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
Beetroot Saaru – Beetroot thin soup
Beetroot Saaru is a thin curry prepared using Beetroot. When the usual Tomato Saaru or Rasam becomes a bit mundane, you can add Beetroot for a new taste. Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]
Mango Ice Cream – Mango Icecream Recipe
I learnt this in the ice cream classes that I attended. Follow the recipe and I assure you that the flavor and texture of the mango ice cream will be great! Ingredients: 3 Cups Milk 1 … [Read More...]
Pathrode Gasi – Colocasia Leaves Recipe – Pathrode Recipe
Pathrode Gasi is a gravy based side dish prepared using Pathrode. Cuisine: Udupi - Mangalore Time Required: 30 Minutes Time Required: 20 Minutes + to prepare Patrode Ingredients: 2 Cups … [Read More...]
Phodi – Grilled Spicy Eggplant – Grilled Spicy Brinjal Recipe
Last weekend I was in Mangalore and enjoyed Podi with my friends. Podi is a crispy and tasty snack, which is very popular in this coastal region. Time Required: 30 Minutes + Soaking … [Read More...]
Avarekayi Chivda – Avarebele Mixture – Avarekalu Mixture – Flat Beans Mixture
A snack prepared using winter beans also called as flat beans. This beans is available during winter in Mysore and Bangalore regions. A cup of coffee along with Avarekayi Chivda sets up … [Read More...]
Tomato Onion Masala
When you have only Onion and Tomatoes at home, you can make Tomato Onion Masala as an accompaniment to Indian Bread. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Tomatoes, … [Read More...]
Singada Halwa
Singada Halwa is prepared using Water Chestnut flour. Singada is also known as Water Caltrop. Today is the commencement of Dasara and let us start the celebration by preparing Singada … [Read More...]
Stuffed Capsicum Bonda – Potato Stuffed Capsicum Fritters
Small Capsicums are stuffed with Potatoes and dipped into a fritter batter and deep fried. Tiny Capsicums are available during December in Bangalore/Mysore. Cuisine: South … [Read More...]
Travel
Kukke Subramanya
Kukke Subramanya lies in the midst of rain forests in Sullia taluk of Dakshina Kannada. Kukke Subramanya temple situated here is dedicated to Lord Subramanya and is situated on the banks of … [Read More...]
Tirupati
Tirupati does not need any introduction to the readers. Yet, as I have visited this place many times, this write-up is a humble offering to the gateway to the richest temple in the world: Lord Balaji … [Read More...]
Kerala
State of Kerala known as God’s own country is situated to the south west of India. Capital of Kerala is Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). Kerala with its moderate climate throughout the year is … [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...]
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...]
Badrinath
Sri Badri Naryanji ki, jai Sri Badri Vishalji ki, Jai Badrinath is one of the char dhams (four pilgrim centers), which is visited by thousands of Hindus. The temple is dedicated to Lord … [Read More...]
Jal Mahal, Jaipur
When I visited Jal Mahal, Jaipur in 1995, I was very disappointed to see the Man Sagar Lake in which it is situated was dry and dirty. The palace itself was not maintained well. I hoped that the place … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated in Canada and United States of America. It is the day when people thank the almighty for a good harvest and for all the good things bestowed on … [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...]
Dhanur Masa Poojas
Dhanur Masa Pooja as the name implies is to be performed in the Hindu month of Dhanur Masa, December – January according to Gregorian calendar. This year (2017) it is from 16th December to 15th … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Margashirsha month – November and December 2025
Mārgashīrsha (November – December) Champashashthi / Subramanyana Shashthi - 26 November 2025 Huttari habba - 5 December 2025 Shuddha Panchami Ellu amavasya - 19 December 2025 … [Read More...]
Sankranthi Yellu – Karnataka Sesame Seeds Mixture
A mixture of Sesame Seeds, Molasses, Coconut, Groundnuts and Fried Gram. In Karnataka this is prepared during Sankranthi festival and distributed among friends and family along with Sakkare … [Read More...]
Dasara Procession and Torch Light Parade during the reign of the Wodeyars
Picture1 - Illuminated Mysore Palace Mysore Dasara procession during the Maharajah’s rule used to be on a larger scale and grander. My grandparents and parents generation go on and on … [Read More...]
