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
Masala Vada – Channa Dal Vada – Dal Vada – Paruppu Vadai
Masala Vada are fritters prepared using lentils, chilies and onions. The aroma that arises while preparing this increases your hunger pans. I love to prepare this on a rainy cold evening … [Read More...]
Bhutta – Roasted Corn – Grilled Corn Recipe
As people welcome rain, carts loaded with Corn are seen at the street corner roasting them and selling them to eager customers. Corn roasted on coal and served smeared with Mint Chutney or Salt, Chili … [Read More...]
Vegetable Kosambari Recipe – Minced Vegetable Salad – Hasi Tarkari Kosambari
Festive food preparations will be in full swing during the festivals lined up for the next few days and months. Here is a traditional Kosambari/salad using an assortment of vegetables. … [Read More...]
Bisibelebath Powder – Masala Powder – Mysuru Bisibele Bhath Recipe
Bisibelebath Powder is used to prepare the delicious and wholesome Bisibelebath a heady mixture of lentil, rice, vegetables and spices. Recipe straight from the kitchens of Mysore. Time … [Read More...]
Sihi Avalakki – Meethi Poha Recipe – Sweet Beaten Rice Recipe – Sweet Poha Atta Savory Mix
Sihi Avalakki is a sweet prepared using beaten rice and jaggery. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups thick Avalakki / Beaten Rice / Poha 1 Cup Grated Jaggery 1 Cup … [Read More...]
Capsicum Gojju – Capsicum in sweet and sour gravy
Capsicum Gojju is a sweet and spicy side dish prepared using Bell Peppers. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Capsicum, cut into roundels 1 Green Chili, Slit 1 Lemon … [Read More...]
Menthya Uthappam – Methi Dosa Recipe – Menthya Dosa Recipe
Healthy pancakes prepared using Fenugreek leaves. Time Required: 25 Minutes + Soaking Time + Fermenting Time Makes: 4 Ingredients: 4 to 6 big spoons of Dosa Batter 1 Cup Menthya / … [Read More...]
Avarekayi Saaru – Winter Flat Beans Curry – Papdi Lilva Beans Curry Recipe
Guess what the aroma is from all of South Karnataka kitchens in winter. It is Avarekayi (field beans or flat beans)! Except for coffee, most of the items prepared for the next two months … [Read More...]
Travel
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...]
Lotus Temple, New Delhi
The Baha’i house of worship known as Lotus temple was built in 1986 and is situated in Bahapur village in New Delhi. The temple with its unique architectural design and a complementing … [Read More...]
Birding in the vicinity of Valley School
Valley school is situated 20 Kms on Kanakpura road. The road leading to the Valley school and the surrounding area is a forest offering a place to seek the much needed solace from the maddening … [Read More...]
Srirama Temple, Ponkuzhi
A stop at Srirama Temple, Ponkuzhi on the way from Mysore to Sulthan Bathery is a must, as it is situated in a very serene and scenic place. The Ponkuzhi River flowing on one side, the bamboo … [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...]
Karapuzha Dam
The main purpose of building Karapuzha dam was to utilize Karapuzha River for irrigation purpose. Karapuzha River is a tributary of Kabini River. This is one of the biggest earth dams in India … [Read More...]
Namdroling Monastery
The largest Tibetan settlement is at Bylakuppe in Coorg District, near Kushalnagar. As you enter Bylakuppe you can see many Buddhist monks in their bright robes and Tibetan women and children going … [Read More...]
Festivals
Mahalakshmi Ashtakam – Lakshmi Sthotra – Prayer to Goddess Lakshmi
Wish you all a very happy Dasara. Today is the first day of Dasara known as Padya. The nine days during this festival is dedicated to the shakthi devathes (divine power). Here is a prayer to goddess … [Read More...]
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...]
Adi Shankaracharya Jayanthi
Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Deva Maheshwara Guru Sakshath Parambrahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha|| Adi Shankaracharya the founder of the Advaita philosophy begins his Gurustotram or … [Read More...]
Hanuman Jayanthi
"Manojavam Maruthathulya Vegam Jitendriyam Budhdhi Mathaam Varishtam Vaathathmajam Vaanarayutha Mukhyam Srirama Dootham Sharanam Prapadye" The above sthotra/chanting, is part of the Sri … [Read More...]
Vijayothsava – Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni – Kannada Version
Story of King Raghu (of Raghuvamsha) written by my mother in Kannada script. This story appears in the Ramayana and my mother has written in simple words for easy understanding. Click here for … [Read More...]
ಜೋ ಜೋ ಹಾಡು
Jo Jo Hadu is a lullaby sung to Lord Krishna while putting the Lord to sleep. ಜೋ ಜೋ ಶ್ರೀ ಕ್ರಿಹ್ಸ್ನ ಪರಮಾನಂದ ಜೋ ಜೋ ಗೋಪಿಯ ಕಂದ ಮುಕುಂದ ಜೋ ಜೋ ಪಾಲಗಡಲೊಳು ಪವಡಿಸಿದವನೆ ಆಲದೆಲೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಮಲಗಿದ … [Read More...]
Independence Day
On August 15th, 1947, India got Independence from British rule. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, addressed the Constituent Assembly and citizens to recognize the … [Read More...]
