Kārtik (October – November) Diwali /Balipadyami/New Year in Gujarat - 22 October 2025 Karthika Somawara - 27 October, 3 November, 10 November, and 17 November 2025 Uttandwadashi - 2 … [Read More...]
November 2025 Hints
Fold used butter wrappers and put them in your fridge. Next time you need to grease a pan, just grab your pre-buttered wrapper and coat the pan. Fruit fly problems – -Take a glass and fill it part … [Read More...]
Sangam at Koodli – Kudli – Kudali
Koodli is a quaint village with rich history situated in Shimoga district of Karnataka. The two major rivers Tunga and Bhadra meet at this point and flow forward as Tungabhadra River. … [Read More...]
Sugar Snap Peas Stir Fry Recipe
I was delighted to find Sugar snap peas in the grocery store and they are so easy to use. The whole pod can be eaten. They are sweet and crisp. You can add them to salads or eat them as is … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Rajgiri Dosa
Rajgiri Dosa is prepared using Rajgiri (Amarnath/Dantina soppu seeds) flour and potatoes. The dosas turn out very soft but crisp on the outside. Cuisine: Karnataka Time required: 15 … [Read More...]
Garlic Bread
Making bread at home is an art. I have not perfected it yet, but my attempts to bake continue... Cuisine: European Time Required: 1 hour Ingredients: 250 gms Maida 1tbsp Butter or … [Read More...]
Kiwi Juice
Kiwi Juice is a refreshing drink to beat the summer heat! Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 2 - 3 Kiwi Fruit 4 - 6 spoons of Sugar or 3 Sugar free pellets A pinch of … [Read More...]
Masala Channa Dal – Crisp Spicy Chikpea Recipe
Masala Channa Dal is deep fried Bengal Gram (Chikpea) tossed in spices. This can be made into a Chaat too. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 10 Minutes + Soaking time Caution to … [Read More...]
Saarina Pudi – Rasam or Curry Powder – Rasam Powder Recipe – Method 1
Saarina Pudi is also known as Rasam Powder, this masala powder is used to prepare lentil accompaniment with Rice called Saaru/Rasam. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Alu Bhindi – Aloo Bhindi Recipe – Potato Okra Recipe – Potato Ladies Finger Recipe
An unusual combination of Potatoes and Okra mixed with spices. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 12 – 15 Bhindi / Lady’s finger / Okra, Chopped into roundels 2 Alu / … [Read More...]
Tomato Thokku
Tomato Thokku is very popular in South India. It is usually very spicy and goes very well when mixed with hot Rice and Ghee. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Grilled Vegetable Pita Pocket Sandwich
Grilled Vegetable Pita Pocket Sandwich is sure to satisfy the hungry kids who return home ravenous from play. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: Few Pita Bread 1 Yellow Pepper 1 Red … [Read More...]
Travel
South Goa Beaches
Are you craving for the sand to slip through your toes, feel the sea breeze on your hair, hear the music of waves hungry to touch the shore, sipping in a cool long drink, then the right place for you … [Read More...]
Basillica of Bom Jesus, Goa
I had read and heard a lot about St. Francis Xavier’s mortal remains enshrined in the oldest church in India, the Basillica of Bom Jesus in Goa. When I got the opportunity to visit the … [Read More...]
Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve
Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve is in Tumakuru district close to Maidenahalli. The reserve is spread over 798 acres of grassland and trees like Acacia and Eucalyptus. The forest … [Read More...]
Birds of Bandipur
Bandipur is home to 200 species of birds and for bird watchers like us, it is a paradise. Bandipur has the maximum number of Tigers in the reserve forest, but do not be disappointed if you … [Read More...]
Jaswant Thada, Jodhpur
Jaswant Thada is situated to the left of the Mehrangarh fort complex in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This beautiful white marble structure was built in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Photographs … [Read More...]
Yercaud Botanical Garden
A visit to the Botanical Garden in hill stations is top on my to-visit list. And off we went to explore the Botanical Garden in Yercaud. The garden though small is interesting as it is tucked on a … [Read More...]
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...]
Festivals
Mahalaya Amavasya
15 days of the Hindu month is considered as Pitra Paksha, which are days dedicated to ancestors. It occurs in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada i.e. September-October in the Gregorian calendar. For the … [Read More...]
Aarathi
Items Required: Camphor or Cotton Wicks soaked in Ghee Aarathi Plate Flower Petals and Manthrakshathe (Rice smeared with Ghee and Kumkum or Ghee and Turmeric Powder) Definition: Aarathi is a … [Read More...]
Mannethithina Amavasya
Manneththina Amavasya, “mannu” means mud; “yeththu” in Kannada means bullocks and “Amavasya” means no moon day. This festival is celebrated in North Karnataka, and bullocks made of mud are worshiped … [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...]
Shravana Shanivara
In Mysore every Saturday during the Hindu month of Shravana, July - August in Gregorian calendar, young boys wearing dhoti with a cotton bag hanging on their shoulders and a prominent naama / tilak on … [Read More...]
Saraswathi Prarthane – Prayer to Goddess Saraswathi
Today is Saraswathi Pooja, which is part of Navrathri celebrations. This is a prarthane (prayer) to Goddess Saraswathi written by my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil in 1969. ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ಕಂದ … [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...]
