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
Ginger Cookies
Cookies with ginger flavor brings back memories of Enid Blyton kids on a picnic! Cookies method: Ice Box Makes: 40 Cookies Ingredients: ¾ Cup Butter ½ Cup Brown Sugar / Cane Sugar … [Read More...]
Phodi – Grilled Spicy Eggplant – Grilled Spicy Brinjal Recipe
Last weekend I was in Mangalore and enjoyed Podi with my friends. Podi is a crispy and tasty snack, which is very popular in this coastal region. Time Required: 30 Minutes + Soaking … [Read More...]
Eggless Banana Muffins
It is Christmas time and if your mood is set to bake, then these Muffins are the best bet….Merry Christmas! Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 2 ripe Robust Bananas 1 Cup Butter 1 … [Read More...]
Onion Chutney
Onion Chutney is a spicy accompaniment for Idli or Dosa. It can be served with Rice too. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1tsp Oil ½ Cup Coconut 1 Big … [Read More...]
French Fries
French fries is the most popular snack in the western countries. It is tasty and you cannot stop devouring them. Time Required: 40 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 4 Large Potatoes Oil for … [Read More...]
Beetroot Raitha – Beetroot in Yogurt – Beetroot Mosaru Bhajji Recipe
Boiled Beetroot in spiced yogurt makes this yummy Beetroot Raitha. Cuisine: Mysore and Bangalore Time required: 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 Medium Size Beetroot 2 Cups Yogurt / Curds 2 … [Read More...]
Saunth Panak – Dry Ginger Drink – Shunti Panaka
In Maharashtra, during Rama Navami, Saunth Panak a drink is prepared using Dry Ginger and Jaggery to distribute among friends. Cuisine: Maharashtra Time Required: 5 … [Read More...]
Varan Bhaat Recipe – Varan Bhat Recipe
Tur dal + Turmeric + oil - cook Salt + Jaggery + 1/4 cup water Serve with Basmathi Rice and Ghee Hing while cooking dal … [Read More...]
Travel
Birds of Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Birds of Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary can drain your Camera batteries in no time, ensure that you have additional batteries! Yes, out of 250 species you can spot at least 50 during a day stay in … [Read More...]
Birds spotted in KR Nagar, Chunchanakatte and Hosa Agrahara – Krishna Raja Nagara
KR Nagar also known as Yedathore is situated 57 Km from Mysore. The ancient Arakeshwara temple is situated in KR Nagar. The small yet beautiful Chunchanakatte waterfalls is very near to … [Read More...]
Bhadravathi
I remember visiting Bhadravathi in 1979 as part of our school education trip. We visited Vishweshwaraya Iron and Steel Limited (VISL) factory and all I can remember is that it was very hot and noisy … [Read More...]
Mysore – Mysuru
Mysore is a heritage city and pride of Karnataka. It is a beautiful city with rich history, legends, monuments, educational centers, kings, palaces, museums, lakes, parks, culture, literature, arts, … [Read More...]
Trikuteshwara Temple
This ancient temple of Trikuteshwara dates back to the Kalyani Chalukyas who ruled this region during 1050 to 1200 CE. Picture1 - Entrance to Trikuteshwara Temple This temple is situated in … [Read More...]
Hubli
Hubli is my birth place and it was initially known as Hubballi meaning flowering creeper in Kannada. This is one of the major cities of Karnataka. The twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad are the second … [Read More...]
Keladi
The historical place Keladi is situated 6 Km from Sagar, Karnataka. Keladi Nayaka kingdom was established in 1499 by Chaudappa Gauda. Chaudappa Gauda came across treasure hidden in a cauldron. … [Read More...]
Festivals
Mannethithina Amavasya
Manneththina Amavasya, “mannu” means mud; “yeththu” in Kannada means bullocks and “Amavasya” means no moon day. This festival is celebrated in North Karnataka, and bullocks made of mud are worshiped … [Read More...]
Vijayothsava – Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni – Kannada Version
Story of King Raghu (of Raghuvamsha) written by my mother in Kannada script. This story appears in the Ramayana and my mother has written in simple words for easy understanding. Click here for … [Read More...]
Significance of Diwali festival in different religions
Jainism Diwali is celebrated by Jains with devotion, on this day Lord Mahavira the 24th Thirthankara achieved Nirvana on Amavasya of Ashvina masa in 527 B.C. The Lord left the body and achieved … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026 are as follows: Chaitra (March - April) Ugadi/Gudi Padwa - Sri Parabhava Nama Samvatsaram - 19 March 2026 Gangaur - 4 March … [Read More...]
Aarathi Song – Lakshmi Arathi Song – Goddess Lakshmi Pooja Song
This is a song written by my mom and we sing this song alternatively with other songs on Friday evening while we perform aarathi to goddess Lakshmi. It can be sung to any tune that you are … [Read More...]
Gombe Habba – Forest Arrangement
During Dasara, many households had the ritual of arranging dolls in the house for 9 days in Mysore region. This would bring out a lot of creativeness among the people. The … [Read More...]
Swarna Gowri Vratha – Gowri Habba – Gowri Festival
Swarna Gowri Vratha/Pooja is celebrated by girls and women in Karnataka and Andhara Pradesh. Goddess Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha. This festival falls in the hindu month of Bhadrapada, August - … [Read More...]
