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
Panch Phoran – Spices of Bengal – Five Spices
Bengali, Assamese and Oriya cuisine is tempered with Panch phoran, which is a combination of 5 spices - Fennel Seeds / Saunf, Cumin Seeds / Jeera, Fenugreek Seeds / Methi, Nigella Seeds / Kalonji, … [Read More...]
Kheer Kadam Recipe – Ras Kadam Recipe – Khoya Kadam Recipe
Diwali the festival of lights is just round the corner and kitchens in India are in full swing making delicious sweets. Here is a recipe of Kheer Kadam to make your Diwali celebrations … [Read More...]
Lettuce Salad
Lettuce was introduced by my dad who as a vegetarian had survived on this in England during his University days. I love all types of Lettuce and introduce it as much as possible in salads. Time … [Read More...]
South Indian Style Avocado Raitha Recipe – Avocado in Yoghurt
Here is a healthy recipe using Avocado. Avocado raitha is easy to make and so delicious with crunchy Onions. Ingredients: 1 Avocado 2 Cups Yoghurt 1 Onion, Chopped finely 2 Green Chilies, … [Read More...]
Dasara Raitha – Sweet Potato Yoghurt – Shakkarkhand Raitha
After Dasara Dosa here is a recipe for Dasara Raitha. You must be wondering what next? Dasara Pickle!!! Dasara Raitha is prepared using Sweet Potato and Yoghurt. It is great to keep you … [Read More...]
Matodi Palya Recipe – Methi Dal Subzi – Fenugreek Leaves with Lentil Recipe
Matodi Palya is a side dish prepared using Split Chickpea and Fenugreek leaves. Cuisine: North Karnataka Time required: 30 minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 1 Cup Bengal Gram Dal / … [Read More...]
Shahi Tukda
Deep fried bread soaked in flavored and thickened milk. Cuisine: Mughlai Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Condensed Milk 2 Cups Milk 3 tbsp Sugar, Optional Few nuts sliced … [Read More...]
Onion Dosa
South Indian pancakes with Onion toppings. The aroma that arises while preparing this Dosa is sure to increase the hunger pangs of everyone at home. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking and … [Read More...]
Travel
Elephant Beach – Havelock Island
Elephant Beach is the most popular beach for water sports and activities in Havelock Island. Though most part of the beach was swept away by the 2004 Tsunami, the live corals here are the best … [Read More...]
Sam Sand Dunes, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Situated 42 Kms from Jaisalmer is the Sam Sand Dunes and the Kuari dunes on the great Thar Desert of Rajasthan. We chose to visit Sam dunes, pronounced as “Sum”, and the sights of the desert just took … [Read More...]
Mysore Paintings Museum Mysore – Ramsingh Museum of Mysuru Paintings – Ramsons Museum Mysuru
Most of the houses and temples in Mysore will have a frame of Mysore painting. Kodandarama painting was the most famous adorning the walls of Rama Mandira and would be the centre piece during the Rama … [Read More...]
Cauvery Nisargadhama
I always felt lucky living in Mysore as the choice of weekend getaways were innumerable. One such favorite getaway was to picnic at Cauvery Nisargadhama and also visit Namdroling Monastary and … [Read More...]
Mysore – Mysuru
Mysore is a heritage city and pride of Karnataka. It is a beautiful city with rich history, legends, monuments, educational centers, kings, palaces, museums, lakes, parks, culture, literature, arts, … [Read More...]
Ikigai Café
Ikigai is a Japanese concept pronounced as ee-key-guy. It means a sense of purpose to wake up in the morning. This resonates perfectly with Navya, who has conceptualized this unique café “Ikigai” at … [Read More...]
Garagadakuppe Anjaneya Swamy Temple
Another long pending wish to visit Garagadakuppe Anjaneya Swamy Temple was fulfilled. The Anjaneya Swamy Temple at Garagadakuppe village is believed to be very powerful and believed to … [Read More...]
Festivals
Ganesh Chathurthi – Ganesha Festival
I have extremely fond memories of Ganesha-Gowri festival. It was one of the grand festivals of the year for the family and for Mysore city itself. Our road would be decorated with serial lights, as … [Read More...]
Guru Nanak Jayanthi
The birthday of Guru Nanak who is the founder of Sikhism is celebrated by Punjabis all over the world. Devotees pay obeisance to their Guru in Gurudwaras. Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 at … [Read More...]
Ananthanagantu Rangoli
This Rangoli / pattern is drawn on Ananthapadmanabha Vratha / festival of Vishnu. First draw 15 X 15 dots and join as shown below: The Ananthanagantu rangoli can be filled with colors too. … [Read More...]
Rama Navami
Rama Navami is a festival celebrating the birth of Sri Rama, son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. “Yada Yadaa hi dharmasya gnanirbhavathi bharatha Abhyuththaana madharmasya thadathmaanam … [Read More...]
Pattada Gombe Alankara
Pattada Gombe in Kannada means, the royal dolls and Alankara means decoration. Many households have a custom of arranging dolls during Dasara festival in Mysore and distribute sweet and savories to … [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...]
Lohri festival in Punjab – Makara Shankranthi – Harvest Festival
Makara Shankranthi is called as Lohri in Punjab. It is one of the major festivals of Punjab. It is celebrated with great pomp and show. This festival falls on Chaturdashi i.e., the 14th day in the … [Read More...]
