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...]
Kodanad View Point, Kotagiri
When in Kotagiri it is a must to the Kodanadu View Point. It is a place that one can spend hours looking at the rolling hills and valleys. Kodanadu View Point is 20 km drive from Kotagiri … [Read More...]
Flowering Tobacco
I was surprised that there is a flowering version of Tobacco. Tobacco is largely grown in K.R.Nagar area. During my birding trip, I have come across large acres of land growing Tobacco and … [Read More...]
Quinoa Buddha Bowl
Quinoa Buddha Bowl is a bowl teeming with fibre and protein. Various tastes and textures form this bowl to satiate the soul. Ingredients: 1 Cup Cooked Quinoa with Salt 1 Cup Purple … [Read More...]
India loves to pose – 58
India loves to pose series contains random pictures of people in different moods and gears captured during a moment in their story. I believe that behind every face lies a story. Young India is … [Read More...]
Patchwork frame making – Snow White and Seven Dwarfs
When kids during summer holidays we used to be engaged making a lot of arts and crafts. There was not continuous TV nor mobile phones. Here is one art work that I made using material … [Read More...]
April 2026 Hints
Clean window tracks by pressing paper towels into the groove and pour half a cup of water and slide the window. Remove the paper towel. Your tracks will be clean. To make a paper towel … [Read More...]
Watermelon Sparkler
Fruit juice with soda adds the right spirit to the mood. Here is a simple cool watermelon sparkler recipe to keep you cool and your spirits high! Ingredients: Watermelon juice with or without … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026 are as follows: Chaitra (March - April) Ugadi/Gudi Padwa - Sri Parabhava Nama Samvatsaram - 19 March 2026 Gangaur - 4 March … [Read More...]
Kotagiri
Kotagiri is small hill town situated in Nilgiris biosphere at an elevation of 1793 meters above sea level. The famous Longwood Shola forests are part of this biosphere. Kotagiri is one of the … [Read More...]
Ooty
Whether you call this place Ooty, Ootacamund, Udhagai or Udaghamandalam the title best suited for this place is “Queen of hill stations”, which is the capital of Nilgiris district. Picture1 - … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Huli Thovve – Hulthovve – Daal with Vegetables – Dal Recipe
Huli Thovve is a curry prepared using lentils and vegetables. It is a popular dish during festivals and celebrations like weddings in South Karnataka. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Instant Mango Pickle
This is an instant pickle prepared with raw Mangoes, which is sauteed in hot Oil. When you feel like having a pickle without waiting for it to mature, you can prepare Instant Mango Pickle. Time … [Read More...]
Masala Uddina Vada – Medu Vada – Medhu Vadai – Ulundu Vadai
Masala Uddina Vada are fritters prepared using Split Black Gram and Onions. A very popular dish usually served for breakfast in South India. Cuisine: South Indian Time Required: 20 minutes … [Read More...]
Citron Pickle – Heralehannina Uppinakayi
It is an acquired taste to enjoy the Citron Pickle as the bitterness can overwhelm you. Citron is known as Heralehannu in South Karnataka and Kanchihannu in North Karnataka. Time Required: 10 … [Read More...]
Uddina Unde
Happy Krishna Janmashtami! Uddina Unde is very easy to make sweet dish. This is unique as it is prepared using whole black gram. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 … [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...]
Coriander Garlic Chutney
Coriander Garlic Chutney is used in while preparing Chaats. It adds a spicy and garlicky flavor to the chaat. This can be served along with Dhokla or with Parathas (Indian Stuffed … [Read More...]
Halasinahannina Gidde – Halasinahannina Gatti – Jackfruit Idli – Pelatha Gidde
In Mysuru, we do get Jackfruit and it is enjoyed as is and was not aware of the various dishes that can be prepared out of this fruit. When I heard about this dish, I wanted to taste it and … [Read More...]
Travel
Hogenakkal Waterfalls
Hogenakkal in Kannada means Smoking rocks, but the name that is apt for this place is Yennekal meaning Oily rocks. This place is best avoided by one and all and it is a failure and shame on the … [Read More...]
Supra Waterfalls, Kotagiri
As we were driving up the winding hills to Kotagiri from Coonoor we came across this beautiful waterfall cascading from another hill. Stopped and took pictures of Supra waterfalls and just … [Read More...]
Grand rooms of Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
The Grand rooms of Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur keeps you mesmerized and asking for more. These rooms were built by different kings in over a period of time. Some of the notable places inside the fort … [Read More...]
Sasihithlu Beach
Yet another beach on the West coast of Karnataka, so what is new here? The same Sea, Sun, and Sand? Yes, the same but another word starting from “S” can be added to the list: Surf. You don’t have to … [Read More...]
Lord Shiva Statues in Nanjanagud Temple
Ramayana and Mahabharatha are famous for the narration of Indian culture (Samskrithi). There are very few who have not heard about these two great epics. The different events of the epic are painted … [Read More...]
Tirupati
Tirupati does not need any introduction to the readers. Yet, as I have visited this place many times, this write-up is a humble offering to the gateway to the richest temple in the world: Lord Balaji … [Read More...]
Mysore – Mysuru
Mysore is a heritage city and pride of Karnataka. It is a beautiful city with rich history, legends, monuments, educational centers, kings, palaces, museums, lakes, parks, culture, literature, arts, … [Read More...]
Festivals
Gowri Aarathi Song
ಗೌರಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳ ಜಯ ಗಿರಿಜಾತೆ ಮಾತೆ ।।ಪ|| ಪರಮಾಯುಧ ಕರ ದುರುಳ ಸುರಾರೆ । ಪರಮ ತೇಜ ಮೃಗರಾಜ ವಿಹಾರೆ ।।೧।। ರತ್ನ ಮುಕುಟ ಮಣಿ ಹಾರ ಕುಂಡಲ ಶೋಭೆ | ರವಿಕೋಟಿ ತೇಜ ವಿರಾಜ ಮುಖಿಯೇ ।।೨।। ಜಗದಾಧಾರೆ ಜಗದಾದಿ … [Read More...]
Children’s Day
The UN General Assembly suggested that all countries should declare one day in a year as Children’s day. The United Nations declared November 20th as Universal Children’s Day. This day is for the … [Read More...]
Naga Rangoli – Snake Floor Design
The Naga rangolis / patterns shown below are drawn on Nagara Chauthi and Nagara Panchami festivals. Click on the image to see a bigger image. Rangoli drawn on Nagara Chauthi: Rangoli … [Read More...]
Deepavali – 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...]
Mysore Dasara – Mysuru Dasara Celebrations – Mysuru Dussehra – Mysuru Navratri
Mysore looks its best during the 10-day Dasara celebration where all the major roads in the city, heritage buildings, palaces, historical monuments, ancient temples and shops are … [Read More...]
Ganesh Chathurthi – Ganesha Festival
I have extremely fond memories of Ganesha-Gowri festival. It was one of the grand festivals of the year for the family and for Mysore city itself. Our road would be decorated with serial lights, as … [Read More...]
Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya means infinite or never ending. Akshaya Trithiya festival falls on the third day of the Hindu month Vaishakha, April-May in Gregorian calendar. This festival is also known as Akha … [Read More...]
