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
Palak Spread Dosa
Palak Spread Dosa is Pancakes/Crepes with Spinach and Onion topping. It is a great way to make children eat Spinach. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Gazpacho Soup
Gazpacho soup is prepared using raw vegetables and served cold. This recipes is originally from southern Spain and great to serve during Summer. Cuisine: Spain Time required: 15 … [Read More...]
Coconut Rose Burfi – Nariyal Gulab Burfi Recipe – Thengu Gulabi Mithai Recipe
Wish you all a very happy Dasara! Here is a recipe for a rosy start to the Navratri festival. This delicious sweet dish is easy to make and can be prepared during any festival. Time required: … [Read More...]
Balehannina Payasa Recipe – Banana Payasa Recipe – Plantain Pudding Recipe
Tomorrow is Hindu New Year - Ugadi. This festival is celebrated by worshiping god and eating Neem flowers mixed with Jaggery signifying the bitter-sweet experiences of life. Festival food … [Read More...]
Steamed Vegetables tossed in Herbs
An easy to prepare and healthy dish. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Cauliflower Florets 1 Cup String Beans, cut into 1” pieces 2 Carrots, Peeled and Chopped 1 Potato, … [Read More...]
Kharjoor Yellu Holige – Dates and Sesame Seeds Stuffed Bread – Kharjoor Till Poli
Kharjoor Yellu Holige is prepared using dates and sesame seeds. A stuffing is prepared using dates and sesame seeds and this is stuffed inside the dough and rolled out. A very tasty and … [Read More...]
Vaggarane Avalakki – Poha South Indian Style – Beaten Rice in Seasoning
A dish prepared using Poha/Flattened Rice. Vaggarane Avalakki is extremely tasty and much sought after to be prepared for breakfast. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 40 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Potato Salad
Potato Salad is a meal by itself. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 3 - 4 Potatoes, boiled and peeled 1 Small Onion, Chopped finely 1 tbsp Mustard Sauce 1 tsp Split Yellow … [Read More...]
Travel
Kurinji Andavar Murugan Temple
When I heard about this temple, I wanted to visit as a flower name was associated with the deity. Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple is situated in Kodaikanal on a hillock surrounded by Kurinji flower … [Read More...]
North Goa Beaches
The 131 Kms of Goa coastline is dotted with beautiful beaches fringed by palm trees, carpeted by soft sand and soaked by the Arabian Sea. It is an ideal destination for beach lovers. Picture1 - … [Read More...]
Mavinakere
I had a strong desire to visit our family deity Sri Ranganatha Swamy also known as Mavinakere Ranga in Mavinakere and I could fulfill this desire last year. I had heard that we have to trek on a … [Read More...]
Kalapathar Beach – Havelock Island
If you want an example of a breath-taking beach, it is Kalapathar Beach – Havelock Island. Kalapathar means Black Rocks and an adjoining village is also known as Kalapathar. Emerald … [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...]
Madurai
Madurai is a city in Tamil Nadu located on the banks of River Vaigai. The river runs in the middle of the city dividing it into two equal halves. Sirumalai and Nagamalai hills lie to the North and … [Read More...]
Kolluru Mookambika Temple
Amongst the hills of Kodachadri and on the bank of river Sourpanika is the 1200 years old temple of Kolluru Mookambika in Udupi district. The presiding deity of this Shree Kshetra is Mookambika who is … [Read More...]
Festivals
Ashada Shukravara
Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) pooja / ritual is performed on all the Fridays of the Hindu month of Aashada, July-Aug in Gregorian calendar. This year (2020) Aashada starts on 22nd June and the … [Read More...]
Bheemana Amavasya – Gandana Pooje – Gandana Habba
This festival is also known as Jyothirbheemeshwara Vrata and Pathi Sanjeevini Vratha and it is mentioned in Skaanda Purana (Skanda Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text, is … [Read More...]
Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhane
Picture1 - Sri Raghavendra Swamy Pujyaya Raghavendraya | Satyadharma Ratayacha | Bhajatam Kalpavrikshaya | Namathaam Kamadhenave || O divine Sri Raghavendra Swamy I salute you - the one who … [Read More...]
Makara Sankranti
Sankranthi is a harvest festival and “Sankranthi” means movement. It is a celebration of the sun entering from the zodiac sign Dhanur/Sagittarius into Makara/Capricorn. So this Makara Sankranti … [Read More...]
Glory of Lord Mailaralinga – Mailaralinga Mahatme Haadu – Khandoba Mahima Geet
The glory of Lord Mailaralinga's song in Kannada has been sung by my mother's immediate and extended family for decades. This song was taught by a relative called Sri Shankar who lived with my … [Read More...]
Saraswathi Prarthane – Prayer to Goddess Saraswathi
Today is Saraswathi Pooja, which is part of Navrathri celebrations. This is a prarthane (prayer) to Goddess Saraswathi written by my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil in 1969. ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ಕಂದ … [Read More...]
Sri Vadirajara Aradhane
Vadirajatirtharu is one of the greatest saints belonging to the Madhwa Brahmin sect. He was born in 1480 on Magha (February) Shudda Dwadashi to a Shivalli Tulu Brahmin couple, Ramabhatta and Gowri in … [Read More...]
