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
Tawa Pulao – Street Food Pulav Recipe – Mumbai Pulao Recipe – Pilaf Recipe
Rice dish, which is a popular street food in Maharashtra. Cooked rice is stir fried with vegetables and spices on a flat thick iron pan. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 3 Cups … [Read More...]
Ragi Halwa
Ragi Halwa is a pudding prepared using Finger Millet. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 40 minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Ragi / Finger Millet / Nachni 1 Cup Sugar ½ tsp Elaichi / … [Read More...]
Cream Cheese Recipe – Cheese Spread Recipe
Cream Cheese as a spread is great on toasts and Bagels. Very easy to make at home with just three ingredients. Ingredients: 1 Cup Cottage Cheese / Paneer 1/2 Cup Hung yogurt / … [Read More...]
Coconut Garlic Raitha – Coconut Garlic Yogurt Recipe
Raw vegetables in coconut-garlic curds/yoghurt. Coconut Garlic Raitha tastes good with Pulao. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Cup Cucumber … [Read More...]
Peach Salsa recipe – Peach Salad recipe
Peach season is round the corner and an evening spent with the spicy Peach salsa and chips will surely be unforgettable. Ingredients: 4 Peaches, peeled and chopped 1 Onion, chopped 1 … [Read More...]
Kiwi Juice
Kiwi Juice is a refreshing drink to beat the summer heat! Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 2 - 3 Kiwi Fruit 4 - 6 spoons of Sugar or 3 Sugar free pellets A pinch of … [Read More...]
Apple and Corn Kosambari Recipe – Apple and Corn Salad Recipe
During Dasara, most of the households prepare festive food and Kosambari / salad is an integral part of the festive food. Here is a salad prepared using Apple and Corn. Ingredients: Juice of 1 … [Read More...]
Chole – Channa Masala Recipe – Chickpea in Tomato Gravy Recipe
Chickpea in tomato gravy and spices also known as Channa. It is a common side dish in the state of Punjab and it is usually served with Batura, which is a deep fried bread. It also tastes … [Read More...]
Travel
Mullayanagiri
If you want to be on top of Karnataka, then travel to Mullayanagiri, which is the highest peak in Karnataka. It is 16 Km from Chikkamagalur and is 1930 meters above sea level and the view of the … [Read More...]
Pillar Rocks, Kodaikanal
Pillar Rocks as the name suggests is a place in the Kodaikanal hills where three giant rock pillars stand tall kissing the clouds. You can view the pillars from an observation deck built on the … [Read More...]
Se Cathedral – Goa
Right opposite the Basillica de Bom Jesus, is the Roman Catholic Se Cathedral - Goa. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Goa and is also a UNESCO heritage site. Built in 1510, but the actual … [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...]
Kalpetta
We chose to stay at Kalpetta as all the interesting places are around Kalpetta. We were also tempted to stay in far flung places like Rain Country resorts, but the fact that the drive to and from the … [Read More...]
Manjusha Art Museum Mysuru
Manjusha Art Museum Mysuru located inside Payana Vintage and Classic Car Museum is an extension to the existing Manjusha museum in Dharmastala. This part of the museum opens to a world of … [Read More...]
Dharmasthala
The Western Ghats like its higher counterpart the Himalayas is dotted with pilgrimage centers. One such center is Dharmasthala situated on the banks of Netravati River in Dakshina Kannada … [Read More...]
Festivals
Deepavali – Diwali
Deepavali (“avali” means rows and “deepa” means lamp) or Diwali is a festival of lights much loved by one and all. It is the time for sweets, savories, family get-together, new clothes, crackers and … [Read More...]
Traditional Dolls Arrangement
Here are some Dolls that are handed over from generations to generations for arranging during Dasara. Traditional Dolls Arrangement includes Dolls in a marriage party complete with the bride / groom … [Read More...]
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...]
Kiratha Arjuna – Shabara Shankara
One of Lord Shiva’s statues in Nanjanagud is Kiratha Arjuna – Shabara Shankara statue. The character of KiraAthaArjuna is introduced in the Aranya Parva (forest section) of the great epic … [Read More...]
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...]
Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhane
Picture1 - Sri Raghavendra Swamy Pujyaya Raghavendraya | Satyadharma Ratayacha | Bhajatam Kalpavrikshaya | Namathaam Kamadhenave || O divine Sri Raghavendra Swamy I salute you - the one who … [Read More...]
Mahalaya Amavasya
15 days of the Hindu month is considered as Pitra Paksha, which are days dedicated to ancestors. It occurs in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada i.e. September-October in the Gregorian calendar. For the … [Read More...]
