The Fire Star



Agni Nakshatram ("Fire Star"), an astrological period after which this blog was named, is traditionally the hottest period of the year. It began on May 4, and continues until May 29.

We've been suffering fiery weather for several weeks already this year -- whether it's because of global warming or not, when you live in the tropics even a slight rise in temperature affects you immediately. I'm too enervated even to describe it.

On the plus side, mango season has begun. We have two mango trees, of two different varieties, in our garden. The mangoes from the larger tree -- the gardener goes up to the roof-terrace to pick them -- were harvested last week when still green, and put away in a dark place to ripen. The ones in the photograph are not quite ready yet. Our mangoes are never very good, but I always watch with pleasure their progress from sprays of tiny white flowers to green buds to full-grown fruit. (And then I go to the store and buy a box of Alphonse mangoes from Maharashtra.)

5 comments:

Shruti said...

Hmm, mangoes, the favourite fruit of mine...

Ravi said...

Hello Nancy,
You should probably try "Banganapalli" too (an Andhra variety). The taste is awesome and you don't spend up enough as much as you do for an Alphonse.

Ramesh Gandhi said...

Hi Ravi, yes I do eat banganapallis -- but I still think Alphonse is the ultimate. There's another excellent mango -- Salem, I think? The season is later than banganapalli season, and it's similar to alphonse.

Ravi said...

Oh yeah, Salem is known for its mangoes and yes, there is this variety called "Selathu maambazham". But I don't remember its taste though. Ofcourse there is Neelam, Paadari and whole lots. You should visit the "Maambazha saalai" in Srirangam (Trichy) during the mango season and just as its name the street is strewn with mangoes - all varieties.

coup de vent said...

Thanks for explaining the Fire Star connection. Now I will feel the heat when I visit your weblog!