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
Besan Chila – Gram Flour Omlette Recipe – Besan Dosa Recipe
Besan Chila is known as Puda in Gujrati. This is healthy and tasty dish prepared using Gram flour. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Gram Flour 1 Tomato 1 Onion or ½ Cup … [Read More...]
Alu Capsicum Peas Bhath – Potatoes Capsicum Peas Rice – Aloo Capsicum Rice
Alu Capsicum Peas Bhath is a rice dish prepared using Potatoes, Capsicum and Peas. This is ideal to pack for lunch. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 6 … [Read More...]
Sapadabhaksha – Sooji Halwa – Satyanarayana Prasad – Shira Recipe – Kesaribhath Recipe
Sapadabhaksha is a sweet pudding prepared as an offering to Lord Sathyanarayana and distributed to the devotees. Performing Sathyanarayana Pooja on every full moon day is considered auspicious … [Read More...]
Orange Apple Ginger Punch
Orange Apple Ginger Punch is a refreshing drink after a brisk walk or a workout. Time required: 10 minutes Ingredients: Segments of 2 - 3 Oranges 1 Apple, Diced 1" Ginger, Peeled and sliced Salt … [Read More...]
Avarekayi Tovve – Lilva Beans Dal Recipe – Dal Recipe – Thovve Recipe – Surti Papdi Dal Recipe
A mild curry prepared using Karnataka winter flat beans also known as Lilva Beans! Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Avarekayi 1tbsp fresh … [Read More...]
Guacamole
Guacamole is a Mexican dip/salad prepared using Avocado / Butter Fruit. It is a very healthy and nutritious salad and can be eaten as is or used as a spread on bread or as a dip with Nachos, Potato … [Read More...]
Stuffed Guntpongalu – Stuffed Phaddu – Stuffed Guliappa
Here is yet another variation of Guntpongalu. This time we are going to stuff it with the delicious alu palya (ptoato dish). This is also known as Guliappa in South Canara (Karnataka) and Paddu … [Read More...]
Watermelon Juice
A very cool juice...perfect during summers. Time Required: 15 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 4 Cups Watermelon Cubes, De seeded 4 - 6tbsp Sugar ½tsp Pepper A pinch of Kala Namak/Black … [Read More...]
Travel
Abbey Falls
Waterfalls whether big or small are always a pleasure to see and enjoy. Abbey falls is one such waterfall tucked away in a private coffee and spice estate. It is a sight to behold and watch the many … [Read More...]
Havelock Island
As we cruised from Port Blair to Havelock Island, I looked forward to fulfill my dream to snorkel, sea walk, and scuba dive. Not limited to only these activities, Havelock Island has a lot to offer to … [Read More...]
Shopping and eating out in Udupi
When you hear the word Udupi, dosas, idlis, mangaluru bun and bhajji, comes to your mind as the restaurants run by the people from Udupi are very popular. But, when you actually visit Udupi, you hear … [Read More...]
Lumbini Gardens
Nagavara Lake has had a makeover from the lake authority of India and is now known as Lumbini Gardens. The lake is spread over 43.86 hectares. The lake has been developed by the lake authority of … [Read More...]
Devanahalli
Devanahalli was also known as Yusufabad and is situated in Bangalore rural district. The history of Devanahalli dates back to the 15th century. Rana Byre Gowda was the leader of a group of … [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...]
World of Mysore Pak – Mysuru
Blend of new with heritage can be seen only in the city of palaces, Mysuru. If done aesthetically imbibing the old with the new, the presentation is sure to catch the imagination of Mysooreans … [Read More...]
Festivals
Glory of Lord Mailaralinga – Mailaralinga Mahatme Haadu – Khandoba Mahima Geet
The glory of Lord Mailaralinga's song in Kannada has been sung by my mother's immediate and extended family for decades. This song was taught by a relative called Sri Shankar who lived with my … [Read More...]
Vata Savitri Vrata
Vata Savitri Vrata / ritual is observed by married women on Hunnime / Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, May – June in Gregorian calendar. This year (2016) it falls on 18th … [Read More...]
Karaga Festival
Karaga festival is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu by Thigala community (flower and vegetable farmers) on full moon day during the Hindu month of Chaitra, … [Read More...]
Aarathi Song – Lakshmi Arathi Song – Goddess Lakshmi Pooja Song
This is a song written by my mom and we sing this song alternatively with other songs on Friday evening while we perform aarathi to goddess Lakshmi. It can be sung to any tune that you are … [Read More...]
Surya Stotra
Today is Rathasapthami and here is a beautiful stotra / hymn in praise of the sun written by Lakshmisha in Jaimini Mahabharatha. Kannada script: ಸೂರ್ಯ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರ ಮಿತ್ರಾಯ ಸೂರ್ಯಾಯ ಹಂಸಾಯ … [Read More...]
21 Pushpa Pooja to Lord Ganesha
21 types of Patra (leaves), 21 types of Pushpa (flowers), and 21 Kadabu or Modaka (sweets) are offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chathurthi and Sankashta Chaturthi. There are 21 mantra chanted … [Read More...]
Celebration of Hindu New Year in different regions of India
New Year is celebrated all over India in different ways and is also called by different names. Some states follow the solar calendar and some follow the lunar calendar. In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh … [Read More...]
