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
Sakkare Pongal – Sweet Pongal Recipe – Sakkarai Pongal Recipe – Chakkara Pongal Recipe
Sakkare Pongal is a sweet rice prepared in South India during Makara Sankranti festival. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Raw Rice 1 Cup Hesarubele/Moong Dal/Split … [Read More...]
Subsige Padavalkayi Palya – Dill and Snake Gourd dish
Addition of Dill leaves to Snake Gourd adds a punch, which lacks in a Gourd. Try making Subsige Padavalkayi Palya and let me know how it turns out. Time required: 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]
Hagalkayi Podi – Bitter Gourd Chips – Karela Chips Recipe
Bitter Gourd chips. This is an authentic recipe from South Canara. Podi is served with Rice and Rasam or Sambar. Time Required: 10 Minutes + Resting Time Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]
Jamoon Kofta Curry
An interesting and tasty dish with deep fried dumplings prepared using khova / dehydrated Milk. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: For the Koftas: 1 Cup Instant Jamoon Mix 2 Onions, … [Read More...]
Open Masala Dosa
This Dosa/Crepe is slightly thicker than the plain Dosa. The Masala is arranged on the Dosa openly when served, hence the name Open Masala Dosa. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]
Hesarubele Tovve – Moong Dal – Dal Recipe
Hesarubele Tovve is a curry prepared using split green gram with either Cucumber or Ridge gourd. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups … [Read More...]
Sajjappa – Coconut and Jaggery stuffed sweet dish
This sweet dish is from the kitchens of South Karnataka. Sajjappa is prepared during festivals. Time Required: 1 Hour Ingredients: Oil for deep frying For the outer layer: 1 Cup … [Read More...]
Moong Dal Salad – Split Green Gram Salad Recipe
Split green gram salad is a wholesome meal and wonderful to enjoy as a snack in the evening with a cup of tea. Cuisine: Gujarat Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Soaked Moong … [Read More...]
Travel
Kokkare Bellur
“Kokkare” in Kannada means Crane. Kokkare Bellur village has got its name due to the fact that many migratory birds have found this place suitable to breed and nest. Kokkare Bellur is approximately … [Read More...]
Iruppu Falls
Another spectacular sight in the Western Ghats is the Iruppu falls. Lakshmanatheertha river originates in the Brahmagiri hills in the Western ghats and falls elegantly at this place from a height of … [Read More...]
Birds of Maravanthe Coast
A trip to Maravanthe, coastal Karnataka was full of surprises. We went on a boat trip to an island that was submerged during the monsoons with great anticipation to spot Dolphins. We spotted only … [Read More...]
Auroville Beach Pondicherry
The Auroville Beach is very near Auroville and is situated 12 Kms from Pondicherry. Pondicherry is now known as Puducherry. An ideal place to spend time with family and friends. The … [Read More...]
Temples of Goa
You will be surprised to know that there are some beautiful and ancient temples dedicated to Hindu gods in Goa. Not so surprising either as the residents of Goa before the Portuguese came in were all … [Read More...]
Birla Mandir Jaipur
People visiting Jaipur never fail to visit the Birla Mandir Jaipur dedicated to Lord Narayana / Vishnu and his consort Goddess Laxmi. The temple was built by B.M.Birla foundation in white Markarana … [Read More...]
Cellular Jail in Port Blair
You can visualize men in white with cap renting the air in the corridors of the Cellular Jail in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the slogan Vande Mataram! Bharath Matha ki Jai! The … [Read More...]
Festivals
Buddha Poornima – Vesak
Buddham Sharanam Gatchami|| The above verse is a chant of Buddhists meaning "I take refuge in Lord Buddha". Buddha Poornima is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. It is celebrated on … [Read More...]
Hoovilya
Hoovilya is an auspicious ritual conducted just before major celebrations like Marriage or Upanayana / Sacred thread ceremony in Karnataka. It is more like an all women’s party, where at least 5 or … [Read More...]
Sri Gurubhajane Purnadarathi -Sri Sridhara Swamiji
This bhajan is sung during the Aarathi in Sridhara Ashrama. Sri Sridhara Swamiji is considered the avatar of Dattatreya. His samadhi and ashram is located in Varadahalli, Sagar taluk. There are many … [Read More...]
Independence day memories
My mother remembers and shares her memories on the days before Indian Independence and the joy felt on 15th August 1947. Place: Kurtakoti Script: Kannada ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ ದಿನ ಈ ದಿನ ೭೪ನೆೇಯ (74th) … [Read More...]
Navaratri Golu – Dolls Arrangement during Dasara
This is in continuation of the post “Traditional Dolls Arrangement”. The custom of arranging dolls during Navaratri / Dasara is also followed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. In these states … [Read More...]
Aarathi song for Lord Rama
On the auspicious day of the birth of Lord Rama (Rama Navami festival), songs praising him are sung while doing the traditional Arathi. ರಾಮನ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳಂ ಜಯರಘು ಪುನ್ಗವರಾಘವಾ ಅಂಗದ … [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...]
