Flower arrangement styles like So-getsu school use drifwood in their arrangements. Driftwood refers to branches of trees, which breaks off and fall into the water. These pieces drift along the … [Read More...]
Happy Onam 2026
Wish you all a very happy Onam! It is time for Onam Sadya and Pookalam across Kerala and rest of the country and world where people from Kerala reside. … [Read More...]
Onam Sadya – Plantain leaf Onam Thali – Onasadya
Onam is celebrated for 10 days. During these days women wear Mudum Neriyathum/Mundu and make designs on the floor using flowers known as Pookalam. Around the Pookalam women perform … [Read More...]
Labneh Dip Recipe
Labneh is prepared from hung curds/yogurt. This recipe is from the Middle East. The thick hung curds is whisked with herbs, cucumber, zatar, olive oil, and chili flakes. You can also add Olives, … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Shravana month – August and September 2026
Festival dates in Shravana month – August and September 2026 are as follows: Shrāvana (August - September) - From 13 August to 11 September (2026) Shravana Shanivara - 15 August, 22 … [Read More...]
August 2026 Hints
Add baking soda while washing fruits and vegetable, this will remove any type of contamination. Add sparkling water to Pani puri dough. The Puris will turn out crisp. Add oil while boiling … [Read More...]
Malnad Style Beetroot Kayi Chutney
I tasted this Beetroot chutney at Sridhara Paduka Mandira in Bengaluru. The saying that god prasada is divine and satisfying is so true. The humble lunch comprising to Rice huli, saru, and … [Read More...]
Pookalam Art – Flower Carpet Making – Flower Rangoli
Pookalam (Flower Rangoli / Pattern), the art of designing floral carpets on the day of Onam festival in Kerala welcome their beloved king Mahabali. Pookalam Art can be made on … [Read More...]
Pookalam
Flower arrangement of Indian origin is Pookalam. “Poo” means flower and “kalam” design in Malayalam. The flowers are laid out in beautiful patterns on the floor. Traditionally laying out Pookalam is a … [Read More...]
Onam
Onam is celebrated in Kerala with a lot of enthusiasm. It is their biggest harvest festival and it falls in the Malayali (Malayalam is the language spoken in Kerala and hence the people of Kerala are … [Read More...]
Melukote Srivaishnava Piligrimage Center
Melukote is a famous piligrimage center situated in Mandya district, Karnataka. This place is also known as Thirunarayanapuram, Yadavagiri or Yadugiri nestled in the Cauvery river valley. From Mysore … [Read More...]
Wood Arrangement
"Wood Arrangements" include arrangements with driftwood or even roots and stumps of trees. Coffee roots are very popular in wood arrangements. The roots and the wood when combined with bright flowers … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Pasta Salad
Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Cooked Pasta fusilli ½ Cup of chopped Green, Yellow, and Red Capsicum 5 Olives, Chopped finely 1tbsp Olive Oil 1tsp Vinegar ½ tsp Chili … [Read More...]
Palak Paratha – Spinach Flat Bread – Palak Chapathi Recipe – Palak Roti Recipe
Indian bread prepared used Spinach. Popeye would certainly love it. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 bunch Palak / Spinach 1 - 2 tbsp Green Chilies paste 3 Cups of Wheat … [Read More...]
Pina Colada
Pina Colada is a delicious drink prepared using Coconut Milk and Pineapple. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Coconut 1 Pineapple 4 - 6 tbsp Sugar Method: Grate fresh Coconut … [Read More...]
Khaman Kakdi – Cucumber Salad – Maharashtrian Cucumber Salad – Kakdi Kuchumber
Khaman Kakdi is a salad prepared using tender Cucumbers. Simple, easy, and impressive. Cuisine: Maharashtrian Time required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: q q 1 tender Cucumber, peeled and … [Read More...]
Radish Salad
This is usually prepared for Dinner in Mysore households using tender white Radish. Radish Salad is tasty and healthy. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 4 … [Read More...]
