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
Zafrani Pulao
Zafrani Pulao is part of Awadhi cuisine. Basmati rice is cooked with Saffron, Clarified Butter, and Nuts. The aroma that arises from this dish is heady and the taste is delicious. Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]
Akki Kadalebele Payasa – Rice Channa Dal Kheer Recipe – Rice and Lentil Payasa Recipe
A pudding prepared using Rice and Bengal Gram. This is commonly prepared during festivals. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice 1/2 Cup Kadalebele / Channa dal / Bengal … [Read More...]
Plain Kulcha
Indian Bread using refined flour. Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Maida 1tbsp Curds ½ Cup Milk ¼ tsp Soda-bi-carb / Cooking Soda 1tsp Sugar 1tbsp Oil 1tsp Chili … [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...]
Steamed Corn – Corn on the Cob –
Steamed Corn is a very healthy snack and also very tempting for children. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 2 American sweet Corn cobs or any ordinary Corn cobs Butter Chili … [Read More...]
Puttu – Steamed rice flour and coconut
Puttu is a dish from Kerala, South India. Rice flour and Coconut layers are steamed in a Puttu maker called as Puttu Kutti. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice 1 Cup Grated … [Read More...]
Sookha Bhindi – Okra Stir Fried with Spices
Sookha Bhindi is a dry side dish prepared using Ladies finger/Okra/Bhendekayi. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 4 Cups Chopped Bhindi/Okra pieces 2 … [Read More...]
Bread Uppittu
Bread Uppittu is prepared using Bread, Onion, and other spices used to make Rawa (Semolina) Uppittu. This is faster and offers a variety in Uppittu also known as Upma. Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Travel
Jantar Mantar Jaipur
Jantar Mantar Jaipur in Rajasthan, is the Largest Stone Astronomical Observatory in the World. It was built by Jaipur Maharajah, Jai Sawai Singh II during 1727 to 1733. Jantar Mantar Jaipur is one of … [Read More...]
India Gate
Every time I have passed through the roads of India Gate, I could never take my eyes off this national monument. This iconic monument is located in central Delhi was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and … [Read More...]
BR Hills – Biligiri Rangana Betta – Biligiri Ranga Hill Range
"Biligiri Rangaiah, Neene Helaiah Sri Ranganayakiya Chandulli Chaluvaiah…" The above is a popular song of the 70's from the Kannada movie Sharapanjara, which was sung by P.Susheela and … [Read More...]
Lalgarh Palace, Bikaner
An architect’s delight, the Lalgarh palace in Bikaner was built between 1902 and 1926. Built in Rajput, Mughal, and European architectural styles, the building was custom-built by Maharaja Ganga Singh … [Read More...]
Forts of Goa
Most of the forts built in Goa are high up on the hills and offer a grand view of the Arabian Sea. The forts of Goa are dotted from Tiracol Fort, which is at the northernmost tip of Goa to Cabo da … [Read More...]
Saheliyon Ki Bari Udaipur
It took some time for us to pronounce the name (Saheliyon Ki Bari) of this ancient park built by Maharana Sangram Singh II in Udaipur in the 18th Century. He built Saheliyon ki Bari, … [Read More...]
Birds of Masinagudi
Masinagudi hills have always fascinated me. We have passed the tiny town many times on our way to Ooty and many a time have driven there for a day outing to look at the majestic hills, flora, … [Read More...]
Festivals
Makara Sankranti
Sankranthi is a harvest festival and “Sankranthi” means movement. It is a celebration of the sun entering from the zodiac sign Dhanur/Sagittarius into Makara/Capricorn. So this Makara Sankranti … [Read More...]
Chaitra Navratri
Chaitra Navratri also known as Varshik Navratri is a festival observed for nine days in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April in Gregorian Calendar). The festival starts on the first day of Chaitra … [Read More...]
Habbada Adige – Festival Food Recipes
Festivals are time for a variety of food to be cooked and relished by one and all at home. The Habbada Adige (festive food) is prepared without Onion and Garlic. In Karnataka, the following dishes are … [Read More...]
Prayer to Parvathi
This prayer was chanted by Chandrahasa to goddess Parvathi/Chamundi/Amba/Gowri. Extracted from the Gemini bharatha. ಚಂದ್ರಹಾಸನ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ - ಜೈಮಿನಿ ಭಾರತ ತಾಯೆ ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ಪರಮ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಿ … [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...]
Festival dates in Phalgun month – February and March 2026
Festival dates in Phalgun month – February and March 2026 Phālgun (February – March) Sri Raghavendra Swami Jayanthi – 24 February 2026 Holi – 2 to 4 March 2026 … [Read More...]
Upanayana
Every male child born in certain Hindu communities has to go through the Upanayana ritual. Upanayana is also known as Munji, Brahmopadesham (supreme teaching), and Sacred thread ceremony. The … [Read More...]
