Missing Kerala.

Tags

backwaters, bananas, canoes, chinese fishing nets, coconut trees, coffee, fields, india, indian, indian coffee house, kappi, kerala, kochi, malayalee, malayalees, paddy, photography, rice, south, sunset, travel, vacation

December is usually my month to travel home to Kerala… sadly not this year.

I’ll miss driving by the chinese fishing nets in Kochi as I travel to my aunt’s house…

travelling by canoe through the narrow backwaters to get to another aunt’s house…

sitting back and taking in Kerala’s wonderful sunsets…

eating several different types of bananas (picked from the backyard) everyday…

watching the cultivation of rice from endless paddy fields…

and eating masala dosa and of course drinking the best coffee in the world at India Coffee House.

Images via ayurvedaelements.com, myhappyjourney.com, myvacationtour.com, farawayvacationrentals.com and visita-kerala.com

an Indian wedding.

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bangles, bindi, ceremony, chokers, colors, engagement, gold, hindu, hindu wedding ceremony, india, indian, jewelry, kerala, malayalee, malayalees, manthracodi, manthrakodi, minnu, necklaces, nikon, photography, sari, south, thali, wedding

Remember I promised photos from the Indian weddings I’ve attended this Summer? No? Yea, I was hoping you would forget! Here are a few images from my friend’s Hindu wedding ceremony.

Exchanging the garlands symbolizes the bride and groom’s adoration for each other.

Preparing offerings.

At the reception with my friend, the bride.

Nope, it’s not what you think. I’m completely sober. I’m just easily amused.

figandthewasp and the gang.

PS. With regard to copyright – all images belong to little ole me (the wasp) unless otherwise stated. Be kind and give credit where credit is due.

an Indian wedding.

Tags

50mm, bouquet, catholic, ceremony, church, colors, d7000, flower girl, indian, kerala, malayalee, malayalees, mass, mermaid, nikon, photography, short veil, silhouette, wedding, wedding dress, wedding gown

PS. With regard to copyright – all images belong to little ole me (the wasp) unless otherwise stated. Be kind and give credit where credit is due.

a South Indian wedding.

Tags

bangles, bindi, ceremony, chokers, colors, engagement, gold, happy friday, hindu, hindu wedding ceremony, india, indian, jewelry, malayalee, malayalees, manthracodi, manthrakodi, minnu, necklaces, nikon, photography, sari, thali, tying, tying the knot, wedding

Another weekend of engagements and weddings… sigh…

One of these days I’ll process all of the photos I’ve taken so far this summer.

Below is the Mangalya Dharana (tying the knot) during a Hindu wedding ceremony.

Happy Friday!

PS. With regard to copyright – all images belong to little ole me (the wasp) unless otherwise stated. Be kind and give credit where credit is due.

Happy Friday!

a South Indian wedding.

Tags

bangles, catholic, ceremony, chokers, christian, colors, engagement, gold, holy cross church, india, indian, jewelry, kerala, kids, malayalee, malayalees, manthracodi, manthrakodi, mass, minnu, necklaces, photography, priest, reception, sari, thali, wedding

Here are some pics taken from my cousin’s wedding (South Indian Catholic) in Kerala.

The couple at the Betrothal ceremony in Chunkappara, Kerala, India.

The groom and his and her family say prayers before the engagement at the bride’s house. In the background are photos of deceased relatives.

Notice how much gold we wear! (Yes, that’s real gold!) This is the typical style of a South Indian Catholic bride.

Yea, she’s tired… I would be too! Did I mention how hot it can get there?

Tying of the thali – which I believe literally means “string”. The groom ties a knot with the gold thread from the sari (Manthrakodi) he’ll give to his bride. This gold thread is usually attached to a gold necklace which the bride will wear the rest of her life and symbolizes their union. (Think of it like a wedding band).

Just outside Holy Cross Church, Arthat, Kunnamkulam, Kerala.

Posing with the priest and family.

The reception hall at Holy Cross Church.

The newly married couple.

The bride and groom tired (and relieved) after the very long reception…

And this is just the beginning – I’ll be attending many weddings this summer… more to come!