorean( Bantawal) industrialist Vittal Mallya who later went to calcutta (Vittal Mallya son of army doctor Lt Col Bantwal Ganapathi Mallya) , he is the chairman of the United Breweries Group and Kingfisher Airlines, which draws its name from United Breweries Group's flagship beer brand
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Devi Shetty:Dr.Devi Shetty : He is originally from the erstwhile Mangalore - South Kanara District of Karnataka state in India (now divided into Mangalore and Udupi District). After completing his graduate degree in Medicine and post-graduate work in General Surgery from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore(Karnataka state), he trained in cardiac surgery at Guys Hospital in the United Kingdom. He gained valuable experience in heart operations in the West Midlands rotation. He returned to India in 1989 and initially worked at B.M. Birla Hospital in Kolkata in Eastern India. After some time, he moved to Bangalore and started the Manipal Heart Foundation at Manipal Hospital, Bangalore. He has many patients and admirers in Bangladesh and from all over the world, especially Southern Asia .
============ ========= =======George Fernandes :George Fernandes is from the coastal town of Mangalore, KarnatakaGeorge Fernandes (born 3 June, 1930) is a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He represents the Muzaffarpur constituency of Bihar and is a member of the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) political party. He is a trade union activist, former defence minister in the NDA Government (1998-2004).
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Upendra :
Upendra , popularly known as Uppi born 18 September 1967 Kota, Udupi – near Mangalore, Karnataka is a Kannada cinema director, actor and script writer. Born in a lower middle classs family, Upendra started his career off with film director Kashinath as a writer and an assistant director. His first directional venture was 'Tharle Nanmaga'. In the late 90's he broke into the scene with the extremely violent Om, which also starred actual Bangalore gangsters. He followed this up with A, in which he starred.============ ========= =========
Gurukiran:Gurukiran or Gurukiran shetty is noted music director of Kannada film industry. He started his career as a music director of Kannada movie "A" directed and acted by Upendra.The music won hearts of Kannadigas all over the world. His music for movie Upendra further consolidated his position in Kannada movie industry. He is native of Mangalore and his mother tongue is Tulu. He has also acted in several movies in side (character) roles and also sung several songs. He is popular in Kannada cinema for his foot tapping musical score .
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Dr. B. R. Shetty :Dr. B. R. Shetty - Founder Partner, Managing Director & CEO of NMC.born in Udupi near MangaloreDr. Shetty has been providing community services as Chairman of Abu Dhabi Indian School; President of Abu Dhabi Cricket Council and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Cricket Control Board; founder and president of numerous Indian business and cultural organizations; Founder Patron of Toastmasters International in the United Arab Emirates; Founder and Vice President of the Swiss Business Council and Member of the Executive Panel of Dubai's Pharmaceutical and Health Equipment Trading Business Group under the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
============ ========= ========M.V Kamath:Madhav Vittal Kamath is born in Mangalore he is a former chairman of Prasar Bharati and a leading columinist of India.Mr. Kamath worked as the Editor of Sunday Times for two years (1967 - 69) and then rejoined Times as the Washington Correspondent for nearly 10 years (1969- 78). He has also served as editor of Illustrated weekly of India.
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Raadhika :Raadhika is a veteran South Indian actress born in Mangalore. She has acted in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi movies. ============ ========= ======== Rev Fr.Lawrence John Saldanha:
(Archbishop of Lahore, Pakistan)Rev Fr.Lawrence John Saldanha was born in Mangalore, India on 12 Jun 1936. He received his religious training at the Christ the King seminary in Karachi and was ordained a priest in Lahore, Pakistan on 16 Jan 1960. For many years he served as the Rector of the Christ the King seminary. On 24 Apr 2001 he was appointed Archbishop of Lahore by Pope John Paul II. He is the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Pakistan .============ ========= =====

water

Very interesting WATER
#1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population)
#2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.
#3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%.
#4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in aUniversity of Washington study.
#5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
#6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
#7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzyshort term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a ! printed page.
#8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day?
COKE
#1. In many states the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.
#2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke and it will be gone in two days.
#3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour , then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.
#4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.
#5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.
#6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
#7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.
#8... To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
#1. the active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis.
#2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup! (the concentrate) the commercial trucks must use a hazardous Material place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials. #3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean engines of the trucks for about 20 years!
Now the question is, would you like a glass of water? or Coke? Quick! send this helpful info on to your friends health conscious or not!!!!
Seemanth's

