Festival dates in Ashadha month – July and August 2026 Āshādha (July - August) - From 15 July to 12 August 2026 Ashada Shukravara Lakmi Pooja - 17 July, 24 July, 31 July, … [Read More...]

Flower Arrangement – Peaced
Who better than Gautham Buddha to represent Peace? This arrangement using Bamboo and Buddha bust gives out the most peaceful oriental vibe. The famous Three Refuges (or Triple Gem) in … [Read More...]

Water Apple Salad Recipe
Water Apple in White and Red are available in plenty during May End to June End. This fruit though tasteless is considered good for health. I tried this recipe and the fruit became a bit … [Read More...]

July 2026 Hints
When using Banana leaves as a wrap, iron using an electric ironing machine iron and then use them. Add a pinch of salt at each stage of cooking, for example, add a pinch when sautéing Onions, … [Read More...]

Flower Arrangement – Rock Solid
In nature, wild flowers gently peep out from rocks and its crevices. This looks very beautiful. We can introduce rocks in our gardens for an aesthetic look. Similarly, rocks can be … [Read More...]

Yoga Narasimha and Saint Ramanujacharya temple, Todanur
The Yoga Narasimha and Saint Ramanujacharya temple is on a hillock and has been renovated recently and was sporting a fresh coat of paint. This temple , which is 1000 years old is built in the Chola … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Jyaishtha month – June and July 2026
Festival dates in Jyaishtha month – June and July 2026 Adhika Jyaishtha (17th May - 15th June) Vata Savitri Vratha / Phala Poornima - 29 June 2026 Kara Hunnime / Bhoomi Hunnime … [Read More...]

Nambhi Narayana Temple, Thodanur
The Nambhi Narayana/Lakshmi Narayana temple is the largest and the oldest temple in Thodanur. This was originally a Jain basathi/temple. Hoysala king Bittidevaraya, who was a Jain was influenced … [Read More...]

Neeru Dosa – Thin Rice Dosa
"Neeru" in Kannada means water. Neeru Dosa is prepared with a batter as thin as water and hence the name. Cuisine: Udupi Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Time Serves: … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes

Aati Ganji – Udupi style Dwadashi Ganji – Rice Gruel
Today is Prathama Ekadashi and tomorrow being Dwadashi, it is a practice in many households to break the Ekadashi fast by consuming Ganji (rice gruel). In Mysuru region, the Ganji is prepared a … [Read More...]

Whole Lemon Pickle
I had an school friend who was a Kerala Iyer and we used to have lunch together. Her lunch box always contained watery curd rice with one whole yellow Lemon pickle dunked into it. Yumm! Mouth … [Read More...]

Paneer Bhurji – Paneer Burji Recipe – Scrambled Cottage Cheese
A side dish prepared using Cottage Cheese and vegetables. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1½ Cup grated Paneer/Cottage Cheese 1½ Cup Tomatoes Chopped Finely 1 Onion, … [Read More...]

Instant Chutney
Instant Chutney is a Chutney prepared mixing ready ingredients without the need to grind it to a paste. I make this when I am too lazy to chop vegetables and cook or I have run out of … [Read More...]

Tamarind Thokku
Raw Tamarind Chutney, which can be stored for a very long time. Tamarind Thokku is prepared in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Ingredients: 10 Raw Tamarind 3 tbsp Salt 5 – 8 Green … [Read More...]

Beetroot Saaru – Beetroot thin soup
Beetroot Saaru is a thin curry prepared using Beetroot. When the usual Tomato Saaru or Rasam becomes a bit mundane, you can add Beetroot for a new taste. Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]

Vegetable Khichdi
A Rice dish prepared using split Green Gram and assorted vegetables. A very healthy and complete meal. Time Required: 40 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice 1 Cup Hesarubele/Moong … [Read More...]

Paneer Tikka Masala – Cottage Cheese in spicy gravy
Paneer Tikka Masala is a side dish is prepared with grilled Paneer. Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: For the Tikka: 15 1" square pieces of Paneer/Cottage Cheese 1 Cup Hung … [Read More...]
Travel

Karwar
The beach town of Karwar is situated in Uttara Kannada district 520 Km from Bangalore. India’s greatest poet and noble prize winner Rabindranath Tagore in 1916 wrote “The sea beach of … [Read More...]

Mysore Outfit
A founder member of one of the oldest law colleges in Mysore – Sarada Vilas Law College my grandfather, lawyer by profession attended the law courts in Mysore for decades wearing the traditional … [Read More...]

Varakodu Varadaraja Temple
Varakodu Varadaraja Temple is situated in Varakodu village near Mysore. The huge granite temple was developed and expanded by the Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Kings and the Mysore Wodeyars. Varakodu … [Read More...]

Madurai
Madurai is a city in Tamil Nadu located on the banks of River Vaigai. The river runs in the middle of the city dividing it into two equal halves. Sirumalai and Nagamalai hills lie to the North and … [Read More...]

Wellington Coonoor
Wellington, as the name suggests was the British cantonment area of the Nilgiris. It continues to be the Regimental Centre for the Madras Regiment of the Indian Army. Wellington Coonoor is a … [Read More...]

Paradise Beach Pondicherry
Paradise Beach in Pondicherry is also known as Plage Pardiso and is located 8 Km from Pondicherry. Drive down Cuddalore main road to reach Chunnambar backwaters resort. At Chunnambar you can take a … [Read More...]

Wayanad – Kerala
Wayanad district is the hilly, picturesque part of North East Kerala at altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 meters above sea level. The hills spread over 2,132 square kilometers are part of the Western … [Read More...]
Festivals

Rathasapthami Rangoli
Rathasapthami is a festival in honor of Sun god. On this day a Rathasapthami rangoli / kolam (patterns drawn using chalk powder) of ratha / chariot is drawn inside the shrine of … [Read More...]

Sampath Shanivara Pooja
The day next to Shravana Shukravara Pooja is Shravana Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja also known as Sampath Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja. This pooja / vratha / religious observance is … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – August and September 2025
Bhādrapad (August – September) Ganesh Chaturthi – 27 August 2025 Ganesha aarathi song Why Ganesha is also known as Ekadantha Mystery of the term “Morya” 21 Patra … [Read More...]

Song to Goddess Lakshmi – Varamahalakshmi Arathi Haadu
My mother had written this song in the praise of Goddess Mahalakshmi in 1996. This song can be sung on festivals like Varamahalakshmi, Diwali Lakshmi Pooja, Shravana Shukravara Pooja, Ashada … [Read More...]

Gombe Habba – Forest Arrangement
During Dasara, many households had the ritual of arranging dolls in the house for 9 days in Mysore region. This would bring out a lot of creativeness among the people. The … [Read More...]

Hanuman Jayanthi
"Manojavam Maruthathulya Vegam Jitendriyam Budhdhi Mathaam Varishtam Vaathathmajam Vaanarayutha Mukhyam Srirama Dootham Sharanam Prapadye" The above sthotra/chanting, is part of the Sri … [Read More...]

Celebration of Makara Sankranthi in different regions of India
Makara Sankranthi is celebrated in various styles in different regions of India. Andhra Pradesh In Andhra Pradesh this festival is called as “Pedda Panduga” meaning “big festival”. It is … [Read More...]
