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
Plum Panna – Plum Juice
My taste buds were bowled over when I tasted Plum Panna in Coonoor. The freshly picked Plums tasted great in this refreshing drink. Ingredients: 10 - 12 Plums 1 tsp Roasted … [Read More...]
Ksheeranna
A sweet dish prepared using milk and rice. My grandmother used to prepare this often on festival days. This is also a temple recipe as the temples in Karnataka offer this dish as Prasada / blessed … [Read More...]
Kattina Saaru – Rasam Recipe – Lentil Thin Curry – Hoornada Saru
Kattina saaru also known as hoornada saaru is a tasty dish prepared in Karnataka households during auspicious occasions and festivals. Cuisine: Karnataka Time required: 25 minutes + Hoorna making … [Read More...]
Jowar Bhajji – Sorghum Flour Fritters
Jowar Bhajji are crispy fritters prepared using Sorghum flour. An ideal evening snack with hot tea or coffee. Time Required: 25 Minutes Makes: 18 Ingredients: 1 Cup Jowar Flour ¼ … [Read More...]
Dry Paneer Tikka Masala – Cottage Cheese Recipe
Dry Paneer Tikka Masala is prepared using Cottage Cheese. The Cheese is marinated in spices and tossed in more spices. This is a delicious accompaniment to serve with Indian … [Read More...]
Vendekai Poriyal
A simple side dish prepared using Ladies finger / Okra. This is popular in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka (Bhendekayi Palya). Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 25 Vendekai / Bhendekayi / … [Read More...]
Mooli Bhaji
This dish is prepared using Radish leaves and Radish. The usage of Radish leaves is popular in Assam. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 3 bunches Radish leaves, Chopped finely 1 Big … [Read More...]
Mango Tit Bits Jam – Raw Mango Jam Recipe – Mango Preserve
Jam with Mango pieces floating in it! I used to love this as a child and used to have it for dessert. I am sure your kids will love this preserve. Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Travel
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...]
Delhi
Delhi is an Indian state and comprises of Old Delhi and New Delhi. New Delhi was officially declared as the Capital of India after Indian independence in 1947. Delhi shares its borders with Haryana, … [Read More...]
Kudremukh
I have a hazy memory of me standing at one of the view points in Chikkamagalur holding my sister’s hand and the elders identifying a faraway hill as Kudremukh from the shape of the hill. When … [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...]
Silver Cascade Waterfall
Silver Cascade Waterfall is situated on the Kodai road. The overflowing water from the Kodiakanal lake plunges 180 feet over a vertical cliff to form the attractive waterfalls. This is a … [Read More...]
Abbey Falls
Waterfalls whether big or small are always a pleasure to see and enjoy. Abbey falls is one such waterfall tucked away in a private coffee and spice estate. It is a sight to behold and watch the many … [Read More...]
Moti Dungri Fort, Jaipur
Moti Dungri means Hills of Pearls and Moti Dungri Fort, Jaipur forms the backdrop for the beautiful Birla Mandir. The fortress was called Shankargarh (Shiva’s Home). Sawai Man Singh II … [Read More...]
Festivals
Hanuman Arathi Song – Hanumanthana Aarathi Haadu – Devotional Song
Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated in April in North India and in December in South India. North or South a song is always sung during the Arathi. This song in praise of Lord Hanuman is written by … [Read More...]
Independence day memories
My mother remembers and shares her memories on the days before Indian Independence and the joy felt on 15th August 1947. Place: Kurtakoti Script: Kannada ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ ದಿನ ಈ ದಿನ ೭೪ನೆೇಯ (74th) … [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...]
Lullaby to Lord Rama
It is Lord Sri Rama's birthday today. Rama Navami is celebrated all over India with great devotion. The lullaby below was written by my grandfather M.M.Patil, Kurtakoti. ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮನ … [Read More...]
Gombe Arathi Haadu – Dolls Arathi Song – Golu Song – Dolls Arrangement Song
In Mysore, during Dasara festival, there is a tradition of arranging dolls on 7 steps or 9 steps. Various dolls passed on from generations are removed from boxes, dusted, and arranged according to … [Read More...]
Chaitra Poornima
Chaitra Poornima is the first Poornima of the Hindu lunar calendar and falls in the Hindu month of Chaitra, March – April according to Gregorian calendar. It is the Poornima (full moon) after 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...]
