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
Vegetable Dosa
Nutritious vegetable dosa that can be served with no accompaniments! Cuisine: South Indian Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 tsp Oil 1 tsp Jeera 1 tsp Mustard Seeds A pinch of … [Read More...]
Palak Spread Dosa
Palak Spread Dosa is Pancakes/Crepes with Spinach and Onion topping. It is a great way to make children eat Spinach. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Indian Gooseberry Digestive
Gooseberries are packed with Vitamin C, which is extremely good for the general health. This digestive is easy to make and can be stored up to a year. Ingredients: 10 Indian … [Read More...]
Kulle Ki Chaat Recipe – Potato filled Salad Recipe – Purani Dilli Street Recipe
Kulle ki Chaat is a street food popular in Old Delhi region. Kulle means a kulhar/cup. When Chaat (salad) is served in a vegetable or fruit cup, it is known as Kulle ki Chaat. In … [Read More...]
Paneer Tikka Masala – Cottage Cheese in spicy gravy
Paneer Tikka Masala is a side dish is prepared with grilled Paneer. Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: For the Tikka: 15 1" square pieces of Paneer/Cottage Cheese 1 Cup Hung … [Read More...]
Mallige Idli – Soft Steamed Rice Cake
Mallige Idli is steamed rice cake. This is a healthy breakfast served in almost all South Indian households. Mallige means Jasmine flower. The end product of this recipe are Idlis as soft as the … [Read More...]
Pudina Tomato Chutney
Pudina Tomato Chutney is a chutney prepared using Mint leaves and Tomato. Tomato adds a tang to the chutney. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 2 bunches Pudina Ki Patte/Mint … [Read More...]
Gobi Manchurian
Gobi Manchurian is a crispy Chinese starter prepared using Cauliflower. It is a very popular dish in India and hence Indian name to the dish. Time Required: 45 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Travel
Fateh Sagar Lake, Udaipur
Fateh Sagar Lake is an artificial lake situated to the north of Lake Pichola in Udaipur. The lake was built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh. Heavy rains damaged the lake bund and the lake was renovated … [Read More...]
Gadag-Betageri
Gadag-Betageri is a town and district headquarters in the state of Karnataka, India. Gadag and its sister city Betageri (or Betgeri) have a combined city administration. It is 80 km from Dharwad and … [Read More...]
Sam Sand Dunes, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Situated 42 Kms from Jaisalmer is the Sam Sand Dunes and the Kuari dunes on the great Thar Desert of Rajasthan. We chose to visit Sam dunes, pronounced as “Sum”, and the sights of the desert just took … [Read More...]
Heritage buildings of Mysore – Part II
Mysore or Mysooru is a place of interest for tourists, historians, archeologists, academicians and architects. There are innumerable heritage buildings in Mysore, which add a fairy tale touch to the … [Read More...]
Kolluru Mookambika Temple
Amongst the hills of Kodachadri and on the bank of river Sourpanika is the 1200 years old temple of Kolluru Mookambika in Udupi district. The presiding deity of this Shree Kshetra is Mookambika who is … [Read More...]
Sharavathi River Valley View
The most beautiful valley award in the Western Ghats without doubt goes to Sharavathi River valley. This valley is rich in bio-diversity and is nestled in the central Western Ghats of Shimoga … [Read More...]
Big Banyan Tree
Known as “Dodda Aalada Mara” in Kannada, this big banyan tree is 380 to 400 years old. It is situated in Kethohalli village, 25 Kms from Bangalore city. Dodda Aalada Mara is one of the biggest … [Read More...]
Festivals
Rathasapthami Rangoli
Rathasapthami is a festival in honor of Sun god. On this day a Rathasapthami rangoli / kolam (patterns drawn using chalk powder) of ratha / chariot is drawn inside the shrine of … [Read More...]
Halloween
Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31. This celebration was started in Ireland by the Celts 2000 years ago. It is a believed that on this day the ghosts of the dead return to earth. … [Read More...]
Ganapathi Bappa Morya!
During the Visarjane of Genesha idol after the celebration of Ganesha festival, it is common to hear people hollering “Ganapthi Bappa Morya” in North Karnataka and Maharashtra. In this post the … [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...]
Song to Goddess Lakshmi – Varamahalakshmi Arathi Haadu
My mother had written this song in the praise of Goddess Mahalakshmi in 1996. This song can be sung on festivals like Varamahalakshmi, Diwali Lakshmi Pooja, Shravana Shukravara Pooja, Ashada … [Read More...]
ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು – Aarathi Song
During Dasara, Saraswathi is worshiped and on this day few people choose to arrange the dolls. For the festival date click here. The below song dedicated to Goddess Sarawathi is written by my … [Read More...]
Hoovilya
Hoovilya is an auspicious ritual conducted just before major celebrations like Marriage or Upanayana / Sacred thread ceremony in Karnataka. It is more like an all women’s party, where at least 5 or … [Read More...]
