Festival dates in Phalgun month – February and March 2026 Phālgun (February – March) Sri Raghavendra Swami Jayanthi – 24 February 2026 Holi – 2 to 4 March 2026 … [Read More...]
Happy Shivaratri 2026
As Lord Shiva is Trinetra (3 eyes), Bilva leaves are offered on this auspicious day of Maha Shivaratri. Some devotees feast and few fast on this day. Devotees also do Jagran (wake the … [Read More...]
Flower Arrangement – Tall and strong
Heliconia is best for flower arrangements, as they last for a very long time. When teamed with Philodendron leaves, it makes a striking arrangement. Materials required: 1 Golden torch … [Read More...]
Ulundogare recipe – Urad Dal Rice recipe – Ullandogare – Ulundhorai
Ulundogare is prepared for naivedya (blessed food) in temples. It is a healthy meal with the right amount of carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. The flavor is derived from roasted … [Read More...]
Ikigai Café
Ikigai is a Japanese concept pronounced as ee-key-guy. It means a sense of purpose to wake up in the morning. This resonates perfectly with Navya, who has conceptualized this unique café “Ikigai” at … [Read More...]
February 2026 Hints
Use an onion to clean the grate on your grill. If your microwave is really dirty, put a damp cloth in there for about 30-45 seconds, let it sit (to cool down) then use it to wipe it down. The steam … [Read More...]
Konkaneshwara Temple, Akkihebbalu
The presiding deity at Konkaneshwara temple in Akkihebbalu, Mandya district is Lord Shiva. This temple is situated next to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. Both temples are ancient with no … [Read More...]
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is as ancient as our Puranas. Sage Gouthama's penance appeased Lord Vishnu and he appeared before him and asked his wish, the sage asked Lord Vishnu to … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Rice and Lentils stuffed Capsicum
An interesting Italian recipe. Enjoy! Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: 6 – 8 Small Capsicums 2 tbsp Chopped Capsicum 1 Cup Basmathi Rice ¾ Cup Sweet Corn Kernels ¼ Cup Masoor … [Read More...]
Golgappa Puri – Puri for Pani Puri
Golgappa Puri are small puffed deep fried fritters used to fill different kinds of tasty, tangy concoctions and served. The popular street food Chaats or Chats use these puris. Pani Puri, is the … [Read More...]
Choconut Ice cream
Choconut Ice cream is chocolate ice cream with dry fruit praline. The crunchy praline inside chocolate flavored ice cream is an indulgence enjoyed during summer time. Time required: 30 … [Read More...]
Alugadde Palya – Alu Subzi Recipe – Aloo Subzi Recipe – Potato Side Dish Recipe
Alugadde Palya is a dish prepared using the ubiquitous Potatoes. A spoonful of this is tucked inside hot Dosa/Pancakes popularly known as Masala Dosa. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Masala Thondekayi Palya Recipe – Masaledar Tindli Recipe – Spicy Ivy Gourd Recipe
Ivy gourd or Thondekayi with masala makes for a great accompaniment with Chapathis or Rotis. This type of side dish is popularly prepared during weddings and festivals. Ingredients: 3 Cups … [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...]
Beetroot Raitha – Beetroot in Yogurt – Beetroot Mosaru Bhajji Recipe
Boiled Beetroot in spiced yogurt makes this yummy Beetroot Raitha. Cuisine: Mysore and Bangalore Time required: 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 Medium Size Beetroot 2 Cups Yogurt / Curds 2 … [Read More...]
Puliyogare – Puliyodharai – Tamarind Rice
This tamarind rice is popularly known as Iyengar's Puliyogare, as this is an authentic dish of Iyengar community. Dad had many Iyengar friends and this dish used to be the pride of the … [Read More...]
Travel
Jogigundi Waterfalls
It was not easy to visit Jogigundi waterfalls in Agumbe as we had to take police permission to visit the place. Fortunately, the police gave a green signal for us to go ahead with our plans to visit … [Read More...]
Mangalore – Mangaluru
My headmistress in school was from Mangalore. She scowled at us all the time and disapproved everything we did. It was very rare to see her smile and though I have seen her appreciate, it was never … [Read More...]
Kudremukh Peak
Though we did not trek up to the peak, the drive to the place where the actual trek starts was an awesome journey. Yes, we do plan to trek to the peak sometime soon. The Kudremukh peak is 1892 … [Read More...]
Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple
Thousands visit Tirumakudalu Narasipura (T.Narasipura) to visit the ancient temple dedicated to Lord Narsimha Swamy. The temple is popularly known as Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple. On the right bank of … [Read More...]
Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Jungle book was one of my favorite books and the movie by Disney bought this book alive. I think the makers of the movie toured Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary before making the movie. I am stating this … [Read More...]
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Jaisalmer is a delightful city situated in the middle of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. This fairy tale city is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. I enjoyed every minute that we spent in … [Read More...]
Cheluvamba Mansion, Mysore
Cheluvamba Mansion was built by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV in 1910. The mansion was built for the third daughter of the Maharaja, Princess Cheluvajammanni. There many other mansions similar to … [Read More...]
Festivals
Galipata Habba – Indian Kite Festival – Festival of Kites
Gone are the days when we used to see people flying colorful and different shape Galipata/Kites. The Kite wars and making our own customized Kites was great fun. To balance the kite a long … [Read More...]
Karaga Festival
Karaga festival is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu by Thigala community (flower and vegetable farmers) on full moon day during the Hindu month of Chaitra, … [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...]
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...]
Visarjana Manthra
The following manthra is chanted while performing the visarjana / send off to god. In Kannada Script: ವಿಸರ್ಜನಾ ಕ್ರಮ ಯಜ್ಞೇನ ಯಗ್ನಮಯಜಂತ ದೇವಾಃ | ತಾನಿ ಧರ್ಮಾಣಿ ಪ್ರಥಮಾನ್ಯಾಸನ್ || ತೇಹ ನಾಕಂ … [Read More...]
Basava Jayanthi
Kalabeda, kola beda, husiya nidiyalu beda Muniya beda, anyarige asahya padabeda Thanna bannisabeda, idira aliyalu beda Ide antaranga shuddhi, ide bahiranga shuddhi Ide namma koodala … [Read More...]
Vata Savitri Vrata
Vata Savitri Vrata / ritual is observed by married women on Hunnime / Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, May – June in Gregorian calendar. This year (2016) it falls on 18th … [Read More...]
