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
Apple-Cinnamon Wontons
Baked packets filled with Cinnamon flavored Apple. Time Required: 30 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup chopped Apple 1tbsp Brown Sugar 1ts Lemon Juice ½ tsp Cinnamon powder 2 tbsp Sugar … [Read More...]
Masala Gawar – Cluster Beans Stir Fry Recipe – Gorikayi Palya Recipe
Masala Gawar is a side dish prepared suing cluster beans and Indian spices. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Gawar / Gorikayi / Cluster Beans, Chopped finely 1 Onion, diced 4 … [Read More...]
Tofu Salad
Bean curd Salad is a complete healthy meal. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: A slab of Tofu, cut into cubes Few tender Spinach leaves Few Spring Onions, Chopped finely 1 Yellow … [Read More...]
Chapathi Recipe – Plain Paratha Recipe – Layered Roti – Layered Flat Bread
This is also known as plain paratha and is very popular in South India. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Wheat Flour 1tsp Oil Salt to taste Water Method: Mix all the … [Read More...]
Mulberry Juice Recipe – Hippunarale Panaka Recipe – Shahatoot Ki Sherbat
Though Mulberry is grown extensively in Mysuru - Bengaluru region (the silk belt), we never see Mulberry fruits in the market. I was delighted to get some this year and here is this unique … [Read More...]
Thothapuri Mavinakayi Churmuri – Raw Mango Churmuri – Raw Mango Chat – Mango Bhel
Thothapuri Mavinakayi Churmuri is a spicy tangy snack salad prepared using Thothapuri Mango. This salad is very popular in Mysore-Bangalore regions. Ingredients: 1 Big Thothapuri … [Read More...]
Fruity Pulao
Flavored Rice with fresh and dry fruits. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 Cups Basmathi Rice 2 tbsp Apple pieces 2 tbsp Ghee/Clarified Butter or Oil 1tsp Chili … [Read More...]
Thili Saaru – Saaru Recipe – Rasam Recipe
This is a watery curry, which is served with plain rice and popular in South India. Also known as Rasam there is a twist in the recipe. Cuisine: South Indian Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Travel
Ikkeri
Ikkeri is the erstwhile capital of the Keladi Nayakas situated 3 Kms from Sagara, Shimoga district. Ikkeri in Kannada means two streets. The dynasty was founded in 1499 at Keladi very close to Ikkeri … [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...]
Aloka Palace, Mysore
I visited Aloka Palace near Yelwal, Mysore as part of my son’s summer camp outing few decades back. I visited again to take pictures and to know more about the place. A bit disappointing as there … [Read More...]
Devil’s Kitchen, Kodaikanal
Per our itinerary we headed off to the Devil’s Kitchen in Kodaikanal not knowing what to expect. After parking the car and a short hike uphill are caves and tranches that is mysterious and dangerous. … [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...]
Kotagiri
Kotagiri is small hill town situated in Nilgiris biosphere at an elevation of 1793 meters above sea level. The famous Longwood Shola forests are part of this biosphere. Kotagiri is one of the … [Read More...]
Serenity Beach Pondicherry
As the name suggests, the beach is serene and beautiful. Serenity beach is situated 5 - 6 Km to the north of Pondicherry. A perfect place to unwind and relax by either taking a dip in the … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Festival dates in Kartik month – October and November 2025
Kārtik (October – November) Diwali /Balipadyami/New Year in Gujarat - 22 October 2025 Karthika Somawara - 27 October, 3 November, 10 November, and 17 November 2025 Uttandwadashi - 2 … [Read More...]
Sri Krishna Song – Arathi Song
Happy Sri Krishna Janmashtami dear readers. Like Sri Krishna heard Draupadi's cries for help, let us hope and pray that he comes down to earth and help us by getting rid of the pandemic very … [Read More...]
Sankranthi Yellu – Karnataka Sesame Seeds Mixture
A mixture of Sesame Seeds, Molasses, Coconut, Groundnuts and Fried Gram. In Karnataka this is prepared during Sankranthi festival and distributed among friends and family along with Sakkare … [Read More...]
Happy Vijayadashami – Veeragase Folk Dance of Karnataka – Guggla
Veeragase is a folk dance of Karnataka where the participants wear grand makeup, headgear, and costumes and dance to folk music composed on Hindu mythology. The dance movements are intense with … [Read More...]
Satyanarayana Aarathi Song
It is a must to read the story of Satyanarayana at the end of Satyanarayana pooja. Here is a song covering all the stories that has to be read. You can sing this while doing the final … [Read More...]
Rathasapthami
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South … [Read More...]
