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...]
Akeel Dip Recipe
Yes, like you I was intrigued hearing the name of this dip. Akeel Dip is from Yemen and is similar to Indian Raitha with its own unique twist. This dip can be served with any of the crisp starters or … [Read More...]
Song on Lord Panduranga
This song is in praise of Lord Panduranga of Pandharpur. Panduranga appeared in Pandharpur to bless his devotee, Pundalik, who was busy serving his parents when the Lord arrived, … [Read More...]
Flower Arrangement – Windy
The wind blown arrangement is the nearest you can get to nature. This arrangement is one of my favorite. This arrangement gives an illusion of a tree laden with flowers blown to a side by … [Read More...]
Dinner with Pumpkin – Roti platter with Pumpkin
Light dinner keeps you agile the next day. Early dinner the better. Though this is easy said than done! Pumpkin is a powerhouse of fibre and when teamed with Roti is a perfect way to … [Read More...]
Black-eyed Susan Vine
The attractive flowers of Black-Eyed Susan Vine are like a pop-up in any garden. The profuse flowers are attractive and add the much needed colour among the other trees and plants. The … [Read More...]
Needle Rock View Point, Gudalur, Ooty
Needle Rock View Point is known as Soochi Malai. Soochi in Tamil means needle and Malai means hills. The name needle is derived from the rock that narrows to a sharp needle tip. As you wind up … [Read More...]
Boondi Burani Raitha Recipe – Boondi Raitha Recipe
Raitha is a dish prepared using Yoghurt in India. This is served as an accompaniment with Indian Bread and Pulav or Biryani (Spicy flavorful rice). During summer this is a prepared dish in most of … [Read More...]
May 2026 Hints
To preserve your expensive shoes, slide each separately into zip bags and hot blow over them to get a perfect shoe cover. To unclog shower pores, place a paper towel over the shower head, pour … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Vaisakh month – April and May 2026
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026 Vaishākh (April – May) Akshaya Tritiya – 19 April 2026 Basava Jayanthi– 20 April 2026 Ramanujacharya … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Pudina Khajur Chutney
Mint and palm Dates chutney. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 bunch Pudina/Mint leaves 6 Khajur/Dates 2” piece Tamarind 3 Green Chilies ½ tsp Jeera Powder Salt to … [Read More...]
Bonda Soup Recipe – Medhu Vada in Soup – Black Lentil Fritter in Lentil Soup
Bonda Soup is a delicacy served only in Bangalore and Mysore restaurants. If the Vadas are served laced with spicy tangy curds as Dahi Bhallas in North India, the Vadas here are drowned in a … [Read More...]
Rawa Idli – Semolina Steamed Cakes
Rawa Idli are steamed cakes prepared using Semolina. An ideal and filling breakfast. This was first prepared by Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR) for the soldiers serving in harsh climates. … [Read More...]
Noodles and Vegetable Soup
Cuisine: Chinese This soup is extremely filling and is a complete meal by itself. Perfect for winter. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup boiled Noodles 1tbsp Oil 1 Cup … [Read More...]
Alasandekayi Palya
Alasande Palya is a side dish prepared using Chinese Long Beans. This is a very common dish prepared in Mysore and Bangalore region. Tastes very good with Rice and Rasam. Time Required: … [Read More...]
Mango Rice – Mavinakayi Chitranna
It is locally called as Mavinakayi Chitranna, it is a spicy rice prepared using raw mangoes and spices. This is usually prepared during Ugadi festival along with Huranada Holige/Sweet … [Read More...]
Bangalori Dal – Lentil Side Dish Recipe – Dal Recipe
Bangalori Dal is prepared using Pigeon Pea and Red Lentils. It is a tasty and healthy dish. Cuisine: North Indian Time required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: ½ cup Tuvar Dal / Pigeon Pea / Red … [Read More...]
Fruit Custard
Fruit custard is a favorite while growing up. With Ice-cream it would be the must loved Fruit Salad with Ice-cream! Time Required: 40 Minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 1 Apple 2 Banana 1 … [Read More...]
Travel
Gadisar Lake
A lake in the middle of the desert is a surprise to the visitors and the presence of an exquisitely carved sandstone balcony in the lake adds to the mystical charm. Gadisar Lake is a man-made lake … [Read More...]
Sringeri
Sringeri situated on the banks of the River Tunga was the chosen place by Sri Adi Shankaracharya to set up the first matha (monastery) in the 8th Century. Sringeri is located amidst the Sahyadri … [Read More...]
Chennakesava Temple – Belur
Usually a visit to a temple is to offer prayers and exit. But, there are many ancient temples in India from where you resist exiting and continue to go round in circles admiring the ornate carvings. … [Read More...]
Pondicherry – Puducherry
After learning most of the computer languages, I enrolled myself for French language lessons and imagined myself traveling to France and speaking in French but could not go beyond pronouncing Merci … [Read More...]
Sooryanarayana Temple, Lakkundi – Suryanarayana temple
Sun plays a vital role in our lives and the whole mankind, animals, plants, and birds thrive because of the sunlight. Hence, Sun is worshipped throughout India. Rathasapthami festival is … [Read More...]
Hubli
Hubli is my birth place and it was initially known as Hubballi meaning flowering creeper in Kannada. This is one of the major cities of Karnataka. The twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad are the second … [Read More...]
Sagarkatte, Mysore
The best part of the monsoon season is that the dams open their gates when full and the waterfalls and the backwaters along the river’s journey to meet the sea are fed with immeasurable water to … [Read More...]
Festivals
Karthika Somavaragalu
Kantheyasya Lasathkaala Garalam Gangaajalam Masthake Giriraajaraja Thanayaa Jaaya Bhavaani Sathi Nandi Skanda Ganaadhiraaja Sahithaa Sri Vishwanaatha Prabhu Kashi Mandira Samsthithokhila … [Read More...]
Chaitra Navratri
Chaitra Navratri also known as Varshik Navratri is a festival observed for nine days in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April in Gregorian Calendar). The festival starts on the first day of Chaitra … [Read More...]
Independence day memories
My mother remembers and shares her memories on the days before Indian Independence and the joy felt on 15th August 1947. Place: Kurtakoti Script: Kannada ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ ದಿನ ಈ ದಿನ ೭೪ನೆೇಯ (74th) … [Read More...]
Buddha Poornima – Vesak
Buddham Sharanam Gatchami|| The above verse is a chant of Buddhists meaning "I take refuge in Lord Buddha". Buddha Poornima is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. It is celebrated on … [Read More...]
Lord Ganesha Arathi Song
Tomorrow is Ganesh Chathurthi. Wish you all a very happy festival. My mother has written the below arathi song praising Lord Ganesha. This is in Kannada script. ಗಣೇಶನಿಗೆ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಆರುತಿ … [Read More...]
Varamahalakshmi Vratha
Sarvamangala Mangalye| Shive Sarvarthaka Sadhike| Sharanye Thriyambake Devi/Laksmi| Narayani Namosthuthe|| The above shloka is in praise of goddess Lakshmi and offering … [Read More...]
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...]
