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
Mysore Masala Dosa
Mysore is not only famous for its palaces but also for its Masala Dosas / Crepes folded over a spicy Potato dish. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking and Fermenting time Ingredients: Oil … [Read More...]
Purple Cabbage and Cucumber Salad
Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Red/Purple Cabbage, Shredded 1 small Cucumber, Peeled and Chopped 2tbsp Roasted Pine nuts 1tbsp Mustard (fluid) 1tsp Olive Oil 1tsp Crushed … [Read More...]
Apple and Corn Kosambari Recipe – Apple and Corn Salad Recipe
During Dasara, most of the households prepare festive food and Kosambari / salad is an integral part of the festive food. Here is a salad prepared using Apple and Corn. Ingredients: Juice of 1 … [Read More...]
Coriander Clear Soup
Time Required: 10 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 10 sprigs Coriander Leaves 8 Peppercorns Juice of ½ Lemon Salt to taste Method: Remove the roots and wash the sprigs thoroughly. Pick … [Read More...]
Nelli Gojju – Gooseberry Sweet and Sour Curry Recipe
Gojju can be prepared using many vegetables like Capsicum, Mango, Bhindi / Okra, Lemon, and this recipe is with star Gooseberries. Everyone would have eaten these small gooseberries dipped in … [Read More...]
Thalipeeth
Thalipeeth is a type of bread prepared using Jower/Sorghum flour. Cuisine: North Karnataka and Maharashtra Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Cups Jower/Sorghum Flour 2 big … [Read More...]
Schezwan Rice
Schezwan Rice is a spicy main course dish prepared using Rice and Vegetables and Schezwan sauce. Schezwan cuisine is from Sichuan province in southwestern China. Cuisine: Schezwan Time Required: … [Read More...]
Brinjal Sambal
Brinjal when deep fried tastes fabulous and when coated with Malaysian style masala taste divine. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Shallots / Small Onions 2 Garlic 10 Red Chilies … [Read More...]
Travel
Saheliyon Ki Bari Udaipur
It took some time for us to pronounce the name (Saheliyon Ki Bari) of this ancient park built by Maharana Sangram Singh II in Udaipur in the 18th Century. He built Saheliyon ki Bari, … [Read More...]
BR Hills – Biligiri Rangana Betta – Biligiri Ranga Hill Range
"Biligiri Rangaiah, Neene Helaiah Sri Ranganayakiya Chandulli Chaluvaiah…" The above is a popular song of the 70's from the Kannada movie Sharapanjara, which was sung by P.Susheela and … [Read More...]
Kudremukh Peak
Though we did not trek up to the peak, the drive to the place where the actual trek starts was an awesome journey. Yes, we do plan to trek to the peak sometime soon. The Kudremukh peak is 1892 … [Read More...]
Nimishamba Temple
“Nimisha” means a minute, and the presiding goddess of this temple is believed to grant your wish in a minute. Nimishamba is none other than Goddess Parvathi, consort of Lord Shiva. This … [Read More...]
Parks of Pondicherry
Pondicherry has many parks, which attracts both local people and tourists. Children’s Park A park near the seaside attracts many children. This park has a statue of Marquis Joseph Francois … [Read More...]
Supra Waterfalls, Kotagiri
As we were driving up the winding hills to Kotagiri from Coonoor we came across this beautiful waterfall cascading from another hill. Stopped and took pictures of Supra waterfalls and just … [Read More...]
Lord Shiva Statues in Nanjanagud Temple
Ramayana and Mahabharatha are famous for the narration of Indian culture (Samskrithi). There are very few who have not heard about these two great epics. The different events of the epic are painted … [Read More...]
Festivals
Sheege Hunnime
Sheege Hunnime festival is fondly remembered by my mother. The excerpt follows… My dad seemed to be in a very celebrative mood. He ordered the servants to get the bullock cart ready and also … [Read More...]
Happy Vijayadashami 2024
Why in North India, Ravana is burnt on Vijayadashami day? This is done to symbolize Lord Rama killing the 10 headed demon Ravana. Good over evil! What does the 10 heads of Ravana stand … [Read More...]
Deepavali – Diwali
Deepavali (“avali” means rows and “deepa” means lamp) or Diwali is a festival of lights much loved by one and all. It is the time for sweets, savories, family get-together, new clothes, crackers and … [Read More...]
Aarathi Song – Lakshmi Arathi Song – Goddess Lakshmi Pooja Song
This is a song written by my mom and we sing this song alternatively with other songs on Friday evening while we perform aarathi to goddess Lakshmi. It can be sung to any tune that you are … [Read More...]
Bharat Hunnime
Bharat Hunnime is a festival celebrated by the devotees of Lord Mailaralinga (Shiva). The festival falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month Magha, which is around December-January according … [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...]
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...]
