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
Onion Dosa
South Indian pancakes with Onion toppings. The aroma that arises while preparing this Dosa is sure to increase the hunger pangs of everyone at home. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking and … [Read More...]
Tender Coconut Pudding
Tender coconut pudding is a delightful ending to a dinner. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Cooling time Ingredients: 5 gms Agar Agar / China Grass ½ Cup Condensed Milk ¾ Cup Water 2tbsp … [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...]
Kathal Ki Biryani – Raw Jackfruit Biryani Recipe – Chakka Biryani Recipe
This exotic dish is prepared using Raw Jackfruit and Rice with spices. Time Required: 1 hour Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice 2 Cups Chopped Raw Jackfruit 4 Tomatoes, Chopped finely 3 Onions, … [Read More...]
Vegetable Bonda – Vegetable Stuffed Fritters Recipe – Fried Vegetable Dumplings Recipe
Balls of mashed Vegetablesand spices dipped in batter and deep fried. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: Oil for deep frying For the filling: 3 Potatoes 1 Cup Beans, Carrot, and … [Read More...]
Golgappa
Small deep fried puffed bread stuffed with Potatoes and spices. This is dipped into a vessel of tangy water and comes out filled with the water. It is put into the mouth and the tangy water, crispy … [Read More...]
Batata Dosa – Alu Dosa Recipe – Aloo Dosa Recipe – Potato Dosa Recipe
Batata Dosa / Pan Cakes / Crepes are prepared using Potatoes and Rice. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Time + Fermenting Time Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice 2 Medium Sized Batata … [Read More...]
Hagalkayi Kootu – Bitter Gourd Curry – Karela Curry Recipe
Hagalkayi Kootu is a curry prepared using Bitter Gourd. I tasted this for the first time in Ramana Maharshi Ashrama in Thiruvannamalai and it was very good. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Travel
Padubidri
Padubidri is situated on the west coast of Karnataka in Udupi District. It is famous for the ancient temples, festivals, Padubidri end point, and the Padubidri beach. In Tulu language it is … [Read More...]
Soochipara Falls
Soochipara Wateralls is also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls situated in the forests of Vellarimala, Wayanad district, Kerala. Soochi in Malayalam means needle and Para means rock and so … [Read More...]
Sri Eklingnath – Kailashpuri – Eklingji
The temple village Kailashpuri is situated 23 Kms from Udaipur, Rajasthan. The place has 108 temples and the 1200 years old temple of Sri Eklingji Prabhu / Lord Shiva is the biggest, oldest and most … [Read More...]
Pine forests of Kodaikanal
Pine forests in Kodaikanal is a must visit for people who love trees. Pine trees are not native to South India. The British in South India were missing these trees and they started growing them in … [Read More...]
Bhadravathi
I remember visiting Bhadravathi in 1979 as part of our school education trip. We visited Vishweshwaraya Iron and Steel Limited (VISL) factory and all I can remember is that it was very hot and noisy … [Read More...]
Sri Prasanna Nanjundeshwara Temple
Sri Prasanna Nanjundeshwara Temple is an extremely old temple situated on Kozhikode-Mysore-Kollegal Highway. This temple was in ruins and recently is now being renovated by Karnataka Muzrai … [Read More...]
Mini Forest in J.P.Nagar Bangalore – Bengaluru
At a walkable distance from our house is a Mini forest maintained by the forest department. Picture1 - Mini Forest An early morning walk inside the mini forest delighted us with sights and … [Read More...]
Festivals
Bhagvad Gita Jayanti – Bhagvad Gita Birthday – Srimad Bhagvad Gita Jayanti
During Corona time, my quest to listen and understand the Srimad Bhagvad Gita started. My mother patiently read the Bhagvad Gita shlokas and explained each of them in Kannada. I was in awe … [Read More...]
New Year Celebrations
Communities following Gregorian calendar celebrate New Year on 1st January every year. The year counter also gets incremented on this day. Though people following different calendars celebrate New … [Read More...]
King Raghu and Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni Tree – English Version
King Raghu of Raghuvamsha fame was a brave, generous, humble, and sensible ruler of Ayodhya. He had won many battles and his treasury was filled to the brim. On the behest of his guru Vashishta, he … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Ashwin month – September and October 2025
Āshwin (September – October) Dasara - Navaratri - 22 September to 2 October 2025 Saraswathi Pooja - 29 September 2025 Durgashtami - 30 September 2025 Ayudha Pooja - 1 October … [Read More...]
Satyanarayana Aarathi Song
It is a must to read the story of Satyanarayana at the end of Satyanarayana pooja. Here is a song covering all the stories that has to be read. You can sing this while doing the final … [Read More...]
Republic Day of India
On 15th August, 1947 India became independent from the British Rule and on 26th January 1950 the Constitution of India came into force and India became sovereign democratic republic nation. 26th … [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...]
