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
Sabudana Halwa
A pudding prepared using Sago Pearls. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 1 Cup Sabudana / Sago Pearls ¼ Cup Ghee / Clarified Butter 1½ Cups Sugar 1 Cup Milk Powder 4 … [Read More...]
Pudina Coconut Chutney – Mint Coconut Chutney Recipe
Pudina Coconut Chutney is prepared using Mint and fresh Coconut. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup fresh Pudina/ Mint ½ Cup fresh Coconut, Grated 2 Green … [Read More...]
Bengal Gram and Coconut Chutney – Kadalebele Kayi Chutney – Kadlebele Chutney
Bengal Gram and Coconut Chutney can be made spicy by adding more Green Chilies. This spicy chutney goes very well with Idli. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 10 … [Read More...]
Akki Kadalebele Payasa – Rice Channa Dal Kheer Recipe – Rice and Lentil Payasa Recipe
A pudding prepared using Rice and Bengal Gram. This is commonly prepared during festivals. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice 1/2 Cup Kadalebele / Channa dal / Bengal … [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...]
Varalu Chitranna – Masala Rice Recipe – South Indian Rice Recipe
Varalu Chitranna is Rice prepared with a masala, which is made using the stone mortar known as Varalu in Kannada. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Bowls Cooked … [Read More...]
Uddu Rava Dosa – Semolina Crepe Recipe – Urad Dal Rawa Dosa Recipe
Crepes prepared using Semolina and Split Black Gram. Uddu Rava Dosa is tasty as well as healthy. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking time and Fermentation time Serves: 4 Ingredients: ½ Cup … [Read More...]
Rose Tea Recipe
This aromatic tea is prepared using dry aromatic rose petals. Time required: 5 minutes Ingredients: 1tbsp Tea Powder 1tbsp Aromatic dried rose petals Method: Add Tea Powder and the … [Read More...]
Travel
Karni Mata Temple
An unusual temple in Deshnoke is dedicated to Karni Mata and attracts many devotees and curious tourists. Karni Mata temple is situated in Deshnoke, 30 Kms from Bikaner. Karni Mata is … [Read More...]
Wild Animals of Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Wild Animals of Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary includes microscopic ants to giant Elephants to winged friends in every hue. Some of the wild animals spotted by us on our trip to Kabini is presented just … [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...]
Kanva Reservoir
A check dam was built over the Kanva river in 1946 thus forming the Kanva reservoir. It is 15 kilometres long and covers 776 hectares (1,920 acres). Sir M Vishveshwaraiah was the chief advisor while … [Read More...]
Soochipara Falls
Soochipara Wateralls is also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls situated in the forests of Vellarimala, Wayanad district, Kerala. Soochi in Malayalam means needle and Para means rock and so … [Read More...]
Temples of Goa
You will be surprised to know that there are some beautiful and ancient temples dedicated to Hindu gods in Goa. Not so surprising either as the residents of Goa before the Portuguese came in were all … [Read More...]
Kodachadri
I cannot keep away from my beloved Western Ghats for long. The hills beckoned and we readily drove to explore Kodachadri hill ranges. Words fail to explain the enchanting beauty of Kodachadri. The … [Read More...]
Festivals
Teachers Day
Guru Brahma Gurur Vishnu| Guru Devo Maheshwaraha| Guru Saakshat Para Brahma| Tasmai Sree Gurave Namaha|| Meaning of the above shloka / chant is that the Guru / teacher is the representative of … [Read More...]
Ele Ashtami – Jesta Devi Pooja
This festival is celebrated widely in North Karnataka. This festival falls on the 8th day of the Hindu month Bhadrapada, August – September of Gregorian calendar. For the festival dates click … [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...]
Story of Tripurasura Dahana – End of Tripurasura – Introduction to Baudha Avatara
Demon Taraka had 3 children namely, Tarakaksha, Kamalalochana, and Vidyunmaali. The three together performed deep penance and Brahma pleased with their devotion appeared before them. They … [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...]
Happy Durgashtami 2024 – Durga Pooja – Dasara Durga Pooja
Ashtami during Dasara was exciting, because Ambode/dal vada/Lentil fritters were offered to Goddess Durga but eaten and savored by us! Dal is full of Shakti and hence might have been offered to … [Read More...]
Nariyal Poornima
The fisherman of Daman and Kolis of Coastal Maharashtra look forward to celebrate Nariyal Poornima festival as it signifies retreating monsoon and the commencement of their fishing activity. Nariyal … [Read More...]
