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
Gujarati Kadhi
Gujarati Kadhi is a yogurt based dish very popular in Gujarat. Time Required: 10 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 6 Cups Buttermilk 2tbsp Gram Flour 2tsp Sugar Coriander leaves for … [Read More...]
Longan Smoothie Recipe – Thai Lychee Smoothie Recipe – Longan Fruit Juice Recipe
Longan Smoothie is a delicious drink prepared using creamy coconut milk and Longan fruit. If you use Coconut water, then it is a delicious Longan juice. Time required: 10 … [Read More...]
Kharada Kadelekayi Beeja – Spicy Groundnuts Recipe – Spicy Peanuts Recipe – Congress Kadle Beeja Recipe
Spicy peanuts is a famous evening snack in the Mysore region. You are sure to find Kharada Kadelekayi Beeja in all the condiment stores. It is also known as Congress Beeja! Cuisine: … [Read More...]
Lotus Stem Chips
Yummy crispy chips prepared using Lotus stems. Lotus stems is known as Kamal Ki Kakadi in Hindi. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: Few Lotus Stems Oil for deep … [Read More...]
Tandoori Baby Corn
Grilled Baby Corn is a very tasty dish to be served as a starter. Time Required: 15 minutes + marinating time Ingredients: 15 Baby Corns 1tsp Ginger – Garlic paste 1tsp Red Chili paste ½ … [Read More...]
Gilki Ki Subzi – Ridge Gourd Side Dish Recipe – Heerekayi Palya
Gilki Ki Subzi is prepared using Ridge Gourd. A very simple recipe and quick to make for those days when you want to get out of the kitchen soon yet serve a delicious and nutritious dish for the … [Read More...]
Aam Ka Panna – Raw Mango Drink Recipe
Aam Ka Panna is a very good thirst quencher prepared using Raw Mangoes. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 20 Minutes + Chilling time Ingredients: 1 Big Raw Mango ¼ tsp Kala … [Read More...]
Tomatokayi Palya – Raw Tomato Stir Fry Recipe
Raw Tomato and Onion side dish. The tanginess of the raw tomatoes gives a unique taste to this dish. Raw tomatoes start arriving in the markets around January every year. Cuisine: North … [Read More...]
Travel
Basillica of Bom Jesus, Goa
I had read and heard a lot about St. Francis Xavier’s mortal remains enshrined in the oldest church in India, the Basillica of Bom Jesus in Goa. When I got the opportunity to visit the … [Read More...]
Sringeri
Sringeri situated on the banks of the River Tunga was the chosen place by Sri Adi Shankaracharya to set up the first matha (monastery) in the 8th Century. Sringeri is located amidst the Sahyadri … [Read More...]
Kshanambika Temple, Srirangapattana
Kshanambika temple though less popular than Nimishamba temple in Srirangapattana is no less powerful than Nimishamba. Kshanambika means the goddess who grants the wishes in a Kshana / Second whereas … [Read More...]
Jantar Mantar Jaipur
Jantar Mantar Jaipur in Rajasthan, is the Largest Stone Astronomical Observatory in the World. It was built by Jaipur Maharajah, Jai Sawai Singh II during 1727 to 1733. Jantar Mantar Jaipur is one of … [Read More...]
Kukkarahalli Lake – Mysore
My sister and me always had an extended summer holidays, as my uncle’s family from Delhi would be visiting Mysore every year for their summer holidays. Our holidays would end in May and their holidays … [Read More...]
Bandipur Wild Life Sanctuary
Picture1 - Bandipur Another favorite getaway of ours is Bandipur. I have lost count the number of times we have visited this place. Between the Western Ghats and Niligiri Mountains lies … [Read More...]
Rajasthan
The meaning of the name of the largest state of India, Rajasthan is “land of the kings”. It is also the land of sun, sand, songs and dance. The history, culture, art, landscapes and cuisine are rich … [Read More...]
Festivals
Phala Gowri Vratha – Molake Gowri Vratha – Gowri Festival
Phala Gowri Vratha (observance) also known as Molake Gowri (Sprout Gowri) falls on the Sharvana Amavasya day in the Hindu month of Shravana. August – September according to Gregorian calendar. For the … [Read More...]
Teachers Day
Guru Brahma Gurur Vishnu| Guru Devo Maheshwaraha| Guru Saakshat Para Brahma| Tasmai Sree Gurave Namaha|| Meaning of the above shloka / chant is that the Guru / teacher is the representative of … [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...]
Basava Jayanthi
Kalabeda, kola beda, husiya nidiyalu beda Muniya beda, anyarige asahya padabeda Thanna bannisabeda, idira aliyalu beda Ide antaranga shuddhi, ide bahiranga shuddhi Ide namma koodala … [Read More...]
Surya Stotra
Today is Rathasapthami and here is a beautiful stotra / hymn in praise of the sun written by Lakshmisha in Jaimini Mahabharatha. Kannada script: ಸೂರ್ಯ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರ ಮಿತ್ರಾಯ ಸೂರ್ಯಾಯ ಹಂಸಾಯ … [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...]
Aarathi Song to Sri Rama
Here is an Aarathi song in praise of Lord Rama. This is sung during Rama Navami festival and can also be sung on any other festival during Aarathi. Kannada Script: ರಾಮನ ಆರತಿ … [Read More...]
