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
Kadalebele Usali
Kadalebele Usali is prepared using Channa Dal or Split Bengal Gram was distributed as prasada / blessed food in a Srinivasa temple, which was opposite to our house. Time Required: 30 Minutes + … [Read More...]
Steamed Corn – Corn on the Cob –
Steamed Corn is a very healthy snack and also very tempting for children. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 2 American sweet Corn cobs or any ordinary Corn cobs Butter Chili … [Read More...]
Kesar Sandwich
Kesar Sandwich is prepared using dehydrated Milk, Nuts, and Saffron. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 12 Bread slices For the Mawa(solidified Milk) mixture: 150gms Mawa 1 - 2 … [Read More...]
Alfalfa Sprouts Salad
Nutritious and healthy Alfalfa Sprouts Salad. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Bowl Alfalfa Sprouts (Kudure Menthya in Kannada, Seeds of Lucerne Grass) 1 Carrot, Peeled and Grated 1 … [Read More...]
Kashi Halwa – Kushmanda Halwa – Dumroot Halwa – Ash Pumpkin Halwa
Kashi Halwa is the most common sweet dish served during wedding breakfast in Karnataka. This is also prepared during other festivals too. Rich with ghee floating around the crunchiness of the Ash … [Read More...]
Makki Ki Roti
Indian bread prepared using Corn meal. Makki Ki Roti is a favorite among Punjabis along with Sarson Ka Saag/side dish. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1½ Cups Makai Ki … [Read More...]
Mango Milk Shake
Time Required: 10 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 Ripe Mangoes ½ Liter Milk 6 tsp Sugar Method: Scoop out the pulp of the Mangoes and blend along with Milk and Sugar in a liquidizer. … [Read More...]
Vegetable Au Gratin
Vegetable Au Gratin is a casserole prepared using vegetables in a cheesy sauce. Cuisine: Italian - French Type: Casserole Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Potato 2 Carrots 1 Cup … [Read More...]
Travel
Brahmeshvara Temple, Kikkeri
Kikkeri is a small town in Krishnarajapete (K.R.Pete), Mandya district of Karnataka state, India. The Brahmeshvara Temple in Kikkeri was completed in 1171 AD by Bammave Nayakiti during the … [Read More...]
Jain Temple, Sultan Bathery
A Jain temple known as Ananthanatha Swami temple is situated in Sultan Bathery, Wayanad district. The history of this Jain Temple, Sultan Bathery was narrated to us briefly by the caretaker of … [Read More...]
Nagarhole
My first encounter with wild life and forests was when the whole family comprising of my grandparents, parents, aunt, sister and me visited Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary in 1977 for 3 nights. As a … [Read More...]
Kudupu Sri Ananta Padmanabha Swamy Temple
Kudupu town is situated very close to Mangaluru. The name Kudupu means a basket woven out of dried forest creeper. Sri Ananta Padmanabha Temple is a major temple visited by thousands. The main … [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...]
Guru Sweet Mart Mysuru – Mysore Pak at Mysore
As children when we accompanied our parents to the Devaraja Market, Mysuru, we would be overwhelmed by the number of people selling various items from colorful Vermilion powders, fragrant Mysuru … [Read More...]
Jaisalmer Fort
Sonar Quila / Golden fort, the living fort of Jaisalmer is fascinating and exotic. Memories of time spent here will be etched forever. Jaisalmer fort was built by Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal in … [Read More...]
Festivals
Nagara Chauthi
Nagara Chauthi festival is celebrated on the fourth day of the Hindu month Shravana, July – August according to Gregorian calendar dedicated to Snake god. For the festival date click here. On this … [Read More...]
ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ – Saraswathi Prarthana
Today is Vasantha Panchami festival celebrated grandly by people of West Bengal. Here is a prarthana/prayer on goddess of education Saraswathi, which was written by my grandfather, M.M.Patil, … [Read More...]
Nagara Panchami
Nagara Panchami Nadige doddadu Naada Naadiyar Kodona Naada Naadiyar Kodona | Gelathi| Naagappage Haalu Hoyyona || The above Kannada song is sung during Nagara Panchami festival. The … [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...]
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...]
Upakarma – Janivara Habba
Upakarma festival is solely for the men. The others also join in by preparing delicious food as naivedhyam / blessed food and eating together. This festivals falls on Shravana Nakshatra (a star) on … [Read More...]
Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavir Jayanti is also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and signifies the birth anniversary of the last and 24th Jain thirthankara Lord Mahavira. Lord Mahavira was born in 599 BCE on the thirteenth … [Read More...]