The Sacred Plant - Tulsi

• 
  
  Holy Basil- Tulsi
  
  Tulsii – the Indian Basil plant often grown in the courtyards of Hindu families, is a revered symbol of worship in the Hindu religious tradition. The name 'Tulsi' dennotes "the incomparable one". Traditional Hindus worship this holy plant every morning and evening as a ritual.
  
  Tulsi grows wild in the tropics and warm regions. It is a branched, fragrant and erect herb plant attaining a height of about 75 to 90 cms when mature. Its aromatic leaves are round-shaped, growing up to 5 cms long with the margin being entire or toothed. The Tulsi flowers are small, reddish-purple in color, present in small compact clusters on cylindrical spikes. The fruits are small and the seeds are reddish-yellow in color.
  
  The Tulsi plant with light green leaves is called Shri / Rama Tulsi and the plant variety with dark red leaves is called Krishna or Shyama /Manjari Tulsi. The extracts (juice/oil) of the Shri / Rama Tulsi plant is widely used for its Ayurvedic medicinal value. The juice of leaves, or a concoction, called Jushanda, is a kind of tea, giving relief in common cold, fever, bronchitis, cough, digestive complaints, etc. Marked by its strong aroma and astringent taste, Tulsi is also known as "the elixir of life" as it promotes longevity. The plant's extracts can be used to prevent and cure many illnesses and everyday ailments like common cold, headaches, cough, flu, ear-ache, fever, colic pain, digestive disorders, etc.
  
  This sacred Basil, Ocimum Sanctum, is a fragrant, medicinal plant that also keeps away mosquitoes and flies. It offers a herbal remedy for serious ailments like inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning, malaria, diabetes, hepatitis and psychosomatic stress disorders because of its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.
  
  The Krishna / Shyama Tulsi plant is widely used for everyday worship in all Hindu Brahmin families. Many Hindu households have a Tulsi plant in the courtyard, grown in a specially built structure, having images of deities installed on all four sides, and an alcove for a small earthen oil lamp. Some households can even have up to a dozen Tulsi plants on the verandah or in the garden forming a Tulsi-Van or Tulsi-Vrindavan - a miniature basil forest. Places that tend to inspire concentration and places ideal for worship, according to the Gandharva Tantra, include "grounds overgrown with Tulsi plants". The Tulsi Manas Mandir at Varanasi is one such famous temple, where Tulsi is worshipped along with other Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Vaishnavites or Believers of Lord Vishnu worship the Tulsi leaf because it's the one that pleases Lord Vishnu the most.
  
  The story of Lord Krishna has it that when Krishna was weighed in gold, not even all the ornaments of Satyabhama could outweigh him. But a single Tulsi leaf placed by Rukmini on the pan tilted the scale.
  
  In the Hindu mythology, Tulsi is very dear to Lord Vishnu. Tulsi is ceremonially married to Lord Vishnu annually on the 11th bright day of the month of Kartika in the lunar calendar. This festival continues for five days and concludes on the full moon day, which falls in mid October. This ritual, called the 'Tulsi Vivaha' inaugurates the annual marriage season in India.
  
  Hindu Mythological Tales narrate that Tulsi, a destitute woman, was accused of infidelity and shunned by all. Finding no shelter in the world, she turned to Vishnu for help. But the gates of Vaikuntha (Vishnu’s Abode) were shut on her as Vishnu’s Consort Lakshmi refused to let her in.
  Tulsi stood in the courtyard of Vishnu’s abode, under the open sky, helpless and humiliated. Her feet turned into roots, her arms sprouted leaves, and she turned into a delicate yet wild plant, her fragrance spreading all around.
  
