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
Dahi Bhalla Recipe – North Indian Dahi Vada – Dahi Bhalle
Dahi Bhalla is a sweety, tangy dish prepared using lentil fritters and served with layers of Yogurt and exotic chutneys. Cuisine: Punjab Time Required: 25 Minutes + Soaking … [Read More...]
Thovve – Dal Recipe
Cooked split Red Gram with seasoning. This is a very auspicious dish among the Brahmin community and is prepared during festivals and all auspicious occasions. When the food is served … [Read More...]
Jhunka – Maharashtrian Zunka Recipe – Pitla Recipe
Jhunka is a side dish prepared using Gram flour, this dish is also known as Pitle. Pitle bhath is the most common menu in most of North Karnataka and Maharashtrian homes. Cuisine: North … [Read More...]
Badam Milk – Flavored Almond Milk Recipe
When growing up having Badam Milk in the evening was a rare treat! Krishna Bakery in Mysore used to serve delicious cold Badam Milk with slivers of Badam (Almond) floating on top. Time … [Read More...]
Saboot Hari Moong Ki Dal
Saboot Hari Moong Ki Dal is prepared using soaked whole Green Gram. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 25 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 1 Cup Saboot Hari Moong / Hesarukalu / whole … [Read More...]
Bhindi Besan Masala – Okra Gram Flour Stir Fry Recipe
Bhindi Besan Masala is a dish where Okra is cooked with spices, yogurt and gram flour. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Bhindi / Okra / Lady’s Finger 3tbsp Besan / Gram … [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...]
Mexican Bhel Puri Recipe – Puffed Rice Chat
Mexican Bhel Puri Recipe is twist to our desi Bhel Puri. Serve with a tall glass of Lemonade. Cuisine: Fusion Time required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Big Bowl of Puffed Rice Few … [Read More...]
Travel
Harihareshwara Temple, Harihar
The Harihareshwara temple built in 1223–1224 by Polalva, a commander and minister of the Hoysala Empire King Vira Narasimha II is situated in Harihar / Harihara, Karnataka dedicated to Hari-hara / … [Read More...]
Srirangapatna
The historic place of Srirangapatna / Srirangapattana is situated on the banks of river Cauvery at 15 Km from Mysore. Srirangapatna is noted for its ruler Tipu Sultan, the Ranganatha Temple, … [Read More...]
Rose Garden, Ooty
The poem “Roses” by George Eliot comes to mind while strolling in the Rose garden, Ooty. You love the roses - so do I. I wish The sky would rain down roses, as they rain From off the shaken bush. … [Read More...]
Botanical Garden at Lingambudhi Lake – Mysuru Botanical Garden – Mysore
The first botanical garden in Mysuru is an added fragrance to the charm of Mysuru. Flowers and trees of different species are known to thrive well in Mysuru weather. The Botanical Garden is … [Read More...]
Pondicherry – Puducherry
After learning most of the computer languages, I enrolled myself for French language lessons and imagined myself traveling to France and speaking in French but could not go beyond pronouncing Merci … [Read More...]
Kalathgiri Waterfalls
After spending a fair amount of time in Kemmanagundi, we drove to Kalathgiri waterfalls and were very disappointed. There was less water, due to summer but, the garbage, litter and unruly crowd made … [Read More...]
Mini Forest in J.P.Nagar Bangalore – Bengaluru
At a walkable distance from our house is a Mini forest maintained by the forest department. Picture1 - Mini Forest An early morning walk inside the mini forest delighted us with sights and … [Read More...]
Festivals
Mysore Dasara Procession in Black and White
Wish you all a very happy Dasara! This Dasara procession photograph was part of my grandfather's collection. The photograph was probably taken between 1930 - 1935. … [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...]
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha is a religious practice that people vow to perform in the Hindu month of Karthika, which is October – November in the Gregorian calendar. It is performed for 14 years and … [Read More...]
Nagara Panchami
Nagara Panchami Nadige doddadu Naada Naadiyar Kodona Naada Naadiyar Kodona | Gelathi| Naagappage Haalu Hoyyona || The above Kannada song is sung during Nagara Panchami festival. The … [Read More...]
Lord Vishnu Arathi Song – Lord Hari Arathi Song
This is a song in praise of Lord Vishnu also known as Hari. My mother had learnt this song from her late aunt few decades back. Tomorrow is Vaikunta Chaturdashi vratha (observance) and … [Read More...]
Chaitra Poornima
Chaitra Poornima is the first Poornima of the Hindu lunar calendar and falls in the Hindu month of Chaitra, March – April according to Gregorian calendar. It is the Poornima (full moon) after the … [Read More...]
Aarathi
Items Required: Camphor or Cotton Wicks soaked in Ghee Aarathi Plate Flower Petals and Manthrakshathe (Rice smeared with Ghee and Kumkum or Ghee and Turmeric Powder) Definition: Aarathi is a … [Read More...]
