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
Oriental Rice
Oriental Rice is a delicious main course prepared using various vegetables and Bean Sprouts. Cuisine: Orient Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 3 Bowls Cooked Rice 1 Cup Green, … [Read More...]
Vegetable Kosambari Recipe – Minced Vegetable Salad – Hasi Tarkari Kosambari
Festive food preparations will be in full swing during the festivals lined up for the next few days and months. Here is a traditional Kosambari/salad using an assortment of vegetables. … [Read More...]
Kadala Curry – Chikpea Curry Recipe – Kerala Style Curry Recipe
A popular Kerala curry prepared using Black Chikpea and a perfect accompaniment to Puttu and Appam. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 Cups Soaked Black Chikpea / Kadale / … [Read More...]
Chota Bhutta Palak
A side dish prepared with Spinach and Baby corn. Time Required: 15 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 Big bunch Spinach, shred into pieces 1 Onion, Chopped finely 4 Baby Corn, Cut into … [Read More...]
Sagu – Vegetable gravy side dish – Kurma Recipe
Sagu is a side dish very popular in Karnataka, which is served along with Poori/deep fried bread or Dosa/Crepe. This is a dish wherein an assortment of … [Read More...]
Soppu Kadalekalu Huli – Leafy Vegetables Sambar Recipe – Leafy Vegetables Lentil Curry Recipe
This is a South Indian Curry prepared using leafy vegetables and brown chik peas. It is also known as Sambar. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 1 Bunch Menthya / Methi / … [Read More...]
Dabeli – Potato Slider Indian Style
Dabeli is a tasty street food originally from Kutch region of Gujarat and made famous in Mumbai. It is also known as Kachchi Dabeli. Tangy, Sweet, and Spicy Potato is sandwiched between … [Read More...]
Bombay Grilled Sandwich – Mumbai Grilled Sandwich – Street Food
Sandwiches are another legacy that the Britishers left for the Indians to relish them in the Indian style. In Mumbai, sandwiches either grilled or plain are available in every nook and corner of … [Read More...]
Travel
Mysore Palace
The main attraction of Mysore and the heritage building which gives the aura of royalty to the city is the grand Mysore palace also known as Amba Vilas. The majestic palace stands at the center and … [Read More...]
Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore
Our school was right behind Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore and I have been on stage many times in the huge auditorium of this palace in programs that were part of school's parent’s day celebrations. I … [Read More...]
Bangalore – Bengaluru
Bangalore is the capital city of Karnataka and IT capital of India. Kempegowda was a Palegar of Vijayanagar empire who found Bangalore by chance and named the city Benda kalooru (the place where the … [Read More...]
Jain Temple, Sultan Bathery
A Jain temple known as Ananthanatha Swami temple is situated in Sultan Bathery, Wayanad district. The history of this Jain Temple, Sultan Bathery was narrated to us briefly by the caretaker of … [Read More...]
Aquatic birds of Hadinaru Kere
Hadinaru Kere is a huge lake near Mysore. The number of birds on and off the lake just blew us away. There were birds everywhere, on the surface of the lake lake, flying overhead, perched on trees … [Read More...]
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...]
Halebidu – Halebeedu
The city Dwarasamudra meaning “the door to the sea” was the capital city of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. In the 14th century the city was vandalized by Malik Kafur and since then has been … [Read More...]
Festivals
Festivals in Shravana month – July and August 2025
Shrāvana (August - September) - From 25 July to 22 August (2025) Shravana Shanivara - 26 July, 2 August, 9 August, 16 August (2025) Mangala Gowri Vrat - 29 July, 5 August, 12 August, … [Read More...]
Song in the glory of Lord Shiva
This devotional song on Lord Shiva sung during the Aarathi. ಶಿವನ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ಮಾರಾನಮರ್ದನಾಗೆ ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ನಂದೀ ವಾಹವಗೆ। ರಂಭೆಯೇರು ಚಂದದಿಂದ|| ಮುಂಗುರುಳಿನಲ್ಲೆ ಚಂದ್ರನ್ ಧರಸೀದವಗೇ … [Read More...]
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is perfomed in West Bengal, Orissa, and Assam. It falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month Ashwin, September – October according to Gregorian calendar. For the festival date … [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...]
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...]
Shivana Bhajane – Shiva Bhajan – Jagratha Bhajan
Happy Maha Shivaratri! Here is an easy Bhajan (devotional song) on Lord Shiva. We used to sing this every evening during our Summer break. Hey Shiva Shankara Namami Shankara Shiva Shankara … [Read More...]
Mysore Dasara Flower Show
Mysoreans love gardening and every house will have at least a Tulasi and Money plant growing in a pot. To encourage this wonderful hobby, a flower show on a grand scale is held by the … [Read More...]
