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
Cucumber Idli
Steamed Rice cakes with Cucumber. Ingredients: 1 Cup Idli Rawa 2 Cups Cucumber, Grated 1/4 Cup Coconut, Grated 1/4 Cup Coconut, Chopped 3 Green Chilies 1tsp Asafoetida 3tbsp Coriander … [Read More...]
Lachha Salad – Sliced Onion Salad – Sliced Vegetable Salad
Lachha Salad is a salad prepared using thinly sliced vegetables. It is usually prepared with only Onions, but I have used other vegetables like Cabbage and Capsicum. This salad is usually … [Read More...]
Palak Mangodi
Green Gram dumplings cooked in Spinach gravy. A dish from Rajasthan. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: ½ Cup Mangodi 1 big bunch Palak / Spinach or Methi / Fenugreek … [Read More...]
Avarekayi Masala Vada – Flat Beans Fritters
Avarekayi Masala Vada are fritters prepared using winter/flat beans. A tasty snack on a winter evening with a cup of masala tea. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups fresh … [Read More...]
Jhunka – Maharashtrian Zunka Recipe – Pitla Recipe
Jhunka is a side dish prepared using Gram flour, this dish is also known as Pitle. Pitle bhath is the most common menu in most of North Karnataka and Maharashtrian homes. Cuisine: North … [Read More...]
Avocado Corn Salsa Recipe
Avocado Corn Salsa is a tasty add-on to Tacos, Rice-bowl, or wrap. You can serve along with any crispy treats. Time required: 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 ripe Avocado 1 cup steamed sweet … [Read More...]
Rambutan Mojito – Rambutan Juice
Summer fruit Rambutan is available once a year during July - August. You can just enjoy the fruit or can make this tasty Mojito. Time required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Rambutans Few … [Read More...]
Bili Yellu Pudi Chitranna – Sesame Seeds Rice Recipe – Til Bhath Recipe – Til Rice Recipe
Tasty white Sesame Seeds rice from Karnataka. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Cups of Cooked Rice Salt to taste For the Masala: ½ Cup White Sesame Seeds, Roasted 4tbsp … [Read More...]
Travel
Maravanthe Beach
On our Karnataka coastal temple trip, my husband insisted on driving up to the Maravanthe beach. The drive was spectacular with the Arabian Sea lashing on one side of the road and the Saurpanika River … [Read More...]
Shore birds of Hadinaru Kere
Apart from the numerous aquatic birds, there are so many other shore birds that catch your eye and your camera lenses at Hadinaru Kere near Mysore. Picture1 - Purple Sunbird Female enjoying the … [Read More...]
Birds of Byndoor
Byndoor is a beautiful coastal town in Udupi district, Karnataka. This place was also known as Bindupura and is famous for the Byndoor Beach, Someshwara Beach, Kosalli Falls, and Ottinene Sunset … [Read More...]
Yediyur Lake
Yediyur Lake in Bengaluru is one of the oldest lakes in the city. It existed during the Hoysala period, 1,400 years ago and was the source of water for the fields surrounding the lake. Somehow, … [Read More...]
Shembaganur Museum of Natural History – Kodaikanal
Shembaganur Museum of Natural History in Kodaikanal was started in 1895 and is affiliated with Loyola college, Chennai. It is now preserved by the Sacred Heart College. This is also known The Anglade … [Read More...]
Amber Fort, Jaipur
Amber also known as Amer was the former capital of the Kachhwahas. The majestic fort built on Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) in the Aravalli range of hills above the Maota Lake is visible from far … [Read More...]
Malpe Beach, Udupi
Six Kilometers from the temple town of Udupi lies a quaint village, Kodavoor Grama with a beautiful sandy beach known as Malpe Beach. People throng the beach in the evening to enjoy the … [Read More...]
Festivals
Morada Bagina
Bagina is an offering of everything essential and dear to you. It is believed that you will be blessed with all the things that you desire by performing particular vratas/ vowed religious observance … [Read More...]
Holi – Festival of Colors
I remember Holi being celebrated on the streets of Mysore, where the kids from the neighborhood would go begging from house to house collecting discarded things that can be burnt like mats, brooms, … [Read More...]
Bharat Hunnime
Bharat Hunnime is a festival celebrated by the devotees of Lord Mailaralinga (Shiva). The festival falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month Magha, which is around December-January according … [Read More...]
Shri Sathyanarayana Swamy Vratha
Narayana Lakshminaryana Narayana Sathyanarayana The above chorus is from a famous Kannada song Kapadu Sri Sathya Narayana. For lyrics please refer the following link - … [Read More...]
Why Lord Ganesha is also known as Ekadantha / single tusk
The most popular narration on how Lord Ganesha lost his tusk is penned in the Skanda Purana / tales of gods and goddesses. Lord Ganesha was a patron of good food with a healthy appetite. Once … [Read More...]
Ayudha Puja
Ayudha Pooja is a celebration during Dasara. On this day the weapons used during war were worshiped in the palace. The common people worship machines, implements and vehicles at home, factories and … [Read More...]
Buddha Poornima – Vesak
Buddham Sharanam Gatchami|| The above verse is a chant of Buddhists meaning "I take refuge in Lord Buddha". Buddha Poornima is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. It is celebrated on … [Read More...]
