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

Pudina Tomato Chutney
Pudina Tomato Chutney is a chutney prepared using Mint leaves and Tomato. Tomato adds a tang to the chutney. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 2 bunches Pudina Ki Patte/Mint … [Read More...]

Vegetable Bonda – Vegetable Stuffed Fritters Recipe – Fried Vegetable Dumplings Recipe
Balls of mashed Vegetablesand spices dipped in batter and deep fried. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: Oil for deep frying For the filling: 3 Potatoes 1 Cup Beans, Carrot, and … [Read More...]

Sweet Corn and Cheese Paratha
Indian bread stuffed with sweet corn and cheese. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: Oil for roasting For Filling: ½ Cup Grated Mozzarella Cheese 1 Cup Sweet Corn kernels 1 Big Red … [Read More...]

Jolada Mudde
Jolada Mudde is Jowar/Sorghum flour balls served with a spicy curry. Cuisine: North Karnataka and Maharashtra Time Required: 5 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 Cup … [Read More...]

Green Chili Sauce
The fresh flavor of Chilies in this sauce stings your tongue to perfection when eaten with Momos or steamed Wontons. Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 2tbsp Sugar ½ … [Read More...]

Jamun Jam – Jamun Jelly Recipe
Jamun Jam is a preserve prepared using the Jamun fruit. My mother loves to make this as she says the Jamun fruit is best for Jelly as it has the right amount of Pectin. She knows exactly … [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...]

Kiwi Soufflé
After a hearty bread based meal, Kiwi soufflé is apt to be served as a dessert. Cuisine: French Time Required: 45 minutes Ingredients: 200 gms Whipping Cream 2tbsp Sugar ½ Cup Kiwi … [Read More...]
Travel

Kaudiyala, Uttarakhand
Kaudiyala is situated 37 Km from Rishikesh and it is famous for white water rafting on the Ganges. The flow of Ganges is glorious here. You can see many young people camping here waiting impatiently … [Read More...]

Male Mahadeshwara Hills – M M Hills
During growing up years in Mysore, pilgrims who could not afford the bus fare to Male Mahadeshwara Hills would walk on roads singing in praise of the saint Male Mahadeshwara with a small bhajan cymbal … [Read More...]

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...]

Sagarkatte, Mysore
The best part of the monsoon season is that the dams open their gates when full and the waterfalls and the backwaters along the river’s journey to meet the sea are fed with immeasurable water to … [Read More...]

Temples of Goa
You will be surprised to know that there are some beautiful and ancient temples dedicated to Hindu gods in Goa. Not so surprising either as the residents of Goa before the Portuguese came in were all … [Read More...]

Wayanad Heritage Museum
Wayanad Heritage Museum is situated in Ambalvayal, Wayanad, Kerala. A very well maintained museum, it displays the 14th to 16th century artifacts. You can peek into the lifestyle of the different … [Read More...]

Kerala
State of Kerala known as God’s own country is situated to the south west of India. Capital of Kerala is Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). Kerala with its moderate climate throughout the year is … [Read More...]
Festivals

Pattada Gombe Alankara
Pattada Gombe in Kannada means, the royal dolls and Alankara means decoration. Many households have a custom of arranging dolls during Dasara festival in Mysore and distribute sweet and savories to … [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...]

Ganapathi Bappa Morya!
During the Visarjane of Genesha idol after the celebration of Ganesha festival, it is common to hear people hollering “Ganapthi Bappa Morya” in North Karnataka and Maharashtra. In this post the … [Read More...]

Song in the glory of Lord Shiva
This devotional song on Lord Shiva sung during the Aarathi. ಶಿವನ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ಮಾರಾನಮರ್ದನಾಗೆ ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ನಂದೀ ವಾಹವಗೆ। ರಂಭೆಯೇರು ಚಂದದಿಂದ|| ಮುಂಗುರುಳಿನಲ್ಲೆ ಚಂದ್ರನ್ ಧರಸೀದವಗೇ … [Read More...]

Mysore Dasara Procession in Black and White
Wish you all a very happy Dasara! This Dasara procession photograph was part of my grandfather's collection. The photograph was probably taken between 1930 - 1935. … [Read More...]

Lakshmi Devotional Song – Arathi Hymn – Varamahalakshmi Festival
This devotional song was sung by my mother's aunt during arathi to Goddess Lakshmi. You can use any tune suitable to sing this song. In Kannada script: ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಸುಕಾಂತೆರಾರತಿ … [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...]