  Lord Vishnu said: “By not abandoning her devotion to me, despite all odds, Tulsi has become my beloved, ‘Vishnupriya’. She should be treated with dignity at all times - not as an unchaste woman, but as a venerable housewife, a ‘Sumangali’. No worship of Vishnu is complete without an offering of Tulsi sprigs.
  And so the Tulsi plant is nurtured in the courtyard of every house, and is identified as Vishnu’s Vrinda or Krishna’s Radha, women whose devotion for the Lord, though unrequited, never waned. Thus, Tulsi is seen as Lakshmi’s co-wife for her unconditional devotion to Vishnu, but as Laksmi is very jealous of her, she resides in the home whereas Tulsi remains in the courtyard.
  
  Another story goes that Tulsi was the paramour of Lord Vishnu. Out of Jealousy, Lakshmi cursed her into becoming a plant and the Lord transformed himself into the sacred Shalagrama Stone to keep her company. The Shalagrama is a small stone, an ammonite, a fossil genus of marine cephalopod, considered to be a natural representation of Lord Vishnu. Shalagramas are found in the Gandak river of Nepal. They are usually black or dark green colored, round or oval in shape, striated with tree-like markings. The curves of the striations signify the various forms / reincarnations of Vishnu. The worship of Shalagrama doesn’t involve elaborate prayer rituals. It is kept wrapped in a cloth, often bathed and perfumed. Its very presence in a home bestows health, wealth and happiness on its inhabitants.
  
  By convention, the Tulsi Leaf is not offered to Shiva, just as Bel Leaves, dear to Shiva, are not offered to Vishnu. Tulsi leaves are also not offered to Goddess Lakshmi as she was once annoyed during her love-sport with Vishnu, when his attention got diverted towards Tulsi.
  Necklaces of Tulsi Beads are used as Rosaries while chanting the name of Lord Vishnu. These are kept in special cloth bags to prevent their contamination.
  
  Thus, Tulsi – The Courtyard Plant is not only a symbol of sacred virtue in Hindu religion, it is also well-known and well-used as a medicinal herb for curing human ailments, as an alternative therapy in Ayurveda.

IN NEWS

IN NEWS

Vote for Taj Ramesh Shah, a micro-artist, shows his thumb painted with a miniature replica of Taj Mahal in Siliguri. Shah has painted the miniature replica with black ink on his thumb as part of a campaign to make India's most famous monument, which is in the running to be voted as one of the seven new Wonders of the World. The monument is now among the top ten of the list, before the announcement of results on July 7. (Reuters Photo)
The great man of China Bao Xishun, (right), listed by the Guinness Book Of World Record as the tallest living man, walks with his bride in China. Xishun is 7 feet, 9 inches tall. (Reuters Photo)
Back home Indian fisherman line up after their release at the Pakistan-India Wagah checkpost. Pakistan released 50 Indian fishermen on July 01, who were caught poaching in its territorial waters. The release of the Indian fishermen is part of a deal between the nuclear-armed neighbours to swap civilian detainees. Some 357 Indian fishermen are still in Pakistan, while more than 300 Pakistanis are believed to be detained in India. (AFP Photo)
Champ in tears Lorena Ochoa of Mexico (left) wipes her tears as she and fellow runner-up Angela Park attend the trophy ceremony at the US Women's Open Championship in North Carolina. Ochoa and Park finished 2 strokes behind champion Cristie Kerr. (AFP Photo)
The meltdown This is what remains at the shrine of Amarnath in Kashmir where the main ice shiva lingam has melted down completely due to the rise in temperature. (PTI Photo)
All smiles Students of Modern School, Barakhamba Road in a jubilant mood as schools reopened after summer vacations in Delhi. (TOI Photo)
Gagging the protests Police drag and arrest a Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) activist during a protest in Kolkata. The activists were demanding exemplary punishment for the accused in the alleged rape and murder of Tapasi Malik at Singur. (AP Photo)
Commendable showBELFAST, JULY 01 (AFP): Yuvraj Singh's unbeaten 61 helped India clinch an edge-of-the- seat thriller and beat South Afica by six wickets for a rare cricket series triumph abroad on Sunday. Chasing 149 to win in 31 overs in the rain-curtailed series decider, India faltered and fumbled before picking up themselves to reach 152 for four in 30.2 overs.Yuvraj top scored with unbeaten gutsy innings of 61 off 85 balls that included six boundaries besides a six, while Rahul Dravid contributed 36. After Dravid left the scene (108-4), Yuvraj and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (not out 14) put their heads down to negotiate the daunting run-a-ball chase. (AFP Photo)

