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
Mangodi
Rajasthan being an arid region was not suitable for growing vegetables. The people hence preserved the vegetables and lentils by dehydrating them. They used this whenever vegetables were required. The … [Read More...]
Thuppa Sandige Anna
Ghee and Fryums Rice. This dish is prepared in Mysore region and is served during auspicious celebrations like wedding, upanayana etc. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups of … [Read More...]
Masala Vegetable Pulao
Flavored rice with vegetables and spices Required Time: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 4 Cups Basmati Rice 1 Carrot 1 Potato 100gms Beans 1 Cup shelled Green Peas Juice of one … [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...]
Paan Shot
A perfect digestive shot after a heavy meal. Cuisine: Indian Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 5 Pan / Villedele / Betal Leaves 2tbsp Sugar A pinch of Lime / Sunna Juice of half … [Read More...]
Cut Mango Pickle
Cut Mango Pickle recipe is shared by my Mami / Aunt, who is an expert in pickling. This pickle is a must have during lunch and dinner. It finds its place of pride next to the Salt on the … [Read More...]
Pineapple Jam
This is a perfect way to preserve Pineapple with its natural aroma and taste intact. I like to retain the original color and aroma of Pineapple and hence have neither added food color nor … [Read More...]
Mint and Cherry Tomato Salad
This is a refreshing salad to beat the heat during summer. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Mint Leaves, Chopped finely 1 Green Chili, Slit 1 Onion, Chopped finely 1/2 … [Read More...]
Travel
Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary
Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary is part of Sharavathi River Valley and was declared protected in 1972. It is the best place to spot many species of exotic birds and butterflies along with mammals and … [Read More...]
Anthropological Museum in Port Blair
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is intriguing place full of adventure and fun. A visit to the Anthropological Museum in Port Blair throws light on the life and times of the tribes of the islands. As … [Read More...]
Birds of Rajasthan
When we started our trip to Rajasthan in winter, we were looking forward to sighting many migratory as well as resident birds. The drought faced by the state for the past 3 years has resulted in dry … [Read More...]
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Puducherry
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was sanctified in 1895 by Archbishop Mgr. Gandy in Pondicherry. The church started functioning in 1908. This ancient church is 50 meters long and 48 meters … [Read More...]
Hadinaru Kere
One early morning we decided to drive to Hadinaru village to visit the Hadinaru Kere (lake) as we had heard that a large number of bar headed geese had ascended on the lake all the way from … [Read More...]
Shivanasamudra
The route of River Cauvery’s journey from her birthplace Talacauvery to Bay of Bengal is dotted with picturesque waterfalls, pilgrimage centers, islands and confluence of rivers. Picture1 - … [Read More...]
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...]
Festivals
21 Pushpa Pooja to Lord Ganesha
21 types of Patra (leaves), 21 types of Pushpa (flowers), and 21 Kadabu or Modaka (sweets) are offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chathurthi and Sankashta Chaturthi. There are 21 mantra chanted … [Read More...]
Krishna Janmashtami – Gokulashtami – Birth of Lord Krishna
"Yathra Yogeeshwara Krishno | Yathra Partho Dhanurdharaha | Thathra Shree Vijayo Bhuthir | Dhruvaneethirmimathirmama ||" The meaning of the above extract from the Gita is “wherever Krishna … [Read More...]
Paryaya of Sri Krishna Matha (Krishna Temple) of Udupi
Paryaya is a ritualistic system by which the pontiffs of the eight muttts of Udupi, by turn, take up the responsibility of worshipping the deity at the Sri Krishna temple. The ceremony of the handing … [Read More...]
Nagara Chauthi
Nagara Chauthi festival is celebrated on the fourth day of the Hindu month Shravana, July – August according to Gregorian calendar dedicated to Snake god. For the festival date click here. On this … [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...]
Prayer to Parvathi
This prayer was chanted by Chandrahasa to goddess Parvathi/Chamundi/Amba/Gowri. Extracted from the Gemini bharatha. ಚಂದ್ರಹಾಸನ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ - ಜೈಮಿನಿ ಭಾರತ ತಾಯೆ ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ಪರಮ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಿ … [Read More...]
Happy Durgashtami 2024 – Durga Pooja – Dasara Durga Pooja
Ashtami during Dasara was exciting, because Ambode/dal vada/Lentil fritters were offered to Goddess Durga but eaten and savored by us! Dal is full of Shakti and hence might have been offered to … [Read More...]
