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
Sweet Corn Papdi Chaat – Corn Papdi Chat Recipe
I love Chaats and can have it anytime of the day. I conjured up this easy recipe to prepare Chaat using American Sweet Corn. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Sweet Corn 20 … [Read More...]
Fried Wonton with Ice Cream and Honey
Fried Wonton with Ice Cream and Honey is a dish where crunchy wonton is served dripping in honey accompanied by Ice cream. Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: Few … [Read More...]
Mutter Pakoda – Peas Fritters – Matar Pakoda
Mutter Pakoda are tasty Peas fritters, it is great as an evening snack with a cup of coffee or tea. Peas are available in abundance during winters in India. Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Kurkuri Bhindi – Crispy Okra – Okra Pakora Recipe
Kurkuri Bhindi is a snack prepared using Okra (Ladies Finger). Cuisine: North India Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 10 – 15 Bhindi / Okra / Ladies Finger 2tbsp Gram flour 1 tsp … [Read More...]
Special Pakoda – Pakora Recipe – Onion Pakora Recipe
The rains bring in so much cheer and the Monsoon has visited South India on time this year. The temperature has come down and isn’t it a perfect time to have Pakodas / fritters and hot tea listening … [Read More...]
Pal Puri – Deep Fried Bread with sweetened milk
"Pal" means Milk and "Puri" is crisp deep fried Indian Bread. This dish is a combination of crispy puris with sweetened condensed milk. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: For the … [Read More...]
Nellikayi Chut – Indian Gooseberry Chutney
Nellikayi Chut is a gooseberry chutney that is served with hot Rice and Ghee (clarified butter). Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Gooseberries 2 - 3 … [Read More...]
Lauki Dal – Bottle gourd with Lentils Recipe – Sorekayi Thovve Recipe
Lauki Dal is a curry prepared using Bottle gourd and Bengal Gram. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Lauki/Sorekayi/Bottle gourd, Chopped 1 … [Read More...]
Travel
Bannerghatta National Park
Bannerghatta National Park spread over 25,000 acres was established in the year 1974. It is situated 22 km south of Bangalore, Karnataka at an altitude of 1245 to 1634 meters above sea level. If you … [Read More...]
Birds of Bandipur
Bandipur is home to 200 species of birds and for bird watchers like us, it is a paradise. Bandipur has the maximum number of Tigers in the reserve forest, but do not be disappointed if you … [Read More...]
Markonahalli Dam
Markonahalli Dam is the first dam in the world built using the Siphon system. It is built across Shimsha River by Sir M Visweswraiah and Ganesh Iyer in 1938-40 incurring a cost of 29 Lakhs. Sir … [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...]
Joshimath
Joshimath is a small town buzzing with pilgrims and tourists who are heading towards the char dham, Hem Kund, Auli, Kuari Pass treks, or Valley of flowers. It is at a height of 6150 feet above sea … [Read More...]
Shore birds of Hadinaru Kere
Apart from the numerous aquatic birds, there are so many other shore birds that catch your eye and your camera lenses at Hadinaru Kere near Mysore. Picture1 - Purple Sunbird Female enjoying the … [Read More...]
Nandi Hills
Rejuvenate during the weekend with a visit to the soul soothing Nandi hills. Nandi hills is situated 60 Kms from Bangalore and you have to negotiate 40 curves to reach the top of the hills. The top … [Read More...]
Festivals
Traditional Dolls Arrangement
Here are some Dolls that are handed over from generations to generations for arranging during Dasara. Traditional Dolls Arrangement includes Dolls in a marriage party complete with the bride / groom … [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...]
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...]
Mysore Dasara Flower Show
Mysoreans love gardening and every house will have at least a Tulasi and Money plant growing in a pot. To encourage this wonderful hobby, a flower show on a grand scale is held by the … [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...]
Mahalaya Amavasya
15 days of the Hindu month is considered as Pitra Paksha, which are days dedicated to ancestors. It occurs in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada i.e. September-October in the Gregorian calendar. For the … [Read More...]
Bhagvad Gita Aarathi Song – Bhagvad Gita Jayanthi – Bhagvad Gita Birthday
Bhagvad Gita Aarathi Song is a prayer that is sung after reading the Srimad Bhagvad Gita book. Known as Gita Arati, the verses are found at the end of the 18th chapter of the Bhagvad Gita … [Read More...]