Baapu Ne Bola Hai.......

Baapu Ne Bola Hai.......

"Agar koi tumhari salary na increase kare , tumhe promotion na de,
tum kam karte raho....
sirf kam hi nehi zada kam karo......
promotion ki ummed na karo.......
Dekhna, Uski aatma ek din jaroor jaagegi.
Aur vo tumhe salary hike aur promotion zaroor dega"
Aur agar fir bhi koi salary hike aur promotion nahi mile ,
to uske paas jana, use ek Guldasta dena.... aur kehna.......

i am resigning, others will also do the same
if u dont ,,,,,

Mural Painting of Kerala


Kerala stands next to Rajasthan in having the largest collection of murals based on puranic
(ancient Indian mythology) themes. The murals of Kerala bear the stamp of uniqueness in aesthetic composition and techniques.

Most of these were painted between 15th and 19th centuries, many even date backs to 8th century AD. The temples and palaces of Kerala are invariable sagas of Hindu gods and visual poems of their heroic deeds




It took a lot of dedication and devotion to create these visual wonders.Thepigments ,gum,brushes etc are all taken from plants or natural minerals.

Frequently used pigments in Kerala are saffron-red, saffron-yellow, green, red, white,
blue, black, yellow and golden yellow.


The oldest murals of Kerala are found in the Thirunandikkara Cave temple now a
part of Kanyakumari district of the neighbouring state of Tamilnadu.
The largest mural panel in Kerala - the Gajendra Moksha - is at Krishnapuram Palace
near Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district.

Extensive murals depicting scenes from the Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Bhagavatha are preserved at the Mattancherry Palace, Ernakulam district. The murals of the Shiva temple in Ettumanoor provide insight into the earliest forms of Dravidian mural art.

One can say that the tradition of painting on walls began in Kerala with the pre-historic rock paintings found in the Anjanad Valley of Idukki district. Archeologists presume that these paintings belong to different periods from upper Paleolithic period to Early historic period. Rock engravings dating to the Mesolithic period have also been discovered in two regions of Kerala, at Edakkal in Wayanad and at Perimkadavila in Thiruvananthapuram district.
A close study of the mural art of Kerala will prove to be valuable in understanding the State’s art and cultural tradition. It was a tradition that was nor averse to incorporate the best of the diverse cultural and aesthetic influences that it was open to. But alongside it was also able to retain and preserve its own individuality

banana my love

HIV: How to Avoid Infections If You're HIV Positive
Take care of yourself
If you are HIV positive, you need to take very good care of yourself. Be sure to eat a balanced diet, exercise if your doctor says you can, and get plenty of rest. You can also take steps to keep yourself from getting infections or diseases that are more common in people who have HIV.

Practice "safer sex"
Use a condom every time you have sex. A latex condom will help protect you and your partner and will reduce your risk of getting herpes, papillomavirus, or a new strain of HIV that might be resistant to antiretroviral drugs. To reduce your risk of getting intestinal infections, avoid sex that results in oral exposure to feces (oral-anal contact).

