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
Fruity Salad
Fruity salad is tangy, sweet, and salty. Tasty and low calorie, this is a great starter or eaten along with Bread or flavored Rice. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 6 - 8 … [Read More...]
Kavalikayi Uppinakayi – Karonda Pickle
Kavalikayi is also known as Karonda, Natal Plum, or Carissa. The fruit is small and oval in shape with a sharp taste. Perfect for pickling! Time Required: 20 Minutes + Maturing … [Read More...]
Oats Idli
As India discovered the goodness of Oats and started consuming it the way the English did, some liked it and some did not, and the some who do not like it the English way can now easily have the Oats … [Read More...]
Zucchini, Broccoli, and Carrot Saute
This is a quick and healthy recipe. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 tbsp Olive Oil 1 Fresh Zucchini 2 Carrots 1 Cup Broccoli florets 3 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce Salt and … [Read More...]
Strawberry Mojito
This is a favorite summer drink in Cuba. Here is the recipe of rum-less Mojito. Cuisine: Cuba Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 10 – 12 Strawberries 3tbsp Sugar Juice of one … [Read More...]
Thoran
Thoran is a Kerala style side dish prepared using Cabbage or Beans. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 500gms Cabbage or French Beans, Chopped finely 1 Onion Chopped … [Read More...]
Nimbehannina Gojju – Lemon in sweet and sour gravy – Nimbu Ras Recipe – Mensakayi Recipe
You must be wondering that the Gojju might become bitter, but the Gojju is not bitter and there is a twist in the recipe. At my home whenever Huggi/Pongal is prepared, this Gojju is served as an … [Read More...]
Badanekayi Chutney – Brinjal Chutney – Eggplant Chutney Recipe – Aubergine Chutney
Roasted Eggplant chutney. Cuisine: South Indian Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Udupi Gulla or Blue Eggplant (Bartha Brinjal) 2tbsp Chili Powder 1tbsp Tamarind Pulp 1tbsp … [Read More...]
Travel
Parks of Pondicherry
Pondicherry has many parks, which attracts both local people and tourists. Children’s Park A park near the seaside attracts many children. This park has a statue of Marquis Joseph Francois … [Read More...]
India Gate
Every time I have passed through the roads of India Gate, I could never take my eyes off this national monument. This iconic monument is located in central Delhi was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and … [Read More...]
Kalahatti Waterfalls
Picture1 - On the way to Kalahatti Falls Kalahatti waterfall is nestled in the midst of the enchanting Kalhatti ghats of Nilgiri birosphere. It is situated 14 Kms from Ooty and 15 Kms from … [Read More...]
Bikaner
I was very excited that I would be traveling to Bikaner. Other than Bikaner Bhujia and other savories made famous by Haldirams, I had limited knowledge about the city. Bikaner was beyond my … [Read More...]
Chunchanakatte Falls – Chunchankatte Waterfalls
Cauvery flows into Chunchanakatte falls roaring thunderously forming a 60 feet height and approximately 300 to 400 feet wide waterfalls. This place is situated 57 Kms from Mysore in Krishna Raja … [Read More...]
Lepakshi
Lepakshi means “rise o bird” in Telugu and this place is situated in Ananthpur district of Andhra Pradesh. The legend says that Jatayu the mythical bird was injured by Ravana at this very place when … [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...]
Festivals
Deepavali Song – Diwali Song – Deepavali Haadu
Deepavali song is written by my mother in Kannada script to be sung anytime during the Deepavali festival. The lyrics cover the importance and joy of celebrating Deepavali / Diwali … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Ashwin month – September and October 2025
Āshwin (September – October) Dasara - Navaratri - 22 September to 2 October 2025 Saraswathi Pooja - 29 September 2025 Durgashtami - 30 September 2025 Ayudha Pooja - 1 October … [Read More...]
Swarna Gowri Vratha – Gowri Habba – Gowri Festival
Swarna Gowri Vratha/Pooja is celebrated by girls and women in Karnataka and Andhara Pradesh. Goddess Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha. This festival falls in the hindu month of Bhadrapada, August - … [Read More...]
Sampath Shanivara Pooja
The day next to Shravana Shukravara Pooja is Shravana Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja also known as Sampath Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja. This pooja / vratha / religious observance is … [Read More...]
King Raghu and Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni Tree – English Version
King Raghu of Raghuvamsha fame was a brave, generous, humble, and sensible ruler of Ayodhya. He had won many battles and his treasury was filled to the brim. On the behest of his guru Vashishta, he … [Read More...]
Happy Vijayadashami 2024
Why in North India, Ravana is burnt on Vijayadashami day? This is done to symbolize Lord Rama killing the 10 headed demon Ravana. Good over evil! What does the 10 heads of Ravana stand … [Read More...]
Hoovilya
Hoovilya is an auspicious ritual conducted just before major celebrations like Marriage or Upanayana / Sacred thread ceremony in Karnataka. It is more like an all women’s party, where at least 5 or … [Read More...]
