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
Mysore Pak Recipe
This rich sweet dish is popular in the regions of Mysore. This is prepared using Clarified Butter/Ghee and Gram Flour. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Kadale … [Read More...]
Rawa Laddoo – Rawa Laddu – Semolina Sweet Balls
Rawa Laddoo are sweet balls prepared using Semolina. This would always be made and stored in a big box at home. Whenever children are hungry we would be given this along with Avalakki / … [Read More...]
Subsige Padavalkayi Palya – Dill and Snake Gourd dish
Addition of Dill leaves to Snake Gourd adds a punch, which lacks in a Gourd. Try making Subsige Padavalkayi Palya and let me know how it turns out. Time required: 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]
Masala Bhath – Spicy Rice with vegetables Recipe
Masala Bhath is usually prepared on festivals and occasions using a unique masala powder and vegetables. Cuisine: North Karnataka and Maharashtra Required Time: 25 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Shahi Tukda
Deep fried bread soaked in flavored and thickened milk. Cuisine: Mughlai Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Condensed Milk 2 Cups Milk 3 tbsp Sugar, Optional Few nuts sliced … [Read More...]
Kayi Holige – Nariyal Poli Recipe – Kayi Obbattu Recipe – Thengai Poli Recipe
A sweet bread stuffed with Coconut mixture. Kayi Holige is prepared during festivals especially during Gowri-Ganesha festival. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 1 … [Read More...]
Sihigenasina Sihi Usali – Sweet Potato Dish – Shakkarkhand Sweet Dish
Sihigenasina Sihi Usali is a sweet dish prepared using Sweet Potato and Jaggery. Sweet Potatoes are available in south India during January and they are cooked and eaten on Sankranthi day in … [Read More...]
Pudina Chutney Paratha
Mint flavored Indian Bread. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Wheat Flour Oil for roasting Salt to taste For the chutney: ½ Cup Pudina / Mint leaves 2 – 3 Green … [Read More...]
Travel
Shri Kamakshi Sharada Temple, Hebbur
Shri Kamakshi Sharada Temple is situated in Hebbur, a village in Kunigal Taluk, Tumkur district of Karnataka. The temple is managed by Shri Kodandashrama Mutt of Hebbur. The village got its name … [Read More...]
Cauvery Nisargadhama
I always felt lucky living in Mysore as the choice of weekend getaways were innumerable. One such favorite getaway was to picnic at Cauvery Nisargadhama and also visit Namdroling Monastary and … [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...]
Somanathapura
Baagilali Kai Mugidu Valage Baa Yaathrikane Shileyalla Vee Gudiyu Kaleya Baleyu ….. Somanathapura temple inspired Kannada poet Kuvempu to pen the above poem. The poet says fold your hands and … [Read More...]
Lakkidi view point, Wyanad
Lakkidi view point in Wayanad, Kerala offers a bird’s eye view of the rolling green hills, cliffs, and valleys. It is a treat to the eye and the best time to visit is during sunset. Lakkidi get … [Read More...]
Rajasthan
The meaning of the name of the largest state of India, Rajasthan is “land of the kings”. It is also the land of sun, sand, songs and dance. The history, culture, art, landscapes and cuisine are rich … [Read More...]
Varuna Lake
Whenever we pass through the T.Narasipura Road from Mysore, we are sure to stop at an eye-catching water body known as Varuna Lake. It is a huge lake built by the then Diwan of Mysore Sir M. … [Read More...]
Festivals
Saraswathi Prarthane – Prayer to Goddess Saraswathi
Today is Saraswathi Pooja, which is part of Navrathri celebrations. This is a prarthane (prayer) to Goddess Saraswathi written by my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil in 1969. ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ಕಂದ … [Read More...]
Madhwa Navami
Prathoma Hanumanamah| Dwithiyo Bheemayevacha| Poornaprajna Thrithyasto| Bhagavatkarya Sadhakaha|| The above shloka/chanting is all about the three avatars/incarnations of Sri Madhwacharya. … [Read More...]
Dasara Procession and Torch Light Parade during the reign of the Wodeyars
Picture1 - Illuminated Mysore Palace Mysore Dasara procession during the Maharajah’s rule used to be on a larger scale and grander. My grandparents and parents generation go on and on … [Read More...]
Swarna Gowri Vratha – Gowri Habba – Gowri Festival
Swarna Gowri Vratha/Pooja is celebrated by girls and women in Karnataka and Andhara Pradesh. Goddess Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha. This festival falls in the hindu month of Bhadrapada, August - … [Read More...]
Valentine’s Day
Congratulations and Celebrations When I tell everyone that you're in love with me Congratulations and Jubilations I want the world to know I'm happy as can be…. This popular love song is written … [Read More...]
Goddess Sharadamba Utsava
Happy Saraswathi Pooja 2014. In Sringeri, Karnataka, during Dasara festival, the utsava murthy (procession idol) of Goddess Sharadamba (Saraswathi) is taken in a small chariot around the temple … [Read More...]
Pattada Gombe Alankara
Pattada Gombe in Kannada means, the royal dolls and Alankara means decoration. Many households have a custom of arranging dolls during Dasara festival in Mysore and distribute sweet and savories to … [Read More...]
