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
Kurtkoti Chakkali – Spicy Chakkuli Recipe – Chakli Recipe – Murukku Recipe – North Karnataka style Chakli
Fritters in the shape of concentric circles. These were our favorite snack during summer at my maternal grandparents house in Kurtkoti in North Karnataka. The color and taste differed from the one's … [Read More...]
Red Cabbage Broccoli Salad
I love to cook dishes which are colorful and healthy and tend to buy vegetables in all hues. I tossed up this salad for dinner and everyone loved the taste of soft Broccoli with crunchy Cabbage and … [Read More...]
Leek and Potato Soup
Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: A bunch of Leek 2 Potatoes 1 Ripe Red Chili 3 Bay Leaves 1tsp Ground White Pepper 1tsp Butter 1tsp Olive Oil Celery for garnishing Salt to … [Read More...]
Masala Vegetable Noodles
Instant noodles with vegetables. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 3 Packets instant Noodles 2 Packets Noodles Masala/seasoning sachets 2tbsp Oil 1 Cup Tomato … [Read More...]
Soppina Kadalekayi Kosambari – Green Chickpea Salad Recipe
Green tender Chickpea salad. The tender Chickpea is available during December - January in South India. The plants are sold along with the pods. It is fun to shell the pods to make a … [Read More...]
Khandvi
Khandvi is prepared using Gram Flour and Yoghurt. It is a low calorie, fiber-rich snack. Cuisine: Gujarat Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Besan / Bengal Gram Flour 1 Cup … [Read More...]
Bombay Sandwich Masala Powder – Mumbai Sandwich Masala Powder
Bombay Sandwich Masala Powder is another taste enhancer for the Bombay Sandwich. Having this condiment in the kitchen can sure enhance the taste of the Sandwich along with the Sandwich … [Read More...]
Cheese Straw
Cheese Straw is great to serve with tea in the evening. This can be part of a picnic basket and great to munch as you drive. Time required: 1 Hour Cookie method: Bread Crumbs … [Read More...]
Travel
Pokhran, Rajasthan
"I love the full moon night in the sandy desert and wish to spend time there alone and I love Pokhran because it is a theatre of action and liberty," said our ex-president Hon. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam … [Read More...]
Madurai
Madurai is a city in Tamil Nadu located on the banks of River Vaigai. The river runs in the middle of the city dividing it into two equal halves. Sirumalai and Nagamalai hills lie to the North and … [Read More...]
Kaup Beach
Our unplanned visit to Kaup Beach pronounced as Kapu was a pleasant surprise. The character of the Kaup beach is enhanced by the striking black and white light house built on a sprawling rock on the … [Read More...]
Mysore – Mysuru
Mysore is a heritage city and pride of Karnataka. It is a beautiful city with rich history, legends, monuments, educational centers, kings, palaces, museums, lakes, parks, culture, literature, arts, … [Read More...]
Mini Forest in J.P.Nagar Bangalore – Bengaluru
At a walkable distance from our house is a Mini forest maintained by the forest department. Picture1 - Mini Forest An early morning walk inside the mini forest delighted us with sights and … [Read More...]
Maddur
Maddur is a town situated on the banks of River Shimsha in Mandya district, Karnataka. Paddy and coconut growing is the main occupation of the people living here. It is now known as … [Read More...]
Birla Mandir Jaipur
People visiting Jaipur never fail to visit the Birla Mandir Jaipur dedicated to Lord Narayana / Vishnu and his consort Goddess Laxmi. The temple was built by B.M.Birla foundation in white Markarana … [Read More...]
Festivals
Upanayana
Every male child born in certain Hindu communities has to go through the Upanayana ritual. Upanayana is also known as Munji, Brahmopadesham (supreme teaching), and Sacred thread ceremony. The … [Read More...]
Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is a celebration of married life. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm by married women of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. It falls 9 days before Diwali. For … [Read More...]
Vata Savitri Vrata
Vata Savitri Vrata / ritual is observed by married women on Hunnime / Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, May – June in Gregorian calendar. This year (2016) it falls on 18th … [Read More...]
Ritu – Indian Seasons – Rithu
Ritu means "season" in ancient Indian calendars used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. There are six ritus or seasons. The word is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Ṛtú. Every season, … [Read More...]
Lohri festival in Punjab – Makara Shankranthi – Harvest Festival
Makara Shankranthi is called as Lohri in Punjab. It is one of the major festivals of Punjab. It is celebrated with great pomp and show. This festival falls on Chaturdashi i.e., the 14th day in the … [Read More...]
21 Pushpa Pooja to Lord Ganesha
21 types of Patra (leaves), 21 types of Pushpa (flowers), and 21 Kadabu or Modaka (sweets) are offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chathurthi and Sankashta Chaturthi. There are 21 mantra chanted … [Read More...]
Mysore State Anthem
The existence of Mysore State Anthem was bought to my notice by my dad, who during his primary school days would sing the anthem every day. In 1881, the British decided to give back the state … [Read More...]
