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...]

December 2025 Hints
If your plant is shrivelled, the following can help you revive it: Add one table spoon sugar in two litres water. Let the sugar dissolve completely. Later feed to the plant. Dissolved a … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Margashirsha month – November and December 2025
Mārgashīrsha (November – December) Champashashthi / Subramanyana Shashthi - 26 November 2025 Huttari habba - 5 December 2025 Shuddha Panchami Ellu amavasya - 19 December 2025 … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Kartik month – October and November 2025
Kārtik (October – November) Diwali /Balipadyami/New Year in Gujarat - 22 October 2025 Karthika Somawara - 27 October, 3 November, 10 November, and 17 November 2025 Uttandwadashi - 2 … [Read More...]

November 2025 Hints
Fold used butter wrappers and put them in your fridge. Next time you need to grease a pan, just grab your pre-buttered wrapper and coat the pan. Fruit fly problems – -Take a glass and fill it part … [Read More...]

Sangam at Koodli – Kudli – Kudali
Koodli is a quaint village with rich history situated in Shimoga district of Karnataka. The two major rivers Tunga and Bhadra meet at this point and flow forward as Tungabhadra River. … [Read More...]

Sugar Snap Peas Stir Fry Recipe
I was delighted to find Sugar snap peas in the grocery store and they are so easy to use. The whole pod can be eaten. They are sweet and crisp. You can add them to salads or eat them as is … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes

Grape Jam
I could not resist buying bunches of grapes on the way to Nandi Hills and my mom was more than willing to prepare the Grape Jam. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Grape Crush ½ … [Read More...]

Mavinakayi Saaru – Raw Mango broth
Mavinakayi Saaru is a curry prepared using Raw Mangoes. This type of curry is prepared in Mangalore - Udupi region and is served with white rice. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]

Iyengar Bakery Toast
Occasionally Iyengar Bakery Toast would be the evening snacks at home. I still crave to bite into one sometimes. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: Few slices … [Read More...]

Italian Black Rice
As soon as Black Rice was available in the local store, I bought it and make this delicious Italian Black Rice. A big change from the usual Indian Rice dishes. Cuisine: … [Read More...]

Chinese Cabbage Stir Fry
Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 8 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 3 Cups Chinese Cabbage, Shredded 1 Cup Capsicum 3 - 4 Dry Red Chilies 1tbsp Ginger Juliennes 2tbsp Oil Salt to … [Read More...]

Palak Paneer
A side dish with gravy using Spinach and Cottage Cheese. Palak Paneer is an extremely popular dish in North India. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Big bunches of Palak / … [Read More...]

Sakkare Pongal – Sweet Pongal Recipe – Sakkarai Pongal Recipe – Chakkara Pongal Recipe
Sakkare Pongal is a sweet rice prepared in South India during Makara Sankranti festival. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Raw Rice 1 Cup Hesarubele/Moong Dal/Split … [Read More...]

Soosla – Soaked Puffed Rice Masala – Puffed Rice Recipe – Churmuri Recipe
Soosla is an excellent breakfast from the kitchens of North Karnataka. It is a dish prepared using puffed rice, onions and fried gram. Cuisine: North Karnataka Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Travel

Talakadu – Part I
Picture1 - Talakadu Sand Dunes Talakadu is situated 50 Kms from Mysore and was under the rule of Western Gangas, Tamil Cholas in the 11th and 12th centuries, Hoysalas in the 12th century, … [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...]

Shembaganur Museum of Natural History – Kodaikanal
Shembaganur Museum of Natural History in Kodaikanal was started in 1895 and is affiliated with Loyola college, Chennai. It is now preserved by the Sacred Heart College. This is also known The Anglade … [Read More...]

Udaipur
Udaipur is a charming city in Rajasthan. It is popularly known as City of lakes and was the capital of Mewar kingdom. Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur in 1559. When Chittor fort was … [Read More...]

Gadag-Betageri
Gadag-Betageri is a town and district headquarters in the state of Karnataka, India. Gadag and its sister city Betageri (or Betgeri) have a combined city administration. It is 80 km from Dharwad and … [Read More...]

Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur
Jaigarh fort also known as Victory fort is one of the most beautiful and unscathed forts in India. In 1726, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh built this fort on a hill known as Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) … [Read More...]

Mariapura Lake
Another weekend and another birding trip and off we drove to Mariapura lake. A beautiful serene lake where the wind blows, birds chirp, plants whisper, and fishes swim. This lake has a calming effect … [Read More...]
Festivals

Hoovilya
Hoovilya is an auspicious ritual conducted just before major celebrations like Marriage or Upanayana / Sacred thread ceremony in Karnataka. It is more like an all women’s party, where at least 5 or … [Read More...]

Celebration of Makara Sankranthi in different regions of India
Makara Sankranthi is celebrated in various styles in different regions of India. Andhra Pradesh In Andhra Pradesh this festival is called as “Pedda Panduga” meaning “big festival”. It is … [Read More...]

Mysore Dasara – Mysuru Dasara Celebrations – Mysuru Dussehra – Mysuru Navratri
Mysore looks its best during the 10-day Dasara celebration where all the major roads in the city, heritage buildings, palaces, historical monuments, ancient temples and shops are … [Read More...]

Satyanarayana Aarathi Song
It is a must to read the story of Satyanarayana at the end of Satyanarayana pooja. Here is a song covering all the stories that has to be read. You can sing this while doing the final … [Read More...]

Vata Savitri Vrata
Vata Savitri Vrata / ritual is observed by married women on Hunnime / Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, May – June in Gregorian calendar. This year (2016) it falls on 18th … [Read More...]

Gowri and Ganesha Festival Platters – Festival Food – Habbada Adige
Wish you all a very happy Gowri - Ganesha festival! Shopping, mantapa decorations, and preparing delicious festival food mark the Gowri - Ganesha festival celebrations. Gowri … [Read More...]

Visarjana Manthra
The following manthra is chanted while performing the visarjana / send off to god. In Kannada Script: ವಿಸರ್ಜನಾ ಕ್ರಮ ಯಜ್ಞೇನ ಯಗ್ನಮಯಜಂತ ದೇವಾಃ | ತಾನಿ ಧರ್ಮಾಣಿ ಪ್ರಥಮಾನ್ಯಾಸನ್ || ತೇಹ ನಾಕಂ … [Read More...]
