You do no need a bunch of flowers to create a flower arrangement. A single flower can be a garden as well as a good flower arrangement. Ikebana rules can be sometimes applied to freestyle … [Read More...]
June 2026 Hints
Make a organic insecticide by adding onions and garlic to a jar of water, let it stand for a week, and spray plants with it. Used tea bags sprinkled on rose plants will make them blossom faster … [Read More...]
Nambhi Narayana Temple, Thodanur
The Nambhi Narayana/Lakshmi Narayana temple is the largest and the oldest temple in Thodanur. This was originally a Jain basathi/temple. Hoysala king Bittidevaraya, who was a Jain was influenced … [Read More...]
Akeel Dip Recipe
Yes, like you I was intrigued hearing the name of this dip. Akeel Dip is from Yemen and is similar to Indian Raitha with its own unique twist. This dip can be served with any of the crisp starters or … [Read More...]
Song on Lord Panduranga
This song is in praise of Lord Panduranga of Pandharpur. Panduranga appeared in Pandharpur to bless his devotee, Pundalik, who was busy serving his parents when the Lord arrived, … [Read More...]
Flower Arrangement – Windy
The wind blown arrangement is the nearest you can get to nature. This arrangement is one of my favorite. This arrangement gives an illusion of a tree laden with flowers blown to a side by … [Read More...]
Dinner with Pumpkin – Roti platter with Pumpkin
Light dinner keeps you agile the next day. Early dinner the better. Though this is easy said than done! Pumpkin is a powerhouse of fibre and when teamed with Roti is a perfect way to … [Read More...]
Black-eyed Susan Vine
The attractive flowers of Black-Eyed Susan Vine are like a pop-up in any garden. The profuse flowers are attractive and add the much needed colour among the other trees and plants. The … [Read More...]
Needle Rock View Point, Gudalur, Ooty
Needle Rock View Point is known as Soochi Malai. Soochi in Tamil means needle and Malai means hills. The name needle is derived from the rock that narrows to a sharp needle tip. As you wind up … [Read More...]
Boondi Burani Raitha Recipe – Boondi Raitha Recipe
Raitha is a dish prepared using Yoghurt in India. This is served as an accompaniment with Indian Bread and Pulav or Biryani (Spicy flavorful rice). During summer this is a prepared dish in most of … [Read More...]
May 2026 Hints
To preserve your expensive shoes, slide each separately into zip bags and hot blow over them to get a perfect shoe cover. To unclog shower pores, place a paper towel over the shower head, pour … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Vaisakh month – April and May 2026
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...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Beans Palya – Beans Poriyal – Beans Thoran – Beans Stir Fry
Beans Palya is a side dish prepared using String Beans. This is a very common dish prepared in Mysore and Bangalore region. Tastes very good with Rice and Rasam. Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Belasi Kosambari – Ponk Salad – Hara Jowar Salad – Green Sorghum Salad
Ponk or Paunk or Belasi is very rare to find in the markets. This are green immature sorghum grains that is used to make certain dishes during winter. I was lucky to get these from Gujarat … [Read More...]
Shrikhand – Sweet Flavored Greek Yogurt Recipe – Indian Greek Yogurt Recipe – Kesar Shrikhand Recipe
Shrikhand is a sweet dish prepared using curd cheese. This dish is very popular in North Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The procedure shown here is how traditionally Shrikhand is made in North … [Read More...]
Akki Rotti – Rice Flour Bread
Akki rotti is a very tasty bread prepared using Rice flour. This is extremely popular in Bangalore and Mysore regions. Cuisine: South Karnataka Time Required:30 … [Read More...]
Gilki Ki Subzi – Ridge Gourd Side Dish Recipe – Heerekayi Palya
Gilki Ki Subzi is prepared using Ridge Gourd. A very simple recipe and quick to make for those days when you want to get out of the kitchen soon yet serve a delicious and nutritious dish for the … [Read More...]
Hari Mirch Ka Khatta Meetha Achaar
Sweet and sour green chilies pickles. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Green Chilies 6tbsp Mustard Oil 4tbsp Mustard Powder 4tbsp Garlic - Ginger paste 1tbsp Jaggery 1tbsp … [Read More...]
Ajwain Alu – Ajwain Aloo Recipe – Potatoes with Carom Seeds
Potatoes cooked with Carom Seeds. This recipe is from North India. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 12 Baby Potatoes, boiled, peeled and cut into two 1tbsp Oil 1tsp … [Read More...]
Mango Phirni
Sweet dish prepared using Rice paste cooked in Milk. Mango Phirni is a very popular dessert of Kashmir. Time Required: 1 Hour + Chilling Time Ingredients: ½ Cup Basmati rice ½ litre … [Read More...]
Travel
Mullayanagiri
If you want to be on top of Karnataka, then travel to Mullayanagiri, which is the highest peak in Karnataka. It is 16 Km from Chikkamagalur and is 1930 meters above sea level and the view of the … [Read More...]
Uttarakhand
My parents visited Uttarakhand in 1973 and I used to love hearing their experiences and the description of the different places they visited. My dad who was an avid photographer got all the pictures … [Read More...]
Annamalaiyar Temple, Thiruvannamalai
The Annamalaiyar temple situated at Thiruvannamalai is dedicated to Lord Shiva known as Sri Arunachalaswarar - Annamaliyar. It is one of the Pancha Bhootha Sthala, the Pancha Bhootha are sky, air, … [Read More...]
Rajas Tomb – Gaddige – Coorg
Gaddige or Gadduge is a place towards the north of Coorg with tombs of Kodava royalty, court dignitaries, royal priest and the royal bulls. It is situated on a hillock with a good view of the city. … [Read More...]
Kadambi Waterfalls
As we drove into Kudremukh National Park mesmerized by the scenic beauty all around, we came across a lovely waterfall known as Kadambi Waterfalls by the roadside. We tumbled out of the vehicle … [Read More...]
Lakkidi view point, Wyanad
Lakkidi view point in Wayanad, Kerala offers a bird’s eye view of the rolling green hills, cliffs, and valleys. It is a treat to the eye and the best time to visit is during sunset. Lakkidi get … [Read More...]
Kalahalli Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple
The ancient Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple built by the Hoysala king Veera Ballala III was undiscovered and unprotected until a few years back. It must be either a divine intervention or that we Indians have … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
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...]
Goddess Sharadamba Utsava
Happy Saraswathi Pooja 2014. In Sringeri, Karnataka, during Dasara festival, the utsava murthy (procession idol) of Goddess Sharadamba (Saraswathi) is taken in a small chariot around the temple … [Read More...]
Aarathi song for Lord Rama
On the auspicious day of the birth of Lord Rama (Rama Navami festival), songs praising him are sung while doing the traditional Arathi. ರಾಮನ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳಂ ಜಯರಘು ಪುನ್ಗವರಾಘವಾ ಅಂಗದ … [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...]
Bheemana Amavasya – Gandana Pooje – Gandana Habba
This festival is also known as Jyothirbheemeshwara Vrata and Pathi Sanjeevini Vratha and it is mentioned in Skaanda Purana (Skanda Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text, is … [Read More...]
Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Vratha
"Kaayena Vaachaa Manasendriyairvaa Buddhyaatmanaa Vaa Prakriteh Svabhaavaatah Karomi Yadhyadh Sakalam Parasmai Naaraayanaayeti Samarpayaami" The meaning of the above shloka is: "I offer … [Read More...]
