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
Sugar Snap Peas Stir Fry Recipe
I was delighted to find Sugar snap peas in the grocery store and they are so easy to use. The whole pod can be eaten. They are sweet and crisp. You can add them to salads or eat them as is … [Read More...]
Gongura Thokku – Sorelle Leaves Chutney
Gongura/Hibiscus cannabinus/Sorelle leaves is a kind of leaf related to roselle. These leaves can be preserved by preparing pickles/thokku/pachchadi. A hot favorite among natives of Andhra … [Read More...]
Sabudana Idli
Steamed cakes prepared using Sabakki / Sago Pearls. Cuisine: South Indian Time Required: 30 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 2 Cups Upittu Rava / Semolina 1 Cup Sabudana 2 - 3 Cups … [Read More...]
Menasina Saaru – Pepper Rasam – Pepper Lentil Soup
Pepper Rasam is a thin curry also known as Rasam. This is unique to Sagar district. Tastes great during winter and adds warmth to the body to fight cold and cough. Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Puliyogare – Puliyodharai – Tamarind Rice
This tamarind rice is popularly known as Iyengar's Puliyogare, as this is an authentic dish of Iyengar community. Dad had many Iyengar friends and this dish used to be the pride of the … [Read More...]
Papaya Thondekayi Palya – Raw Papaya Ivy Gourd Side Dish – Papita Tindora Subzi
A side dish prepared using raw Papaya and Ivy gourd. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Chopped Thondekayi / Ivy gourd 1 Cup Peeled and Chopped Raw Papaya 1tbsp Oil 1tsp Mustard … [Read More...]
Alu Posto – Aloo Posto Recipe – Potatoes with Poppy Seeds
Potatoes cooked with Poppy seeds. Alu Posto is popular in West Bengal. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Potatoes, Peeled and Cubed 1 Onion, Sliced finely 4 Green … [Read More...]
Bhindi Besan Masala – Okra Gram Flour Stir Fry Recipe
Bhindi Besan Masala is a dish where Okra is cooked with spices, yogurt and gram flour. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Bhindi / Okra / Lady’s Finger 3tbsp Besan / Gram … [Read More...]
Travel
Jamia Masjid Srirangapatna
Masjid-e-Ala aka Jumma Masjid is an historical tourism sites in Srirangapatna, Karnataka. Tipu Sultan built Masjid-e-Ala aka Jamia Masjid Srirangapatna in the year of 1784 AD and used to worship … [Read More...]
Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary
Picture1 - Buffer zone of the Sanctuary Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary Sanctuary is situated approximately 301 kms from Bangalore in Haveri district. It is 8 kms away from Ranebennur town. … [Read More...]
Sri Durgadevi Temple – Kunjarugiri
Coastal region of Karnataka is renowned for various temples and is known as Parashurama Kshetra (region carved by Lord Parashuramam, an avatar of Lord Vishnu). On a small hill known as … [Read More...]
Hanumanagundi Waterfalls
Hanumanagundi Waterfalls figured on the top of our must visit list during our travel to Kudremukh National Park located in Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka. Also known as Soothanabbe … [Read More...]
Bheemeshwari Fishing & Nature Camp
Picture1 - A Lotus pond on the way to Bheemeshwari On an early morning of July we set off with a lot of enthusiasm to spend a day at Bheemeshwari fishing camp situated 100 kms from Bangalore. … [Read More...]
World of Mysore Pak – Mysuru
Blend of new with heritage can be seen only in the city of palaces, Mysuru. If done aesthetically imbibing the old with the new, the presentation is sure to catch the imagination of Mysooreans … [Read More...]
Manchinbele Dam
Manchinbele dam or Manchanabele dam is situated 40 Kms from Bangalore in Manchinbele village, Magadi Taluk. The dam is built across Arkavathi River. When your expectations are at its lowest … [Read More...]
Festivals
Morada Bagina
Bagina is an offering of everything essential and dear to you. It is believed that you will be blessed with all the things that you desire by performing particular vratas/ vowed religious observance … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026 Mouna Gowri Vratha - 21 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 Vasanth Panchami - 23 January 2026 Rathasapthami - 25 January … [Read More...]
Ganesh Chathurthi – Ganesha Festival
I have extremely fond memories of Ganesha-Gowri festival. It was one of the grand festivals of the year for the family and for Mysore city itself. Our road would be decorated with serial lights, as … [Read More...]
Shravana Shanivara
In Mysore every Saturday during the Hindu month of Shravana, July - August in Gregorian calendar, young boys wearing dhoti with a cotton bag hanging on their shoulders and a prominent naama / tilak on … [Read More...]
Shravana Shukravara Pooja
Shravana Shukravara Pooja is also known as Sampath Shukravara vratha. This is performed in the Hindu month of Shravana, July – August in Gregorian calendar dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi / Gowri. … [Read More...]
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha is a religious practice that people vow to perform in the Hindu month of Karthika, which is October – November in the Gregorian calendar. It is performed for 14 years and … [Read More...]
Deepavali – Diwali
Deepavali (“avali” means rows and “deepa” means lamp) or Diwali is a festival of lights much loved by one and all. It is the time for sweets, savories, family get-together, new clothes, crackers and … [Read More...]
