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
Vengayam Chutney – Onion Chutney
Vengayam Chutney is served all over Tamil Nadu along with Idli or Dosa. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup fresh Coconut, grated ¼ Cup Chopped Onions 1tbsp Bengal Gram Dal 1tsp … [Read More...]
Masala Vegetable Pulao
Flavored rice with vegetables and spices Required Time: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 4 Cups Basmati Rice 1 Carrot 1 Potato 100gms Beans 1 Cup shelled Green Peas Juice of one … [Read More...]
Avarekayi Bhath – Flat Beans Rice
Rice dish prepared using Karnataka's own winter Flat Beans alias Avarekayi. Avarekayi Bhath has a nice peppery flavor to it. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Ishtew – Vegetables in Coconut Milk
Ishtew is a mixed vegetable stew from the state of Kerala. Vegetables are simmered in coconut milk and this is served with a crepe/pancake called Appam. Cuisine: Kerala Time … [Read More...]
Digestive Mixture Recipe – Mukhwa – Mouth Freshner
Eating Mukhwa, which is a type of digestive mixture is part of the India Culture. This is usually offered in all restaurants while presenting the bill and also during functions and festivities, … [Read More...]
Boodakumbalakayi Sippe Balaka – Ash Pumpkin Skin Fryums
The peels of Ash Pumpkin are sun dried with spices. Boodakumbalakayi Sippe Balaka can be stored can deep fried whenever desired to be relished with Anna / Rice and Saaru / thin … [Read More...]
Ker Sangri – Dried Beans Side Dish – Rajastani Kandi Subzi Recipe
This is one of the most authentic dishes of Rajasthan. I made a point to taste this dish when in Rajasthan. I also bought the dried Ker and Sangri and prepared this dish at home. The Ker is a wild … [Read More...]
Karela Masala Fry
Bitter gourd stir fried with spices until crispy is a great accompaniment to any type of Indian Bread. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Bitter gourd, cut … [Read More...]
Travel
Vama Retreats – weekend getaway from Bengaluru
A fantastic getaway from Bengaluru for families, friends, or corporate outing. Vama retreats is also pet friendly and has great views of the hills all around. Unwind, relax in this … [Read More...]
KARP Mounted Police Headquarters Mysuru – Karnataka Armed Reserve Police Headquarters
Every Vijayadashami day, the Dasara Procession starts from Mysuru Palace and reaches Bannimantap ground with great pomp and fanfare. The golden howdah with Goddess Chamundeshwari majestically walks … [Read More...]
Chunchanakatte Falls – Chunchankatte Waterfalls
Cauvery flows into Chunchanakatte falls roaring thunderously forming a 60 feet height and approximately 300 to 400 feet wide waterfalls. This place is situated 57 Kms from Mysore in Krishna Raja … [Read More...]
Pokhran Fort, Rajasthan
Pokhran fort also known as Balagarh was built in the 14th century by Marwar Thakur, Rao Maldeo. Marwar Thakur Rao Maldeo was the chief of the Champawats, the clan of Rathores of the state of … [Read More...]
Sharavathi River
Sharavathi is a river with its origin at Ambuthirtha in Thirthahalli taluk, Shimoga district. Sharavathi river also tumbles down the cliff to form the enticing Jog Falls. A dam was constructed … [Read More...]
Heritage buildings of Pondicherry
Apart from Parks, Beaches, Backwaters, Temples, Ashrams and Auroville another interesting aspect of Pondicherry are its heritage buildings. The heritage buildings of Pondicherry comprises of … [Read More...]
Shravanabelagola
The first time I visited Shravanabelagola was in 1982 on a school trip. It was Mahamasthakabhishekha time and we climbed up the rickety scaffolding up to the head of the monolithic statue of Bahubali … [Read More...]
Festivals
Naga Rangoli – Snake Floor Design
The Naga rangolis / patterns shown below are drawn on Nagara Chauthi and Nagara Panchami festivals. Click on the image to see a bigger image. Rangoli drawn on Nagara Chauthi: Rangoli … [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...]
Ashada Shukravara
Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) pooja / ritual is performed on all the Fridays of the Hindu month of Aashada, July-Aug in Gregorian calendar. This year (2020) Aashada starts on 22nd June and the … [Read More...]
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...]
Dasara Gombe – Doll arrangement – Golu – 2024
Ten days of festivities begins in India with great devotion. Dasara is celebrated in different ways in various regions of our country. The celebration is the same, which is "Good over … [Read More...]
Rathasapthami Rangoli
Rathasapthami is a festival in honor of Sun god. On this day a Rathasapthami rangoli / kolam (patterns drawn using chalk powder) of ratha / chariot is drawn inside the shrine of … [Read More...]
Dasara Gombe – Doll arrangement – Golu – 2025
Dasara is celebrated in different ways in various regions of our country. The celebration is of goddess Durga and her various avatars. Each day the goddess is decorated in a different way … [Read More...]
