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
Mutter Poha – Matar Poha – Peas with Flattened Rice
Poha is prepared in various ways across India, Mutter Poha is a specialty of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Cuisine: Uttar Pradesh Time required: 10 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 2 Cups … [Read More...]
Huli Thovve – Hulthovve – Daal with Vegetables – Dal Recipe
Huli Thovve is a curry prepared using lentils and vegetables. It is a popular dish during festivals and celebrations like weddings in South Karnataka. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Balekayi Dose – Raw Banana Dosa Recipe – Banana Crepe Recipe
Crepes prepared using Raw Banana. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Time Ingredients: 1 Cup Raw Rice 2 Raw Banana 2 Green Chilies, Chopped finely 1 Onion, Chopped finely 4 Sprigs … [Read More...]
Palak Dosa – Spinach Pancakes Recipe – Spinach Crepe Recipe
Palak Dosa is crispy and tasty Spinach dosas/crepes. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Time + Fermenting Time Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1½ Cups Raw Rice ½ Cup Urad Dal/Black Gram split 1 … [Read More...]
Corn and Methi Pulao
Corn and Methi Pulao is a Rice dish prepared using Corn and Fenugreek leaves. Cuisine: North Indian Time required: 30 minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Basmati Rice / Long Grained Rice 1 … [Read More...]
Fattoush
Fattoush is a salad using Pita bread and vegetables. Cuisine: Lebanese Time required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Pita Bread 1 cup Cucumber cubes 1 cup Tomato cubes 1/2 cup Capsicum … [Read More...]
Bamboo Rice Milk Payasa – Mulayari Payasam Recipe – Bamboo Rice Pal Payasam
The much awaited festival is here. The first day of Navratri, which is Padya is celebrated tomorrow. I am sharing this interesting and unique Bamboo Rice Milk Payasa recipe to start off … [Read More...]
Rajgiri Dosa
Rajgiri Dosa is prepared using Rajgiri (Amarnath/Dantina soppu seeds) flour and potatoes. The dosas turn out very soft but crisp on the outside. Cuisine: Karnataka Time required: 15 … [Read More...]
Travel
Kudremukh
I have a hazy memory of me standing at one of the view points in Chikkamagalur holding my sister’s hand and the elders identifying a faraway hill as Kudremukh from the shape of the hill. When … [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...]
Mailara Lingeshwara Temple at Devara Gudda
Palisai Bhandara Ruchiranga Mailara Linga Palisai Bhandara Ruchiranga Yelu Koti Pramatha Sangha Moola Shruthi Vaahana Thuranga Neela Shaila Nivasa Ganga Malasa Hrudayabja Brunga The … [Read More...]
Osian Jodhpur
Having read many books and seen in movies about the hero getting lost in the desert and seeing mirages of an Oasis, I wanted to experience an oasis and I did just that when we visited an ancient town … [Read More...]
Konkaneshwara Temple, Akkihebbalu
The presiding deity at Konkaneshwara temple in Akkihebbalu, Mandya district is Lord Shiva. This temple is situated next to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. Both temples are ancient with no … [Read More...]
Sharavathi River Valley View
The most beautiful valley award in the Western Ghats without doubt goes to Sharavathi River valley. This valley is rich in bio-diversity and is nestled in the central Western Ghats of Shimoga … [Read More...]
Brindavan Gardens
Visit to Brindavan Gardens is high priority on the itinerary of visitors to Mysore. Even the good old Mysoreans love to stroll in the gardens of Brindavan Gardens, reminiscing on the glory of the … [Read More...]
Festivals
Song to Goddess Lakshmi – Varamahalakshmi Arathi Haadu
My mother had written this song in the praise of Goddess Mahalakshmi in 1996. This song can be sung on festivals like Varamahalakshmi, Diwali Lakshmi Pooja, Shravana Shukravara Pooja, Ashada … [Read More...]
Navaratri Golu – Dolls Arrangement during Dasara
This is in continuation of the post “Traditional Dolls Arrangement”. The custom of arranging dolls during Navaratri / Dasara is also followed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. In these states … [Read More...]
Ganesha Aarathi Song
This is a aarathi song dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Kannada Script: ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಚಂದದ ಆರತಿ ತಂದು ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ಸುಂದರ ನಿನ್ನಯ ಚರಣ ಕಮಲಕೆ ವಂದಿಸಿ ಬೇಡುವೆ ಸಿಂದೂರ ವದನ ಬಂದು ಕರುಣಿಸೋ … [Read More...]
Tulasi Aarathi Haadu
Aarathi song dedicated to Tulasi devi. In Kannada Script: ತುಳಸಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಶ್ರೀ ತುಳಸಿ ಜಯ ದೇವಪೂಜಿತೆ |ಪ| ಅತುಲ ಸುಗುಣಾ ಕರುಣಾಮಯ ಮಾತೆ || ಅತಿ ಕೋಮಲ ಪಲ್ಲವ ದಳ ಭರಿತೆ ಶ್ರುತ ಭಾವಿಕ ಜನ ವೃಂದ … [Read More...]
Mahalakshmi Ashtakam – Lakshmi Sthotra – Prayer to Goddess Lakshmi
Wish you all a very happy Dasara. Today is the first day of Dasara known as Padya. The nine days during this festival is dedicated to the shakthi devathes (divine power). Here is a prayer to goddess … [Read More...]
Narasimha Jayanthi
Ugram Viram Maha-Vishnum Jvalantam Sarvato Mukham | Nrisimham Bhishanam Bhadram Mrityur Mrityum Namamy Aham || “I bow down to the ferocious and heroic like Lord Vishnu. He is burning from every … [Read More...]
Song in the glory of Lord Shiva
This devotional song on Lord Shiva sung during the Aarathi. ಶಿವನ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ಮಾರಾನಮರ್ದನಾಗೆ ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ನಂದೀ ವಾಹವಗೆ। ರಂಭೆಯೇರು ಚಂದದಿಂದ|| ಮುಂಗುರುಳಿನಲ್ಲೆ ಚಂದ್ರನ್ ಧರಸೀದವಗೇ … [Read More...]
