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

Tomato Churmuri – Tomato Salad Recipe – Street Food Recipe
Tomato Churmuri is a tasty evening snack prepared using raw vegetables. It is also a great snack for calorie watchers. Time Required: 25 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 4 Tomatoes 2 … [Read More...]

Instant Garlic Bread
Time Required: 10 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 4 Bread Slices 8 Garlic Pods, Crushed 2tbsp Butter Method: Heat Butter and add Garlic and sauté for a minute or two. Spread a spoonful … [Read More...]

Dry Fruits Burfi – Sugarless Burfi – Dates Nuts Seeds Burfi – Less Calorie Dessert
Happy Deepavali to all my readers! Let us celebrate this Diwali with a healthy and delicious sweet dish without sugar. This dish is nutritious as it is prepared using using only dry fruits, … [Read More...]

Masala Vegetable Noodles
Instant noodles with vegetables. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 3 Packets instant Noodles 2 Packets Noodles Masala/seasoning sachets 2tbsp Oil 1 Cup Tomato … [Read More...]

Paneer Patties – Cottage Cheese Patties Recipe
Paneer Patties are prepared using Cottage Cheese. The crispy texture on the outside and spiced and crumbled Paneer when you dig in is the right snack to have in the evenings. Cuisine: North … [Read More...]

Hagalkayi Podi – Bitter Gourd Chips – Karela Chips Recipe
Bitter Gourd chips. This is an authentic recipe from South Canara. Podi is served with Rice and Rasam or Sambar. Time Required: 10 Minutes + Resting Time Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]

Masala Thepla – Indian Flat Bread – Methi Chapathi – Methi Roti Recipe
Masala Thepla is a type of bread prepared in Gujarat. This has a long shelf life and is very suitable to carry while travelling. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]

Gujjia – Mawa Gujjia – Khova Nuts Gujjia Recipe – Gujiya Recipe – Gujjiya Recipe
Evaporated milk is mixed with an assortment of nuts and sugar and filled into a wrap and deep fried. The fried Gujia is dipped in sugar syrup and served. Gujjia is prepared during the … [Read More...]
Travel

City Palace Jaipur
City Palace Jaipur, as the name indicates, the magnificent palace is situated in the heart of old Jaipur city. The City Palace Jaipur is a fine example of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The … [Read More...]

Maravanthe Beach
On our Karnataka coastal temple trip, my husband insisted on driving up to the Maravanthe beach. The drive was spectacular with the Arabian Sea lashing on one side of the road and the Saurpanika River … [Read More...]

Panambur Beach Mangalore
Panambur Beach Mangalore is maintained by a private company and is a fun place to go with family and friends. The port is also situated nearby. The Gurupura River joins the Arabian Sea here. … [Read More...]

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Sri Ranganatha is the presiding deity of the ancient temple at Srirangapattana. Picture1 - Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary Islands “Thittu” means a small mount / rise. Ranganathittu means … [Read More...]

Ooty
Whether you call this place Ooty, Ootacamund, Udhagai or Udaghamandalam the title best suited for this place is “Queen of hill stations”, which is the capital of Nilgiris district. Picture1 - … [Read More...]

Bryant Park Kodaikanal
Bryant Park is a botanical garden spread over 20.5 acres of land in Kodaikanal. The park is named after a forest officer from Madurai, H.D.Bryant who planned and built the park in … [Read More...]

Sri Siddhivinayaka Temple – Hattiangadi
Sri Siddhivinayaka Temple – Hattiangadi attracts thousands of visitors around the year from all parts of the world. Hattiangadi is a village in Udupi district and was the capital of Alupa Kings. The … [Read More...]
Festivals

Ele Ashtami – Jesta Devi Pooja
This festival is celebrated widely in North Karnataka. This festival falls on the 8th day of the Hindu month Bhadrapada, August – September of Gregorian calendar. For the festival dates click … [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...]

Rakhsha Bandhan
Rakhsha Bandhan festival is a celebration of the brother-sister bonding, celebrated mainly in North India. It falls on Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu moth of Shravana. August - September … [Read More...]

Dasara Gombe – Dolls Arrangement 2023
The best part of Navratri / Dushehra / Dasara celebrations in Mysuru was visiting neighbour's homes for the Gombe Arathi (doll arrangement / Golu) and enjoying the traditional and delicious sweets and … [Read More...]

Ugadi, Hindu New Year
Ugadi, the name is split into Uga + Adi = Ugadi. Uga means Year and Adi means first in Sanskrit as well as in Kannada. The first day of the year is Ugadi, Hindu New Year. This falls in the Hindu month … [Read More...]

Teej Festival
Teej festival is celebrated in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, and Nepal. This festival is commemorating the day when Goddess Parvathi reunited with Lord Shiva after 108 births. In her 108th birth, Lord … [Read More...]

Ayudha Puja
Ayudha Pooja is a celebration during Dasara. On this day the weapons used during war were worshiped in the palace. The common people worship machines, implements and vehicles at home, factories and … [Read More...]
