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
Batura – Bhatura Recipe – Chole Bhature Recipe
Deep fried bread prepared using refined flour. This dish is incomplete without Channa / Chole a side dish prepared using Chik peas. Chole Bature or Channa Batura always go hand in hand. Cuisine: … [Read More...]
Pudina Khajur Chutney
Mint and palm Dates chutney. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 bunch Pudina/Mint leaves 6 Khajur/Dates 2” piece Tamarind 3 Green Chilies ½ tsp Jeera Powder Salt to … [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...]
Golgappa Puri – Puri for Pani Puri
Golgappa Puri are small puffed deep fried fritters used to fill different kinds of tasty, tangy concoctions and served. The popular street food Chaats or Chats use these puris. Pani Puri, is the … [Read More...]
Gilki Ki Subzi – Ridge Gourd Side Dish Recipe – Heerekayi Palya
Gilki Ki Subzi is prepared using Ridge Gourd. A very simple recipe and quick to make for those days when you want to get out of the kitchen soon yet serve a delicious and nutritious dish for the … [Read More...]
Shavige Payasa
Shavige Payasa is vermicelli cooked in milk, which is also called as Kheer. This is prepared during festivals and auspicious occasions. My mom makes the best in the world! Required Time: 20 … [Read More...]
Plain Kulcha
Indian Bread using refined flour. Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Maida 1tbsp Curds ½ Cup Milk ¼ tsp Soda-bi-carb / Cooking Soda 1tsp Sugar 1tbsp Oil 1tsp Chili … [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
Rajasthan
The meaning of the name of the largest state of India, Rajasthan is “land of the kings”. It is also the land of sun, sand, songs and dance. The history, culture, art, landscapes and cuisine are rich … [Read More...]
Mysore Outfit
A founder member of one of the oldest law colleges in Mysore – Sarada Vilas Law College my grandfather, lawyer by profession attended the law courts in Mysore for decades wearing the traditional … [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...]
Varadahalli
Varadahalli also known as Varadapura is situated 6 Kms from Sagar, Shimoga district of Karnataka. This divine place in the midst of pristine natural surroundings of the Western ghats was the chosen … [Read More...]
Mini Forest in J.P.Nagar Bangalore – Bengaluru
At a walkable distance from our house is a Mini forest maintained by the forest department. Picture1 - Mini Forest An early morning walk inside the mini forest delighted us with sights and … [Read More...]
Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve
Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve is in Tumakuru district close to Maidenahalli. The reserve is spread over 798 acres of grassland and trees like Acacia and Eucalyptus. The forest … [Read More...]
World of Mysore Pak – Mysuru
Blend of new with heritage can be seen only in the city of palaces, Mysuru. If done aesthetically imbibing the old with the new, the presentation is sure to catch the imagination of Mysooreans … [Read More...]
Festivals
New Year Celebrations
Communities following Gregorian calendar celebrate New Year on 1st January every year. The year counter also gets incremented on this day. Though people following different calendars celebrate New … [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...]
Naga Rangoli – Snake Floor Design
The Naga rangolis / patterns shown below are drawn on Nagara Chauthi and Nagara Panchami festivals. Click on the image to see a bigger image. Rangoli drawn on Nagara Chauthi: Rangoli … [Read More...]
Mangala Gowri Vratha
Mangala Gowri Vratha / religious observance is mentioned in the Bhavishyoththara Purana / Hindu religious texts and is performed by newly married girls for the first five years of their married … [Read More...]
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...]
Kiratha Arjuna – Shabara Shankara
One of Lord Shiva’s statues in Nanjanagud is Kiratha Arjuna – Shabara Shankara statue. The character of KiraAthaArjuna is introduced in the Aranya Parva (forest section) of the great epic … [Read More...]
Rathasapthami
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South … [Read More...]
