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
Gulab Jamoon
The dish is originally adapted from an Arabic dessert. During the Mughul era, it became popular in India. The Dessert is prepared using Milk Solids and Sugar. The easiest way to make is to bring the … [Read More...]
Kadalebele Payasa Recipe – Chana Dal Payasa Recipe – Kadalai Paruppu Payasam – Senaga Pappu Payasam
Payasa is a type of South Indian pudding prepared using split Bengal Gram / Chik Pea. Kadalebele Payasa is a favourite among Kannadigas during festivals. Wish you all a very happy Gowri and … [Read More...]
Palak Mangodi
Green Gram dumplings cooked in Spinach gravy. A dish from Rajasthan. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: ½ Cup Mangodi 1 big bunch Palak / Spinach or Methi / Fenugreek … [Read More...]
Rice Idli
Steamed Rice cakes. South Indian breakfast is incomplete with this nutritious and healthy dish. Time Required: 10 Minutes + Soaking Time + Fermentation Time Ingredients: 1 Cup Urad … [Read More...]
Vaali Ambat – Malabar Spinach Curry Recipe – Konkani Style Curry Recipe
Vaali Ambat is a curry prepared using Malabar Spinach and lentils. Cuisine: Konkani Time required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 bunch Malabar Spinach / Vaali / Basale Soppu 1 Onion, … [Read More...]
Tandoori Baby Corn
Grilled Baby Corn is a very tasty dish to be served as a starter. Time Required: 15 minutes + marinating time Ingredients: 15 Baby Corns 1tsp Ginger – Garlic paste 1tsp Red Chili paste ½ … [Read More...]
Modaka
Modaka is a sweet dish, which is a favorite of Lord Ganesha. This is prepared on festivals or rituals dedicated to Lord Ganesha like Ganesh chathurthi, Sankanshti, Gana Homa/Havan etc. Time … [Read More...]
Gadbad Ice Cream – Gudbad Ice Cream Recipe
Gadbad is a slang in Kannada meaning there is something wrong or something amiss. History of Gadbad goes like this, a customer visited Diana restaurant in Udupi and ordered for an ice cream, he … [Read More...]
Travel
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
The fourth largest state of India, Andhra Pradesh is situated in South India established on November 1st 1956. It shares its borders with Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Tamilnadu. … [Read More...]
Bannari Amman Temple
Bannari Amman Temple is situated in the picturesque Sathyamangala forest, West of Tamil Nadu state. The forest is situated in Erode district. The presiding deity of the temple is Mariamma … [Read More...]
Manikyadhara Falls
Manikyadhara falls also known as Nellikayi Theertha is situated 1 km from Baba Budan Giri Dattatreya Peetha, Chikkamagalur, Karnataka. The water that falls down is in the form of droplets and they … [Read More...]
Padubidri Beach
Travel to coastal region in Karnataka conjures visits to divine temples, long walks on the beach, watching sunset, fascinating estuaries, swaying palm trees, and delicious food. For people who … [Read More...]
Kshanambika Temple, Srirangapattana
Kshanambika temple though less popular than Nimishamba temple in Srirangapattana is no less powerful than Nimishamba. Kshanambika means the goddess who grants the wishes in a Kshana / Second whereas … [Read More...]
Birds of Maravanthe Coast
A trip to Maravanthe, coastal Karnataka was full of surprises. We went on a boat trip to an island that was submerged during the monsoons with great anticipation to spot Dolphins. We spotted only … [Read More...]
Grand rooms of Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
The Grand rooms of Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur keeps you mesmerized and asking for more. These rooms were built by different kings in over a period of time. Some of the notable places inside the fort … [Read More...]
Festivals
Saraswathi Prarthane – Prayer to Goddess Saraswathi
Today is Saraswathi Pooja, which is part of Navrathri celebrations. This is a prarthane (prayer) to Goddess Saraswathi written by my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil in 1969. ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ಕಂದ … [Read More...]
Rathasapthami
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South … [Read More...]
Lord Ganesha Arathi Song
Tomorrow is Ganesh Chathurthi. Wish you all a very happy festival. My mother has written the below arathi song praising Lord Ganesha. This is in Kannada script. ಗಣೇಶನಿಗೆ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಆರುತಿ … [Read More...]
Nariyal Poornima
The fisherman of Daman and Kolis of Coastal Maharashtra look forward to celebrate Nariyal Poornima festival as it signifies retreating monsoon and the commencement of their fishing activity. Nariyal … [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...]
Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Vratha
"Kaayena Vaachaa Manasendriyairvaa Buddhyaatmanaa Vaa Prakriteh Svabhaavaatah Karomi Yadhyadh Sakalam Parasmai Naaraayanaayeti Samarpayaami" The meaning of the above shloka is: "I offer … [Read More...]
Phala Gowri Vratha – Molake Gowri Vratha – Gowri Festival
Phala Gowri Vratha (observance) also known as Molake Gowri (Sprout Gowri) falls on the Sharvana Amavasya day in the Hindu month of Shravana. August – September according to Gregorian calendar. For the … [Read More...]