Certain activities or jobs, such as working in homeless shelters, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes or prisons, can increase your risk of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). Talk with your doctor about where you work. Your doctor can decide if you should be tested for TB and how often.Parents of children in day care and people who provide child care are at increased risk of getting cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, cryptosporidiosis, hepatitis A and giardiasis from the children. The risk can be reduced by good hygiene practices, such as always washing your hands after changing diapers and after touching urine or saliva. If your child has HIV, tell the people who help care for your child.If you work with animals (for example, veterinary work or working at a pet store, farm or slaughterhouse) , you may be at higher risk for infections like cryptosporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis or Bartonella infection. The risk of getting these infections probably isn't high enough for you to give up your job. But you should take the following special precautions:
Avoid contact with young farm animals, especially those that have diarrhea.
Wash your hands after gardening or other contact with soil.
If you live where histoplasmosis is common, avoid activities like cleaning chicken coops, exploring caves or disturbing the soil under bird-roosting sites.
If you live where coccidioidomycosis is common, avoid exposure to disturbed soil, such as excavation sites or dust storms.
Pet precautions
Although owning a pet may have risks for people who have HIV, many of the risks can be avoided. Pets provide emotional benefits, so don't be hasty about deciding to give up your pet. The following are some steps to keep you and your pet healthy:
Take your pet to the vet right away if it gets diarrhea. Your vet will want to find out if the diarrhea is caused by a germ that might be harmful to you. If possible, have a friend take care of your pet when it has diarrhea.
Always wash your hands after handling your pet, especially before you eat. Avoid contact with your pet's feces. If your child has HIV, make sure your child washes his or her hands after playing with the pet.
If you want to get a new dog or cat, the animal should be at least 6 months old and it shouldn't have diarrhea. This reduces your risk of cryptosporidiosis.
Be careful about where you get your pet. Some pet-breeding facilities, animal shelters or pet stores have better hygiene than others.
Avoid stray animals. If you decide to adopt a puppy or kitten, your vet should check the pet to be sure it doesn't have a germ that you could get.
If you have a cat, the litter box should be cleaned every day, preferably by someone who doesn't have HIV and isn't pregnant. Keep your cat inside, and don't let it hunt. Don't feed it raw or undercooked meat. Avoid the kind of play that may result in cat scratches or bites. If you do get bitten or scratched, wash the site right away. Never let your cat lick an open scratch or wound on your body.
Flea control is an effective way to help keep you and your cat or dog healthy.
Limit your contact with reptiles (such as snakes, lizards, iguanas and turtles) to reduce your risk of salmonellosis. Wear rubber gloves if you must clean an aquarium or a birdcage. Avoid contact with exotic pets such as monkeys.
Food and water precautions
The following are some things that you can do to avoid getting sick from food or drinking water:
Avoid eating raw or undercooked eggs (including foods that may contain raw eggs, like cookie dough, some preparations of hollandaise sauce, Caesar salad dressing and mayonnaise).
Avoid raw or undercooked poultry, meat and seafood, and dairy products that haven't been pasteurized. Cook poultry and meat until it isn't pink in the middle. The internal temperature of cooked beef should be at least 170°F. For poultry, the internal temperature should be at least 180°F.
Wash fruits and vegetables carefully before you eat them.
Wash your hands, cutting boards, counters and knives with soap and water after they come in contact with uncooked foods, especially uncooked meat.
If you are severely immunosuppressed and want to reduce your risk of listeriosis (an uncommon disease), be careful about soft cheeses and ready-to-eat foods, like hot dogs and cold cuts from the deli. Before you eat hot dogs and cold cuts, reheat them until they are steaming.
Never drink water directly from lakes and rivers. Avoid swimming in water that might have human or animal feces in it. Avoid swallowing water while swimming or during other recreational water activities.
If your city has an outbreak of waterborne disease or some other reason for a "boil water" advisory, boil your water for 1 minute before you use it for drinking or brushing your teeth. Or use personal-use water filters or bottled water.
Although it isn't necessary to boil tap water if there is no "boil water" advisory in effect, you may want to. Talk with your doctor about this, since avoiding tap water completely can be inconvenient and expensive.
If you choose to avoid tap water completely, remember that ice made from contaminated water may also cause infection, as can fountain beverages served in public places.
Bottled or canned carbonated soft drinks are safe to drink. Noncarbonated soft drinks and fruit juices that do not require refrigeration until after they are opened also are safe. Frozen fruit juice concentrate is safe if you reconstitute it with water from a safe source.
If you drink fruit juice that is sold refrigerated, not frozen, drink only juices that are labeled "pasteurized. " Make sure you keep them refrigerated too. Other pasteurized beverages and beer are also considered safe to drink, although no data are available about the safety of wine.
Travel tips
Travel may be riskier for HIV-infected people, especially if their immunosuppression is severe. Travel to developing countries may put you at higher risk of foodborne and waterborne illnesses than traveling in the United States. Talk with your doctor before you travel.
Remember to be very careful with food and drinks. Avoid ice, raw vegetables and fruits, tap water, raw or undercooked seafood or meat, milk and dairy products, and food bought from street vendors.
Items that are generally safe include steaming-hot foods, fruits that you peel yourself, bottled (especially carbonated) beverages, hot coffee or tea, beer, and water that has been boiled for 1 minute.
Treating water with iodine or chlorine may not be as effective as boiling it, but treated water can be used with a portable water filtration unit when boiling isn't practical.
Although some studies have shown that medicine to prevent traveler's diarrhea may reduce the risk, none of the studies have specifically included HIV-positive patients.It isn't generally recommended that you take medicine to prevent an upset stomach or diarrhea before traveling, but you may want to talk with your doctor about this. You should bring an antibiotic with you in case you do get diarrhea. See a doctor right away if your diarrhea is severe and doesn't get better with medicine, if you have blood in your stool, if you get dehydrated, or if you have a fever (with or without chills).Avoid direct skin contact with soil or sand, especially if it's likely the soil may be contaminated with animal feces. Wear shoes and protective clothes. Sit on a towel if you go to a beach.Talk with your doctor about the vaccinations you need before your trip. Many vaccinations are okay for people who have HIV, but some common vaccinations shouldn't be used in people who have HIV. If you can't have certain vaccinations, your doctor may need to give you special instructions. Your doctor will also want to talk with you about avoiding exposure to fungal infections and protozoal infections, depending on where you want to travel.

