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
Crispy Calocassia
This is a shallow fried snack using Calocassia tuber. This dish is also known as Podi in coastal regions of Karnataka. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 6 – 8 Calocassia / … [Read More...]
Alu Gobi – Aloo Gobi Recipe – Potato Cauliflower Recipe
A very popular Punjabi side dish prepared using Potatoes and Cauliflower. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 medium sized Cauliflower 3 Potatoes, Peeled and Chopped 2 … [Read More...]
Praline – Dry Fruits Chikki Recipe – Dry Fruits Bar Recipe
Praline is prepared using sugar and nuts. This is used in cakes, pastries, and ice creams. Time Required: 10 minutes Ingredients: 1Cup Almonds or Cashew nuts, Pistachios 1Cup … [Read More...]
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Strawberry Spinach Salad is an interesting combination of Strawberry and Spinach. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Chopped Strawberries Few tender Spinach leaves, torn into … [Read More...]
Flat Noodles tossed in Vegetables
Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 250 gms Flat Noodles 2tbsp Oil 1 Small Capsicum, cut into juliennes 1 Cup Shredded Cabbage 1 Carrot, Sliced thinly 2tbsp Chili Sauce 2tbsp Soya … [Read More...]
Phulka – Plain Indian Bread – Roti Recipe
Phulka is plain Indian bread. This is the most common main course at Indian homes. A very filling and healthy food, this is great to pack for office or school. Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Badanekayi Gojju
Badanekayi Gojju is a sweet and tangy dish prepared using Brinjal/Egg Plant. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: ¼ Kg Blue Birnjal/Egg Plant 7 – 8 Green … [Read More...]
Doodhi Kofta Curry – Bottle Gourd Balls in Gravy Recipe – Lauki Kofta Curry
Doodhi Kofta Curry is a side dish where Bottle Gourd balls are deep fried and cooked in a gravy. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 500 gms … [Read More...]
Travel
Shopping and eating out in Udupi
When you hear the word Udupi, dosas, idlis, mangaluru bun and bhajji, comes to your mind as the restaurants run by the people from Udupi are very popular. But, when you actually visit Udupi, you hear … [Read More...]
Havelock Island
As we cruised from Port Blair to Havelock Island, I looked forward to fulfill my dream to snorkel, sea walk, and scuba dive. Not limited to only these activities, Havelock Island has a lot to offer to … [Read More...]
Vidurashwatha
Legends and Indian history has been etched in this small village called Vidurashwatha in Karnataka. There is a huge Peepal tree with a shrine that is worshiped by people who flock this place. … [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...]
Harihareshwara Temple, Harihar
The Harihareshwara temple built in 1223–1224 by Polalva, a commander and minister of the Hoysala Empire King Vira Narasimha II is situated in Harihar / Harihara, Karnataka dedicated to Hari-hara / … [Read More...]
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...]
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
The best part of our trip to Chikmagalur district last summer was the time spent at the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is one of the best forest reserves that we have been to and would love … [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...]
Karthika Somavaragalu
Kantheyasya Lasathkaala Garalam Gangaajalam Masthake Giriraajaraja Thanayaa Jaaya Bhavaani Sathi Nandi Skanda Ganaadhiraaja Sahithaa Sri Vishwanaatha Prabhu Kashi Mandira Samsthithokhila … [Read More...]
Lohri festival in Punjab – Makara Shankranthi – Harvest Festival
Makara Shankranthi is called as Lohri in Punjab. It is one of the major festivals of Punjab. It is celebrated with great pomp and show. This festival falls on Chaturdashi i.e., the 14th day in the … [Read More...]
Halloween
Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31. This celebration was started in Ireland by the Celts 2000 years ago. It is a believed that on this day the ghosts of the dead return to earth. … [Read More...]
Shravana Shukravara Pooja
Shravana Shukravara Pooja is also known as Sampath Shukravara vratha. This is performed in the Hindu month of Shravana, July – August in Gregorian calendar dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi / Gowri. … [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...]
Mahalaya Amavasya
15 days of the Hindu month is considered as Pitra Paksha, which are days dedicated to ancestors. It occurs in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada i.e. September-October in the Gregorian calendar. For the … [Read More...]
