Kashivishwanatha / Lord Shiva Temple is the most flamboyant of all the temples in Lakkundi with intricate designs carved on the shikara / towers and the doorways. Kashivishwanatha … [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...]
Kodanad View Point, Kotagiri
When in Kotagiri it is a must to the Kodanadu View Point. It is a place that one can spend hours looking at the rolling hills and valleys. Kodanadu View Point is 20 km drive from Kotagiri … [Read More...]
Flowering Tobacco
I was surprised that there is a flowering version of Tobacco. Tobacco is largely grown in K.R.Nagar area. During my birding trip, I have come across large acres of land growing Tobacco and … [Read More...]
Quinoa Buddha Bowl
Quinoa Buddha Bowl is a bowl teeming with fibre and protein. Various tastes and textures form this bowl to satiate the soul. Ingredients: 1 Cup Cooked Quinoa with Salt 1 Cup Purple … [Read More...]
India loves to pose – 58
India loves to pose series contains random pictures of people in different moods and gears captured during a moment in their story. I believe that behind every face lies a story. Young India is … [Read More...]
Patchwork frame making – Snow White and Seven Dwarfs
When kids during summer holidays we used to be engaged making a lot of arts and crafts. There was not continuous TV nor mobile phones. Here is one art work that I made using material … [Read More...]
April 2026 Hints
Clean window tracks by pressing paper towels into the groove and pour half a cup of water and slide the window. Remove the paper towel. Your tracks will be clean. To make a paper towel … [Read More...]
Watermelon Sparkler
Fruit juice with soda adds the right spirit to the mood. Here is a simple cool watermelon sparkler recipe to keep you cool and your spirits high! Ingredients: Watermelon juice with or without … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026 are as follows: Chaitra (March - April) Ugadi/Gudi Padwa - Sri Parabhava Nama Samvatsaram - 19 March 2026 Gangaur - 4 March … [Read More...]
Kotagiri
Kotagiri is small hill town situated in Nilgiris biosphere at an elevation of 1793 meters above sea level. The famous Longwood Shola forests are part of this biosphere. Kotagiri is one of the … [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...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Masala Channa Dal – Crisp Spicy Chikpea Recipe
Masala Channa Dal is deep fried Bengal Gram (Chikpea) tossed in spices. This can be made into a Chaat too. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 10 Minutes + Soaking time Caution to … [Read More...]
Batata Dosa – Alu Dosa Recipe – Aloo Dosa Recipe – Potato Dosa Recipe
Batata Dosa / Pan Cakes / Crepes are prepared using Potatoes and Rice. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Time + Fermenting Time Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice 2 Medium Sized Batata … [Read More...]
Sattu Ki Paratha
Stuffed Indian bread prepared using roasted chik pea (channa) flour. This type of bread is very popular in Bihar. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Sattu Ki Atta / Roasted Chik … [Read More...]
Fruit Custard
Fruit custard is a favorite while growing up. With Ice-cream it would be the must loved Fruit Salad with Ice-cream! Time Required: 40 Minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 1 Apple 2 Banana 1 … [Read More...]
Potato Wedges
Everyone loves potatoes fried in Oil and this is another favorite tossed in aromatic herbs. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Potatoes Oil for deep-frying 1tbsp Wheat Flour 2tbsp … [Read More...]
Masala Guntpongalu – Masala Paddu Recipe – Masala Guliappa
Another variation can be created of the humble Guntpongalu by adding some ingredients to perk it up. This does not need any accompaniment. Guntpongalu is a dosa in the shape of a ball. This is also … [Read More...]
Watermelon Juice
A very cool juice...perfect during summers. Time Required: 15 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 4 Cups Watermelon Cubes, De seeded 4 - 6tbsp Sugar ½tsp Pepper A pinch of Kala Namak/Black … [Read More...]
Sabudana Dosa – Sago Dosa – Sabakki Dosa – Sago Crepe Recipe
Pancakes prepared using pearl sago. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 2 Cups Sabudana / Sabbakki / Seemeakki / Pearl Sago 3 Cups Curds / Yogurt ½ Cup Rice … [Read More...]
Travel
Bangalore – Bengaluru
Bangalore is the capital city of Karnataka and IT capital of India. Kempegowda was a Palegar of Vijayanagar empire who found Bangalore by chance and named the city Benda kalooru (the place where the … [Read More...]
Aloka Palace, Mysore
I visited Aloka Palace near Yelwal, Mysore as part of my son’s summer camp outing few decades back. I visited again to take pictures and to know more about the place. A bit disappointing as there … [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...]
Birds of Puttenahalli Lake
Being a nature loving family, we are always exploring places to trek or bird watch. With hectic work and study schedules, these getaways take a back seat. A visit to Puttenahalli Lake was refreshing … [Read More...]
Devil’s Kitchen, Kodaikanal
Per our itinerary we headed off to the Devil’s Kitchen in Kodaikanal not knowing what to expect. After parking the car and a short hike uphill are caves and tranches that is mysterious and dangerous. … [Read More...]
Moti Dungri Fort, Jaipur
Moti Dungri means Hills of Pearls and Moti Dungri Fort, Jaipur forms the backdrop for the beautiful Birla Mandir. The fortress was called Shankargarh (Shiva’s Home). Sawai Man Singh II … [Read More...]
Manikyadhara Falls
Manikyadhara falls also known as Nellikayi Theertha is situated 1 km from Baba Budan Giri Dattatreya Peetha, Chikkamagalur, Karnataka. The water that falls down is in the form of droplets and they … [Read More...]
Festivals
Festival dates in Phalgun month – February and March 2026
Festival dates in Phalgun month – February and March 2026 Phālgun (February – March) Sri Raghavendra Swami Jayanthi – 24 February 2026 Holi – 2 to 4 March 2026 … [Read More...]
Mannethithina Amavasya
Manneththina Amavasya, “mannu” means mud; “yeththu” in Kannada means bullocks and “Amavasya” means no moon day. This festival is celebrated in North Karnataka, and bullocks made of mud are worshiped … [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...]
Dasara Procession and Torch Light Parade during the reign of the Wodeyars
Picture1 - Illuminated Mysore Palace Mysore Dasara procession during the Maharajah’s rule used to be on a larger scale and grander. My grandparents and parents generation go on and on … [Read More...]
Shravana Shanivara
In Mysore every Saturday during the Hindu month of Shravana, July - August in Gregorian calendar, young boys wearing dhoti with a cotton bag hanging on their shoulders and a prominent naama / tilak on … [Read More...]
21 Patra Pooja to Lord Ganesha
21 types of Patra (leaves), 21 types of Pushpa (flowers), and 21 Kadabu or Modaka (sweets) are offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chathurthi and Sankashta Chaturthi. Just before the festivities … [Read More...]
Nagara Panchami
Nagara Panchami Nadige doddadu Naada Naadiyar Kodona Naada Naadiyar Kodona | Gelathi| Naagappage Haalu Hoyyona || The above Kannada song is sung during Nagara Panchami festival. The … [Read More...]
