The most striking and beautiful architectural wonder in the world is the Lake Palace situated in Udaipur. Visitors cannot take their eyes of this beautiful pure white palace gleaming in the middle of … [Read more...]
Happy Valentine’s Day
A gift of Phals will never fail to impress your Valentine. Picture of Orchid Phalaenopsis was taken in a Botanical gardens by my sister. … [Read more...]
Avalakki Bisibelebhath – Poha Bisibele bhath – Beaten Rice South Indian Pot Meal
A wholesome meal prepared using beaten rice, lentils, and vegetables. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup thick Avalakki / Beaten Rice / Poha ½ Cup Hesarubele / Green Gram Split … [Read more...]
Ramana Ashram, Thiruvannamalai
"Distracted as we are by various thoughts, if we would continually contemplate the Self, which is Itself God, this single thought would in due course replace all distraction and would itself … [Read more...]
Arunachala Hills, Thiruvannamalai
Lord Siva said: “What cannot be acquired without great pains – the true import of Vedanta (Self-Realization) – can be attained by anyone who looks at (this hill) from where it is visible or even … [Read more...]
Menthehittina Raitha
You can prepare this without much hassle if you have Menthedittu ready. Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 4 tbsp Menthedittu / Menthehittu 1 ½ Cups Curds 1tsp Oil ½ tsp Mustard … [Read more...]
Cannon Ball Tree
Drawing competitions would be held on the lawns of Cubbon Park, Mysore during Independence or Republic days when I was in school. There is one Cannon Ball tree in the Park and on these occasions, I … [Read more...]
Flower Arrangement – Mysterious
A very elegant arrangement using driftwood and Bamboo stems. Materials Required: 1 Driftwood 1 Wine bottle 1 Long twig of Bamboo 1 Gladioli A piece of Oasis / Sponge Method: Lie … [Read more...]
Bada Bagh, Jaisalmer
Bada Bagh means big garden. It is a garden of royal cenotaphs or chhatris of the royal family of Jaisalmer. The cenotaphs are worth a visit to marvel at the intricate carvings and the effort … [Read more...]
River Tern
River Tern are a delight to watch. They breed during summer and the best place to spot them is at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. I have read that there are black … [Read more...]
Kumbalakayi Dose – Pumpkin Crepe Recipe – Dosai Recipe
Crepes prepared using Ash Pumpkin. When Pumpkin is added, the Crepes or Dosas turn out very soft and light. Since no oil is used for roasting, it is very healthy and good for people trying … [Read more...]
February 2012 Hints
To tint flower stems used for flower arrangement. Add food color in warm water and place flower stems in the solution. Stems will absorb the color and tint the flowers. Roll Lemons vigorously with … [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...]
30th January – Martyr’s Day in India
Picture - Ash urn of Mahatma Gandhiji kept at town hall Mysore 1948. "Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere, and I do not quite know … [Read more...]
ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ – Saraswathi Prarthana
Today is Vasantha Panchami festival celebrated grandly by people of West Bengal. Here is a prarthana/prayer on goddess of education Saraswathi, which was written by my grandfather, M.M.Patil, … [Read more...]
Happy Republic Day
On national holidays like Republic and Independence day, suddenly you can see our beloved tricolor everywhere. This vendor was selling flag pins to enthusiastic shoppers. … [Read more...]
Amber Fort, Jaipur
Amber also known as Amer was the former capital of the Kachhwahas. The majestic fort built on Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) in the Aravalli range of hills above the Maota Lake is visible from far … [Read more...]
Brinjal Sambal
Brinjal when deep fried tastes fabulous and when coated with Malaysian style masala taste divine. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Shallots / Small Onions 2 Garlic 10 Red Chilies … [Read more...]
Avarekalu Dose – Avarekayi Dosa – Papdi Lilva Dosa Recipe – Flat Beans Pancakes
Dosa prepared with South Karnataka's favorite winter flat beans! Time Required: 20 Minutes + time to prepare dosa batter Cuisine: South Karnataka Ingredients: For the Dosa Batter: 1½ … [Read more...]
Kusuri – Sakkare Kalu – Shankranti Sesame Seeds Sugar
Sesame seeds coated with sugar is known as Kusuri – Sakkare Kalu. These are distributed during Makara Shankranthi in Karnataka. Making them is time consuming and exhausting. My mother used to … [Read more...]
