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
Ragi Rotti
Ragi Rotti is type of Indian bread prepared using Finger Millet/Nachni. Time Required:30 minutes Cuisine: Karnataka Ingredients: 4 Cups Ragi Flour 1.5 Cups Grated Fresh Coconut 6 Green … [Read More...]
Avalakki Payasa – Poha Kheer Recipe – Beaten Rice Pudding Recipe
A pudding prepared using beaten rice. This dish is usually prepared on Rathasapthami. You can prepare this on other festivals and occasions. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Maida Laddoo
Maida Laddoo is prepared using refined flour and lots of desi Ghee. It just melts in your mouth! Wish you all a very happy Swarna Gowri Vratha. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]
Halasinabeejada Chutney – Jackfruit Seeds Chutney
Halasinabeejada Chutney is a chutney prepared using the seeds of Jackfruit. The seeds give body to the chutney and gives a unique taste. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 5 – 6 … [Read More...]
Nippattu – Thattai Recipe – Nippittu Recipe
Nippattu is a favorite snacks among Mysoreans and Bangaloreans. This is prepared during festivals like Krishna Janmashtami, Dasara, and on occasions like weddings and upanayana. Time … [Read More...]
Mysore Masala Dosa
Mysore is not only famous for its palaces but also for its Masala Dosas / Crepes folded over a spicy Potato dish. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking and Fermenting time Ingredients: Oil … [Read More...]
Sajji Roti – Bhajra Roti Recipe – Black Millet Flat Bread Recipe – Bhajra Bhakri Recipe
Sajji is known as Bhajra in North India. It is nothing but Black Millet and widely grown in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and North Karnataka. This Roti is prepared on Bhogi, which is a … [Read More...]
Mango Banana Smoothie Bowl
Mango Banana Smoothie Bowl is summerly delicious and a fantastic way to start the day. Time required: 10 minutes Ingredients: 2 Mangoes, sliced 2 Bananas, sliced 2 tbsp Sugar … [Read More...]
Travel
Gadag-Betageri
Gadag-Betageri is a town and district headquarters in the state of Karnataka, India. Gadag and its sister city Betageri (or Betgeri) have a combined city administration. It is 80 km from Dharwad and … [Read More...]
Tirupati
Tirupati does not need any introduction to the readers. Yet, as I have visited this place many times, this write-up is a humble offering to the gateway to the richest temple in the world: Lord Balaji … [Read More...]
Chunchi Falls
When I heard the name of the falls I felt like humming the good old Hindi song “Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu…Chin Chin Chu.. baba Chin Chin Chu…..” from the film Howrah Bridge sung by Geetha Dutt. Chunchi … [Read More...]
Gadisar Lake
A lake in the middle of the desert is a surprise to the visitors and the presence of an exquisitely carved sandstone balcony in the lake adds to the mystical charm. Gadisar Lake is a man-made lake … [Read More...]
Horanadu
Annapoorne sadapoorne shankarapranavallabhe Gyanavairagyasiddhyartham bhiksham dehi cha parvati|| Meaning of the above verse is in praise of Goddess Annapoorneswari and the meaning is as … [Read More...]
Museums, Armory, and Galleries of Mehrangarh Fort – Jodhpur
Apart from the grand rooms, a visit to Museums, Armory, and Galleries of Mehrangarh Fort - Jodhpur is a must. Museum: Palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniatures, costumes and furniture are … [Read More...]
Lingambudhi Lake, Mysore
Another interesting water body in Mysore is the Lingambudhi Lake. This when compared with the other two lakes Kukkarahalli and Karanji Kere is not maintained and left to the wild. A pillared … [Read More...]
Festivals
Banni Tree
The botanical name of this tree is Prosopis spicigera. In Sanskrit it is known as Shami Vruksha. Banni tree is found in dry and arid regions at low altitudes. This tree is widely grown in … [Read More...]
Adhik Maas – Adhika Masa – Purushotham Maas – Maal Maas
Adhik Maas is an extra month added to the Lunar Calendar to be in sync with the Solar Calendar. This period is also known as Adhika Masa in Kannada, Malimmacha (Maal), and Purushotham (Lord … [Read More...]
A thought on Saraswathi Pooja
ವಿದ್ಯೆಯ ಮಹತ್ವ ಒಡಲೊಳಗಿರುವದು ವಿದ್ಯೆಯು ನಡೆದರೆ ತಾಂಬರವಲ್ಲ ಕಳ್ಳರು ಕದಿಯರ್ ಪೊಡವಿಪರು ಕಸಿದು ಕೊಳ್ಳರ್ ವಡಹುಟ್ಟಿದವರು ಪಾಲು ಕೇಳರು ಕೇಳೈ Meaning: Knowledge is something that belong to you. Strangers … [Read More...]
Mannethithina Amavasya
Manneththina Amavasya, “mannu” means mud; “yeththu” in Kannada means bullocks and “Amavasya” means no moon day. This festival is celebrated in North Karnataka, and bullocks made of mud are worshiped … [Read More...]
Kalasha
This is an important arrangement in any of the Hindu rituals/pooja. This occupies a prominent place in the pedestal along with the idols or photographs of gods and goddesses. During marriages the … [Read More...]
Rathasapthami Rangoli
Rathasapthami is a festival in honor of Sun god. On this day a Rathasapthami rangoli / kolam (patterns drawn using chalk powder) of ratha / chariot is drawn inside the shrine of … [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...]
