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
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...]
Steamed Vegetables tossed in Herbs
An easy to prepare and healthy dish. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Cauliflower Florets 1 Cup String Beans, cut into 1” pieces 2 Carrots, Peeled and Chopped 1 Potato, … [Read More...]
Jackfruit Payasa Recipe – Chakka Payasam – Palapazham Payasam – Halasinahannina Payasa
Jackfruit payasa is a very tasty Indian sweet and is prepared during auspicious occasions and festivals. On 21st August 2020 is Swarna Gowri Pooja and this payasa goes very well with all the other … [Read More...]
Kayi Sasve Chitranna – Udupi Chitranna Recipe – Sarson Bath Recipe – Coconut Rice Recipe
Kayi Sasve Chitranna is rice prepared using Coconut and Mustard Seeds. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 6 Cups Cooked Rice 1 Cup Fresh Coconut, Grated 5 Green … [Read More...]
Malpua
Deep fried fritters dipped in Sugar syrup and served with a dollop of Ice Cream. Malpua With Ice Cream is a favorite dessert during summer. Required Time : 40 … [Read More...]
Masala Masoor Dal
Curry prepared using Red lentils. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Cup Whole Masoor Dal/Red Lentils 1 Onion, Sliced 2 Large Tomatoes, … [Read More...]
Godi Laddoo – Wheat Flour Laddoo Recipe – Atta Laddoo Recipe – Pinni Recipe
Godi Laddoo is a sweet prepared using wheat flour. This is great to carry while traveling to satisfy the Indian sweet tooth. It just melts in the mouth. Time Required: 25 … [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...]
Travel
Bhadravathi
I remember visiting Bhadravathi in 1979 as part of our school education trip. We visited Vishweshwaraya Iron and Steel Limited (VISL) factory and all I can remember is that it was very hot and noisy … [Read More...]
Pajaka Kshethra
Sri Hanuma Bheema Madhwa! The champion of the Dwaitha philosophy Sri Madhwacharya was born in Pajaka Kshetra located in Udupi district. Sri Madhvacharya is the incarnation of Bheema, one of the … [Read More...]
Yercaud Botanical Garden
A visit to the Botanical Garden in hill stations is top on my to-visit list. And off we went to explore the Botanical Garden in Yercaud. The garden though small is interesting as it is tucked on a … [Read More...]
Kabini or Kapila River
The Kabini or Kapila River, also called Kabani and Kapila, flows in southern India. It originates from Pakramthalam hills in Wayanad District of Kerala. Makkiyad River and Periya River join Kabini … [Read More...]
Kokkare Bellur
“Kokkare” in Kannada means Crane. Kokkare Bellur village has got its name due to the fact that many migratory birds have found this place suitable to breed and nest. Kokkare Bellur is approximately … [Read More...]
Ramdevra, Rajasthan
While driving to Jaisalmer, our driver Navalji asked us whether we would like to visit Ramdevra temple. We immediately agreed thinking it would be yet another ancient temple dedicated to Rama Devaru / … [Read More...]
Chunchi Falls
When I heard the name of the falls I felt like humming the good old Hindi song “Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu…Chin Chin Chu.. baba Chin Chin Chu…..” from the film Howrah Bridge sung by Geetha Dutt. Chunchi … [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...]
Aarathi song for Lord Rama
On the auspicious day of the birth of Lord Rama (Rama Navami festival), songs praising him are sung while doing the traditional Arathi. ರಾಮನ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳಂ ಜಯರಘು ಪುನ್ಗವರಾಘವಾ ಅಂಗದ … [Read More...]
Guru Nanak Jayanthi
The birthday of Guru Nanak who is the founder of Sikhism is celebrated by Punjabis all over the world. Devotees pay obeisance to their Guru in Gurudwaras. Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 at … [Read More...]
Bheemana Amavasya – Gandana Pooje – Gandana Habba
This festival is also known as Jyothirbheemeshwara Vrata and Pathi Sanjeevini Vratha and it is mentioned in Skaanda Purana (Skanda Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text, is … [Read More...]
Varamahalakshmi Vratha
Sarvamangala Mangalye| Shive Sarvarthaka Sadhike| Sharanye Thriyambake Devi/Laksmi| Narayani Namosthuthe|| The above shloka is in praise of goddess Lakshmi and offering … [Read More...]
Gowri and Ganesha Festival Platters – Festival Food – Habbada Adige
Wish you all a very happy Gowri - Ganesha festival! Shopping, mantapa decorations, and preparing delicious festival food mark the Gowri - Ganesha festival celebrations. Gowri … [Read More...]
Visarjana Manthra
The following manthra is chanted while performing the visarjana / send off to god. In Kannada Script: ವಿಸರ್ಜನಾ ಕ್ರಮ ಯಜ್ಞೇನ ಯಗ್ನಮಯಜಂತ ದೇವಾಃ | ತಾನಿ ಧರ್ಮಾಣಿ ಪ್ರಥಮಾನ್ಯಾಸನ್ || ತೇಹ ನಾಕಂ … [Read More...]
