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
Green Hummus Recipe
Healthy and a good looking recipe, Green Hummus is packed with nutrition and taste to soothe both the body and the soul. Time required: 20 minutes + soaking time Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]
Khara Kuchchida Kadabu – Spicy Steamed Modak – Masaledar Ukadiche Modak
Spicy lentil mixture filled in Rice flaps and steamed. Khara Kuchchida Kadabu is very popular in south India and in Karnataka this dish is prepared on Bheemana Amavasya festival. A sweet variety is … [Read More...]
Crispy Vegetables
Crispy and tasty. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 6 florets of Cauliflower 1 Carrot, Peeled and sliced into long pieces 4 Tender Beans, Broken into 3 pieces 4 Green Chilies, Slit … [Read More...]
Peanuts Salad
Yummy boiled Peanuts. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Peanuts with Shells ¼ Cup Pomegranate 1 Small Onion, Chopped Finely 1 Green Chili, Chopped Finely 2 Sprigs Coriander … [Read More...]
Alu Methi Palak – Aloo Methi Palak Recipe – Potato Fenugreek Spinach Recipe
I learnt to make this dish from my Mami/Aunt, who is a wonderful cook. This North Indian side dish goes very well with all types of Indian Bread and is prepared using Potatoes, Fenugreek and … [Read More...]
Cucumber Idli
Steamed Rice cakes with Cucumber. Ingredients: 1 Cup Idli Rawa 2 Cups Cucumber, Grated 1/4 Cup Coconut, Grated 1/4 Cup Coconut, Chopped 3 Green Chilies 1tsp Asafoetida 3tbsp Coriander … [Read More...]
Ragi Malt
Ragi / Finger Millet is a powerhouse of calcium and is extremely good for people of all ages. Ragi Malt is a powder that can be stored for a long time, which is prepared using sprouted Ragi, Dry … [Read More...]
Boiled Sweet Potato
In South India Sweet Potatoes are available throughout the year. Boiled Sweet Potato is low calorie snack is very easy to make and also satisfies the sweet tooth. Cuisine: South … [Read More...]
Travel
Sathodi Falls
Sathodi Falls is situated in Uttara Kannada (North Karnataka) district; it is 32 Kms away from Yellapur. In the midst of the rain forests of Western Ghats many unknown water bodies come together near … [Read More...]
Hadinaru Kere
One early morning we decided to drive to Hadinaru village to visit the Hadinaru Kere (lake) as we had heard that a large number of bar headed geese had ascended on the lake all the way from … [Read More...]
Supra Waterfalls, Kotagiri
As we were driving up the winding hills to Kotagiri from Coonoor we came across this beautiful waterfall cascading from another hill. Stopped and took pictures of Supra waterfalls and just … [Read More...]
Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysore Zoo
The other common name is "Mysore Zoo" and it is one of the oldest and well maintained zoos in India. It not only houses a wide range of animals, reptiles and birds but the garden maintained is … [Read More...]
Jaisalmer Fort
Sonar Quila / Golden fort, the living fort of Jaisalmer is fascinating and exotic. Memories of time spent here will be etched forever. Jaisalmer fort was built by Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal in … [Read More...]
Mushrooms in Kukkarahalli Kere
When I was walking in Kukkarahalli Kere last Sunday, I got to see many varieties of Mushrooms growing in the thicket. Not a surprise as Mysore has received copious rains this … [Read More...]
Upper Lake View Point – Kodaikanal
A drive to Upper lake view point in Kodaikanal is a must, as the view of the lake from the view point is excellent. The star shaped lake gleaming in the sun with greenery all around can be seen … [Read More...]
Festivals
Chaitra Navratri
Chaitra Navratri also known as Varshik Navratri is a festival observed for nine days in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April in Gregorian Calendar). The festival starts on the first day of Chaitra … [Read More...]
Sheege Hunnime
Sheege Hunnime festival is fondly remembered by my mother. The excerpt follows… My dad seemed to be in a very celebrative mood. He ordered the servants to get the bullock cart ready and also … [Read More...]
Prayer to Parvathi
This prayer was chanted by Chandrahasa to goddess Parvathi/Chamundi/Amba/Gowri. Extracted from the Gemini bharatha. ಚಂದ್ರಹಾಸನ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ - ಜೈಮಿನಿ ಭಾರತ ತಾಯೆ ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ಪರಮ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಿ … [Read More...]
Valentine’s Day
Congratulations and Celebrations When I tell everyone that you're in love with me Congratulations and Jubilations I want the world to know I'm happy as can be…. This popular love song is written … [Read More...]
Habbada Adige – Festival Food Recipes
Festivals are time for a variety of food to be cooked and relished by one and all at home. The Habbada Adige (festive food) is prepared without Onion and Garlic. In Karnataka, the following dishes are … [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...]
Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhane
Picture1 - Sri Raghavendra Swamy Pujyaya Raghavendraya | Satyadharma Ratayacha | Bhajatam Kalpavrikshaya | Namathaam Kamadhenave || O divine Sri Raghavendra Swamy I salute you - the one who … [Read More...]
