Flying Duck Orchid

Caleana major, the Flying Duck Orchid is a small orchid found in eastern and southern Australia. This 

terrestrial plant features a remarkable flower, resembling a duck in flight.

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Love Poems No. 20 : YOU AND I

YOU AND I

It is you who art enthroned in the shrine of my heart

Who guide me and lead me through ways unknown;

It is you who dwell in the altar of my temple

Before whose feet I surrender my self.

It is you who own my very breath

That I would offer for callings divine;

It is you who draw fountains sweet

From the desert sands of the walks of my life.

It is you who waft me over the roaring waves

Through which my boat flows to the goal;

It is you who enliven my benumbed cells

Which cry together for the union of our souls.

The sea cannot move away from the sun,

The sun cannot hide its rays from the moon,

The moon cannot fly far from the earth,

The earth cannot shy away from the sphere,

The sphere cannot break away from you

Who roll the stars all in Thy hands

Abraham  Karickam

Love Poems No. 19 : IT IS GOOD TO BE SAD

IT IS GOOD TO BE SAD

It is good to be sad

When sadness brings you joy;

You wedded sadness

Avoiding all those seeming joys

And it is good to be sad.

If you think wealth, health and glory,

Will bring you peace and calm,

Deceived. It is good to be sad.

The world is a jungle

And a perennial Kurukshetra;

Supposed to be a heaven,

But worse ever than hell.

                                Abraham  Karickam

Onam celebrations at KIPS

Dance by Mary and Sara

Oberon House

Miranda House

Ariel House

Telista House

 Floral decoration by KG Section

Maveli Nadu Vannedum Kaalam

ONAM

Onam is the most popular festival of Kerala . This is a Hindu festival, celebrated with a great enthusiasm throughout Kerala for a period of ten days. Every year this festival falls on the Malayalam month of Chingam - between August and September and also known as the harvest festival of Kerala.

Onam is one of the most ancient Hindu festivals which is still celebrated with a great devotion. Onam marks the homecoming of King Mahabali, a legendary king, who ruled Kerala in ancient times. That period was believed to be the golden age of Karala, people were happy, free from harm and complete harmony and prosperity was there. This golden age ended when Vamana (an avatar of Lord Vishnu)pushed King Mahabali, deep into the earth. Satisfied by Mahabali’s honesty and generosity, the lord granted him a wish that he can visit his kingdom and dear subjects once in a year.

Onam is celebrated for ten days - Atham is the first day and Thiruvonam is the final day of the celebration. People wear new clothes, decorate their houses and put flower carpet called 'Pookalam' in front of their houses, to welcome the King Mahabali.

 Special pujas are offered in the temples in early morning and younger members take blessings and gifts from the elder members of the family. During Onam traditional rituals are performed followed by a lavish feast with twenty-one homemade curries and sweet payasam on plantain leaf.

Spectacular Carnivals of elephants, fireworks, boat races, music and the famous Kathakalli dance are traditionally associated with this festival. The state government of Karala conducts Tourism Week celebrations in connection with Onam, showcasing Kerala's beauty and culture.