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
Sakkare Pongal – Sweet Pongal Recipe – Sakkarai Pongal Recipe – Chakkara Pongal Recipe
Sakkare Pongal is a sweet rice prepared in South India during Makara Sankranti festival. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Raw Rice 1 Cup Hesarubele/Moong Dal/Split … [Read More...]
Mango Cheese Cake
Mango Cheese Cake can satisfy your Mango craving any time of the year. Time Required: 45 Minutes + Refrigeration time Ingredients: 3 tbsp Hung Curd 1 tbsp Cheese Spread 100 gms Whipped … [Read More...]
Sagu – Vegetable gravy side dish – Kurma Recipe
Sagu is a side dish very popular in Karnataka, which is served along with Poori/deep fried bread or Dosa/Crepe. This is a dish wherein an assortment of … [Read More...]
Vegetable Biryani
Vegetable Biryani is a complete meal, which is prepared using Rice, Vegetables, and spices. My friend "A" prepared this Biryani when we had a small get-together. It was an instant hit with all of us … [Read More...]
Falafel Sandwich
Falafel Sandwich is a Falafel Sandwich middle eastern favorite where chik pea fritters and vegetables are stuffed into a Pita bread. Cuisine: Middle East / Mediterranean Time Required: 15 … [Read More...]
Tomatokayi Palya – Raw Tomato Stir Fry Recipe
Raw Tomato and Onion side dish. The tanginess of the raw tomatoes gives a unique taste to this dish. Raw tomatoes start arriving in the markets around January every year. Cuisine: North … [Read More...]
Kadala Curry – Chikpea Curry Recipe – Kerala Style Curry Recipe
A popular Kerala curry prepared using Black Chikpea and a perfect accompaniment to Puttu and Appam. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 Cups Soaked Black Chikpea / Kadale / … [Read More...]
Star Gooseberry Pickle
Star Gooseberry is available around the year. Making Star Gooseberry Pickle is easy and also adds a little zest to the mundane lunches and dinners. Time Required: 10 Minutes Cuisine: … [Read More...]
Travel
Kanthanpara Waterfalls
Nestled in a scenic spot is the Kanthanpara Waterfalls. It is near Kalpetta, Wayanad District, Kerala. The waterfall is surrounded by Banana and betel leaves plantations and forest. It is a … [Read More...]
Lakshmeshwara
Lakshmeshwara also known as Puligere is a town in Shirahatti Taluk, Gadag district, Karnataka. There are many ancient religious places situated in this town belonging to Hindus, Jains and Muslims now … [Read More...]
Kodachadri
I cannot keep away from my beloved Western Ghats for long. The hills beckoned and we readily drove to explore Kodachadri hill ranges. Words fail to explain the enchanting beauty of Kodachadri. The … [Read More...]
Big Foot Goa
Big Foot Goa also known as ancestral Goa is situated in Loutolim is a center for Art, Culture & Environment started by Maendra in 1995. Big Foot Goa has taken shape on a 9 acres hillock and there … [Read More...]
Forts of Goa
Most of the forts built in Goa are high up on the hills and offer a grand view of the Arabian Sea. The forts of Goa are dotted from Tiracol Fort, which is at the northernmost tip of Goa to Cabo da … [Read More...]
Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Jungle book was one of my favorite books and the movie by Disney bought this book alive. I think the makers of the movie toured Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary before making the movie. I am stating this … [Read More...]
Shopping in Ooty and eating out in Ooty
Ooty has come a long way, from a quaint hill station to a bustling commercial and tourist destination. Apart from trekking, boating, horse riding, visiting places of interest, shopping in Ooty and … [Read More...]
Festivals
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha is a religious practice that people vow to perform in the Hindu month of Karthika, which is October – November in the Gregorian calendar. It is performed for 14 years and … [Read More...]
Rakhsha Bandhan
Rakhsha Bandhan festival is a celebration of the brother-sister bonding, celebrated mainly in North India. It falls on Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu moth of Shravana. August - September … [Read More...]
Dasara – Celebration of Dussehra in different regions of India – Navratri Celebrations
In Mysore, we always looked forward to Dasara, which is the Nada Habba (festival of Karnataka state) and it is not only celebrated in homes but the whole city seems to wake up from the slumber to 10 … [Read More...]
Lullaby to Lord Rama
It is Lord Sri Rama's birthday today. Rama Navami is celebrated all over India with great devotion. The lullaby below was written by my grandfather M.M.Patil, Kurtakoti. ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮನ … [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...]
Sri Ramanujacharya Jayanthi
“O Nityam Achyuta Padambuja Yukma Rukma Vyamohataha Tad Itaraani Trinaaya Mene Asmad Guroha Bhagavathosya Dayaika Sindhoho Ramanujasya Charanou Sharanam Prapadye” The meaning of the above … [Read More...]
Oiling ritual song – ಎಣ್ಣೆ ಹಚ್ಚುವಾಗ ಹೇಳುವ ಹಾಡು
This is a beautiful song written by Sri Purandara Dasaru to sing during the head oiling ritual, which is the beginning of auspicious occasions like festivals, weddings, upanayana (sacred thread … [Read More...]
