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
Carrot Payasa
Carrot Payasa is a delicious surprise that mom would make during festivals. Unsuspecting children will love this rich in vitamins payasa. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Sweet Corn Cheese Topping
Topping with sweet corn and cheese goes very well with hash browns, Nachos, bread toast, and on Papdi! Cuisine: Continental Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1bsp Oil 1tsp Cumin … [Read More...]
Beerakaya Fry – Ridge Gourd Stir Fry – Heerekayi Palya – Turai Subzi
Beerakaya Fry is a side dish prepared using Ridge Gourd / Heerekayi. Cuisine: Andhra Pradesh Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Beerakaya / Ridge Gourd / Heerekayi, Peeled and … [Read More...]
Ker Sangri – Dried Beans Side Dish – Rajastani Kandi Subzi Recipe
This is one of the most authentic dishes of Rajasthan. I made a point to taste this dish when in Rajasthan. I also bought the dried Ker and Sangri and prepared this dish at home. The Ker is a wild … [Read More...]
Tossed Salad
Tossed salad is easy to make and is extremely healthy. I always make this as everybody in the house likes the colors in the salad. This salad goes well with any of the Indian Bread. Time … [Read More...]
Tahini Paste
Tahini paste is prepared using Sesame seeds. Cuisine: Mediterranean Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: ½ Cup Toasted Sesame Seeds 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil Juice of half … [Read More...]
Gujarati Kadhi
Gujarati Kadhi is a yogurt based dish very popular in Gujarat. Time Required: 10 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 6 Cups Buttermilk 2tbsp Gram Flour 2tsp Sugar Coriander leaves for … [Read More...]
Dahi Bhalla Recipe – North Indian Dahi Vada – Dahi Bhalle
Dahi Bhalla is a sweety, tangy dish prepared using lentil fritters and served with layers of Yogurt and exotic chutneys. Cuisine: Punjab Time Required: 25 Minutes + Soaking … [Read More...]
Travel
Delhi
Delhi is an Indian state and comprises of Old Delhi and New Delhi. New Delhi was officially declared as the Capital of India after Indian independence in 1947. Delhi shares its borders with Haryana, … [Read More...]
Birds of Byndoor
Byndoor is a beautiful coastal town in Udupi district, Karnataka. This place was also known as Bindupura and is famous for the Byndoor Beach, Someshwara Beach, Kosalli Falls, and Ottinene Sunset … [Read More...]
Chain Tree
Chain Tree in Lakkidi, Wayanad was extremely intriguing and many types of trees trained to grow like chains came to my mind. Just before we left the resort for the sightseeing, the manager of the … [Read More...]
Soochipara Falls
Soochipara Wateralls is also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls situated in the forests of Vellarimala, Wayanad district, Kerala. Soochi in Malayalam means needle and Para means rock and so … [Read More...]
Sharavathi River Valley View
The most beautiful valley award in the Western Ghats without doubt goes to Sharavathi River valley. This valley is rich in bio-diversity and is nestled in the central Western Ghats of Shimoga … [Read More...]
Keladi Rameshwara Temple
The Keladi Rameshwara temple complex built by the Nayakas in Keladi is a must visit to experience the Malanadu architecture. The wooden pillars supporting the sloping roof welcome you to into a huge … [Read More...]
Ranakpur
Never knew a place called Ranakpur existed until we made our trip to Rajasthan. We would have missed a beautiful experience, if not for the enthusiasm of our driver to take us to this awesome place as … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
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...]
Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya means infinite or never ending. Akshaya Trithiya festival falls on the third day of the Hindu month Vaishakha, April-May in Gregorian calendar. This festival is also known as Akha … [Read More...]
Hanuman Jayanthi
"Manojavam Maruthathulya Vegam Jitendriyam Budhdhi Mathaam Varishtam Vaathathmajam Vaanarayutha Mukhyam Srirama Dootham Sharanam Prapadye" The above sthotra/chanting, is part of the Sri … [Read More...]
Sri Krishna Song – Arathi Song
Happy Sri Krishna Janmashtami dear readers. Like Sri Krishna heard Draupadi's cries for help, let us hope and pray that he comes down to earth and help us by getting rid of the pandemic very … [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...]
Hanuman Arathi Song – Hanumanthana Aarathi Haadu – Devotional Song
Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated in April in North India and in December in South India. North or South a song is always sung during the Arathi. This song in praise of Lord Hanuman is written by … [Read More...]
