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
Ulundogare recipe – Urad Dal Rice recipe – Ullandogare – Ulundhorai
Ulundogare is prepared for naivedya (blessed food) in temples. It is a healthy meal with the right amount of carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. The flavor is derived from roasted … [Read More...]
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...]
Tomato Rasam – Tomato Saaru Recipe
A thin curry prepared using lentils and Tomatoes. Tomato Rasam is known as Tomato Saaru in Kannada. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Cup Tuvar Dal 4 … [Read More...]
Punjabi Mango Pickle
Pickle is an integral part of Punjabi cuisine and Punjabi Mango Pickle is a favorite among one and all as it is a good accompaniment with Parathas. Cut Raw Mangoes are mixed with coarsely ground … [Read More...]
Sweet Lime Soda
A very good thirst quencher and goes very well with Punjabi food. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 500ml Soda Juice of 1 Lemon 8 Spoons Sugar ½ tsp Salt Method: Add Sugar, … [Read More...]
Kathal Ki Biryani – Raw Jackfruit Biryani Recipe – Chakka Biryani Recipe
This exotic dish is prepared using Raw Jackfruit and Rice with spices. Time Required: 1 hour Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice 2 Cups Chopped Raw Jackfruit 4 Tomatoes, Chopped finely 3 Onions, … [Read More...]
Ragi Mudde
Finger Millet balls served with a spicy curry. This replaces Rice for the main course in Karnataka. Cuisine: South Karnataka Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Ragi … [Read More...]
Sweet Potato and Channa Chaat – Sweet Potato and Chikpea Chat Recipe
A tasty snack prepared using Sweet Potato and Chikpea laced with spices and Lemon juice. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 30 Minutes + Soaking Time Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 five inch … [Read More...]
Travel
St. Philomena’s Church
As you drive into Mysore from Bangalore, the first landmark of Mysore that is visible is the Chamundi hills and the next is the spires of St. Philomena’s Church. This remarkable church was … [Read More...]
Begur Temple
On the banks of Begur lake in Bengaluru is a 1300 year old Begur temple dedicated to the Pancha Lingas. Begur was a Jain settlement and a center of Vedic and Sanskrit studies. The Dravidian style … [Read More...]
Iruppu Falls
Another spectacular sight in the Western Ghats is the Iruppu falls. Lakshmanatheertha river originates in the Brahmagiri hills in the Western ghats and falls elegantly at this place from a height of … [Read More...]
Lambs rock, Coonoor
Lamb’s rock is a view point in Coonoor named after the collector Captain Lamb. The view point was made accessible by the effort and interest of Captain Lamb. Lambs rock is situated on the way … [Read More...]
Nanneshwara Temple, Lakkundi
The Nannesvara temple is located to the west of Kasivisvesvara temple in Lakkundi. This 11th century Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Adam Hardy, architecture scholar and … [Read More...]
Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysore Zoo
The other common name is "Mysore Zoo" and it is one of the oldest and well maintained zoos in India. It not only houses a wide range of animals, reptiles and birds but the garden maintained is … [Read More...]
Udaipur
Udaipur is a charming city in Rajasthan. It is popularly known as City of lakes and was the capital of Mewar kingdom. Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur in 1559. When Chittor fort was … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karaavalambam Sthotra in Kannada
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karaavalambam Sthotra is written by Sri Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya in Sanskrit, my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil has translated the Sthotra to Kannada. ಶ್ರೀ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನರಸಿಂಹ … [Read More...]
Vaikunta Ekadasi
"Shaantaakaaram Bhujanga Shayanam Padmanaabham Suresham Vishvaadhaaram Gagana Sadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhaangam Lakshmiikaantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhidhyaarnagamyam Vande Vishhnum Bhavabhayaharam … [Read More...]
Karaga Festival
Karaga festival is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu by Thigala community (flower and vegetable farmers) on full moon day during the Hindu month of Chaitra, … [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...]
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...]
Hoovilya
Hoovilya is an auspicious ritual conducted just before major celebrations like Marriage or Upanayana / Sacred thread ceremony in Karnataka. It is more like an all women’s party, where at least 5 or … [Read More...]