Batura – Bhatura Recipe – Chole Bhature Recipe
Deep fried bread prepared using refined flour. This dish is incomplete without Channa / Chole a side dish prepared using Chik peas. Chole Bature or Channa Batura always go hand in hand. Cuisine: … [Read More...]
Garam Masala Powder – Indian Spice Powder
Garam Masala Powder is used in most of the North Indian dishes. It gives a sharp flavour and taste. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: ½ Cup Jeera/Cumin Seeds 2tbsp Coriander … [Read More...]
Menasalu – Pepper Rasam – Malnad Rasam Recipe
Menasalu is a pepper curry with Milk. This is a typical dish from the region of Shimoga, Karnataka. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 2tbsp Menasina Saarina Pudi / Pepper Masala … [Read More...]
Travel
Kukkarahalli Lake – Mysore
My sister and me always had an extended summer holidays, as my uncle’s family from Delhi would be visiting Mysore every year for their summer holidays. Our holidays would end in May and their holidays … [Read More...]
Rajasthan
The meaning of the name of the largest state of India, Rajasthan is “land of the kings”. It is also the land of sun, sand, songs and dance. The history, culture, art, landscapes and cuisine are rich … [Read More...]
Kanthanpara Waterfalls – Wayanad
Kanthanpara Waterfalls - Wayanad is a beautiful waterfall situated about 22 km away from Kalpetta. Smaller than the Sentinel Rock waterfalls, the Kanthanpara Falls and its surroundings make an … [Read More...]
Holenarasipura, Karnataka
Holenarasipura is situated in Hassan district, Karnataka. Nayakas ruled this place from 1547 to 1667. Kanteerava Narasaraja Wodeyar, the king of Mysore defeated Narasimha Nayaka and Holenarasipura … [Read More...]
Sultan Battery, Kerala
Gananaptivattam was a small town in Wayanad district ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe and Pazhassi Raja of Kottayam-Kurumbanad Royal Dynasty of Kannur. Hyder Ali captured Wayanad and his son Tipu … [Read More...]
Birds of Maravanthe Coast
A trip to Maravanthe, coastal Karnataka was full of surprises. We went on a boat trip to an island that was submerged during the monsoons with great anticipation to spot Dolphins. We spotted only … [Read More...]
Panch Prayag, Uttarakhand
The place where two rivers meet is known as Prayag or Sangam. There are panch prayag (five)in Uttarakhand, which are popular among pilgrims and is considered auspicious to take a dip in the prayags. … [Read More...]
Festivals
Mahashivarathri – Shivratri
Om Vande Shambhu Umaapatim Surgurum Vande Jagad Kaaranaam | Vande Pannag Bhushanaam Mrigadharam Vande Pashunaam Patim| Vande Surya Shashaak Vahninayanam Vande Mukundapriyam| Vande Bhakta … [Read More...]
Aarathi Song to Sri Rama
Here is an Aarathi song in praise of Lord Rama. This is sung during Rama Navami festival and can also be sung on any other festival during Aarathi. Kannada Script: ರಾಮನ ಆರತಿ … [Read More...]
Rathasapthami
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South … [Read More...]
Independence Day
On August 15th, 1947, India got Independence from British rule. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, addressed the Constituent Assembly and citizens to recognize the … [Read More...]
Goddess Sharadamba Utsava
Happy Saraswathi Pooja 2014. In Sringeri, Karnataka, during Dasara festival, the utsava murthy (procession idol) of Goddess Sharadamba (Saraswathi) is taken in a small chariot around the temple … [Read More...]
Nagara Chauthi
Nagara Chauthi festival is celebrated on the fourth day of the Hindu month Shravana, July – August according to Gregorian calendar dedicated to Snake god. For the festival date click here. On this … [Read More...]
Manmatha or Kama – the god of love
Another interesting statue in Nanjanagudu is that of Manmatha or Kama - the god of love (Kama Samhara (killing) Murthy (idol)). During Holi festival, effigy of Manmatha or Kama is burnt, which is … [Read More...]
