Author: Archana
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Journey to the Mountains : A travelogue : Day 6
Day 6: Tabo – Dhankar – Pin Valley – Kaza Tabo Our day began with a visit to one of the oldest monasteries in India, Tabo Monastery. The buildings, made entirely of mud, exuded an ancient charm. A monk guided us through the monastery’s history, though photos were not permitted inside. The monastery’s walls were…
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Journey to the Mountains: A Travelogue : Day 5
Day 5: Karccham – Nako – Gue – Tabo I woke up late today, having had a restless night. The morning was even colder than the previous day, making it tough to get ready. Little N woke up feeling ill and experienced a seizure for the first time, which was frightening. Fortunately, it lasted less…
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Journey to the Mountains: A Travelogue : Day 4
Day 4: Rampur to Sarahan-Chitkul-Karchham Our first stop was the Bhimakali Temple, an 800-year-old shrine regarded as one of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas. Dedicated to Goddess Durga, known locally as Bhimakali, this temple is a popular pilgrimage site. The current Bhimakali Temple, built in 1927, stands beside an older structure that has a fascinating…
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Journey to the Mountains: A Travelogue : Day 3
Day 3: Shimla to Rampur I woke up at 5:30 AM without an alarm. It’s always a marvel how I manage to rise so early on these trips despite the previous day’s exhaustion. I watched a beautiful sunrise over the mountains, accompanied by the morning birds’ songs. I pondered why it’s so tough to wake…
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Journey to the Mountains: A Travelogue :Day 1& 2
We had been planning this trip for ages. It was supposed to be my friend, her daughter, me, and Little N. Coordinating dates was a nightmare, but once we sorted that out, we were off! We began our adventure on the 16th, heading to Chandigarh. This was my first trip with Little N without my…
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Betel Leaf
As I start on the leafy tales of betel, I find myself scribbling about a plant that seemed as mundane as a garden plant. I had no idea that the vines of betel leaves in both my ancestral and current homes would unfold into a lush narrative of traditions, memories, and unexpected revelations. Memories of…
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Sesbania grandiflora – Agathi cheera
Agathi is one of the 9 plants used for Navrathri (Nabopatrika: Nine plants representing the Mother Earth,a ritual perhaps predated the Durga puja). Jayanti plant(Agathi) represents Goddess Kartiki. Folklore says that this plant is one of the favorites of Muni Agastya and hence the name Agasti. The flower looks like a humming bird, hence the…
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A book launch @ Anemane Farm
Today was a truly wonderful experience as I witnessed the launch of a captivating book amidst the serenity of Anemane. Nestled at the base of Suvarnamukhi hills, near the breathtaking Bannerghatta National Park, this idyllic farm was the perfect backdrop for this event. Surrounded by lush greenery, the air filled with the melodious symphony of…
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Botanical Wonders Unveiled : Medicinal Plant Walk
A glimpse of Medicinal Plant Walk conducted by TDU. Along with some other students & enthusiasts who shares similar interest in plants, I set off on an enthralling trip into the world of medicinal plants. Before starting the walk, we were given a brief introduction of a couple of their herb collections within the herbarium…
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Angola Tree
Last week, during my morning walk, I stumbled upon a tree with white flowers that were buzzing with bees. After some investigation, I discovered that it was an Angola tree (Kannada), also known as Alangium salviifolium/Sage Leaved Alangium. Angolam,Alangi,Arinjil(Malayalam), Azhinjil, Alingil,Elangi(Tam)/Kallu maavu.. are other names in native languages.This thorny tree is considered sacred and is…
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Which is the real Brahmi?
The debate over which plant is the true Brahmi centers on Centella asiatica, Bacopa monnieri, and Hydrocotyle varieties, each with distinct properties and usages in Ayurveda. In Kerala, Bacopa is primarily called Brahmi, while Centella is referred to in other regions. Understanding these differences is crucial for proper identification and use.
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Hibiscus Flower Stir Fry Recipe
In my previous posts, I have mentioned about my Amma making some unique dishes. So thought of sharing one of them today. She calls it Chembarathi upperi, and I named as hibiscus stir fry. The entire cooking process was recorded and my kid wanted it to be in youtube and the link here 😏. The…
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