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
Kayi Sasve Chitranna – Udupi Chitranna Recipe – Sarson Bath Recipe – Coconut Rice Recipe
Kayi Sasve Chitranna is rice prepared using Coconut and Mustard Seeds. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 6 Cups Cooked Rice 1 Cup Fresh Coconut, Grated 5 Green … [Read More...]
Capsicum Besan Subzi – Capsicum Gram Flour Side Dish
Capsicum Besan Subzi is a side dish, where Capsicum is stir fried with roasted gram flour and spices. Cuisine: North Karnataka, Maharashtra Time required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 … [Read More...]
Paneer Tikka
Cottage Cheese coated with spices and grilled or shallow fried. This dish is very suitable to be served as a starter. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 10 – 15 1” square pieces of … [Read More...]
Boiled Tapioca
Boiled Tapioca is very popular in Kerala. This is served with different types of chutneys. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 3 to 4 pieces of Tapioca / Mara Genasu Salt to … [Read More...]
Fruit Custard
Fruit custard is a favorite while growing up. With Ice-cream it would be the must loved Fruit Salad with Ice-cream! Time Required: 40 Minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 1 Apple 2 Banana 1 … [Read More...]
Huli Pudi – Sambar Powder
Curry / Sambar is known as Huli in Kannada. Huli Pudi / powder is added to prepare a curry with vegetables and coconut known as "Huli". Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Sev Ki Subzi – Potatoes Radish cooked with Sev
A very unique side dish prepared using Sev, which is a deep fried crispy snack. Cuisine: Gujarat and Rajasthan Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Radish / Mooli peeled and diced 2 … [Read More...]
Kharada Kadelekayi Beeja Masale – Spicy Peanuts with Onions Recipe – Mumphali Masala
The ubiquitous Kharada Kadalkayi Beeja or Congress is mixed with Onions and made into Kharada Kadelekayi Beeja Masale, which is favorite accompaniment with drinks (hic!) Cuisine: Karnataka Time … [Read More...]
Travel
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...]
Sri Eklingnath – Kailashpuri – Eklingji
The temple village Kailashpuri is situated 23 Kms from Udaipur, Rajasthan. The place has 108 temples and the 1200 years old temple of Sri Eklingji Prabhu / Lord Shiva is the biggest, oldest and most … [Read More...]
Birds spotted in KR Nagar, Chunchanakatte and Hosa Agrahara – Krishna Raja Nagara
KR Nagar also known as Yedathore is situated 57 Km from Mysore. The ancient Arakeshwara temple is situated in KR Nagar. The small yet beautiful Chunchanakatte waterfalls is very near to … [Read More...]
Rameswaram
The conch is auspicious to Hindus and Lord Vishnu is always depicted holding a conch in one of his hands. Rameswaram is a sacred island in the shape of a conch spread across 61.8 square kilometers in … [Read More...]
Janapada Loka, Ramanagaram
Janapada Loka is the result of the single minded dedication of Sri H.L.Nage Gowda to protect and promote folk art and culture of Karnataka. He was a retired bureaucrat and folklorist. Janapada Loka … [Read More...]
Port Blair
Almost at the same elevation as the sea at 52 feet lies the gateway to the Union territory Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Port Blair is located on the east coast of South Andaman. This city is the … [Read More...]
Thataiah Park, Mysore – Mysuru
Every time I have zipped past the strip of a park in front of Landsdowne building in Mysore with the statue of Thataiah, I have wondered who this “Thatha” (grandfather) was? Now I reveal to myself and … [Read More...]
Festivals
Deepavali – Diwali
Deepavali (“avali” means rows and “deepa” means lamp) or Diwali is a festival of lights much loved by one and all. It is the time for sweets, savories, family get-together, new clothes, crackers and … [Read More...]
Independence Day
On August 15th, 1947, India got Independence from British rule. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, addressed the Constituent Assembly and citizens to recognize the … [Read More...]
Udaka Shanti Pooja
Udaka Shanti Pooja is performed before major events like marriage, upanayana, gruha pravesha, and so on. This pooja is performed for peace and harmony in the house. First, Ganesha is worshiped. … [Read More...]
Narasimha Jayanthi
Ugram Viram Maha-Vishnum Jvalantam Sarvato Mukham | Nrisimham Bhishanam Bhadram Mrityur Mrityum Namamy Aham || “I bow down to the ferocious and heroic like Lord Vishnu. He is burning from every … [Read More...]
Adhik Maas – Adhika Masa – Purushotham Maas – Maal Maas
Adhik Maas is an extra month added to the Lunar Calendar to be in sync with the Solar Calendar. This period is also known as Adhika Masa in Kannada, Malimmacha (Maal), and Purushotham (Lord … [Read More...]
Paryaya of Sri Krishna Matha (Krishna Temple) of Udupi
Paryaya is a ritualistic system by which the pontiffs of the eight muttts of Udupi, by turn, take up the responsibility of worshipping the deity at the Sri Krishna temple. The ceremony of the handing … [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...]
