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
Watermelon Rose Drink Recipe
During Octobers, though it rains on few days, the climate remains hot and humid. After a few rounds of dancing during Dasara, it is great to take a break and sip delicious cold Watermelon Rose … [Read More...]
Davengere Benne Dosa Recipe – Butter Dosa Recipe – Davengere Benne Dose
Dosa in South India is prepared in more than a zillion ways and each way has it's own followers. One way, which is ranked amongst the top 5 is the "Davengere Benne Dose". Benne means Butter and … [Read More...]
Vegetable Medley
Vegetables tossed in herbs and tomato puree. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Green Capsicum 1 Red Pepper 1 Yellow Pepper 1 Zucchini 1 Onion Few Italian Basil leaves 1/4 tsp … [Read More...]
Flat Noodles tossed in Vegetables
Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 250 gms Flat Noodles 2tbsp Oil 1 Small Capsicum, cut into juliennes 1 Cup Shredded Cabbage 1 Carrot, Sliced thinly 2tbsp Chili Sauce 2tbsp Soya … [Read More...]
Hot Tomato Sauce
Hot Tomato Sauce is served with Falafel. You can also serve with Cutlet, Patties, or Fritters. Cuisine: Lebanese Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Large Tomatoes 5 Ripe Red … [Read More...]
Indian Lemonade
Lemonade flavored with Saffron and Cardamom Required Time: 15 Minutes Serves: 3 Ingredients: Juice of 1 Lemon 3 Glasses of Water 7tbsp Sugar A pinch of Salt A pinch of Saffron … [Read More...]
Kiwi Soufflé
After a hearty bread based meal, Kiwi soufflé is apt to be served as a dessert. Cuisine: French Time Required: 45 minutes Ingredients: 200 gms Whipping Cream 2tbsp Sugar ½ Cup Kiwi … [Read More...]
Jeegujje palya – Breadfruit Stir fry – Breadfruit Subzi – Breadfruit Recipe
Jeegujje is known as Bread fruit and is widely cultivated and consumed in Karnataka coastal regions. This stir-fry is prepared using this unusual vegetable. Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Travel
Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry
“As I had when I came from Japan: I was on the boat, at sea, not expecting anything, when all of a sudden, abruptly, about two nautical miles from Pondicherry, the quality, I may even say the physical … [Read More...]
Sagarkatte, Mysore
The best part of the monsoon season is that the dams open their gates when full and the waterfalls and the backwaters along the river’s journey to meet the sea are fed with immeasurable water to … [Read More...]
Birds of Masinagudi
Masinagudi hills have always fascinated me. We have passed the tiny town many times on our way to Ooty and many a time have driven there for a day outing to look at the majestic hills, flora, … [Read More...]
Adichunchanagiri
Adichunchanagiri is a town situated on top of a hill in Mandya district, Karnataka. It is the spiritual headquarters of the Vokkaliga community and is also known as Mahasamsthana Matt. The hill … [Read More...]
Birds of Bandipur
Bandipur is home to 200 species of birds and for bird watchers like us, it is a paradise. Bandipur has the maximum number of Tigers in the reserve forest, but do not be disappointed if you … [Read More...]
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
A ride on one the heritage mountain railways transports you back to an era gone by. Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Ooty was built by the British in 1908. It was operated by then Madras Railway, … [Read More...]
Birds of Rajasthan
When we started our trip to Rajasthan in winter, we were looking forward to sighting many migratory as well as resident birds. The drought faced by the state for the past 3 years has resulted in dry … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Upakarma – Janivara Habba
Upakarma festival is solely for the men. The others also join in by preparing delicious food as naivedhyam / blessed food and eating together. This festivals falls on Shravana Nakshatra (a star) on … [Read More...]
Mahalakshmi Ashtakam – Lakshmi Sthotra – Prayer to Goddess Lakshmi
Wish you all a very happy Dasara. Today is the first day of Dasara known as Padya. The nine days during this festival is dedicated to the shakthi devathes (divine power). Here is a prayer to goddess … [Read More...]
Valentine’s Day
Congratulations and Celebrations When I tell everyone that you're in love with me Congratulations and Jubilations I want the world to know I'm happy as can be…. This popular love song is written … [Read More...]
Guru Nanak Jayanthi
The birthday of Guru Nanak who is the founder of Sikhism is celebrated by Punjabis all over the world. Devotees pay obeisance to their Guru in Gurudwaras. Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 at … [Read More...]
King Raghu and Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni Tree – English Version
King Raghu of Raghuvamsha fame was a brave, generous, humble, and sensible ruler of Ayodhya. He had won many battles and his treasury was filled to the brim. On the behest of his guru Vashishta, he … [Read More...]
Pattada Gombe Alankara
Pattada Gombe in Kannada means, the royal dolls and Alankara means decoration. Many households have a custom of arranging dolls during Dasara festival in Mysore and distribute sweet and savories to … [Read More...]
