Festival dates in Kartik month – November and December 2026 Kārtik (October – November) Karwa Chauth - 29 October 2026 Diwali /Balipadyami/New Year in Gujarat - November 2026 … [Read More...]
Happy Deepavali 2026 – Happy Diwali
Deepavali (“avali” means rows and “deepa” means lamp) or Diwali is a festival of lights much loved by one and all. It is the time for sweets, savories, family get-together, new clothes, crackers and … [Read More...]
Turai Ki Sabji Recipe – Ridge Gourd Stir Fry Recipe – Heerekayi Palya
If you are bored preparing the same kind of side dish using Ridge Gourd, here is an interesting twist that gives a bite to an otherwise soggy vegetable. The vegetable is transformed and gets … [Read More...]
November 2026 Hints
Dip Apple pieces in salt water for two minutes and store in a box. This will avoid the Apple getting discolored. Peel roasted peanuts inside a closely netted bag. For Pakoda, chop Onions against … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Ashwin month – October and November 2026
Festival dates in Āshwin month – October and November 2026 Āshwin (September – October) Dasara - Navaratri - 11 October to 20 October 2026 Saraswathi Pooja - 16 October 2026 … [Read More...]
Habbada Thindi and Panaka – Festival Snacks and Juice Recipes
Food and festival go hand in hand in India. Special dishes are prepared on festivals and during vratha (observance). Habbada Adige / festival food is prepared on all festivals. But … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Dal Tadka
Dal Tadka is prepared using Yellow Lentil also known as Thogaribele, Tuvar Dal, Arhar Dal, Split Red Gram, and so on. In India Dal is prepared in so many ways and this variety is after cooking the … [Read More...]
Ragi Soppina Rotti – Nachni Hari Subzi Roti Recipe – Finger Millet Flat Bread Recipe – Roti Recipe
Healthy and nutritious bread prepared using Finger Millet flour and assorted leafy vegetables. This is a dish from Karnataka. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Ragi Hittu … [Read More...]
Karibevina Chutney Pudi – Curry Leaves Chutney Powder
We have a Curry leaves tree in Mysore and the tree grows better if the branches are cut during monsoons. After distributing some among the neighbors, the rest are used to prepare Curry leaves … [Read More...]
Sesame Seeds Squares
Sesame Seeds Squares is a crunchy sweet is prepared in North India during Sankranthi festival. It is believed that if you consume Sesame seeds during winter, it keeps you warm. Time Required: … [Read More...]
Kharada Kadelekayi Beeja Masale – Spicy Peanuts with Onions Recipe – Mumphali Masala
The ubiquitous Kharada Kadalkayi Beeja or Congress is mixed with Onions and made into Kharada Kadelekayi Beeja Masale, which is favorite accompaniment with drinks (hic!) Cuisine: Karnataka Time … [Read More...]
Achari Amla – Indian Gooseberry Stir Fry
During the winters, Amla or Indian Gooseberry flood the markets. Various dishes are prepared using these. They are popularly pickled and very rarely cooked as a side dish. Here is a recipe using … [Read More...]
Idli Bites
A tasty snack using left over Idli / steamed rice cakes. Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Idli / Steamed Rice Cakes 12 Curry leaves 4 Green Chilies, Slit 1tbsp Oil 1tsp Mustard … [Read More...]
Yellu Tomatokayi Chutney – Sesame Seeds Raw Tomato Chutney Recipe
Yellu Tomatokayi Chutney is prepared using Raw Tomatoes, Green Chilies, and Sesame Seeds. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Raw Tomato, Chopped 1 tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds 1 tbsp … [Read More...]
Travel
Sirimane Waterfalls
When we planned to visit Sringeri again, I was determined to visit Sirimane waterfalls, which is around 20 Kms from Sringeri. So, even before we entered Sringeri we drove to the waterfalls and the … [Read More...]
Nandi on top of Chamundi Hills – Chamundi Hills Nandi
As children we were very excited to either drive down for a darshan of Nandi on top of Chamundi hills or climb down the steps to reach Nandi. We would be greeted by a big seated bull in … [Read More...]
Manchinbele Dam
Manchinbele dam or Manchanabele dam is situated 40 Kms from Bangalore in Manchinbele village, Magadi Taluk. The dam is built across Arkavathi River. When your expectations are at its lowest … [Read More...]
Cauvery Nisargadhama
I always felt lucky living in Mysore as the choice of weekend getaways were innumerable. One such favorite getaway was to picnic at Cauvery Nisargadhama and also visit Namdroling Monastary and … [Read More...]
Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy Temple, Bangalore – Bengaluru
The Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy Temple is situated on a small hillock in Vasanthapura layout in Bangalore city. This temple is 1,000 years old is dedicated to lord Srinivasa / Balaji / Vishnu and was … [Read More...]
Kabini or Kapila River
The Kabini or Kapila River, also called Kabani and Kapila, flows in southern India. It originates from Pakramthalam hills in Wayanad District of Kerala. Makkiyad River and Periya River join Kabini … [Read More...]
Channapattana – Channapatna
Have you ever played with a Channapattana toy? I have, and there are many children in South India who have grown up playing with Channapattana toys. During Dasara, 70 percent of the doll arrangements … [Read More...]
Festivals
Good Friday
Having studied in a Catholic school, we were shown many movies on Jesus Christ. I remember when I was 6 or 7 yrs old and crying out with all my heart when Jesus was being nailed to the cross and Mary … [Read More...]
Mouna Gowri Vrata – Mauna Gowri Vrata
Unmarried girls perform Mouna Gowri Vrata. This Vrata / vowed religious observance is performed from the first day of the Hindu month of Magh to the first day of Phalgun (for 30 days), i.e, … [Read More...]
Why Lord Ganesha is also known as Ekadantha / single tusk
The most popular narration on how Lord Ganesha lost his tusk is penned in the Skanda Purana / tales of gods and goddesses. Lord Ganesha was a patron of good food with a healthy appetite. Once … [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...]
Bhagvad Gita Aarathi Song – Bhagvad Gita Jayanthi – Bhagvad Gita Birthday
Bhagvad Gita Aarathi Song is a prayer that is sung after reading the Srimad Bhagvad Gita book. Known as Gita Arati, the verses are found at the end of the 18th chapter of the Bhagvad Gita … [Read More...]
Lakshmi Devotional Song – Arathi Hymn – Varamahalakshmi Festival
This devotional song was sung by my mother's aunt during arathi to Goddess Lakshmi. You can use any tune suitable to sing this song. In Kannada script: ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಸುಕಾಂತೆರಾರತಿ … [Read More...]
Udaka Shanti Pooja
Udaka Shanti Pooja is performed before major events like marriage, upanayana, gruha pravesha, and so on. This pooja is performed for peace and harmony in the house. First, Ganesha is worshiped. … [Read More...]
