Garlic Creeper

Plant Summary: The name is derived because the leaves when crushed smells of garlic. The smell is because it contains sulphur compounds like alliin and allyl sulphides that the garlic has. This plant is a native to Amazon rainforests, but is grown widely in South India. The natives of Amazon use the leaves as a [...]

Bangalore – Lal Bagh

Lal Bagh is a Botanical Garden situated in South Banglaore, India. The garden was commissioned by the ruler of Mysore, Hyder Ali in 1760. His son Tipu Sultan completed the 240 acre gardens. The Glass House on the lines of the London’s Crystal Palace and the Band Stand in front of it, stands testimony to [...]

Baby Corn Fingers

Spicy, sweet and crispy Baby Corns.  It is delicious and children love ‘em. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Baby Corns 2 tbsp Gram Flour/Besan 2 tbsp Rice Flour 3 tbsp Corn Flour 2 tsp Chili Powder A pinch of cooking Soda Oil for deep-frying Salt to taste

Orchid Spathoglottis Plicata

Spathoglottis Plicata is a species from the Far East grows very well in South India. It is a terrestrial orchid with large bulbs. A long spike shoots up and at the edge sparkling lilac flowers bloom. The blooms stay for a long time. This plant clusters quickly in a humus rich soil media. Cocoa Peat [...]

Orchid Cymbidium Bicolor

“Cymbidium Bicolor” is widely found in Western ghats and Himalayas. Picture above: Cymbidium Bicolor in Bhadra Sanctuary It is a tufted robust orchid with large false bulbs and pendulous flowers. They bloom during April to July. The flowers last for more than 20 days. This orchid is best planted in a coal, bark and moss [...]

Upakarma

This festival is solely for the men. The others also join in by preparing delicious food as naivedhyam / blessed food and eating together. This festivals falls on Shravana Nakshatra (a star) on the full moon day of Hindu month Shravana.  August – September in Gregorian calendar.   This festival is celebrated on different days [...]

Swarna Gowri Vratha

Swarna Gowri Vratha/Pooja is celebrated by girls and women in Karnataka and Andhara Pradesh. Goddess Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha. This festival falls in the hindu month of Shravana, August – September by Gregorian calender. This year (2010) it is on 11th September.  This pooja has a special significance for married women as [...]

Rakhsha Bandhan

This festival is a celebration of the brother-sister bonding, celebrated mainly in North India. It falls on Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu moth of Shravana.  August – September in Gregorian Calendar.  This year(2010) it is on Wednesday, 24th August.

Masala Thepla

This type of bread is prepared in Gujarat.  This has a long shelf life and is very suitable to carry while travelling. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 2

Kodabale

Crispy and spicy rings prepared using Rice, a favorite evening snack among Mysoreans and Bangaloreans along with a good cup of South Indian filter coffee. Ingredients: 2 Cups Raw Rice 1 Cup Coconut 10 – 12 Dry Red Chilies 1/4 tsp Asafoetida/Hing 1/4 tsp Ajwain or Jeera/Cumin Seeds 1/2 Cup, Hot Oil Oil for Deep-frying [...]