Heliconia is best for flower arrangements, as they last for a very long time. When teamed with Philodendron leaves, it makes a striking arrangement. Materials required: 1 Golden torch … [Read More...]

Ulundogare recipe – Urad Dal Rice recipe – Ullandogare – Ulundhorai
Ulundogare is prepared for naivedya (blessed food) in temples. It is a healthy meal with the right amount of carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. The flavor is derived from roasted … [Read More...]

Ikigai Café
Ikigai is a Japanese concept pronounced as ee-key-guy. It means a sense of purpose to wake up in the morning. This resonates perfectly with Navya, who has conceptualized this unique café “Ikigai” at … [Read More...]

February 2026 Hints
Use an onion to clean the grate on your grill. If your microwave is really dirty, put a damp cloth in there for about 30-45 seconds, let it sit (to cool down) then use it to wipe it down. The steam … [Read More...]

Konkaneshwara Temple, Akkihebbalu
The presiding deity at Konkaneshwara temple in Akkihebbalu, Mandya district is Lord Shiva. This temple is situated next to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. Both temples are ancient with no … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026 Mouna Gowri Vratha - 21 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 Vasanth Panchami - 23 January 2026 Rathasapthami - 25 January … [Read More...]

Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is as ancient as our Puranas. Sage Gouthama's penance appeased Lord Vishnu and he appeared before him and asked his wish, the sage asked Lord Vishnu to … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes

Bread Raitha
Crispy Bread drowned in spicy curds. A little unhealthy but oh! so yummy! Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 3 - 4 slices Bread (Wheat or White) Oil for deep frying 3 Cups … [Read More...]

Lauki Dal – Bottle gourd with Lentils Recipe – Sorekayi Thovve Recipe
Lauki Dal is a curry prepared using Bottle gourd and Bengal Gram. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Lauki/Sorekayi/Bottle gourd, Chopped 1 … [Read More...]

Groundnut Chutney
This chutney is prepared by the Gujaratis and this chutney is available for sale in Jamnagar Gujarat. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Roasted and peeled Groundnuts / Moomphali … [Read More...]

Bhajji – Spicy Fritters – Vegetable Pakora – Bajji Recipe
Thin slices of vegetables or slit whole green chilies dipped in spicy batter and deep fried. A favorite during tea time and this is also served along with Rice and Rasam. Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]

Orange Vanilla Cookies
This year was the year of Oranges in Bangalore. They were available in abundance and I happily indulged cooking recipes with Oranges. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 1¼ Cup … [Read More...]

Baingan and Paneer Tikki – Eggplant and Cottage Cheese Patties – Brinjal and Cottage Cheese Patties
My cook who is from Orissa cooked this delicious Baingan and Paneer Tikki for a dinner party at home. Usually except for the Paneer (Cottage Cheese), the rest of the ingredients are used to … [Read More...]

Banana Chips
Chips prepared using raw Banana and fried in Coconut Oil. If you do not like the taste of Coconut Oil, you can use any other refined Oil. Banana Chips is very popular in Kerala … [Read More...]

Vepudu Karam – Andhra Masala Powder Recipe
Vepudu Karam is a masala powder used to make dry side dishes using different types to vegetables like Ridge Gourd, Bottle Gourd, Brinjal, and so on. Cuisine: Andhra Pradesh Time Required: 15 … [Read More...]
Travel

Tipu Sultan Summer Palace
A palace for different seasons could only be afforded by the kings and queens. Every historic place you visit, you will have palaces built on hills or lakes to beat the summer heat, on flat lands to … [Read More...]

Pyramid Valley International – Maitreya Buddha Pyramid
Pyramid Valley International is situated in a serene valley surrounded by greenery and small hills in Bengaluru. The campus is spread over 28 acres. Here a large pyramid is built solely for the … [Read More...]

Dum Dum Rock View
A stop at Dum Dum Rock View point refreshes and rejuvenates the tired travelers. The view point is situated on the Batlakundu-Kodai Ghat road. A viewing tower is strategically constructed to get a … [Read More...]

Sam Sand Dunes, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Situated 42 Kms from Jaisalmer is the Sam Sand Dunes and the Kuari dunes on the great Thar Desert of Rajasthan. We chose to visit Sam dunes, pronounced as “Sum”, and the sights of the desert just took … [Read More...]

Kalpetta
We chose to stay at Kalpetta as all the interesting places are around Kalpetta. We were also tempted to stay in far flung places like Rain Country resorts, but the fact that the drive to and from the … [Read More...]

Bangalore – Bengaluru
Bangalore is the capital city of Karnataka and IT capital of India. Kempegowda was a Palegar of Vijayanagar empire who found Bangalore by chance and named the city Benda kalooru (the place where the … [Read More...]

Birds of Rajasthan
When we started our trip to Rajasthan in winter, we were looking forward to sighting many migratory as well as resident birds. The drought faced by the state for the past 3 years has resulted in dry … [Read More...]
Festivals

Ganesh Chathurthi – Ganesha Festival
I have extremely fond memories of Ganesha-Gowri festival. It was one of the grand festivals of the year for the family and for Mysore city itself. Our road would be decorated with serial lights, as … [Read More...]

Chaitra Gauri Pooja
Sarva Mangala Maangalye Shive Sarvaartha Saadhike| Sharanye Trayambake Gouri Narayani Namosthuthe|| Chaitra Gauri Pooja is also known as Tadigae Gauri Vratha, Ujjale Gauri Vratha, Soubhagya … [Read More...]

21 Patra Pooja to Lord Ganesha
21 types of Patra (leaves), 21 types of Pushpa (flowers), and 21 Kadabu or Modaka (sweets) are offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chathurthi and Sankashta Chaturthi. Just before the festivities … [Read More...]

Sheege Hunnime
Sheege Hunnime festival is fondly remembered by my mother. The excerpt follows… My dad seemed to be in a very celebrative mood. He ordered the servants to get the bullock cart ready and also … [Read More...]

Ganesha Ashtotra Shathanaamavali – 108 names of Lord Ganesha
Ganesha Ashtotra Shathanaamavali is 108 names of Lord Ganesha. While chanting this, you can offer 21 Patra or 21 Pushpa to Lord Ganesha. Here there are 110 names of Lord Ganesha. Om … [Read More...]

Ritu – Indian Seasons – Rithu
Ritu means "season" in ancient Indian calendars used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. There are six ritus or seasons. The word is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Ṛtú. Every season, … [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...]