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
Sweet Corn Salad
Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cups Sweet Corn, boiled 1 Charred Chili, Chopped ¼ Cup Peeled and chopped Cucumber 6 Shallots, Peeled and diced 4 - 5 Cherry Tomatoes, cut into … [Read More...]
Menasinakai Balaka
Menasinakai Balaka are sun dried stuffed Green Chilies, which are Shallow fried before serving in South India. Time Required: 15 Minutes + Drying Time Ingredients: 10 Green Chilies 1tsp … [Read More...]
Steamed Corn – Corn on the Cob –
Steamed Corn is a very healthy snack and also very tempting for children. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 2 American sweet Corn cobs or any ordinary Corn cobs Butter Chili … [Read More...]
Vendekayi Mor Thalippu – Okra simmered in yogurt and spices
Vendekayi in Tamil means Lady;s Finger/Okra, Mor means yoghurt and Thalippu means seasoning. So it is basically Okra simmered in yoghurt and a sesoning added to it in the end. Cuisine: Tamil … [Read More...]
Sakkare Achchu – Sugar Moulds
Different models of animals, flowers, plants and things are made using Sugar. A thick sugar syrup is prepared and poured into different sugar molds. In Karnataka Sakkare Achchu are … [Read More...]
Paneer Kali Mirch
Paneer Kali Mirch is a side dish where Cottage Cheese cubes are cooked in Cashew and Cream gravy. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Bowl Paneer Cubes 4 - 5 … [Read More...]
Halu Kodubale Recipe – Milk Kodubale Recipe – Ring Murukku Recipe
Halu Kodubale is another variety of Kodubale, the ubiquitous snack of South Karnataka homes. Sipping hot filter coffee and spicy Kodubale as the windy rain wets the surrounding is an out of the … [Read More...]
Badanekayi Chutney – Brinjal Chutney – Eggplant Chutney Recipe – Aubergine Chutney
Roasted Eggplant chutney. Cuisine: South Indian Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Udupi Gulla or Blue Eggplant (Bartha Brinjal) 2tbsp Chili Powder 1tbsp Tamarind Pulp 1tbsp … [Read More...]
Travel
Birds of Puttenahalli Lake
Being a nature loving family, we are always exploring places to trek or bird watch. With hectic work and study schedules, these getaways take a back seat. A visit to Puttenahalli Lake was refreshing … [Read More...]
Heritage buildings of Pondicherry
Apart from Parks, Beaches, Backwaters, Temples, Ashrams and Auroville another interesting aspect of Pondicherry are its heritage buildings. The heritage buildings of Pondicherry comprises of … [Read More...]
Sultan Battery, Kerala
Gananaptivattam was a small town in Wayanad district ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe and Pazhassi Raja of Kottayam-Kurumbanad Royal Dynasty of Kannur. Hyder Ali captured Wayanad and his son Tipu … [Read More...]
Sri Vidyashankara Temple, Sringeri
The Vidyashankara Temple was built in the year 1338 A.D. entirely using stone by King Bhuvanaikadeva, at Sringeri. The temple is built in stone adopting both Hoysala Chalukya and Dravidian … [Read More...]
Pondicherry – Puducherry
After learning most of the computer languages, I enrolled myself for French language lessons and imagined myself traveling to France and speaking in French but could not go beyond pronouncing Merci … [Read More...]
Chunchanakatte Falls – Chunchankatte Waterfalls
Cauvery flows into Chunchanakatte falls roaring thunderously forming a 60 feet height and approximately 300 to 400 feet wide waterfalls. This place is situated 57 Kms from Mysore in Krishna Raja … [Read More...]
Shankaranarayana Temple
Shankarnarayana temple is situated in Shankaranarayana village, which was earlier known as Golikatte. This remote village is tucked amidst coconut and arcanut plantations surrounded by the Western … [Read More...]
Festivals
Aanai Pandige – Aane Habba – Karthika Deepotsava
Aanai Pandige Karthikai also known as Karthika Deepotsava, Aane / Elephant Habba is an important festival of Iyengars (Vishishtha Advaitha sect) of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is … [Read More...]
Ganesh Chathurthi – Ganesha Festival
I have extremely fond memories of Ganesha-Gowri festival. It was one of the grand festivals of the year for the family and for Mysore city itself. Our road would be decorated with serial lights, as … [Read More...]
Bhagvad Gita Aarathi Song – Bhagvad Gita Jayanthi – Bhagvad Gita Birthday
Bhagvad Gita Aarathi Song is a prayer that is sung after reading the Srimad Bhagvad Gita book. Known as Gita Arati, the verses are found at the end of the 18th chapter of the Bhagvad Gita … [Read More...]
Sampath Shanivara Pooja
The day next to Shravana Shukravara Pooja is Shravana Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja also known as Sampath Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja. This pooja / vratha / religious observance is … [Read More...]
Why Lord Ganesha is also known as Ekadantha / single tusk
The most popular narration on how Lord Ganesha lost his tusk is penned in the Skanda Purana / tales of gods and goddesses. Lord Ganesha was a patron of good food with a healthy appetite. Once … [Read More...]
Song to Goddess Lakshmi – Varamahalakshmi Arathi Haadu
My mother had written this song in the praise of Goddess Mahalakshmi in 1996. This song can be sung on festivals like Varamahalakshmi, Diwali Lakshmi Pooja, Shravana Shukravara Pooja, Ashada … [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...]
