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
Kadala Curry – Chikpea Curry Recipe – Kerala Style Curry Recipe
A popular Kerala curry prepared using Black Chikpea and a perfect accompaniment to Puttu and Appam. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 Cups Soaked Black Chikpea / Kadale / … [Read More...]
Raw Mango Dry Coconut Chutney
Mango season is here and I just love to churn out some irresistible dishes from Mangoes. Raw Mango Dry Coconut Chutney known as Mavinakayi Khobbari Chutney in Kannada, is an accompaniment much … [Read More...]
Noodles Spring Rolls
Noodles are nice fillers into spring rolls. It is a meal by itself! Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 10 -12 Readymade Wonton Wrappers (Spring Roll wrappers) 3 … [Read More...]
Fried Wonton with Ice Cream and Honey
Fried Wonton with Ice Cream and Honey is a dish where crunchy wonton is served dripping in honey accompanied by Ice cream. Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: Few … [Read More...]
Hibiscus Juice
Hibiscus Juice is as the name implies is prepared from the petals of Hibiscus Flower. Juice is distributed during Rama Navami festival and a Flower juice instead of a Fruit juice is a … [Read More...]
Achari Bhindi
Achari bhindi is a side dish prepared using Okra / Ladies Finger with Pickle Masala. Time required: 25 Minutes Cuisine: North Indian Ingredients: 15 Bhindi / Okra, chopped into 1" … [Read More...]
Chutney Paneer Sandwich
Cottage cheese and Mint chutney sandwiches. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: Wheat Bread or White Bread Slices Few thin slices of Paneer/Cottage Cheese ½ Cup Pudina/Mint … [Read More...]
Citron Pickle – Heralehannina Uppinakayi
It is an acquired taste to enjoy the Citron Pickle as the bitterness can overwhelm you. Citron is known as Heralehannu in South Karnataka and Kanchihannu in North Karnataka. Time Required: 10 … [Read More...]
Travel
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...]
Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple, Bappanadu – Mulki
As we traverse the Karnataka coastal region, there are multiple ancient temples dedicated to various deities. One such temple is the Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple situated in Bappanadu village. The … [Read More...]
Uppinakuduru Kundapura
Uppinakuduru is located 6 km north of Kundapura, Udupi district. It is a small island village and was once famous for trading of salt (uppu). Uppinakudru in Kannada means an island of salt or … [Read More...]
Bannari Amman Temple
Bannari Amman Temple is situated in the picturesque Sathyamangala forest, West of Tamil Nadu state. The forest is situated in Erode district. The presiding deity of the temple is Mariamma … [Read More...]
Wayanad – Kerala
Wayanad district is the hilly, picturesque part of North East Kerala at altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 meters above sea level. The hills spread over 2,132 square kilometers are part of the Western … [Read More...]
Birds of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Andaman and Nicobar islands are home to many species of birds, both aquatic and shore birds. As we traveled across the islands we came across the following birds, which we could photograph. Some birds … [Read More...]
Garagadakuppe Anjaneya Swamy Temple
Another long pending wish to visit Garagadakuppe Anjaneya Swamy Temple was fulfilled. The Anjaneya Swamy Temple at Garagadakuppe village is believed to be very powerful and believed to … [Read More...]
Festivals
Bheemana Amavasya – Gandana Pooje – Gandana Habba
This festival is also known as Jyothirbheemeshwara Vrata and Pathi Sanjeevini Vratha and it is mentioned in Skaanda Purana (Skanda Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text, is … [Read More...]
Deepavali Song – Diwali Song – Deepavali Haadu
Deepavali song is written by my mother in Kannada script to be sung anytime during the Deepavali festival. The lyrics cover the importance and joy of celebrating Deepavali / Diwali … [Read More...]
Ganesh Chathurthi – Ganesha Festival
I have extremely fond memories of Ganesha-Gowri festival. It was one of the grand festivals of the year for the family and for Mysore city itself. Our road would be decorated with serial lights, as … [Read More...]
Varamahalakshmi Vratha
Sarvamangala Mangalye| Shive Sarvarthaka Sadhike| Sharanye Thriyambake Devi/Laksmi| Narayani Namosthuthe|| The above shloka is in praise of goddess Lakshmi and offering … [Read More...]
Rathasapthami
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South … [Read More...]
Ritu – Indian Seasons – Rithu
Ritu means "season" in ancient Indian calendars used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. There are six ritus or seasons. The word is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Ṛtú. Every season, … [Read More...]
Nagara Chauthi
Nagara Chauthi festival is celebrated on the fourth day of the Hindu month Shravana, July – August according to Gregorian calendar dedicated to Snake god. For the festival date click here. On this … [Read More...]
