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
Double Beans Pulao
Rice cooked with Double Beans and spices. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Basmati Rice 1 Cup Double Beans 2 – 3 Bay leaves 2 Onions Sliced 2 Green … [Read More...]
Onion Chili Sauce
This Chinese accompaniment goes well when served with a range of Chinese dishes like Fried Rice, Noodles, Crispy Vegetables etc., Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 small Onion, … [Read More...]
Kavalikayi Uppinakayi – Karonda Pickle
Kavalikayi is also known as Karonda, Natal Plum, or Carissa. The fruit is small and oval in shape with a sharp taste. Perfect for pickling! Time Required: 20 Minutes + Maturing … [Read More...]
Sihi Kumbalakayi Palya – Sweet Pumpkin Stir Fry – Kaddu Dry Sabzi – Thoran
A side dish prepared using Sweet Pumpkin. This is a very common dish served in Rayara Mutta / Sri Raghavendra Swamy temple. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 500 gms Sihi … [Read More...]
Maida Chakkali – Chakkali with refined flour
Maida Chakkali savory is prepared using refined flour. Children love Chakkali and usually put it on their finger and pretend that it is the Sudarshana chakra. This also shows how Mahabharatha … [Read More...]
Gud Papdi – Aate Ki Barfi Recipe – Sukhdi Recipe – Wheat Burfi – Gur Papdi Recipe
Gud Papdi is a sweet dish prepared using Wheat Flour and Jaggery. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Wheat Flour 1/2 Cup Ghee/Clarified Butter 1 Cup Grated Jaggery 1tsp … [Read More...]
Mango Ice Cream – Mango Icecream Recipe
I learnt this in the ice cream classes that I attended. Follow the recipe and I assure you that the flavor and texture of the mango ice cream will be great! Ingredients: 3 Cups Milk 1 … [Read More...]
Garlic Chaat Chutney – Chaat Chutney – Garlic Chutney for Chat
Garlic Chaat Chutney can be prepared and stored in refrigerator. This Chutney can be used on Chaats along with Green and Sweet Chutney to enhance the taste of Chaat. Ingredients: 10 … [Read More...]
Travel
Padubidri
Padubidri is situated on the west coast of Karnataka in Udupi District. It is famous for the ancient temples, festivals, Padubidri end point, and the Padubidri beach. In Tulu language it is … [Read More...]
Kishkinda Moolika Bonsai Garden Mysore
You will be delighted to find a bonsai garden of international standard in the city of palaces: Mysore. Kishkinda Moolika Bonsai garden is in Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Ashrama and houses many … [Read More...]
Tipu Sultan Summer Palace
A palace for different seasons could only be afforded by the kings and queens. Every historic place you visit, you will have palaces built on hills or lakes to beat the summer heat, on flat lands to … [Read More...]
Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry
“As I had when I came from Japan: I was on the boat, at sea, not expecting anything, when all of a sudden, abruptly, about two nautical miles from Pondicherry, the quality, I may even say the physical … [Read More...]
Idagunji temple
Karnataka coastal region has many famous temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. Many temples on this coast are dedicated to Lord Ganesha. There is a belief that you are blessed if you visit … [Read More...]
Bangalore Fort – Bengaluru Fort
It took me few years to realize that Bangalore has an ancient fort, which was open to public. Bangalore fort was built by the founder of Bengaluru Kempe Gowda I in 1537 using mud. Kempe Gowda was a … [Read More...]
Birds of Maravanthe Coast
A trip to Maravanthe, coastal Karnataka was full of surprises. We went on a boat trip to an island that was submerged during the monsoons with great anticipation to spot Dolphins. We spotted only … [Read More...]
Festivals
Gombe Habba – Forest Arrangement
During Dasara, many households had the ritual of arranging dolls in the house for 9 days in Mysore region. This would bring out a lot of creativeness among the people. The … [Read More...]
Guru Poornima
Guru Poornima is the auspicious day of worshiping the Guru/Master falls on Poornima, which is the full moon day in the Hindu season of Ashada. July - August in the Gregorian calendar. This … [Read More...]
Swathi Nakshatra Saraswathi Pooja 2024
As children, we would feel very important on the day of Saraswathi Pooja during Dasara. On this day, our books would be stacked in front of Goddess Saraswathi Photograph and we would all worship … [Read More...]
Swarna Gowri Vratha – Gowri Habba – Gowri Festival
Swarna Gowri Vratha/Pooja is celebrated by girls and women in Karnataka and Andhara Pradesh. Goddess Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha. This festival falls in the hindu month of Bhadrapada, August - … [Read More...]
Ganesha Aarathi Song
This is a aarathi song dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Kannada Script: ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಚಂದದ ಆರತಿ ತಂದು ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ಸುಂದರ ನಿನ್ನಯ ಚರಣ ಕಮಲಕೆ ವಂದಿಸಿ ಬೇಡುವೆ ಸಿಂದೂರ ವದನ ಬಂದು ಕರುಣಿಸೋ … [Read More...]
Mangala Drowya and Pooje Samaanu
Mangala Drowya and Pooje Samaanu means sacred items used on auspicious occasions like marriage rituals, upanayana (sacred thread ceremony), shrimantha (arathi to pregnant women), namakarna (naming … [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...]
