Avocados are available in the South Indian market from April onwards. There is an abundance of desi Avocados in the market. Apart from making Guacamole, you can make many types of … [Read More...]
Flower Arrangement – Solitaire
You do no need a bunch of flowers to create a flower arrangement. A single flower can be a garden as well as a good flower arrangement. Ikebana rules can be sometimes applied to freestyle … [Read More...]
June 2026 Hints
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
Lachchi Gojju – Sweet and Sour Lentil Recipe – Gotsu Recipe – Katti Meethi Dal Recipe
My dad’s close friend Lakshminarasimha Rao whose nickname was "Lachchi" shared Kadalebele Gojju recipe with my grandmother a few decades ago. This dish, which is sweet and sour with the aroma of … [Read More...]
Mysore Pak Recipe
This rich sweet dish is popular in the regions of Mysore. This is prepared using Clarified Butter/Ghee and Gram Flour. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Kadale … [Read More...]
Pudina Poori
A crispy snack prepared using Mint leaves. Cuisine: Indian Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 bunch Pudina / Mint leaves, Minced 1 Cup Wheat Flour ½ Cup Maida / Refined … [Read More...]
Padavalkayi Masala – Snake Gourd Stir Fry Recipe – Chichinda Subzi
Padavalkayi Masala is a side dish prepared using Snake Gourd. A simple, yet tasty dish. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Padavalkayi / Snake Gourd, … [Read More...]
Beladahannina Sihi – Wood Apple Crush – Bael Fruit Recipe – Beladahannu Recipe
Wood Apple is known as Beladahannu in Kannada. This fruit is used to prepare a refreshing summer drink on Rama Navami festival and the ripe rind is mashed with Jaggery and Cardamom powder and served. … [Read More...]
Yennegai Palya – Badanekayi Ennagai Palya Recipe – Stuffed Eggplant Recipe
Yennegai Palya is prepared using Coconut, Onion and Spices stuffed into Brinjals/Eggplant/Aubergine and cooked in oil. This tasty dish is very popular in North Karnataka and served as a side … [Read More...]
Bhajji – Spicy Fritters – Vegetable Pakora – Bajji Recipe
Thin slices of vegetables or slit whole green chilies dipped in spicy batter and deep fried. A favorite during tea time and this is also served along with Rice and Rasam. Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Masala Chai – Masala Tea Recipe
Tea prepared using spices. A favorite drink among Indians and the only place on this earth where tea is literally cooked. Time Required: 10 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 4 tsp Tea … [Read More...]
Travel
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...]
Madiwala Lake, Bengaluru
One of the biggest lakes in Bangaluru, Madiwala Lake is spread over an area of 114 hectares. A residential area nearby is known as Madiwala. The Madiwala lake is situated in BTM layout and … [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...]
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...]
Sooryanarayana Temple, Lakkundi – Suryanarayana temple
Sun plays a vital role in our lives and the whole mankind, animals, plants, and birds thrive because of the sunlight. Hence, Sun is worshipped throughout India. Rathasapthami festival is … [Read More...]
Sims Park Coonoor
Sims park is named after J.D.Sim who was the secretary of the Madras Club in 1874. The garden is spread over 12 hectares with more than 1000 plant species at an elevation of 1780 mts above sea … [Read More...]
Kaup Beach
Our unplanned visit to Kaup Beach pronounced as Kapu was a pleasant surprise. The character of the Kaup beach is enhanced by the striking black and white light house built on a sprawling rock on the … [Read More...]
Festivals
Mahashivarathri – Shivratri
Om Vande Shambhu Umaapatim Surgurum Vande Jagad Kaaranaam | Vande Pannag Bhushanaam Mrigadharam Vande Pashunaam Patim| Vande Surya Shashaak Vahninayanam Vande Mukundapriyam| Vande Bhakta … [Read More...]
21 Pushpa Pooja to Lord Ganesha
21 types of Patra (leaves), 21 types of Pushpa (flowers), and 21 Kadabu or Modaka (sweets) are offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chathurthi and Sankashta Chaturthi. There are 21 mantra chanted … [Read More...]
Ganesha Aarathi Song
This is a aarathi song dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Kannada Script: ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಚಂದದ ಆರತಿ ತಂದು ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ಸುಂದರ ನಿನ್ನಯ ಚರಣ ಕಮಲಕೆ ವಂದಿಸಿ ಬೇಡುವೆ ಸಿಂದೂರ ವದನ ಬಂದು ಕರುಣಿಸೋ … [Read More...]
Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavir Jayanti is also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and signifies the birth anniversary of the last and 24th Jain thirthankara Lord Mahavira. Lord Mahavira was born in 599 BCE on the thirteenth … [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...]
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...]
Guru Nanak Jayanthi
The birthday of Guru Nanak who is the founder of Sikhism is celebrated by Punjabis all over the world. Devotees pay obeisance to their Guru in Gurudwaras. Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 at … [Read More...]
