The most awaited festival of the year is today! and it is definitely a double dhamaka as both Swarna Gowri Vratha and Ganesh Chathurthi are celebrated on the same day. The flower decorations, … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – September and October 2026
Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – September and October2026 are as follows: Bhādrapad (August – September) Ganesh Chaturthi - 14 September 2026 Ganesha aarathi song Why Ganesha … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Shravana month – August and September 2026
Festival dates in Shravana month – August and September 2026 are as follows: Shrāvana (August - September) - From 13 August to 11 September (2026) Shravana Shanivara - 15 August, 22 … [Read More...]

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...]

21 Pushpa Pooja to Lord Ganesha
21 types of Patra (leaves), 21 types of Pushpa (flowers), and 21 Kadabu or Modaka (sweets) are offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chathurthi and Sankashta Chaturthi. There are 21 mantra chanted … [Read More...]

21 Patra Pooja to Lord Ganesha
21 types of Patra (leaves), 21 types of Pushpa (flowers), and 21 Kadabu or Modaka (sweets) are offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chathurthi and Sankashta Chaturthi. Just before the festivities … [Read More...]

Habbada Thindi and Panaka – Festival Snacks and Juice Recipes
Food and festival go hand in hand in India. Special dishes are prepared on festivals and during vratha (observance). Habbada Adige / festival food is prepared on all festivals. But … [Read More...]

Ganesha Aarathi Song
This is a aarathi song dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Kannada Script: ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಚಂದದ ಆರತಿ ತಂದು ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ಸುಂದರ ನಿನ್ನಯ ಚರಣ ಕಮಲಕೆ ವಂದಿಸಿ ಬೇಡುವೆ ಸಿಂದೂರ ವದನ ಬಂದು ಕರುಣಿಸೋ … [Read More...]

Gowri Aarathi Song
Gowri is the consort of Lord Shiva and during Ganesha-Gowri Festival, songs are sung in glory of her during Arathi. Lyrics in Kannada: ಗೌರಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳವೆನ್ನಿರೆ ಗೌರಿಗೆ| ಜಯ ಭವ ಹರ … [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...]

Swarna Gowri Vratha – Gowri Habba – Gowri Festival
Swarna Gowri Vratha/Pooja is celebrated by girls and women in Karnataka and Andhara Pradesh. Goddess Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha. This festival falls in the hindu month of Bhadrapada, August - … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes

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...]

Vegetable Au Gratin
Vegetable Au Gratin is a casserole prepared using vegetables in a cheesy sauce. Cuisine: Italian - French Type: Casserole Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Potato 2 Carrots 1 Cup … [Read More...]

Mango Tit Bits Jam – Raw Mango Jam Recipe – Mango Preserve
Jam with Mango pieces floating in it! I used to love this as a child and used to have it for dessert. I am sure your kids will love this preserve. Time Required: 20 … [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...]

Mudde Payasa – Banana Rice Payasa Recipe – Kela Chawal Kheer Recipe
Mudde Payasa is prepared using cooked Rice and Ripe Banana. Cuisine: Dakshina Kannada Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Ripe Banana (Robusta / Pachabale), Chopped 1 Cup Raw … [Read More...]

Spring Onion and Tamarind Chutney
Spring Onion and Tamarind Chutney is easy to make and adds a twist to your menu. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 bunch Spring Onions, Cleaned and roughly Chopped 3 – 4 Green … [Read More...]

Hummus
Hummus is a spread or dip prepared using Chik peas. Cuisine: Mediterranean Time Required: 10 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 1 Cup Soaked and Boiled Chik Peas Juice of 2 Lemons Few … [Read More...]

Mint and Cherry Tomato Salad
This is a refreshing salad to beat the heat during summer. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Mint Leaves, Chopped finely 1 Green Chili, Slit 1 Onion, Chopped finely 1/2 … [Read More...]
Travel

I live to tell this story…
I was parched and knew I would die a slow and painful death. The stench was unbearable and the plastic was clogging my respiratory organs. Slowly my body was getting filled by … [Read More...]

Chamundi Hills – Mysore
As you near Mysore city, the first thing that you notice is Chamundi hills standing protectively over the city spread on its foothills. Every Mysorean is fond of this hill and they might have visited … [Read More...]

Bannerghatta National Park
Bannerghatta National Park spread over 25,000 acres was established in the year 1974. It is situated 22 km south of Bangalore, Karnataka at an altitude of 1245 to 1634 meters above sea level. If you … [Read More...]

Devil’s Kitchen, Kodaikanal
Per our itinerary we headed off to the Devil’s Kitchen in Kodaikanal not knowing what to expect. After parking the car and a short hike uphill are caves and tranches that is mysterious and dangerous. … [Read More...]

Catigao Wildlife Sanctuary
Picture1 - On the way to Catigao Established in 1969, Catigao Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Canacona Taluk, South east of Goa. It is on NH – 17 bordering Goa – Karnataka border. The sanctuary … [Read More...]

Varadahalli
Varadahalli also known as Varadapura is situated 6 Kms from Sagar, Shimoga district of Karnataka. This divine place in the midst of pristine natural surroundings of the Western ghats was the chosen … [Read More...]

Kuruva Dweep or Kuruva Island
Kuruva Dweep or Kuruva Island (popular name) is situated in Kerala, India Dweep means an island; it is a group of 7 islands on the tributaries of Kabini River flowing into the forests. It makes an … [Read More...]
Festivals

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...]

Deepavali Song – Diwali Song – Deepavali Haadu
Deepavali song is written by my mother in Kannada script to be sung anytime during the Deepavali festival. The lyrics cover the importance and joy of celebrating Deepavali / Diwali … [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...]

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...]

Happy Vijayadashami – Veeragase Folk Dance of Karnataka – Guggla
Veeragase is a folk dance of Karnataka where the participants wear grand makeup, headgear, and costumes and dance to folk music composed on Hindu mythology. The dance movements are intense with … [Read More...]

Vasant Panchami
"Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasanaa, Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha … [Read More...]

Dasara Gombe – Dolls Arrangement 2023
The best part of Navratri / Dushehra / Dasara celebrations in Mysuru was visiting neighbour's homes for the Gombe Arathi (doll arrangement / Golu) and enjoying the traditional and delicious sweets and … [Read More...]
