Memory is unpredictable . One never really knows what we will remember and what we will forget. Which is why nostalgia arrives in unpredictable waves, highlighting something and skimming over others. Recently, I have found myself thinking of how memory works, as I was assailed by nostalgia over a trip to Varanasi, a city I prefer to think of, as Kashi. The nostalgia hit right as we landed at Varanasi airport. The last time I was here, it was 1988, I was 13 years old, the airport was brand new… regular flights hadn’t started yet (I think) … flights landed about once a week, and for the rest of the time, everything was open to those of us who lived in the airport quarters nearby. There were fields everywhere, vast expanses of green… I have vague memories of corn and sugarcane… and being overwhelmed by the vastness of the fields (this was the first time I was in such close proximity to them), and the warm hospitality of complete strangers who lived and worked amidst these fields. I h...
The much awaited festival of Karthikai Deepam was celebrated with great pomp and ceremony at Thiruvannamalai yesterday evening, as we watched from the comfort of our home. Here is a link which will give you all a glimpse of the great lamp being lit atop the sacred hill of Arunachala.
And now, here are images from our celebrations at home….
and at a neighbours' house....








Quite a unique festival. And, you're an artist of Rangoli!
ReplyDeleteForest Warbler
Beautiful!!!
ReplyDeletethe lamps by the steps looks so surrel
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