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
Mango Lassi
Mango churned with sugar and yogurt. A refreshing and thirst quenching drink. Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 1 ripe Mango 2 Cup Curds / Yoghurt 4tbsp Sugar A pinch of … [Read More...]
Pathrode
Colocasia leaves also known as Taro leaves are rolled with spices and steamed. A delicacy from the kitchens of South Canara, Karnataka. Time Required: 45 Minutes + Soaking … [Read More...]
Lal, Pila Bhindi Subzi – Red Yellow Capsicum with Okra
There was a Red and Yellow Pepper along with some Okra in the fridge and I came up with this recipe using all of them. Thankfully everyone relished it with Phulkas. Time Required: 15 … [Read More...]
Garlic Rice
Garlic Rice is another variety of rice that can be part of your party menu. Cuisine: South Indian Time required: 25 minutes Ingredients: 3 Cups Cooked Rice Few Curry leaves 1 tsp Mustard … [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...]
Navanakki Holige – Foxtail Millet Poli – Kakum Puran Poli – Hurakki Holige Recipe
Today is Navrathri Padya (first day of Dasara) and Holige sweet dish is a must have on this day in Mysore. This holige is prepared using Navanakki (Foxtail millet) and Navanakki Holige is also … [Read More...]
Guava Golgappa Shots
This is a variation of the traditional Golgappa or Pani Puri. The pani is prepared using Guava juice! Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Golgappa Poori Tiny Glasses to serve For … [Read More...]
Dal Fry
Boiled lentils cooked in a seasoning. Cuisine: Punjab Time Required: 15 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Cup Tur/Tuvar Dal/Split Red Gram Juice of ½ Lemon 1tbsp Oil ½ tsp Mustard … [Read More...]
Travel
Sathodi Falls
Sathodi Falls is situated in Uttara Kannada (North Karnataka) district; it is 32 Kms away from Yellapur. In the midst of the rain forests of Western Ghats many unknown water bodies come together near … [Read More...]
Kalasa
Kalasa is a holy temple-town located in Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka. Kalasa is home to the Kalaseshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kalasa is 92 Kilometres South-west of Chickmagalur and … [Read More...]
Shravanabelagola
The first time I visited Shravanabelagola was in 1982 on a school trip. It was Mahamasthakabhishekha time and we climbed up the rickety scaffolding up to the head of the monolithic statue of Bahubali … [Read More...]
Guru Sweet Mart Mysuru – Mysore Pak at Mysore
As children when we accompanied our parents to the Devaraja Market, Mysuru, we would be overwhelmed by the number of people selling various items from colorful Vermilion powders, fragrant Mysuru … [Read More...]
Lotus Temple, New Delhi
The Baha’i house of worship known as Lotus temple was built in 1986 and is situated in Bahapur village in New Delhi. The temple with its unique architectural design and a complementing … [Read More...]
Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Jungle book was one of my favorite books and the movie by Disney bought this book alive. I think the makers of the movie toured Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary before making the movie. I am stating this … [Read More...]
Shri Mangeshi Temple, Goa
The drive to Mangeshi Temple is beautiful as the road winds into the lush green Western Ghats hills. The temple is situated in Priol, Goa. Before the invasion of Portuguese, the temple was situated on … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Ganesha Ashtotra Shathanaamavali – 108 names of Lord Ganesha
Ganesha Ashtotra Shathanaamavali is 108 names of Lord Ganesha. While chanting this, you can offer 21 Patra or 21 Pushpa to Lord Ganesha. Here there are 110 names of Lord Ganesha. Om … [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...]
Tulasi Aarathi Haadu
Aarathi song dedicated to Tulasi devi. In Kannada Script: ತುಳಸಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಶ್ರೀ ತುಳಸಿ ಜಯ ದೇವಪೂಜಿತೆ |ಪ| ಅತುಲ ಸುಗುಣಾ ಕರುಣಾಮಯ ಮಾತೆ || ಅತಿ ಕೋಮಲ ಪಲ್ಲವ ದಳ ಭರಿತೆ ಶ್ರುತ ಭಾವಿಕ ಜನ ವೃಂದ … [Read More...]
Udaka Shanti Pooja
Udaka Shanti Pooja is performed before major events like marriage, upanayana, gruha pravesha, and so on. This pooja is performed for peace and harmony in the house. First, Ganesha is worshiped. … [Read More...]
Sankranthi Yellu – Karnataka Sesame Seeds Mixture
A mixture of Sesame Seeds, Molasses, Coconut, Groundnuts and Fried Gram. In Karnataka this is prepared during Sankranthi festival and distributed among friends and family along with Sakkare … [Read More...]
Hoovilya
Hoovilya is an auspicious ritual conducted just before major celebrations like Marriage or Upanayana / Sacred thread ceremony in Karnataka. It is more like an all women’s party, where at least 5 or … [Read More...]
