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

Kharjoor Laddoo
Kharjoor Laddoo is prepared using soft dates, nuts, and dry fruits. This is best served to people who are on diet as it does not use Sugar or too much Ghee (clarified butter). Cuisine: … [Read More...]

Hesarubele Payasa – Moong Dal Kheer Recipe – Parappu Payasam Recipe – Cherupayar Pradhaman
Pudding prepared using split Green Gram. This is a favorite among Kannadigas during festivals. Recipe: South India Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Hesarubele / … [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...]

Alu Torai Ki Subzi – Aloo Subzi – Potato Ridge gourd Recipe
One of my house help "B" shared this recipe. I tried this immediately and loved the combination of Potatoes and Ridge gourd in a creamy gravy. Ingredients: 2 Potatoes/Alu with skin, … [Read More...]

Alu Mutter – Aloo Matar – Potatoes and Peas Recipe
Alu Mutter dish is prepared using Peas and Potatoes in tomato gravy. This side dish is very popular in North India. This is served with Indian Bread. Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]

Hummus
Hummus is a spread or dip prepared using Chik peas. Cuisine: Mediterranean Time Required: 10 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 1 Cup Soaked and Boiled Chik Peas Juice of 2 Lemons Few … [Read More...]

Bonda Soup Recipe – Medhu Vada in Soup – Black Lentil Fritter in Lentil Soup
Bonda Soup is a delicacy served only in Bangalore and Mysore restaurants. If the Vadas are served laced with spicy tangy curds as Dahi Bhallas in North India, the Vadas here are drowned in a … [Read More...]

Rasavangi Powder – Palya Powder – Side Dish Masala Powder – Subzi Masala
Rasavangi is a dish prepared using vegetables like Ridge Gourd, Brinjal, or Okra. If you make the masala powder before hand, it becomes easy to prepare this dish. Cuisine: … [Read More...]
Travel

BR Hills – Biligiri Rangana Betta – Biligiri Ranga Hill Range
"Biligiri Rangaiah, Neene Helaiah Sri Ranganayakiya Chandulli Chaluvaiah…" The above is a popular song of the 70's from the Kannada movie Sharapanjara, which was sung by P.Susheela and … [Read More...]

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Sri Ranganatha is the presiding deity of the ancient temple at Srirangapattana. Picture1 - Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary Islands “Thittu” means a small mount / rise. Ranganathittu means … [Read More...]

Sirimane Waterfalls
When we planned to visit Sringeri again, I was determined to visit Sirimane waterfalls, which is around 20 Kms from Sringeri. So, even before we entered Sringeri we drove to the waterfalls and the … [Read More...]

Kodi Beach
Kodi Beach is a pristine beach and a very long one starting somewhere near Hangaluru to Kodi Bengre Beach. The Bengre Beach is an Estuary where River Suvarna meets the Arabian sea. Kodi in … [Read More...]

Bangalore – LalBagh – Bengaluru
Lalbagh is a Botanical Garden situated in South Bangalore, India. The garden was commissioned by the ruler of Mysore, Hyder Ali in 1760. His son Tipu Sultan completed the 240 acre gardens. The Glass … [Read More...]

Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar is the tallest Islamic tower in India. It has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tower is 72.5 meters high and the base diameter is 14.3 meters and the tower narrows … [Read More...]

Birds of Puttenahalli Lake
Being a nature loving family, we are always exploring places to trek or bird watch. With hectic work and study schedules, these getaways take a back seat. A visit to Puttenahalli Lake was refreshing … [Read More...]
Festivals

Song in the glory of Lord Shiva
This devotional song on Lord Shiva sung during the Aarathi. ಶಿವನ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ಮಾರಾನಮರ್ದನಾಗೆ ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ನಂದೀ ವಾಹವಗೆ। ರಂಭೆಯೇರು ಚಂದದಿಂದ|| ಮುಂಗುರುಳಿನಲ್ಲೆ ಚಂದ್ರನ್ ಧರಸೀದವಗೇ … [Read More...]

Happy Vijayadashami 2024
Why in North India, Ravana is burnt on Vijayadashami day? This is done to symbolize Lord Rama killing the 10 headed demon Ravana. Good over evil! What does the 10 heads of Ravana stand … [Read More...]

Morada Bagina
Bagina is an offering of everything essential and dear to you. It is believed that you will be blessed with all the things that you desire by performing particular vratas/ vowed religious observance … [Read More...]

Adhik Maas – Adhika Masa – Purushotham Maas – Maal Maas
Adhik Maas is an extra month added to the Lunar Calendar to be in sync with the Solar Calendar. This period is also known as Adhika Masa in Kannada, Malimmacha (Maal), and Purushotham (Lord … [Read More...]

Bhagvad Gita Jayanti – Bhagvad Gita Birthday – Srimad Bhagvad Gita Jayanti
During Corona time, my quest to listen and understand the Srimad Bhagvad Gita started. My mother patiently read the Bhagvad Gita shlokas and explained each of them in Kannada. I was in awe … [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...]

Dasara Gombe – Dolls Arrangement 2023
The best part of Navratri / Dushehra / Dasara celebrations in Mysuru was visiting neighbour's homes for the Gombe Arathi (doll arrangement / Golu) and enjoying the traditional and delicious sweets and … [Read More...]
