A poem

 Karkidakam

Hey there, Monsoon—
You found your way.
Wasn’t sure you’d show up,
With the world all talk of change and doom,
And skies too shy to make room.

But here you are, all gale and tide,
Storming in with your winds wide,
Like that brother who never calls ahead—
Just barges in, well-fed and wet.

You’ve brought that smell—
Of Kerala soil and mango spell,
Of sambar brewing, warm and thick,
Of old Cochin with memory slick.

The kids sleep deep, they dodge the bell,
Old men rock with tales to tell.
And women at windows, quiet as mist,
Think of Sita and what we missed.

You’re not just rain.
You’re not just grey.
You’re Karkidakam—the soul’s pathway.
A hymn, a vow, a whispered psalm,
A breath held deep in Ramayan calm.

You’re the month that bends our knees,
That calls the chants into the breeze.
Though roads flood and clothes don’t dry,
You teach us still to look up high.

So stay a while. Don’t rush past.
We’ve got some mantras meant to last.
Some tears to shed, some hearts to mend,
Some broken prayers we’d like to send.

And yes, the tea is hot and sweet.
Pull up a chair, rest your feet.
Just try not to break us as you bless,
O sacred month of heaviness.

First Sunday Karkidakam 2025

Not much difference from the picture posted a few weeks ago at the start of Monsoon. We have been rained in since then. The month of Karkidakam which bear the seriousness and the brunt of monsoon is here. This year the month has arrived in all its old Glory. Pouring and consistent just like in old days. 

The church was not that crowded and smelled of damp. Sunday best wet with rain drops. 

Monsoon

The day before the monsoon.

Monsoon at Vallarpadam

For some personal reason, I could not go to Vallarpadam today. When I am in Kochi on a Sunday, missing the mass there is a big time emotional worry.

First Sunday of the monsoon, so as to speak. It rained good. But the monsoon is yet to pick up. Last week I could post some pictures of the changing landscape around Vallarpadam. Today somehow I was thinking about how lucky we were to get an approach road to church from the Container Terminal Road. I guess it was around the time when Vallarpadam was declared a National Shrine Basilica and impending visit of the Prime Minister/President of India which did the favour. I have  heard  Fr. Jose Pulikkan, ex-parish priest speaking gratefully about it.

Fishing

Customarily, this year too the monsoon saw the trolling ban. Fishing in motorised boat is controlled, to protect the fish environment and also for the safety of fisher folks.

Pictures of the Boats that are moored at the "KADAVU" of Vallarpadam.

PS: Kadavu(Malayalam) = Jetty

Monsoon

 The monsoon 2013 has arrived in its full grandeur. Just as the summer was hot and bashing the monsoon too this year is "telling".

On a rainy day there is not much contrast in color, everything looks grey. Here is a picture of the church on a rainy day. Not many were around on the weekday morning when I went there in the rain.

The monsoon. Another year, another season.
For the living to survive, for the dead....??

Trolling Ban

Just a few days after the "Logos Hope" called on our port, this years trolling ban came into effect. The monsoon have started rampaging our coast and the sea is high. A good decision from the point of view of safety and the reproduction of fishes.

Hope the fishing families of the coast cruise without any strains on their purse.

Monsoon at lady of ransom

For them, it was business as usual. Selling candles, flowers and lime Juice. But during monsoon business is dull and life a drag.
"Karkidakam" the heaviest of our monsoon months was really wet this year too. The first month of the monsoon was a welcome change from the heat of summer, but a month into the monsoon our body has become supple and tender. Very easy to break a bone or sprain an ankle.
At lady of Ransom, they have this new Hall, with facilities for Adoration, Confession and Slave Offerings. Its spacious and really convenient.