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
Rose Tea Recipe
This aromatic tea is prepared using dry aromatic rose petals. Time required: 5 minutes Ingredients: 1tbsp Tea Powder 1tbsp Aromatic dried rose petals Method: Add Tea Powder and the … [Read More...]
Stuffed Karela – Stuffed Bitter Gourd Recipe
Bitter gourd stuffed with Onions and Masala and shallow fried. Cuisine: North India. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 8 small Karela/Hagalkayi/Bitter Gourd preferably … [Read More...]
Buttermilk Masala Recipe – Buttermilk Spice Recipe – Masala Majjige Recipe – Masala More
Buttermilk is welcome during summers. A very healthy option to cool your body after a walk or after enjoying a spicy paratha. Ingredients 4 tbsp Jeera / Cumin Seeds 5 tbsp Coriander Seeds 2 … [Read More...]
Sihi Kumbalakayi Bun – Sweet Pumpkin Bun – Kaddu Bun
This deep fried dish is prepared using Sweet Pumpkin and this dish is from the kitchens of North Karnataka. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Grated Sweet Pumpkin 1 Cup Grated … [Read More...]
Lemon Pickle
A spicy Lemon pickle. Tastes great with Curd Rice. This pickle would always be serving next to the salt in my maternal grandparents house. Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]
Vegetable balls in hot garlic sauce
Vegetable balls in hot garlic sauce is a Chinese side dish very popular in India. Goes very well with fried rice and vegetable noodles. Cuisine: Chinese Time required: 45 … [Read More...]
Bettada Nellikayi Rasa – Whole Gooseberry Pickle Recipe – Indian Gooseberry Pickle
Whole Indian Gooseberries are pickled in raw Tamarind extract. Bettada Nellikayi Rasa pickle is prepared in regions of Mysore and Bangalore. Cuisine: South Karnataka Time Required: 1 … [Read More...]
Quinoa Soup
As the title suggests, the soup is prepared using Quinoa. Healthy and wholesome food and great when it is a wet and cold evening. Time required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Glasses of … [Read More...]
Travel
Kunigal Dodda Kere
Kunigal Dodda Kere means Big Lake of Kunigal. The lake is situated in Kunigal town, Tumkur district, Karnataka. The famous Kannada singer P. Kalinga Rao composed music and popularized the folk … [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...]
Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola in Udaipur is one of the most popular lake in the world. Lake Pichola was built by Pichhu Banjara in 1362 during the reign of Maharana Lakha to meet the drinking water and irrigation … [Read More...]
Gadisar Lake
A lake in the middle of the desert is a surprise to the visitors and the presence of an exquisitely carved sandstone balcony in the lake adds to the mystical charm. Gadisar Lake is a man-made lake … [Read More...]
Pondicherry Promenade
Pondicherry promenade or sea face as it is popularly known as is 1.5 kms long running along the beach. This is also known as Gourbert Avenue. A walk on the promenade is rejuvenating. There are many … [Read More...]
Botanical Garden at Lingambudhi Lake – Mysuru Botanical Garden – Mysore
The first botanical garden in Mysuru is an added fragrance to the charm of Mysuru. Flowers and trees of different species are known to thrive well in Mysuru weather. The Botanical Garden is … [Read More...]
Jantar Mantar Jaipur
Jantar Mantar Jaipur in Rajasthan, is the Largest Stone Astronomical Observatory in the World. It was built by Jaipur Maharajah, Jai Sawai Singh II during 1727 to 1733. Jantar Mantar Jaipur is one of … [Read More...]
Festivals
Mysore Dasara – Mysuru Dasara Celebrations – Mysuru Dussehra – Mysuru Navratri
Mysore looks its best during the 10-day Dasara celebration where all the major roads in the city, heritage buildings, palaces, historical monuments, ancient temples and shops are … [Read More...]
Prayer to Parvathi
This prayer was chanted by Chandrahasa to goddess Parvathi/Chamundi/Amba/Gowri. Extracted from the Gemini bharatha. ಚಂದ್ರಹಾಸನ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ - ಜೈಮಿನಿ ಭಾರತ ತಾಯೆ ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ಪರಮ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಿ … [Read More...]
Aarathi
Items Required: Camphor or Cotton Wicks soaked in Ghee Aarathi Plate Flower Petals and Manthrakshathe (Rice smeared with Ghee and Kumkum or Ghee and Turmeric Powder) Definition: Aarathi is a … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026 are as follows: Chaitra (March - April) Ugadi/Gudi Padwa - Sri Parabhava Nama Samvatsaram - 19 March 2026 Gangaur - 4 March … [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...]
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...]
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...]
