Festival dates in Jyaishtha month – June and July 2026 Adhika Jyaishtha (17th May - 15th June) 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
Akki Kadalebele Payasa – Rice Channa Dal Kheer Recipe – Rice and Lentil Payasa Recipe
A pudding prepared using Rice and Bengal Gram. This is commonly prepared during festivals. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice 1/2 Cup Kadalebele / Channa dal / Bengal … [Read More...]
Rawa Laddoo – Rawa Laddu – Semolina Sweet Balls
Rawa Laddoo are sweet balls prepared using Semolina. This would always be made and stored in a big box at home. Whenever children are hungry we would be given this along with Avalakki / … [Read More...]
Bayisida Mavinakayi Gojju – Mango Curry
Raw mango is cooked, mashed and mixed with spices and seasoning. This is a delicious and authentic dish straight from the kitchens of Udupi in Karnataka. Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Gilki Ki Subzi – Ridge Gourd Side Dish Recipe – Heerekayi Palya
Gilki Ki Subzi is prepared using Ridge Gourd. A very simple recipe and quick to make for those days when you want to get out of the kitchen soon yet serve a delicious and nutritious dish for the … [Read More...]
Batavi Payasa – Rawa Balls Kheer Recipe
Batavi Payasa is a very unique payasa from North Karnataka. Batavi are small balls prepared using Semolina (rawa) and these are cooked in Milk. Why not surprise your folks with this payasa on … [Read More...]
Hagalkayi Uppinakayi – Bitter gourd Pickle Recipe – Karela Achar
Spicy, sour, and bitter pickle prepared using Bitter gourd and Green Chilies. Time Required: 15 Minutes + Maturing time Ingredients: 1 Hagalkayi / Bitter Gourd 10 Green Chilies 1tsp … [Read More...]
Fenugreek Salad
Fenugreek Salad is prepared tossing Fenugreek leaves along with Cucumber and Onions. Cuisine: North Karnataka Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 3 Cups Fenugreek Leaves 1 … [Read More...]
Bangalori Dal – Lentil Side Dish Recipe – Dal Recipe
Bangalori Dal is prepared using Pigeon Pea and Red Lentils. It is a tasty and healthy dish. Cuisine: North Indian Time required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: ½ cup Tuvar Dal / Pigeon Pea / Red … [Read More...]
Travel
Tamil Nadu
Vanakkam / Greetings! Chennai formerly known as Madras is the capital city of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is flanked by Pondicherry, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Many hill … [Read More...]
Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary
Muthanga wildlife sanctuary was established in 1973 and adjoined to the protected forest network in the Nilgiri Biosphere comprising of Nagarhole, Bandipur, and Madumalai. Rich in … [Read More...]
Daria Daulat Bagh
Daria Daulat is the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, situated in Srirangapattana, 15 Kms from Mysore. The Indo-Sarcenic style palace was built by Tipu Sultan in 1784. The two storeyed palace is … [Read More...]
Thattekere
Thatte means plate and Kere means lake in Kannada. So, Thattekere means plate lake. True to its name, the lake looks like a shimmering steel plate surrounded by thick green Bannerghatta … [Read More...]
Kuruva Dweep or Kuruva Island
Kuruva Dweep or Kuruva Island (popular name) is situated in Kerala, India Dweep means an island; it is a group of 7 islands on the tributaries of Kabini River flowing into the forests. It makes an … [Read More...]
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...]
Sirimane Waterfalls
When we planned to visit Sringeri again, I was determined to visit Sirimane waterfalls, which is around 20 Kms from Sringeri. So, even before we entered Sringeri we drove to the waterfalls and the … [Read More...]
Festivals
Bhagvad Gita Jayanti – Bhagvad Gita Birthday – Srimad Bhagvad Gita Jayanti
During Corona time, my quest to listen and understand the Srimad Bhagvad Gita started. My mother patiently read the Bhagvad Gita shlokas and explained each of them in Kannada. I was in awe … [Read More...]
Bhagvad Gita Aarathi Song – Bhagvad Gita Jayanthi – Bhagvad Gita Birthday
Bhagvad Gita Aarathi Song is a prayer that is sung after reading the Srimad Bhagvad Gita book. Known as Gita Arati, the verses are found at the end of the 18th chapter of the Bhagvad Gita … [Read More...]
Mahalaya Amavasya
15 days of the Hindu month is considered as Pitra Paksha, which are days dedicated to ancestors. It occurs in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada i.e. September-October in the Gregorian calendar. For the … [Read More...]
Visarjana Manthra
The following manthra is chanted while performing the visarjana / send off to god. In Kannada Script: ವಿಸರ್ಜನಾ ಕ್ರಮ ಯಜ್ಞೇನ ಯಗ್ನಮಯಜಂತ ದೇವಾಃ | ತಾನಿ ಧರ್ಮಾಣಿ ಪ್ರಥಮಾನ್ಯಾಸನ್ || ತೇಹ ನಾಕಂ … [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...]
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...]
Aarathi Song to Sri Rama
Here is an Aarathi song in praise of Lord Rama. This is sung during Rama Navami festival and can also be sung on any other festival during Aarathi. Kannada Script: ರಾಮನ ಆರತಿ … [Read More...]
