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
Sabudana Vada Recipe – Sago Fritters – Sago Vada
Sabudana Vada are fritters prepared using Sago Pearls. It is an authentic snack of Maharashtra. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Time Ingredients: 1 Cup Sabudana / Sabbakki / Sago … [Read More...]
Indian Lemonade
Lemonade flavored with Saffron and Cardamom Required Time: 15 Minutes Serves: 3 Ingredients: Juice of 1 Lemon 3 Glasses of Water 7tbsp Sugar A pinch of Salt A pinch of Saffron … [Read More...]
Ambe Upakari – Sweet and Spicy Mango Dish
Ambe Upakari is a side dish from Uttara Kannada district. Sakkarekaati or Shakkargutli type of Mangoes is used to prepare this dish. If this is not available, you can use any other variety of Ripe … [Read More...]
Tomato Onion Masala
When you have only Onion and Tomatoes at home, you can make Tomato Onion Masala as an accompaniment to Indian Bread. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Tomatoes, … [Read More...]
Eggless Raisin cake
Sweet and sour Raisins are always a favorite with bakers. Time Required: 1 Hour 20 Minutes Ingredients: 3 Cups Flour/Maida 2 Cups Black Raisins 1 Cup Pistachios 2 Cups of Water 2 Cups … [Read More...]
Red Rice Idli – Red Parboiled Rice Cakes Recipe
Red Rice Idli is a healthy version of the already healthy Idli (steamed cakes). Try this to add variety to the South Indian Breakfast. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 15 Minutes + … [Read More...]
Eggless Doughnuts
During Dasara it is customary to arrange dolls in the house and distribute sweets and savories to the kids around the house. Why not be adventurous and distribute homemade colorful Eggless Doughnuts … [Read More...]
Jamun Jam – Jamun Jelly Recipe
Jamun Jam is a preserve prepared using the Jamun fruit. My mother loves to make this as she says the Jamun fruit is best for Jelly as it has the right amount of Pectin. She knows exactly … [Read More...]
Travel
Heritage buildings of Mysore – Part II
Mysore or Mysooru is a place of interest for tourists, historians, archeologists, academicians and architects. There are innumerable heritage buildings in Mysore, which add a fairy tale touch to the … [Read More...]
Saheliyon Ki Bari Udaipur
It took some time for us to pronounce the name (Saheliyon Ki Bari) of this ancient park built by Maharana Sangram Singh II in Udaipur in the 18th Century. He built Saheliyon ki Bari, … [Read More...]
Omkareshwar Temple – Madikeri
In Madikeri / Coorg there is an ancient Omkareshwar temple dedicated to Lord Omkareshwara / Shiva which was built by Lingarajendra Wodeyar II in 1820. The Omkareshwar temple is built in Kerala, … [Read More...]
Paradise Beach Pondicherry
Paradise Beach in Pondicherry is also known as Plage Pardiso and is located 8 Km from Pondicherry. Drive down Cuddalore main road to reach Chunnambar backwaters resort. At Chunnambar you can take a … [Read More...]
Mushrooms in Kukkarahalli Kere
When I was walking in Kukkarahalli Kere last Sunday, I got to see many varieties of Mushrooms growing in the thicket. Not a surprise as Mysore has received copious rains this … [Read More...]
Churches of Goa
The first thing that comes to mind when you plan on a trip to Goa, is the beaches, sun, food, paddy fields and beautiful white washed churches standing out in the fields surrounded by palm and betel … [Read More...]
Nahargarh Fort – Jaipur, Rajasthan
Nahargarh fort was built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It is built on one of the hills of the Aravalli at 600 feet above Jaipur city in Rajasthan. The fort is being renovated and the … [Read More...]
Festivals
Rathasapthami
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South … [Read More...]
Vijayothsava – Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni – Kannada Version
Story of King Raghu (of Raghuvamsha) written by my mother in Kannada script. This story appears in the Ramayana and my mother has written in simple words for easy understanding. Click here for … [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...]
Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Vratha
"Kaayena Vaachaa Manasendriyairvaa Buddhyaatmanaa Vaa Prakriteh Svabhaavaatah Karomi Yadhyadh Sakalam Parasmai Naaraayanaayeti Samarpayaami" The meaning of the above shloka is: "I offer … [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...]
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...]
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...]
