Mysore Pooja

August 13, 2009 - I attended my first pooja in Mysore

Everyone wore colorful saris

Seema still had her mehendi

Dodamma, dodappa and Thatha's relatives were there

Ravi and Rukmini

Megha, Jyothi, and Srikanth ajji

Lalitha made a quick dash from Bangalore

Manjula aunty who made me laugh by tickling me

The pooja inside made a lot of smoke

So outdoors was the best place to be

and everyone relaxed there

Including little Manyu

Whose favourite pastime was dangerously climbing on to thatha's scooter and peeping indoors

Lucknow friend in Hyderabad

August 16, 2009 - We visited uncle Babu in hyderabad

who is a financial consultant and number puncher

We visited the Birla temple and then headed to a restaurant

Aunty Rajeshwari and uncle talked of old times

while we kids got bored

Aunty Sita's Wedding - Hyderabad

August 15, 2009 - I took a train for the first time in my life to come to Hyderabad for sweet Sita's wedding. For the first time I met my mom's side of the family.

Great uncle Janardhan with Venu

The happy couple

The ceremony was a lot of fun

I confiscated each and every bindi that Mama wore

kept an eye on proceedings

and got ring side seats for the exciting parts

I had the full run of the aisle

and spent my time chasing little girls and big boys

I kept an eye on the wedding too

taking little breaks to meet with close family

Here is young uncle Sriram the future opening batsman for India

Aunty Vandana and I got along

and I paid my respects to elders

ate a lot of nice food

and posed for family photos

I even danced to some music

and played on the third floor of the hotel where family members had rooms

the morning there was a short ceremony

where I met all the aunties and great aunty

Sita aunty and mama in nice saris

my beautifully dressed Sita aunty

and lovely relatives

Bangalore Friends

August, 2009 - We met with Lucknow friends in Bangalore.

Kitty, Vikas, and Shome uncle with respective wives

And their sweet kids who played with me and taught me fun stuff

We met at Shome uncle's house and then went to a restaurant/bar for dinner.

It was fun catching up with stuff that happened 25 years before I was born

Family in Bangalore

August 2009 - I had a good time meeting family members in Bangalore.

Unfortunately I did not get along too well with women folk since all they wanted was to kiss me, and not take me out to play. I did become mildly friendly with Ajji and Oni...

I behaved myself and ate new food items

My best friend was thatha who took me out on walks, gave me key, and in general read my mind and complied with it

I also spent quality time with Chechi and Lalitha

India - Abhi Swetha Reception

August 9, 2009 - For the first time I learnt how to do Namaskaara to god, after encouragement from Ajji.

I sit in on prayers at Lalitha's poojay maney

Oni with Shambhu and Padma aunty all looking grand

Neetu and oni admiring the salad layout

Abhi, Swetha, and Lalitha with the parents eating 16 course meal

Mama looking especially pretty with new perm

Nice decorations with crocodile made of bitter karela

I am fast asleep as we wait to congratulate the bride and groom who are hosting 1600 well wishers

I am oblivious to mama and Oni bedecked in colorful saris

Back home I cuddle up to Ajji as she watches kannada serials.