As Lord Shiva is Trinetra (3 eyes), Bilva leaves are offered on this auspicious day of Maha Shivaratri. Some devotees feast and few fast on this day. Devotees also do Jagran (wake the … [Read More...]
Flower Arrangement – Tall and strong
Heliconia is best for flower arrangements, as they last for a very long time. When teamed with Philodendron leaves, it makes a striking arrangement. Materials required: 1 Golden torch … [Read More...]
Ulundogare recipe – Urad Dal Rice recipe – Ullandogare – Ulundhorai
Ulundogare is prepared for naivedya (blessed food) in temples. It is a healthy meal with the right amount of carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. The flavor is derived from roasted … [Read More...]
Ikigai Café
Ikigai is a Japanese concept pronounced as ee-key-guy. It means a sense of purpose to wake up in the morning. This resonates perfectly with Navya, who has conceptualized this unique café “Ikigai” at … [Read More...]
February 2026 Hints
Use an onion to clean the grate on your grill. If your microwave is really dirty, put a damp cloth in there for about 30-45 seconds, let it sit (to cool down) then use it to wipe it down. The steam … [Read More...]
Konkaneshwara Temple, Akkihebbalu
The presiding deity at Konkaneshwara temple in Akkihebbalu, Mandya district is Lord Shiva. This temple is situated next to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. Both temples are ancient with no … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026 Mouna Gowri Vratha - 21 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 Vasanth Panchami - 23 January 2026 Rathasapthami - 25 January … [Read More...]
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is as ancient as our Puranas. Sage Gouthama's penance appeased Lord Vishnu and he appeared before him and asked his wish, the sage asked Lord Vishnu to … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Papaya Thondekayi Palya – Raw Papaya Ivy Gourd Side Dish – Papita Tindora Subzi
A side dish prepared using raw Papaya and Ivy gourd. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Chopped Thondekayi / Ivy gourd 1 Cup Peeled and Chopped Raw Papaya 1tbsp Oil 1tsp Mustard … [Read More...]
Amatekayi Uppinakayi – Hog Plum Pickle
Amatekayi Uppinakayi is a pickle prepared using Hog Plums. My mother used to narrate a story regarding a household wherein there would be many jars with Mango / Mavinakayi, Gooseberry / Nellikayi, … [Read More...]
Paan Shot
A perfect digestive shot after a heavy meal. Cuisine: Indian Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 5 Pan / Villedele / Betal Leaves 2tbsp Sugar A pinch of Lime / Sunna Juice of half … [Read More...]
Tomato Thokku
Tomato Thokku is very popular in South India. It is usually very spicy and goes very well when mixed with hot Rice and Ghee. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Hot Chocolate Fudge
It is hard to resist hot chocolate fudge! And it is so easy to prepare it. Without much ado here is the recipe. Who can resist hot chocolate fudge! Can you? Time Required: 10 … [Read More...]
Kiwi Juice
Kiwi Juice is a refreshing drink to beat the summer heat! Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 2 - 3 Kiwi Fruit 4 - 6 spoons of Sugar or 3 Sugar free pellets A pinch of … [Read More...]
Mint and Cherry Tomato Salad
This is a refreshing salad to beat the heat during summer. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Mint Leaves, Chopped finely 1 Green Chili, Slit 1 Onion, Chopped finely 1/2 … [Read More...]
Watermelon Cucumber Apple Splash
Spring is in the air and the colorful fruits and vegetables in the market add a dash of color. A cool drink is always welcome during this time of the year. Watermelon Cucumber Apple Splash is … [Read More...]
Travel
Lord Shiva Statues in Nanjanagud Temple
Ramayana and Mahabharatha are famous for the narration of Indian culture (Samskrithi). There are very few who have not heard about these two great epics. The different events of the epic are painted … [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...]
Bhadra Dam – Lakkavalli Dam
Bhadra Dam also known as Lakkavalli Dam is built over the Bhadra River in Chikkamagaluru district in 1965. Bhadra River is a tributary of Tungabhadra River. The height of the dam is 59.13 metres … [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...]
Museums, Armory, and Galleries of Mehrangarh Fort – Jodhpur
Apart from the grand rooms, a visit to Museums, Armory, and Galleries of Mehrangarh Fort - Jodhpur is a must. Museum: Palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniatures, costumes and furniture are … [Read More...]
Mekedatu
Mekedatu, in Kannada means Goat’s leap, which is situated 98kms south of Bangalore. River Cauvery flows into a deep and narrow gorge, so narrow, that a goat could leap over it and that is how it got … [Read More...]
Kshanambika Temple, Srirangapattana
Kshanambika temple though less popular than Nimishamba temple in Srirangapattana is no less powerful than Nimishamba. Kshanambika means the goddess who grants the wishes in a Kshana / Second whereas … [Read More...]
Festivals
Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Vratha
"Kaayena Vaachaa Manasendriyairvaa Buddhyaatmanaa Vaa Prakriteh Svabhaavaatah Karomi Yadhyadh Sakalam Parasmai Naaraayanaayeti Samarpayaami" The meaning of the above shloka is: "I offer … [Read More...]
Mysore State Anthem
The existence of Mysore State Anthem was bought to my notice by my dad, who during his primary school days would sing the anthem every day. In 1881, the British decided to give back the state … [Read More...]
Narasimha Jayanthi
Ugram Viram Maha-Vishnum Jvalantam Sarvato Mukham | Nrisimham Bhishanam Bhadram Mrityur Mrityum Namamy Aham || “I bow down to the ferocious and heroic like Lord Vishnu. He is burning from every … [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...]
Saraswathi Prarthane – Prayer to Goddess Saraswathi
Today is Saraswathi Pooja, which is part of Navrathri celebrations. This is a prarthane (prayer) to Goddess Saraswathi written by my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil in 1969. ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ಕಂದ … [Read More...]
Teachers Day
Guru Brahma Gurur Vishnu| Guru Devo Maheshwaraha| Guru Saakshat Para Brahma| Tasmai Sree Gurave Namaha|| Meaning of the above shloka / chant is that the Guru / teacher is the representative of … [Read More...]
Upakarma – Janivara Habba
Upakarma festival is solely for the men. The others also join in by preparing delicious food as naivedhyam / blessed food and eating together. This festivals falls on Shravana Nakshatra (a star) on … [Read More...]
