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
Tomato Chutney – Indian Salsa Recipe – Spicy Tomato Crush Recipe
Chutney prepared using blanched tomatoes. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Ripe Tomatoes 4 Green Chilies ½ Cup Chopped Coriander leaves ½ tsp Roasted Jeera/Cumin Powder ½ tsp … [Read More...]
Chhunda – Gujarati Mango Sweet Pickle Recipe – Aam Chutney Recipe – Chundo
A sweet pickle prepared by Gujarathis using Raw Mangoes. The vessel containing the mixture is kept directly under the sunlight, which actually softens the Raw Mangoes and thickens the Sugar … [Read More...]
Tender Coconut Pudding
Tender coconut pudding is a delightful ending to a dinner. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Cooling time Ingredients: 5 gms Agar Agar / China Grass ½ Cup Condensed Milk ¾ Cup Water 2tbsp … [Read More...]
Ambode – Channa Dal Vada – Dal Vada – Paruppu Vadai
Spicy lentil fritters. Ambode is prepared during festivals and other occasions like weddings, house warming ceremonies etc., in Karnataka. Cuisine: South Karnataka Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]
Green Chikpea Raitha – Soppina Kadalekayi Mosaru Bhajji Recipe – Hasiru Kadale Raitha Recipe
Winter is the time for tender chikpea to hit the market. I always get it before it disappears from the market and my mom shells them open in record breaking time. In no time I will have a … [Read More...]
Khara Kuchchida Kadabu – Spicy Steamed Modak – Masaledar Ukadiche Modak
Spicy lentil mixture filled in Rice flaps and steamed. Khara Kuchchida Kadabu is very popular in south India and in Karnataka this dish is prepared on Bheemana Amavasya festival. A sweet variety is … [Read More...]
Beetroot Palya – Beetroot dish Karnataka Style
A side dish prepared using Beetroot in South Indian style. Beetroot Palya is served as part of a Thali meal in South India. It is one of the cheapest vegetable and is available throughout the … [Read More...]
Menasinakai Balaka
Menasinakai Balaka are sun dried stuffed Green Chilies, which are Shallow fried before serving in South India. Time Required: 15 Minutes + Drying Time Ingredients: 10 Green Chilies 1tsp … [Read More...]
Travel
Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary
Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala is part of Wyanad Wildlife Sanctuary situated 100kms from Mysore and is adjacent to Nagarhole National park. Wyanad Wildlife Sanctuary was established in the … [Read More...]
Birds of Rajasthan
When we started our trip to Rajasthan in winter, we were looking forward to sighting many migratory as well as resident birds. The drought faced by the state for the past 3 years has resulted in dry … [Read More...]
Nishat Bagh Mysuru – Sunnada Kuppanna Park Mysore
You must be wondering how the Nishat Bagh (garden) in Srinagar has landed in Mysuru situated in South India. Well, the imagination of creating such gardens for the citizens of Mysuru city to enjoy was … [Read More...]
Bandipur Wild Life Sanctuary
Picture1 - Bandipur Another favorite getaway of ours is Bandipur. I have lost count the number of times we have visited this place. Between the Western Ghats and Niligiri Mountains lies … [Read More...]
Botanical Garden at Lingambudhi Lake – Mysuru Botanical Garden – Mysore
The first botanical garden in Mysuru is an added fragrance to the charm of Mysuru. Flowers and trees of different species are known to thrive well in Mysuru weather. The Botanical Garden is … [Read More...]
Shweta Varahaswamy Temple Mysuru Palace
Ambavilas / Mysuru Palace complex is dotted with many ancient Hindu temples. One of them is the Shweta Varahaswamy Temple. The Shweta Varahaswamy Temple is situated in the southern gate / … [Read More...]
Devanahalli
Devanahalli was also known as Yusufabad and is situated in Bangalore rural district. The history of Devanahalli dates back to the 15th century. Rana Byre Gowda was the leader of a group of … [Read More...]
Festivals
Hanuman Arathi Song – Hanumanthana Aarathi Haadu – Devotional Song
Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated in April in North India and in December in South India. North or South a song is always sung during the Arathi. This song in praise of Lord Hanuman is written by … [Read More...]
Bharat Hunnime
Bharat Hunnime is a festival celebrated by the devotees of Lord Mailaralinga (Shiva). The festival falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month Magha, which is around December-January according … [Read More...]
Hire Gowri Pooja – Dodda Gowri Pooja – Gowri Hunnime
Hire Gowri Pooja also known as Dodda Gowri Pooja and Gowri Hunnime is celebrated with devotion in North Karnataka. Below is the write up by my mother on this festival in Kannada script. This … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Pushya month – December and January 2026
Festival dates in Paush/Pushya (December – January) Dhanurmasa Pooja – Starts on 16 December 2025 and ends on 14 January 2026 Vaikunta Ekadasi – 30 December 2025 … [Read More...]
Ambujavalli Temple Mysuru Palace
I remember my grandparents always taking me to this temple for a special pooja. While the pooja was getting done, I would be running around the temple premises and also sit on the beautifully … [Read More...]
Makara Sankranti
Sankranthi is a harvest festival and “Sankranthi” means movement. It is a celebration of the sun entering from the zodiac sign Dhanur/Sagittarius into Makara/Capricorn. So this Makara Sankranti … [Read More...]
King Raghu and Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni Tree – English Version
King Raghu of Raghuvamsha fame was a brave, generous, humble, and sensible ruler of Ayodhya. He had won many battles and his treasury was filled to the brim. On the behest of his guru Vashishta, he … [Read More...]
