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
Onion Besan Paratha – Onion Gram Flour Flat Bread Recipe – Pyas Paratha Recipe
Onion and Gram flour stuffed bread. Onion Besan paratha is extremely tasty and form the state of Punjab. Time Required: 30 Minutes Makes: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Wheat Flour Oil for … [Read More...]
Andhra Gongura Thokku – Sorelle Leaves Chutney
A spicy chutney prepared using either red or green Sorrel leaves. Andhra Gongura Thokku served with Rice and Ghee is a staple and favorite food of people from Andhra Pradesh. Cuisine: Andhra … [Read More...]
Mirchi Bada – Mirchi Bajji – Chilli Bajji – Mirapakaya Bajji – Menasinakai Bajji
This yummy and filling snack is popular in Rajasthan especially in Jodhpur. In Jodhpur, most of the snack shops have these Michi vada / bada stacked in their show counters. Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]
Pav Bhaji – Vegetable dish served with bread
Pav Bhaji is a dish relished for breakfast, snack or dinner. A mixed vegetable side dish served with Indian bread called “Pav” is a very popular street food in Maharashtra, India. Cuisine: … [Read More...]
Tutti Frutti Eggless Cake
Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: 2 ¼ Cup Maida / Refined Flour 1tin Condensed Milk 120ml / ½ Cup melted butter 150ml water 2tsp Vanilla essence 2tsp Baking Powder 1tsp Soda-Bi-Carb … [Read More...]
Aam Ka Meetha Achar – Raw Mango Sweet Pickle Recipe – Mavinakayi Sihi Uppinakayi
Aam Ka Meetha Achar is a pickle prepared using Raw Mangoes and Jaggery. It is that time of the year to start celebrating Mangoes! Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups finely … [Read More...]
Pineapple Jam
This is a perfect way to preserve Pineapple with its natural aroma and taste intact. I like to retain the original color and aroma of Pineapple and hence have neither added food color nor … [Read More...]
Sol Kadhi – Kokum Coconut Milk Drink Recipe
Sol Kadhi is a refreshing drink prepared using Kokum fruit and Coconut milk. Kocolada! Cuisine: Konkani Time Required: 10 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 2 Cups Coconut Milk 1 Cup … [Read More...]
Travel
Nagarhole
My first encounter with wild life and forests was when the whole family comprising of my grandparents, parents, aunt, sister and me visited Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary in 1977 for 3 nights. As a … [Read More...]
Giri-bettada Kere
As we drove back after visiting the 5 temples at T.Narasipura to Mysore, we took a left at the 16th mile and eagerly drove to Giri-Bettada Kere (Hill Lake). The lake was shimmering and had … [Read More...]
Vintage car museum, Udaipur
The Maharanas of Udaipur were connoisseurs of cars. These vintage beauties on wheels like Cadillac, Chevrolet, Morris, Rolls Royce, and so on are displayed within the grounds of the Garden Hotel in … [Read More...]
Udupi
Udupi is synonymous with darshinis (vegetarian eating joints) serving tasty South Indian food. Udupi is also famous for temples and is situated on the coast of Karnataka. Udupi was carved out as a … [Read More...]
Hadinaru Kere
One early morning we decided to drive to Hadinaru village to visit the Hadinaru Kere (lake) as we had heard that a large number of bar headed geese had ascended on the lake all the way from … [Read More...]
Mini Forest in J.P.Nagar Bangalore – Bengaluru
At a walkable distance from our house is a Mini forest maintained by the forest department. Picture1 - Mini Forest An early morning walk inside the mini forest delighted us with sights and … [Read More...]
Manasa Devi Temple, Haridwar
Mansa Devi Temple is one of the oldest temples in Haridwar and is located on top of Bilwa Parvat. Bilwa Parvat hill is part of the Sivalik hills, which is the southernmost mountain chain of … [Read More...]
Festivals
Upanayana
Every male child born in certain Hindu communities has to go through the Upanayana ritual. Upanayana is also known as Munji, Brahmopadesham (supreme teaching), and Sacred thread ceremony. The … [Read More...]
Saraswathi Prarthane – Prayer to Goddess Saraswathi
Today is Saraswathi Pooja, which is part of Navrathri celebrations. This is a prarthane (prayer) to Goddess Saraswathi written by my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil in 1969. ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ಕಂದ … [Read More...]
Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is a celebration of married life. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm by married women of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. It falls 9 days before Diwali. For … [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...]
Goddess Sharadamba Utsava
Happy Saraswathi Pooja 2014. In Sringeri, Karnataka, during Dasara festival, the utsava murthy (procession idol) of Goddess Sharadamba (Saraswathi) is taken in a small chariot around the temple … [Read More...]
Dasara – Celebration of Dussehra in different regions of India – Navratri Celebrations
In Mysore, we always looked forward to Dasara, which is the Nada Habba (festival of Karnataka state) and it is not only celebrated in homes but the whole city seems to wake up from the slumber to 10 … [Read More...]
Lakshmi Aarathi Song – Devotional Song
Here is a devotional song sung while doing Aarathi to Goddess Lakshmi. May Goddess Lakshmi bless you with health and prosperity. ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳಾರತಿ ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ರಂಗನಾರ್ಧಾ೦ಗಿಯಳೇ … [Read More...]
