Festival dates in Jyaishtha month – June and July 2026 Adhika Jyaishtha (17th June - 14 July) Vata Savitri Vratha / Phala Poornima - 29 June 2026 Kara Hunnime / Bhoomi Hunnime - … [Read More...]
Avocado Chutney Recipe – Avocado Spread Recipe
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
Kurtakoti Saarina Pudi – Rasam Powder Recipe – North Karnataka Rasam Powder
Loved the change in cuisine when I visited my maternal grandfather's house in Kurtakoti. The Saaru prepared there was so different from Mysore Saaru. Hence, I named it Kurtakoti Saaru and here is the … [Read More...]
Seasoned Raw Mango – Aam Vaghariyalu Recipe – Mavinakayi Vaggarane Recipe
When it is Mango season in India, every household along with having Mangoes as is either Raw or Ripe will also make several dishes using the Mangoes. This is one such Gujarati dish using Raw … [Read More...]
Bhindi Besan Masala – Okra Gram Flour Stir Fry Recipe
Bhindi Besan Masala is a dish where Okra is cooked with spices, yogurt and gram flour. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Bhindi / Okra / Lady’s Finger 3tbsp Besan / Gram … [Read More...]
Onion Paratha – Pyaz Paratha Recipe – Stuffed Onion Bread Recipe
Indian bread stuffed with Onions. The Onion gives an excellent taste to the Paratha along with the spices that are added. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: For the … [Read More...]
Alu Gobi – Aloo Gobi Recipe – Potato Cauliflower Recipe
A very popular Punjabi side dish prepared using Potatoes and Cauliflower. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 medium sized Cauliflower 3 Potatoes, Peeled and Chopped 2 … [Read More...]
Ammini Kozhukattai Payasa – Rice Dumplings Pudding Recipe
Ammini Kozhukattai Payasa is a pudding where steamed rice balls are dunked into a sweet coconut poppy seeds preparation. This is prepared as an offering to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chaturthi … [Read More...]
Onion Dosa
South Indian pancakes with Onion toppings. The aroma that arises while preparing this Dosa is sure to increase the hunger pangs of everyone at home. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking and … [Read More...]
Eggless Vanilla Cup Cake
It’s 2014 Christmas baking time! and this time it is Eggless Vanilla Cup Cake. Type: Tea cakes Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: 125 gms Maida ½ tsp Baking Soda ¼ Cup Oil 1tsp … [Read More...]
Travel
Radhanagar Beach
Radhanagar Beach is situated in Havelock Island, which is part of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is located close to Radhanagar village. In 2004, the beach was declared as one of the best … [Read More...]
T Narasipura
T stands for Tirumakudalu and in short referred to as T Narasipura. Tirumakudalu or Trimakuta means the place of confluence of three rivers. In T Narasipura, Rivers Kaveri, Kabini, and Spatika … [Read More...]
Vidurashwatha
Legends and Indian history has been etched in this small village called Vidurashwatha in Karnataka. There is a huge Peepal tree with a shrine that is worshiped by people who flock this place. … [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...]
Dolphins Nose View Point, Coonoor
The winding narrow roads into the thick shola forest and tea estates lead to the Dolphins Nose viewpoint. I love the adventurous drive to this place. The peak is at 6,000 feet above sea level, an … [Read More...]
Kalapathar Beach – Havelock Island
If you want an example of a breath-taking beach, it is Kalapathar Beach – Havelock Island. Kalapathar means Black Rocks and an adjoining village is also known as Kalapathar. Emerald … [Read More...]
Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple
If you want to experience poetry in stone, then you must visit Bhoga Nadeeshwara Temple. A culmination of work on the temple from 5 dynasties is very attractive to tourists and devotees. Bhoga … [Read More...]
Festivals
Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhane
Picture1 - Sri Raghavendra Swamy Pujyaya Raghavendraya | Satyadharma Ratayacha | Bhajatam Kalpavrikshaya | Namathaam Kamadhenave || O divine Sri Raghavendra Swamy I salute you - the one who … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026 are as follows: Chaitra (March - April) Ugadi/Gudi Padwa - Sri Parabhava Nama Samvatsaram - 19 March 2026 Gangaur - 4 March … [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...]
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...]
Song to Goddess Lakshmi – Varamahalakshmi Arathi Haadu
My mother had written this song in the praise of Goddess Mahalakshmi in 1996. This song can be sung on festivals like Varamahalakshmi, Diwali Lakshmi Pooja, Shravana Shukravara Pooja, Ashada … [Read More...]
Ganesha Aarathi Song
This is a aarathi song dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Kannada Script: ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಚಂದದ ಆರತಿ ತಂದು ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ಸುಂದರ ನಿನ್ನಯ ಚರಣ ಕಮಲಕೆ ವಂದಿಸಿ ಬೇಡುವೆ ಸಿಂದೂರ ವದನ ಬಂದು ಕರುಣಿಸೋ … [Read More...]
Vasant Panchami
"Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasanaa, Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha … [Read More...]
