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

Papaya Thondekayi Palya – Raw Papaya Ivy Gourd Side Dish – Papita Tindora Subzi
A side dish prepared using raw Papaya and Ivy gourd. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Chopped Thondekayi / Ivy gourd 1 Cup Peeled and Chopped Raw Papaya 1tbsp Oil 1tsp Mustard … [Read More...]

Hasi Bisi Mavinakayi Uppinakayi
Hasi in Kannada means raw and Bisi means hot/warm. Hasi Bisi Mavinakayi Uppinakayi is a pickle is prepared using raw and roasted spices. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Diced … [Read More...]

Steamed Nendrabale
Nendrabale is a type of Plantain widely grown in Kerala, South India. The ripe fruit is steamed and served during breakfast or can be eaten as a dessert after lunch or dinner. Time … [Read More...]

Mooli Bhaji Fry – Radish Leaves Stir Fry Recipe
A crispy side dish using Radish leaves. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 bunch Mooli / Radish Leaves 2tbsp Oil ½ tsp Mustard Seeds ½ tsp Jeera / Cumin Seeds ¼ tsp Hing / … [Read More...]

Kharjoor Yellu Holige – Dates and Sesame Seeds Stuffed Bread – Kharjoor Till Poli
Kharjoor Yellu Holige is prepared using dates and sesame seeds. A stuffing is prepared using dates and sesame seeds and this is stuffed inside the dough and rolled out. A very tasty and … [Read More...]

Andhra Gongura Thokku – Sorelle Leaves Chutney
A spicy chutney prepared using either red or green Sorrel leaves. Andhra Gongura Thokku served with Rice and Ghee is a staple and favorite food of people from Andhra Pradesh. Cuisine: Andhra … [Read More...]

Alugadde Rasa Palya – Potato Gravy – Alu Subzi – Aloo Bhaji
A side dish with gravy prepared using Potatoes. This side dish is very popular in South Karnataka. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Potatoes, Peeled and Chopped finely 1 tsp Chili … [Read More...]

Kiwi Fruit Chutney
Kiwi Fruit Chutney is lip smacking and very easy to make. Time required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Kiwi Fruit, Peeled and chopped 1/2 tsp Minced Ginger Juice of 1/2 Lemon 1/2 tsp Cinnamon … [Read More...]
Travel

Balmuri Falls and Edmuri Falls
Balmuri Falls and Edmuri Falls is picnickers paradise situated 18 Km from Mysore city. Balmuri Falls is a man-made waterfall (check dam) built on Cauvery River. As the river turns to the right at … [Read More...]

Konkaneshwara Temple, Akkihebbalu
The presiding deity at Konkaneshwara temple in Akkihebbalu, Mandya district is Lord Shiva. This temple is situated next to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. Both temples are ancient with no … [Read More...]

Jaipur
I have been to Jaipur three times in different seasons and every time I have been mesmerized by the place. Jaipur also known as Pink city is the capital of Rajasthan. It is situated 300 Km from New … [Read More...]

Nilgiri Mountain Railway
A ride on one the heritage mountain railways transports you back to an era gone by. Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Ooty was built by the British in 1908. It was operated by then Madras Railway, … [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...]

Kalahalli Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple
The ancient Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple built by the Hoysala king Veera Ballala III was undiscovered and unprotected until a few years back. It must be either a divine intervention or that we Indians have … [Read More...]

Sir M Visvesvaraya Memorial, Muddenahalli – Engineer’s Day
In Mysore region it is common among youngsters to quip at a brilliant person as “Visvesvarayyana thale” (brains of Sri Visvesvvaraya). Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (Sir MV) was born in Muddenahalli … [Read More...]
Festivals

Dasara Gombe – Doll arrangement – Golu – 2024
Ten days of festivities begins in India with great devotion. Dasara is celebrated in different ways in various regions of our country. The celebration is the same, which is "Good over … [Read More...]

Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhane
Picture1 - Sri Raghavendra Swamy Pujyaya Raghavendraya | Satyadharma Ratayacha | Bhajatam Kalpavrikshaya | Namathaam Kamadhenave || O divine Sri Raghavendra Swamy I salute you - the one who … [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...]

Subramanya Shashti
Subramanya Shashti also known as Champa Shashti is celebrated honoring the birth of second son of Shiva named Subramanya / Skanda. It falls on the 6th day of the Hindu month of … [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...]

Lakshmi Devotional Song – Arathi Hymn – Varamahalakshmi Festival
This devotional song was sung by my mother's aunt during arathi to Goddess Lakshmi. You can use any tune suitable to sing this song. In Kannada script: ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಸುಕಾಂತೆರಾರತಿ … [Read More...]

Dasara Gombe – Doll arrangement – Golu – 2025
Dasara is celebrated in different ways in various regions of our country. The celebration is of goddess Durga and her various avatars. Each day the goddess is decorated in a different way … [Read More...]