Solar Transit of Alpha Orionis or Aridra

It has been raining incessantly in Trichur. Not heavy rains. Those who yearned for heavy rains are disappointed. This is Thiruvathira Njattuvela in full cry. Heavy rains can destroy crops and houses. Crores of loss will be reported if heavy rains take over. But then drizzles are good, as it is good for groundwater recharge, No surface runoff ! Ideal climate is always sunny days and rainy nights !

Waste Recycling

This is how the Trichur Corporation is solving the problem of waste. Two tubes are given for less than 100 INR. The real cost is 893 INR.  90% is subsidy. 75% given by Shuchithva Mission and 15% by Corporation.

The householder gets two tubes for less than 100. He can put waste in one tube and close it with a lid. After one week when the tube becomes full with waste, he can fill the other tube. ( On top of that waste, buttermilk, cowdung, curd can be put ). Meanwhile the first tube will be full of fertiser and that fertiliser can be used as manure for farms ! Tubes have 8 inch diameter and 1.3 meter length. Initially tubes will be given to 20 K homes.

Distribution of tubes have begun. Not a great engineering idea, but maybe it will suffice !

About Monsoon Express

The famous Thiruvathira Njattuvela or the Sun's transit of Alpha Oriionis began today. There was a heavy downpour at 0700 AM for half an hour and then there is a sunny interlude now. Now it is sunshine , but at any moment the sky can go dark. Thiru muriyathe peythu nirayunna thiruvathira. It will rain ambrosia in Aridra !

Rains galore in the month of Gemini in Kerala

The rains have been continuing for two days and now there is a break. It rained almost for 48 hours. Unlike last year's Makiryam Njattuvela, there were no fierce rains. In some places in Kerala, the rains took on the Dance of Destruction, destroying some homes and wells. The dams must have got enough water. Kerala was under the threat of power cut.

Despite its demerits, Rain is a beauty Goddess, evoking memories of wet experiences. She generates beauty and is responsible for the green landscaping effectuated by Nature. She gives grace to this tiny province and is the manifestation of Grace !

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Vizhinjam - The proposed ICTT Terminal

A 5500 cr Port is proposed. Vizhinjam is a Deep Sea Port. It is on the Asia - Europe route. There is a natural depth of 18 metres here. This Port will be able to accomodate ships with displacements about 300, 000 tonnes. Other ports are hard pressed to accomodate ships of even 200,000 tonnes ! A 5 metre dredging can mean that Vizhinjam can accomodate the biggest ship in the world, with a displacement of more than 564 K tonnes !

The Vizhinjam Port can handle supertakers and the biggest container mother ships with ease.  This Port is closer to the international shipping line than any other Indian port, which makes it all the more economical for ships to call here. This opens up avenues for refueling or bunkering of ships as well as ship repair. On the crude transshipment front, a transshipment facility with a storage complex and docking piers will reduce the turn around time for ships. Crude is India's biggest import and Vizhinjam lies very close to the Persian Gulf - Far East shipping lanes used by most supertankers.

VALLARPADAM, the Lovely Island

Vallarpadam is one of the two main islands of Kochi, the other being Willingdon Island. It is situated next to Bolgatty Island on the West and linked to the mainland by the Goshree Bridges. It is about 3.5 km in length in the north south direction and hosts a population of 10 K people. It is about one km away from the mainland.

Vallarpadam and the proximate island New Vypin holds tremendous development potential. because of its nearness to the international east west trade route between Asia and Europe. It is situated in the 200 km long Vembanad Lake, known as the Lake of Kochi.

Vallarpadam is connected via Rail with the Edappally Railway Station with a 4620 m long Rail Bridge. This rail connectivity is for transporting containers from the ICTT.

These are some of the photos of the ICTT at Vallarpadam

Vallarpadam is flanked on the east by Bolgatty Island.

and on the West by Vypin Island.

These are two beauteous islands  on the Kochi Lake, the Wembanad Lake. Tourists find these islands heavenly. Experience it for yourself !

How to make Dal Vada !

How to make Dal Vada

Grind the dal in a mixie ( not too much). Add sliced onions and chillies. Also curry leaves. Make it into balls. Flatten the balls and put it it boiling oil and lo ! you have Parippu Vada !

Roasted Peanuts !

Put peanuts in a glass bowl. Add red chilli powder, some oil and salt. Heat in the microwave oven for 3 minutes and roasted peanuts are ready !

A Prelude to Makiryam Njattuvela !

Tomorrow Makiryam Njattuvela starts. Now it is raining heavily in Guruvayur ! The sky was brimming with pessimistic prophecies and now the rains are coming.

Last year's Makiryam Njattuvela wrought havoc. For 36 hours it rained non stop and we had a darkened atmosphere. It devastated rural Kerala !

Tomorrow I am off to Thirunavaya for my Mother's Sraddham. Hope rains will not hit Thirunavaya tomorrow.

Rohini Njattuvela Strikes !

There were not much rains yesterday, but I awoke at 0300 AM to see the lights go off. The reason was obvious. It was raining. It rained for half an hour. This is characteristic of the solar transit of Rohini 4 or the fourth quarter of Alpha Tauri or Aldebaran. Makiryam Njattuvela begins on 7th and rains are expected to intensify.


On 21st, Thiruvathira Njattuvela will take over and there will be many sunny interludes to accompany the intermittent downpours. Thank God it is raining every month in God's own country !