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

Ambali
Gruel prepared with rice and curds. Ambali is prepared on Shravana Shanivara Vratha / religious observance. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 Cup Rice 2 Green … [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...]

Vegetable Stock
Vegetable Stock Recipe. A very important ingredient while making soups. Time Required: 30 Minutes to 1 hour Ingredients: 10 – 12 String Beans, Chop into 1” pieces 1 Potato, Peeled … [Read More...]

Paneer Pudina Pulao
Paneer Pudina Pulao is Mint flavored Rice with Cottage Cheese. A filling one pot dish, it is good to pack for lunch. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Raw … [Read More...]

Raw Banana Fry
Raw Banana Fry is very easy to make for a tasty accompaniment to serve with Indian Bread or with Rice. Cuisine: South Indian Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 3 Raw Banana, Peeled and … [Read More...]

Pear Salad
Pear Salad is a delicious and healthy salad. Can be served as an accompaniment or as a snack. Time required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 or 2 Pears, Peeled and diced 1/2 Red Pepper, … [Read More...]

Bhendekayi Gojju – Vendekai Gotsu – Okra Curry – Bendekai Menaskai
Bhendekayi Gojju is a sweet and spicy side dish prepared using Okra from South Karnataka. This recipe on request from Sanjay. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 … [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

Paradise Beach Pondicherry
Paradise Beach in Pondicherry is also known as Plage Pardiso and is located 8 Km from Pondicherry. Drive down Cuddalore main road to reach Chunnambar backwaters resort. At Chunnambar you can take a … [Read More...]

Chikmagalur – Chikkamagaluru
Chikmagalur was always mentioned by my dad and his cousins with a lot of affection as they spent all their holidays in their maternal Grandfather’s coffee estate. I have heard many incidents and … [Read More...]

Talakadu – Part II
Picture1 - Sand Dunes at Talakadu Talakadu is a place known for its sand dunes, river, ancient temples and innumerable legends. Picture2 - Trees of Talakadu Cashew nut, Fig, Nilgiri, … [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...]

Temples in Pondicherry
There are many temples in Pondicherry. Many of them were built during the reign of Cholas in the 10th Century AD. Manakula Vinayagar Koil The strinking gopuram painted with bright colors greet you … [Read More...]

Shetty Kere – Mysore
On the Kozhikode-Mysore-Kollegal Highway, a small lake known as Shetty Kere attracts a lot of bird life. Though Lake Dalvoy next to this lake is 10 times bigger, it does not attract any birds … [Read More...]

Lakkidi view point, Wyanad
Lakkidi view point in Wayanad, Kerala offers a bird’s eye view of the rolling green hills, cliffs, and valleys. It is a treat to the eye and the best time to visit is during sunset. Lakkidi get … [Read More...]
Festivals

Ganesha Aarathi Song
This is a aarathi song dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Kannada Script: ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಚಂದದ ಆರತಿ ತಂದು ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ಸುಂದರ ನಿನ್ನಯ ಚರಣ ಕಮಲಕೆ ವಂದಿಸಿ ಬೇಡುವೆ ಸಿಂದೂರ ವದನ ಬಂದು ಕರುಣಿಸೋ … [Read More...]

Kalasha
This is an important arrangement in any of the Hindu rituals/pooja. This occupies a prominent place in the pedestal along with the idols or photographs of gods and goddesses. During marriages the … [Read More...]

Hanuman Arathi Song – Hanumanthana Aarathi Haadu – Devotional Song
Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated in April in North India and in December in South India. North or South a song is always sung during the Arathi. This song in praise of Lord Hanuman is written by … [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...]

Dasara Procession in Mysore
Vijayadashami being the last day of the celebrations, a grand Jamboo Savari/procession passes through the streets of the city. The main attraction here is the idol of the goddess Chamundeshwari placed … [Read More...]

Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya means infinite or never ending. Akshaya Trithiya festival falls on the third day of the Hindu month Vaishakha, April-May in Gregorian calendar. This festival is also known as Akha … [Read More...]

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...]
