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
Ek Do Teen Chaar Burfi
A very easy to remember recipe and can be made in very easily for parties and festivals. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Chiroti Rawa / Fine Semolina 2 Cups Ghee / Clarified … [Read More...]
Coconut Laddoo Recipe – Nariyal Ladoo Recipe – Khobbari Unde Recipe
Today is the second day of Navaratri. Here is a recipe to make delicious Coconut Laddoo. Extremely easy to make and light on the palette. Time required: 20 minutes Ingredients: 1½ Cups Desiccated … [Read More...]
Nellikayi Chut – Indian Gooseberry Chutney
Nellikayi Chut is a gooseberry chutney that is served with hot Rice and Ghee (clarified butter). Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Gooseberries 2 - 3 … [Read More...]
Batata Dosa – Alu Dosa Recipe – Aloo Dosa Recipe – Potato Dosa Recipe
Batata Dosa / Pan Cakes / Crepes are prepared using Potatoes and Rice. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Time + Fermenting Time Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice 2 Medium Sized Batata … [Read More...]
Sankranthi Yellu – Karnataka Sesame Seeds Mixture
A mixture of Sesame Seeds, Molasses, Coconut, Groundnuts and Fried Gram. In Karnataka this is prepared during Sankranthi festival and distributed among friends and family along with Sakkare … [Read More...]
Soosla – Soaked Puffed Rice Masala – Puffed Rice Recipe – Churmuri Recipe
Soosla is an excellent breakfast from the kitchens of North Karnataka. It is a dish prepared using puffed rice, onions and fried gram. Cuisine: North Karnataka Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Garlic Rice
Garlic Rice is another variety of rice that can be part of your party menu. Cuisine: South Indian Time required: 25 minutes Ingredients: 3 Cups Cooked Rice Few Curry leaves 1 tsp Mustard … [Read More...]
Instant Red Chili Pickle – Mensinkayi Uppinakayi – Lal Mirchi Ka Achar
Year round we get the Green chilies in the market and as the weather gets cooler, the ripe Red chilies add colour in the market. You immediately want to purchase and once home keep wondering … [Read More...]
Travel
St. Stephen’s Church Ooty
St. Stephen’s church Ooty is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris district. Situated in Ooty, it was built exclusively for the British settled there. On April 23, 1829, the birthday of King … [Read More...]
Pine forests of Kodaikanal
Pine forests in Kodaikanal is a must visit for people who love trees. Pine trees are not native to South India. The British in South India were missing these trees and they started growing them in … [Read More...]
Beejadi Beach
Beejadi Beach is in Beejadi Village of Kundapur Taluk, Udupi District. The pristine sandy beach makes for a perfect family outing. If you are looking for a non-commercial beach, then this is the … [Read More...]
Rashtrapathi Bhavan – New Delhi
One of the most majestic residences of India is the Rashtrapathi Bhavan, New Delhi. It is the residence of India’s honorable President. Rashtrapathi Bhavan took 17 years to build and was inaugurated … [Read More...]
Hadinaru Kere
One early morning we decided to drive to Hadinaru village to visit the Hadinaru Kere (lake) as we had heard that a large number of bar headed geese had ascended on the lake all the way from … [Read More...]
I live to tell this story…
I was parched and knew I would die a slow and painful death. The stench was unbearable and the plastic was clogging my respiratory organs. Slowly my body was getting filled by … [Read More...]
Jaipur
I have been to Jaipur three times in different seasons and every time I have been mesmerized by the place. Jaipur also known as Pink city is the capital of Rajasthan. It is situated 300 Km from New … [Read More...]
Festivals
Naga Rangoli – Snake Floor Design
The Naga rangolis / patterns shown below are drawn on Nagara Chauthi and Nagara Panchami festivals. Click on the image to see a bigger image. Rangoli drawn on Nagara Chauthi: Rangoli … [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...]
Kadalekayi Parishe – Festival of Groundnuts – Groundnuts Fair in Bengaluru – Peanuts Festival
Festival of Groundnuts known as Kadalekayi Parishe is held in Bangalore every year on the last Monday of the Hindu month Karthika, November – December in Gregorian calendar. For the festival … [Read More...]
Nariyal Poornima
The fisherman of Daman and Kolis of Coastal Maharashtra look forward to celebrate Nariyal Poornima festival as it signifies retreating monsoon and the commencement of their fishing activity. Nariyal … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – August and September 2025
Bhādrapad (August – September) Ganesh Chaturthi – 27 August 2025 Ganesha aarathi song Why Ganesha is also known as Ekadantha Mystery of the term “Morya” 21 Patra … [Read More...]
Banni Tree
The botanical name of this tree is Prosopis spicigera. In Sanskrit it is known as Shami Vruksha. Banni tree is found in dry and arid regions at low altitudes. This tree is widely grown in … [Read More...]
Glory of Lord Mailaralinga – Mailaralinga Mahatme Haadu – Khandoba Mahima Geet
The glory of Lord Mailaralinga's song in Kannada has been sung by my mother's immediate and extended family for decades. This song was taught by a relative called Sri Shankar who lived with my … [Read More...]
