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

Hot Cucumber and Mint Soup
A soup that you can sip throughout the day. Time Required: 10 Minutes + Chilling time Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 Cucumber, Slices 1 Onion, Sliced 1/2 Cup Mint Leaves, Chopped 2 cloves … [Read More...]

Hirwi Mirchi cha Thecha – Green Chili with Peanuts stir fry – Mirchi Subzi
Hirwi Mirchi cha Thecha is also known as Mirchi Kharda and is prepared using Green Chili, Peanuts, and Garlic. Cuisine: Maharashtra Time required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 15 - 20 Green … [Read More...]

Cabbage Pakoda
Cabbage Pakoda are crispy cabbage fritters and the plates are sure to be wiped clean when served as a starter in parties. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Besan/Kadale … [Read More...]

Bandale Dose
Bandale in Kannada means a round bottomed wok/pan. The Dosa/pancake is prepared in these types of pans and hence the name. It is also called as "Dodna" by South Canara residents. I knew … [Read More...]

Lal, Pila Bhindi Subzi – Red Yellow Capsicum with Okra
There was a Red and Yellow Pepper along with some Okra in the fridge and I came up with this recipe using all of them. Thankfully everyone relished it with Phulkas. Time Required: 15 … [Read More...]

Thandai – Sardai Recipe – Dry Fruits Milkshake Recipe – Dry Fruits Smoothie Recipe
Thandai is a refreshing drink prepared using many dried fruits. Holi, the festival of colors ends with a drink of Thandai and it is also offered to Lord Shiva on Shivarathri. … [Read More...]

Seemebadanekayi Sippe Chutney – Chayote Squash Peel Chutney – Chow Chow Peel Chutney
Chutney prepared using Chayote peel. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: Peel of 1 Seemebadanekayi / Chayote Squash ½ Cup Grated Coconut 1tbsp Udinabele / Urad Dal/ Black Gram split 5 … [Read More...]

Grape Jam
I could not resist buying bunches of grapes on the way to Nandi Hills and my mom was more than willing to prepare the Grape Jam. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Grape Crush ½ … [Read More...]
Travel

Phantom Rock
Phantom Rock also known locally as Cheengeri Mala is a skull shaped rock on a metamorphic rocky hill. When we visited it was raining continuously and hence we could not attempt to climb the … [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...]

Law’s Waterfalls, Coonoor
Law’s waterfalls is situated on Coonoor Mettupalyam highway. Beautiful, no doubt, but very dangerous for people standing on the bridge to view the waterfalls. Heavy traffic on the highway makes … [Read More...]

Nishat Bagh Mysuru – Sunnada Kuppanna Park Mysore
You must be wondering how the Nishat Bagh (garden) in Srinagar has landed in Mysuru situated in South India. Well, the imagination of creating such gardens for the citizens of Mysuru city to enjoy was … [Read More...]

Madhuvana Mysore Royal Cemetery – Mysuru
Today is Mahalaya Amavasya and hence this post on Mysuru Royal Cemetery. Madhuvana Mysuru Royal Cemetery also known as Khasa Brindavana is where the royal members of the erstwhile Mysuru kingdom are … [Read More...]

Varakodu Varadaraja Temple
Varakodu Varadaraja Temple is situated in Varakodu village near Mysore. The huge granite temple was developed and expanded by the Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Kings and the Mysore Wodeyars. Varakodu … [Read More...]

Kodaikanal lake
The presence of a lake is always an add-on to the scenic locations especially in hill stations. It is a hub of activities like boating, horse riding, cycling, enjoying street food, and … [Read More...]
Festivals

Habbada Adige – Festival Food Recipes
Festivals are time for a variety of food to be cooked and relished by one and all at home. The Habbada Adige (festive food) is prepared without Onion and Garlic. In Karnataka, the following dishes are … [Read More...]

Dasara Procession in Mysore
Vijayadashami being the last day of the celebrations, a grand Jamboo Savari/procession passes through the streets of the city. The main attraction here is the idol of the goddess Chamundeshwari placed … [Read More...]

Rama Navami
Rama Navami is a festival celebrating the birth of Sri Rama, son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. “Yada Yadaa hi dharmasya gnanirbhavathi bharatha Abhyuththaana madharmasya thadathmaanam … [Read More...]

A thought on Saraswathi Pooja
ವಿದ್ಯೆಯ ಮಹತ್ವ ಒಡಲೊಳಗಿರುವದು ವಿದ್ಯೆಯು ನಡೆದರೆ ತಾಂಬರವಲ್ಲ ಕಳ್ಳರು ಕದಿಯರ್ ಪೊಡವಿಪರು ಕಸಿದು ಕೊಳ್ಳರ್ ವಡಹುಟ್ಟಿದವರು ಪಾಲು ಕೇಳರು ಕೇಳೈ Meaning: Knowledge is something that belong to you. Strangers … [Read More...]

Rathasapthami Rangoli
Rathasapthami is a festival in honor of Sun god. On this day a Rathasapthami rangoli / kolam (patterns drawn using chalk powder) of ratha / chariot is drawn inside the shrine of … [Read More...]

Aarathi Song – Lakshmi Arathi Song – Goddess Lakshmi Pooja Song
This is a song written by my mom and we sing this song alternatively with other songs on Friday evening while we perform aarathi to goddess Lakshmi. It can be sung to any tune that you are … [Read More...]

Lakshmi Aarathi Song – Devotional Song
Here is a devotional song sung while doing Aarathi to Goddess Lakshmi. May Goddess Lakshmi bless you with health and prosperity. ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳಾರತಿ ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ರಂಗನಾರ್ಧಾ೦ಗಿಯಳೇ … [Read More...]
