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

Alu Bhaji – Aloo Bhaji Recipe – Potato Side Dish Recipe
A simple and easy to prepare Potato side dish. Alu Bhaji is prepared in North India on a daily basis and is served with Poori and Phulka. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 4 … [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...]

Strawberry Milk Shake
Summer is round the corner and what better way to cool yourself than sipping on ice cold Strawberry Milk Shake. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Strawberries 2 - 3 Glasses of … [Read More...]

Tahini Paste
Tahini paste is prepared using Sesame seeds. Cuisine: Mediterranean Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: ½ Cup Toasted Sesame Seeds 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil Juice of half … [Read More...]

Garlic Bread
Making bread at home is an art. I have not perfected it yet, but my attempts to bake continue... Cuisine: European Time Required: 1 hour Ingredients: 250 gms Maida 1tbsp Butter or … [Read More...]

Pineapple and Pomegranate Kosambari – South Indian Salad recipe
The most awaiting months of the year with innumerable festivals are here. Aroma of festive food fills the air in every home. Children in crisp silk run around and women of the house get … [Read More...]

Tamarind Thokku
Raw Tamarind Chutney, which can be stored for a very long time. Tamarind Thokku is prepared in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Ingredients: 10 Raw Tamarind 3 tbsp Salt 5 – 8 Green … [Read More...]

Pudina Poori
A crispy snack prepared using Mint leaves. Cuisine: Indian Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 bunch Pudina / Mint leaves, Minced 1 Cup Wheat Flour ½ Cup Maida / Refined … [Read More...]
Travel

Shopping in Rajasthan
Rajasthan is haven for shoppers. Every city in Rajasthan has a buzzing colorful market and visitors throng these places to take back things as a momento. Shopping in Rajasthan is an experience by … [Read More...]

Hyderabad
Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and is the fifth largest metropolitan city of India. It is popularly known as the City of Pearls, Lakes and Nizams. Hyderabad has developed into a major hub … [Read More...]

Yercaud
Yercaud is a beautiful hill station on the Shevaroys hills of the Eastern Ghats. Yercaud got its name because of the many trees surrounding the lake. Yeri means Lake and Kadu means forest. The … [Read More...]

Kashivishwanatha Temple, Lakkundi
Kashivishwanatha / Lord Shiva Temple is the most flamboyant of all the temples in Lakkundi with intricate designs carved on the shikara / towers and the doorways. Kashivishwanatha … [Read More...]

Basillica of Bom Jesus, Goa
I had read and heard a lot about St. Francis Xavier’s mortal remains enshrined in the oldest church in India, the Basillica of Bom Jesus in Goa. When I got the opportunity to visit the … [Read More...]

Magadi Bird Sanctuary
When I read that a large population of waterfowls migrates to Magadi Lake in Magadi Bird Sanctuary near Kurtakoti, Gadag district, I yearned to visit this place during the migration season. I got the … [Read More...]

Yedathore Arkeshwara Temple
Krishna Raja Nagar in Mysore district was earlier known as Yedathore. This town is 49 kms from Mysore. The town is well connected by government run buses (K.S.R.T.C), train and private … [Read More...]
Festivals

Dasara Procession and Torch Light Parade during the reign of the Wodeyars
Picture1 - Illuminated Mysore Palace Mysore Dasara procession during the Maharajah’s rule used to be on a larger scale and grander. My grandparents and parents generation go on and on … [Read More...]

Rakhsha Bandhan
Rakhsha Bandhan festival is a celebration of the brother-sister bonding, celebrated mainly in North India. It falls on Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu moth of Shravana. August - September … [Read More...]

Gombe Habba – Forest Arrangement
During Dasara, many households had the ritual of arranging dolls in the house for 9 days in Mysore region. This would bring out a lot of creativeness among the people. The … [Read More...]

Subramanya Shashti
Subramanya Shashti also known as Champa Shashti is celebrated honoring the birth of second son of Shiva named Subramanya / Skanda. It falls on the 6th day of the Hindu month of … [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...]

Ugadi, Hindu New Year
Ugadi, the name is split into Uga + Adi = Ugadi. Uga means Year and Adi means first in Sanskrit as well as in Kannada. The first day of the year is Ugadi, Hindu New Year. This falls in the Hindu month … [Read More...]

Hire Gowri Pooja – Dodda Gowri Pooja – Gowri Hunnime
Hire Gowri Pooja also known as Dodda Gowri Pooja and Gowri Hunnime is celebrated with devotion in North Karnataka. Below is the write up by my mother on this festival in Kannada script. This … [Read More...]