Beauty Secrets

Beauty Secrets
For attractive lips,
speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes,
seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure,
share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair,
let a child run his fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge
you never walk alone.
We leave you a tradition of the future.
The tender loving care of human beings
will never become obsolete.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, redeemed and redeemed and redeemed.
Never throw anyone away.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand,
you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you'll discover that you have two hands - one for helping yourself,
the second for helping others.
You've great days still ahead of you.
May there be many of them.

Is India Sleeping???? Please read this article from BBC http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 1/hi/world/ south_asia/ 6762755.stm TAJ AT 14th Position (Only 0.7% Votes)Hello Every One......... ........ This Message Is For Only True Indians. If You Love Your Country Then Only Read This Message Further..... .....============ ========= ========= ========= ======So Now The News Is That These Days People Around The World Are VotingTo Select New 7 (Seven) Wonders.Because Of Less Voting By Lazy Indians Our TAJ MAHAL is at 14thPosition (Only 0.7% Votes).TAJ Is Pride Of India. I Want That You Vote For TAJ And IncreaseThe Vote%, So That Our TAJ Get Place In 7 Wonders. If You Have Already Voted Then Forward This To Your Friends Indian as well as OthersCountries.Who Ever Get This Message Arrange 100 Votes In Favour Of TAJ MAHAL.Make It A Mission Wake Up IndiansLAST DATE IS 7th JULY
Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai supports the Taj for its symbolism of love

Welcome to the election of the New 7 Wonders of the World
Just send mail to Google n7w Election gateway
Just clink on below link and press 'Send'
VOTE FOR TAJ
The New 7 Wonders of the World will be announced during the Official Declaration ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday, July 7, 2007 - 07.07.07.
PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ......... ......... ......... ......... .PLZ vote for taj
3 crores votes still needed
Please forward this mail to maximum people and lets help our TAJ MAHAL.

