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
Masala Vegetable Pulao
Flavored rice with vegetables and spices Required Time: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 4 Cups Basmati Rice 1 Carrot 1 Potato 100gms Beans 1 Cup shelled Green Peas Juice of one … [Read More...]
Chaat Masala Powder Recipe – Chat Masala Powder
Chaat Masala Powder is a powder prepared using an assortment of spices, which is used to add to snacks, fruits, raw vegetables or cooked side dish. This adds a unique tangy, spicy taste to the … [Read More...]
Mathri Chaat – Matri Chat Recipe – Fritters with spiced yoghurt
Mathri is a famous Tea time snack of North India. It is a crispy deep-fried snack that can be made into Mathri Chaat. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 20 Minutes Caution to dieters: Includes … [Read More...]
Kiwi Fruit Chutney
Kiwi Fruit Chutney is lip smacking and very easy to make. Time required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Kiwi Fruit, Peeled and chopped 1/2 tsp Minced Ginger Juice of 1/2 Lemon 1/2 tsp Cinnamon … [Read More...]
Badam Milk – Flavored Almond Milk Recipe
When growing up having Badam Milk in the evening was a rare treat! Krishna Bakery in Mysore used to serve delicious cold Badam Milk with slivers of Badam (Almond) floating on top. Time … [Read More...]
Jackfruit Seeds Vada – Jackfruit Seeds Fritters – Halasina Beejada Vade
After the Jackfruit season, if you have collected the seeds, you can make this crispy and tasty vadas / fritters for a rainy evening with hot filter coffee. Ingredients: 1 Cup Jackfruit seeds, … [Read More...]
Vendekai Poriyal
A simple side dish prepared using Ladies finger / Okra. This is popular in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka (Bhendekayi Palya). Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 25 Vendekai / Bhendekayi / … [Read More...]
Dal Fry
Boiled lentils cooked in a seasoning. Cuisine: Punjab Time Required: 15 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Cup Tur/Tuvar Dal/Split Red Gram Juice of ½ Lemon 1tbsp Oil ½ tsp Mustard … [Read More...]
Travel
Adichunchanagiri
Adichunchanagiri is a town situated on top of a hill in Mandya district, Karnataka. It is the spiritual headquarters of the Vokkaliga community and is also known as Mahasamsthana Matt. The hill … [Read More...]
Joshimath
Joshimath is a small town buzzing with pilgrims and tourists who are heading towards the char dham, Hem Kund, Auli, Kuari Pass treks, or Valley of flowers. It is at a height of 6150 feet above sea … [Read More...]
Avalanche Lake Ooty – Avalanchi Lake
Avalanche Lake, also known as Avalanchi lake is situated in South India’s Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. In the early 1800s there was a huge landslide due to heavy rainfall that occurred in this … [Read More...]
Bannari Amman Temple
Bannari Amman Temple is situated in the picturesque Sathyamangala forest, West of Tamil Nadu state. The forest is situated in Erode district. The presiding deity of the temple is Mariamma … [Read More...]
Nrupatunga Betta
Nrupatunga Betta is a picnic spot in Hubli. Locals and visitors spend quality time with their family and friends. You can drive up the hill and park your vehicles at a distance of 1 Km from the … [Read More...]
Talakadu – Part II
Picture1 - Sand Dunes at Talakadu Talakadu is a place known for its sand dunes, river, ancient temples and innumerable legends. Picture2 - Trees of Talakadu Cashew nut, Fig, Nilgiri, … [Read More...]
Chikmagalur – Chikkamagaluru
Chikmagalur was always mentioned by my dad and his cousins with a lot of affection as they spent all their holidays in their maternal Grandfather’s coffee estate. I have heard many incidents and … [Read More...]
Festivals
Republic Day of India
On 15th August, 1947 India became independent from the British Rule and on 26th January 1950 the Constitution of India came into force and India became sovereign democratic republic nation. 26th … [Read More...]
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karaavalambam Sthotra in Kannada
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karaavalambam Sthotra is written by Sri Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya in Sanskrit, my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil has translated the Sthotra to Kannada. ಶ್ರೀ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನರಸಿಂಹ … [Read More...]
Mangala Drowya and Pooje Samaanu
Mangala Drowya and Pooje Samaanu means sacred items used on auspicious occasions like marriage rituals, upanayana (sacred thread ceremony), shrimantha (arathi to pregnant women), namakarna (naming … [Read More...]
Holi – Festival of Colors
I remember Holi being celebrated on the streets of Mysore, where the kids from the neighborhood would go begging from house to house collecting discarded things that can be burnt like mats, brooms, … [Read More...]
Mangala Gowri Vratha
Mangala Gowri Vratha / religious observance is mentioned in the Bhavishyoththara Purana / Hindu religious texts and is performed by newly married girls for the first five years of their married … [Read More...]
Ashada Shukravara
Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) pooja / ritual is performed on all the Fridays of the Hindu month of Aashada, July-Aug in Gregorian calendar. This year (2020) Aashada starts on 22nd June and the … [Read More...]
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is perfomed in West Bengal, Orissa, and Assam. It falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month Ashwin, September – October according to Gregorian calendar. For the festival date … [Read More...]
