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

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...]

Sweet Potato Paratha – Shakkarkhand Paratha – Sweet Potato Flat Bread
Indian bread stuffed with Sweet Potatoes and spices. Time Required: 30 Minutes Makes: 6 Ingredients: 2 Cups Wheat Flour Oil for roasting Salt to taste For the stuffing: 2 medium … [Read More...]

Padavalakayi Beejada Raitha – Snake Gourd Seeds in Yoghurt
Padavalakayi Beejada Raitha is a yoghur based dish, prepared using snake gourd seeds. Long, long ago my grandmother's elder sister used to prepare this very often. My mother passed on this … [Read More...]

Palak Spread Dosa
Palak Spread Dosa is Pancakes/Crepes with Spinach and Onion topping. It is a great way to make children eat Spinach. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]

Hurali Palya – Horse Gram Side Dish
Hurali palya is a delicious and nutritious sprouted Horse gram side dish. Cuisine: South Karnataka Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 250gms Horse Gram 1 Onion, … [Read More...]

Mavinakayi Hasi Gojju Recipe – Raw Mango Sweet and Sour Curry Recipe
Mavinakayi Hasi Gojju is prepared using Raw Mango. Except for the cooked Mango, the rest of the ingredients used is raw. Cuisine: Karnataka Time required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]

Shavige Uppittu – Vermicelli Upma – South Indian Breakfast
Shavige Uppittu is a breakfast dish prepared using Vermicelli. Also known as Vermicelli Upma. This is on the menu for breakfast in South India. Time Required: 40 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]

Peas Masala
Peas cooked with spices and coconut. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 3 Cups Shelled Green Peas 1 Cup Boiled Potato pieces 1 Cup Tomato Puree 1tbsp Kasoori Methi/Dry … [Read More...]
Travel

Shri Kshetra Polali
Polali is a picturesque village situated in Dakshina Kannada district and it is also known as Puliapura in Sanskrit. This village is famous for the Shri Rajarajeshwari temple. The deity is powerful … [Read More...]

Cubbon Park – Bangalore
In 1870, 100 acres of land in Bangalore was shaped into a park and hence the city came to be known as Garden city. It was named as Meade’s Park as Sir John Meade was the Commissioner of … [Read More...]

Varakodu Varadaraja Temple
Varakodu Varadaraja Temple is situated in Varakodu village near Mysore. The huge granite temple was developed and expanded by the Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Kings and the Mysore Wodeyars. Varakodu … [Read More...]

Hadinaru Kere
One early morning we decided to drive to Hadinaru village to visit the Hadinaru Kere (lake) as we had heard that a large number of bar headed geese had ascended on the lake all the way from … [Read More...]

Planet X, Mysore
Updated on April 30 2014: Planet X is closed now. Mysore was always nicknamed as a “sleepy town” and the visitors whine that there is nothing in Mysore except for historical monuments and ancient … [Read More...]

Goa Heritage Buildings
Along with endless beaches, Goa is also dotted with beautiful heritage buildings reminding of the Portuguese who ruled Goa for 450 years. Goa was freed from Portuguese in 1961, but the impact of the … [Read More...]

Veera Narayana Temple, Belur
Chennakeshava Temple complex in Belur comprises of many temples dedicated to various deities. One such temple is the Veera Narayana temple. The presiding deity Veera Narayana is also known as Lakshmi … [Read More...]
Festivals

Adhik Maas – Adhika Masa – Purushotham Maas – Maal Maas
Adhik Maas is an extra month added to the Lunar Calendar to be in sync with the Solar Calendar. This period is also known as Adhika Masa in Kannada, Malimmacha (Maal), and Purushotham (Lord … [Read More...]

Krishna Janmashtami – Gokulashtami – Birth of Lord Krishna
"Yathra Yogeeshwara Krishno | Yathra Partho Dhanurdharaha | Thathra Shree Vijayo Bhuthir | Dhruvaneethirmimathirmama ||" The meaning of the above extract from the Gita is “wherever Krishna … [Read More...]

Panchamrutha Abhishekha
"Panch" means 5 and "Amrutha" means nectar in Sanskrit. Panchamrutha Abhishekha is a Hindu ritual performed at all homes and temples, where the idols are bathed with Milk, Curds, Honey, Sugar and … [Read More...]

Mysore State Anthem
The existence of Mysore State Anthem was bought to my notice by my dad, who during his primary school days would sing the anthem every day. In 1881, the British decided to give back the state … [Read More...]

Sri Gurubhajane Purnadarathi -Sri Sridhara Swamiji
This bhajan is sung during the Aarathi in Sridhara Ashrama. Sri Sridhara Swamiji is considered the avatar of Dattatreya. His samadhi and ashram is located in Varadahalli, Sagar taluk. There are many … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Pushya month – December and January 2026
Festival dates in Paush/Pushya (December – January) Dhanurmasa Pooja – Starts on 16 December 2025 and ends on 14 January 2026 Vaikunta Ekadasi – 30 December 2025 … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026 Mouna Gowri Vratha - 21 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 Vasanth Panchami - 23 January 2026 Rathasapthami - 25 January … [Read More...]