Onam

Onam is one of the greatest festivals of Kerala. It is the festival, which the keralites celebrate unitedly without the difference of caste and religion. Onam is a time for sports and festivities and in Kerala where one third of the area is low lying, covered with canals, lakes and backwaters; the people take to their boats and country crafts to celebrate. Colourful aquatic festivals are organized along the sacred rive Pamba.After three months of heavy rains, the sky becomes a clear blue and the forests a deep green. The brooks and streams come alive, spitting forth-gentle white foam, the lakes and rivers overflow and lotuses and lilies are in full bloom. It is time to reap the harvest, to celebrate and to rejoice. The harvest festival of Onam corresponds with the Malayalam New Year, Chingam.
Onam is the most important harvest festival of Kerala and is an attraction for thousands of people within and outside the state. Ranging from four days to ten days, all the activities during this season are cantered around worshipping, music, dances, sports, boat races and good food. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month Chingam (ending of August and beginning of September). Onam is a harvest festival, and celebrates the bounty of nature after a year of hard labour. Elaborate procession of Trichur and spectacular snake boat races on River Pampa mark the merry-making nature of the festival. Women dress up in new saris and heavy jewellery and make elaborate and intricate designs of 'rangolis' (with coloured rice paste) and 'pookkalam' (with flowers) in front of their homes.
Onam is a celebration of Ten days. People put flower mats in front of their houses, to welcome the King. There will be competition for the laying of flower mats; Keralites all over the world will be celebrating these ten days will pomp and gaiety. They will wear new dresses, will be visiting almost all temples which they can, they will be performing lot of dances like Thiruvathira kali Thumbi Tullal etc. to name a few and the most important thing is the grant lunch they will be having on the Thiuruvonam day. Which is also called the Fourth Onam. Whatever may happen they will not miss the Grant lunch. There is a saying in Malayalam that "Kanam Vittu Onam Unnanam" which means, "We should have the Thiruonam lunch even if we have to sell all our properties". They give that much importance to the lunch on the Thiruonam day.

