Skywatch Friday

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Thursday Theme - Plants

Ocimum tenuiflorum (also known as Ocimum sanctum, Tulsi, Tulasī in Sanskrit and Hindi,is an aromatic plant. It is an erect, much branched subshrub 30-60cm tall, with simple opposite green or purple leaves that are strongly scented, and hairy stems. Leaves have petioles, and are ovate, up to 5cm long, usually somewhat toothed. Flowers are purplish in elongate racemes in close whorls. Tulsi is native throughout the Old World tropics and widespread as a cultivated plant and an escaped weed. It is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes, and for its essential oil. There are two main morphotypes cultivated in India, green-leaved (Sri or Lakshmi tulsi) and purple-leaved (Krishna tulsi)

It is known across South Asia as a medicinal plant, commonly used in Ayurveda, and has an important role within the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving Tulsi plants or leaves.

There is also a variety of Ocimum tenuiflorum which is used in Thai cuisine, and is referred to as Thai holy basil, or kha phrao —not be confused with ordinary "Thai Basil", which is a variety of Ocimum basilicum.
Followers of Hindu traditions often keep a Tulsi plant in front of their house. On a specific day each year known as 'Kartik Shukla Dwadashi' (usually about two weeks after Diwali) there is a tradition wherein Tulsi plants will be beautifully decorated with structures made of sugarcane, mango leaves and flowers and then a puja (form of worship) is offered.

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ABC Wednesday - I for Idli!

The idli is a savory cake that originated in South India and now very popular as fast food all over India. The cakes are usually two to three inches in diameter and are made by steaming a batter consisting of fermented black lentils (de-husked) and rice. The fermentation process breaks down the starches so that it is more readily metabolized by the body, and is considered a health food.

Most often eaten at breakfast or as a snack, idlis are usually served in pairs with chutney, sambar, or other accompaniments. Mixtures of crushed dry spices such as milagai podi are the preferred condiment for idlis eaten on the go.

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Visarjan (Immersion)

Thousands of Ganesh idols of various sizes are taken for immersion in huge processions with devotees dancing all along the route to the immersion point.

It is a nightmare for the traffic authorities but the Mumbai traffic police does an excellent job to ensure smooth proceedings for the devotees and the normal traffic.


I could not go to the immersion point, hence I took this picture from the TV on which the immersion was being telecast live.

Monochrome Monday

A bleak rainy day at the Juhu beach in Mumbai.

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Camera Critters - Moth

A beautiful specimen. Unfortunately I do not know its biological name or any other details.

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Catty conversations

Catty conversations or maybe just chatting up? A great place to do so!

Sky Watch

The Mumbai sky at dusk.
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