Inkblot

We have a beautiful ritual of offering flowers to women along with turmeric. Be it a little baby girl, a lady, or an elder woman, the gesture is timeless and heartwarming. Havyaka Brahmin tradition is rich, authentic, and rooted in practices that date back hundreds of years. Offering turmeric and kumkum is one such cherished tradition. Kumkum is a vibrant red powder made from turmeric and camphor—an intriguing mix of nature and purity. Turmeric, known for its antibacterial properties, symbolizes health and wellness. Camphor, with its soothing fragrance, is believed to have calming effects on the mind. Kumkum isn’t just cosmetic; it’s a way of connecting with divine energies while ensuring you’re radiating both health and positivity! Here’s how it goes: turmeric is applied lightly on either side of the chin, close to the ears, while the red kumkum is applied as a small circle on the forehead, between the eyebrows. Now, why between the eyebrows, you ask? Scientifically, this spot corresp...

I came across this fly near our back door. I feel it had been resting in the same place since the previous day, but due to the fact that they don’t usually open their wings during the daytime—a kind of camouflage ability—I hadn’t noticed its presence. But today, it seemed like it was a bit injured, so it was trying to fly, and that’s how it caught my attention! Poor creature! (My farmer friends would probably disagree if I call it “poor.”) I know exactly why it was near our back door: my mom always keeps some bananas out to feed the free-flying birds. And no wonder this moth visited, because fruits are its favorite. I instantly recognized it as the fruit-piercing moth. Guess those entomology lessons from past years hadn’t fully faded! Though I still had to ask Google for its universal scientific name. So, this is Eudocima phalonia , a fascinating insect with some unique and troublesome traits, especially for fruit growers. Unlike most moths that feed on nectar, these moths pierce throu...

                 This morning, I spotted a moth resting on the leg of our wooden sofa in the sit-out at my home. Fascinated by its unique appearance, I couldn’t help but wonder what species it was. A quick scan with Google Lens revealed that it was a Yellow Monkey Moth . It's amazing how technology can satisfy our curiosity in an instant! These moths are known for their vibrant yellow color and distinctive markings . Seeing this little creature up close reminded me of how much beauty and diversity there is in nature, even right in our own backyard. I feel very lucky to stay in such a beautiful nestled in the Western Ghats . 

  This scorpion came into the house tonight! We were all surprised and scared, but this isn’t something new for us. Being inhabitants of the Western Ghats , we can’t really complain about such encounters with wildlife . It’s like we humans are the minority here, dwelling in 'their' territory! The picture you see here neither looks very scary nor does it capture the true experience. I only had a few seconds to take a picture while we were a bit panicked seeing the scorpion. Fortunately, one of us noticed it, otherwise, it might have found a corner to hide in—or worse, it could have stung one of us! On the floor, the scorpion looked like a puzzle piece, blending in so well that it was almost camouflaged . Haha!