The presiding deity at Konkaneshwara temple in Akkihebbalu, Mandya district is Lord Shiva. This temple is situated next to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. Both temples are ancient with no … [Read More...]

January 2026 Hints
To clear baking mess in the kitchen, crush a piece of aluminium foil and get to scrub. It will clear the mess from your pots and pans in no time. How to clean kids scribbling on the wall? Use … [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...]

Paryaya of Sri Krishna Matha (Krishna Temple) of Udupi
Paryaya is a ritualistic system by which the pontiffs of the eight muttts of Udupi, by turn, take up the responsibility of worshipping the deity at the Sri Krishna temple. The ceremony of the handing … [Read More...]

Makara Shankrathi Platter 2026 – Pongal Platter
Happy Makara Shankranthi! The Sun moves and the cold bids goodbye. This time of the year is celebrated with harvest and food. … [Read More...]

Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is as ancient as our Puranas. Sage Gouthama's penance appeased Lord Vishnu and he appeared before him and asked his wish, the sage asked Lord Vishnu to … [Read More...]

Palash Tree
This tree blooms during February and covers the landscape red thus deriving the other name Flame of the Forest. Botanical name of Palash tree is Butea monosperma belonging to family Fabaceae. … [Read More...]

Vasant Panchami
"Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasanaa, Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes

Halasinakayi Palya – Raw Jackfruit Stir Fry – Chakka Thoran
Halasinakayi Palya is a south Indian side dish prepared using raw Jackfruit. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 250gms Raw Jackfruit 3 Green … [Read More...]

Chapathi Recipe – Plain Paratha Recipe – Layered Roti – Layered Flat Bread
This is also known as plain paratha and is very popular in South India. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Wheat Flour 1tsp Oil Salt to taste Water Method: Mix all the … [Read More...]

Gobi Manchurian
Gobi Manchurian is a crispy Chinese starter prepared using Cauliflower. It is a very popular dish in India and hence Indian name to the dish. Time Required: 45 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]

Sweet and Sour Mango Curry
Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 3 Ripe Mangoes 1tbsp Ghee A pinch of Asafoetida 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds 1tsp Red Chili Powder ¾ tsp Turmeric Powder 1tsp Dry Mango … [Read More...]

Aloo Ka Halwa – Potato Pudding – Alu Halwa – Potato Halwa Recipe
Aloo ka Halwa is prepared when people restrict type of food consumed. This is known as Vrat ka Khana or Palahara or Falhar. This is practiced during festivals or certain rituals. Cuisine: North … [Read More...]

Ganji – Red Rice Gruel
A simple and nutritious meal prepared using Steamed Red Rice (Unpolished Rice). Ganji is the staple diet of people from Coastal Karnataka and Kerala in India. Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]

Alu Methi Palak – Aloo Methi Palak Recipe – Potato Fenugreek Spinach Recipe
I learnt to make this dish from my Mami/Aunt, who is a wonderful cook. This North Indian side dish goes very well with all types of Indian Bread and is prepared using Potatoes, Fenugreek and … [Read More...]

Alu Capsicum Peas Bhath – Potatoes Capsicum Peas Rice – Aloo Capsicum Rice
Alu Capsicum Peas Bhath is a rice dish prepared using Potatoes, Capsicum and Peas. This is ideal to pack for lunch. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 6 … [Read More...]
Travel

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...]

Mariapura Lake
Another weekend and another birding trip and off we drove to Mariapura lake. A beautiful serene lake where the wind blows, birds chirp, plants whisper, and fishes swim. This lake has a calming effect … [Read More...]

Rajas Tomb – Gaddige – Coorg
Gaddige or Gadduge is a place towards the north of Coorg with tombs of Kodava royalty, court dignitaries, royal priest and the royal bulls. It is situated on a hillock with a good view of the city. … [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...]

Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple
In Kateel on an island created by river Nandini is situated the Sri Durga Parameshwari temple. Kateel is located in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka. Devotees throng the Kateel Durga … [Read More...]

Wenlock Downs, Ooty
Wenlock Downs is popularly known as 9th and 6th mile as they are situated exactly at the 9th and 6th mile from Ooty. Innumerable movies have been shot here with the hero and the leading lady singing … [Read More...]

Kodachadri
I cannot keep away from my beloved Western Ghats for long. The hills beckoned and we readily drove to explore Kodachadri hill ranges. Words fail to explain the enchanting beauty of Kodachadri. The … [Read More...]
Festivals

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...]

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...]

Halloween
Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31. This celebration was started in Ireland by the Celts 2000 years ago. It is a believed that on this day the ghosts of the dead return to earth. … [Read More...]

ಜೋ ಜೋ ಹಾಡು
Jo Jo Hadu is a lullaby sung to Lord Krishna while putting the Lord to sleep. ಜೋ ಜೋ ಶ್ರೀ ಕ್ರಿಹ್ಸ್ನ ಪರಮಾನಂದ ಜೋ ಜೋ ಗೋಪಿಯ ಕಂದ ಮುಕುಂದ ಜೋ ಜೋ ಪಾಲಗಡಲೊಳು ಪವಡಿಸಿದವನೆ ಆಲದೆಲೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಮಲಗಿದ … [Read More...]

Dasara Gombe – Doll arrangement – Golu – 2025
Dasara is celebrated in different ways in various regions of our country. The celebration is of goddess Durga and her various avatars. Each day the goddess is decorated in a different way … [Read More...]

Shravana Shukravara Pooja
Shravana Shukravara Pooja is also known as Sampath Shukravara vratha. This is performed in the Hindu month of Shravana, July – August in Gregorian calendar dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi / Gowri. … [Read More...]

Naga Rangoli – Snake Floor Design
The Naga rangolis / patterns shown below are drawn on Nagara Chauthi and Nagara Panchami festivals. Click on the image to see a bigger image. Rangoli drawn on Nagara Chauthi: Rangoli … [Read More...]