Legend
A long time ago, an Asura (demon) king called Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was a wise, benevolent and judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his fame as an able king began to spread far and wide, but when he extended his rule to the heavens and the netherworld, the gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. Presuming that he might become over-powerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas pleaded with Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers. Vishnu transformed himself into a dwarf called Vamana and approached Mahabali while he was performing a yajna and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf Brahmin’s wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. The Emperor's preceptor, Sukracharya warned him against making the gift, for he realized that the seeker was no ordinary person. But the Emperor's kingly ego was boosted to think that God had asked him for a favour. So he firmly declared that there is no greater sin than going back on one's promise. He kept his word.
The Vamana asked for a simple gift — three paces of land — and the king agreed to it. Vishnu in the guise of Vamana then increased his stature and with the first step covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second, straddled the netherworld. Realising that Vamana's third step will destroy the earth; Mahabali offered his head as the last step. Vishnu's fatal third step pushed him to the netherworld, but before banishing him to the underworld Vishnu granted him a boon. Since he was attached to his kingdom and his people, he was allowed to return once a year from exile. Onam is the celebration that marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is the day when a grateful Kerala pays a glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his all for his subjects.
Another LegendAnother legend has it that King Mahabali was a devout worshipper of Lord Vishnu. He was sincere, honest, just and a good ruler. But he had one weakness — ego. And to eradicate his pride and redeem his beloved devotee of this one sin, Vishnu came to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin named Vamana.
The king in his pride asked the Brahmin what he wanted for he could give anything. Vamana asked for three paces of land and the king agreed. To make Mahabali realise that he was a puny creature in front of God's universal stature, Vishnu himself had taken Avatar of Vamana and was testing his ability. Mahabali, who was a man of principles, realized God's purpose and offered his head for Vamana's footstep, as he was sent to another world. This fatal step proved a blessing in disguise for the good king — the foot salvaged and released him from the recurrent cycle of birth and death. That is why Onam is celebrated by wearing new clothes and resolving to lead a new life of truth, piety, love, and humility.
RitualsOnam is a festival of festive celebrations. New clothes are bought on this day and people indulge themselves in dances and sports. The number of days of the festival range from four to ten days, depending on the region. The children and the youth join in the mirth of the season and set about collecting flowers early morning to decorate the yards of their houses for the ten days of the festival, starting from Atham to Thiruvonam. The native flower carpet known as 'onapookalam' is the highlight of these decorations and there are specifications of the type of flowers to be used on each day of the festival. Today the artistic and skilful decoration of the traditional 'pookkalams' is being lost into obscurity.
On the day of Utradam, ninth day since the beginning of the festival, houses are well cleaned and decorated and gala feasts are arranged. Then the images of deities and cones made up of sticky clay painted red are placed there. They are known as 'Trikkakara Appan'. These images are adorned with lines tastefully drawn with rice flour mixed with water and then they are worshipped. After the 'puja', the male members raise loud rhythmic shouts of joy known as 'Aarppu Vilikkukal'.
The next day is the main day of Onam where new clothes are given as presents followed by a grand feast. On the ninth day, tenants of the family, dependants and hangers-on present the fruits of their labour, such as vegetables and coconut oil to 'Karanavar', the eldest member of the Tarawad in a ritual called 'Onakazhcha' . In return, they are treated with a sumptuous feast on the main day of Onam. It is also customary for the village artisans to present the Karanavar of each Nayar Tarawad, a specimen of his handiwork in return of the presents of cloth or rice.
CelebrationsAt Aranmulla, where there is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna, thousands of people gather on the banks of the river Pamba to witness the exciting Snake Boat races. Nearly 30 chundan vallams or snake boats participate in the festival. Owned by villages bordering the river from the hills to the low lying plains- a stretch of about 40 kilometres - these boats are steered by oarsmen dressed in white dhotis and turbans. Singing traditional boat songs, the oarsmen splash their oars into the water to the rhythm of the songs. They guide their boats to cruise along, seemingly like a fish on the move. The golden lace at the head of the boat, the flag and the ornamental umbrella at the centre make it a spectacular show of pageantry. Though ostensibly a competitive event, the festival is more a visual extravaganza.
To date on the eve of Thiru Onam the boat Palliodam floats down from Katoormana to the accompaniment of blowing of conch shells, music and drum beating. Torches are lit and snake boats accompany the procession. The colourful boat festival is held on Uthruttathi or the fifth day after Thiru Onam. Each snake boat belongs to a village along the banks of the river Pamba and is worshipped like a deity. Only men are allowed to board or even touch a boat and that just barefoot. Every year the boat is oiled mainly with fish oil, coconut shell, and carbon, mixed with eggs. The black mixture keeps the wood strong and the boat slippery in the water. Annual repairs are carried out lovingly by the village carpenter and people take pride in their boat, which represents their village and is named after it.
Tradition demands that the Nambudiri Brahmin be at the main rudder oar about 12 feet long. There are four main oarsmen who control the movement of the boat. And in minutes the boat can turn around just by the twist of the hand by the chief oarsman. In the old days the villagers used to sit in the boat in order of their castes but today the order is changing though a certain pattern can still be distinguished. Everyone- the carpenter, the barber, the goldsmith, the blacksmith as well as the agricultural labourers - all have a place on the boat. And in close harmony and magnificent synchronization they pull at the oars. In Trichur, a vibrant procession with resplendently caparisoned elephants is taken out.Pulikali, also known as Kaduvakali is a common sight during Onam season.During onam season, prformers paint their bodies in bright yellow, red and black spots and lines to resemble tigers, and dance to the loud beats of percussion instruments like udukku and thakil.
One remarkable thing about Onam is that it is celebrated by all, not only Hindus but also by Christians and Muslims who are living in Kerala. It is one festival that unites all people regardless of race and religion.