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
Saaru – Mysore Rasam Recipe – Lentil Soup Recipe
Kannadigas call this dish as Saaru, this is Rasam in other parts of South India. This curry is prepared using split Red Gram; it is a favorite accompaniment with plain Rice for South Indians. … [Read More...]
Banana Flower Vada Recipe – Vazhakkai Poo Vada – Aratikaya Poo Vadai – Bale Hoovina Vada
Banana Flower Vada is a delicacy prepared in South India using the tender flowers of the plantain plant. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Banana … [Read More...]
Pundi Palya – Gongura leaves Subzi – Sorrel Leaves Side Dish
Pundi Palya is a side dish very popular in North Karnataka. It is prepared using Sorrel leaves also known as Gongura. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 big bunch Pundi Soppu / … [Read More...]
Tzatziki
Tzatziki is a yoghurt based Greek Dip. Cuisine: Greek / Meditarranean Time required: 10 Minutes + Curd hanging time Ingredients: 1 Cup Hung Curds / Yoghurt 1 small Cucumber, Peeled and … [Read More...]
Choconut Ice cream
Choconut Ice cream is chocolate ice cream with dry fruit praline. The crunchy praline inside chocolate flavored ice cream is an indulgence enjoyed during summer time. Time required: 30 … [Read More...]
Punjabi Mango Pickle
Pickle is an integral part of Punjabi cuisine and Punjabi Mango Pickle is a favorite among one and all as it is a good accompaniment with Parathas. Cut Raw Mangoes are mixed with coarsely ground … [Read More...]
Chhunda – Gujarati Mango Sweet Pickle Recipe – Aam Chutney Recipe – Chundo
A sweet pickle prepared by Gujarathis using Raw Mangoes. The vessel containing the mixture is kept directly under the sunlight, which actually softens the Raw Mangoes and thickens the Sugar … [Read More...]
Amritsari Dal
Amritsar is a city of Punjab and is home to the Golden temple. Amritsari Dal is prepared in Gurudwaras and served to devotees during lunch time (Langar). It is prepared using Split Black Gram and … [Read More...]
Travel
Vama Retreats – weekend getaway from Bengaluru
A fantastic getaway from Bengaluru for families, friends, or corporate outing. Vama retreats is also pet friendly and has great views of the hills all around. Unwind, relax in this … [Read More...]
Daria Daulat Bagh
Daria Daulat is the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, situated in Srirangapattana, 15 Kms from Mysore. The Indo-Sarcenic style palace was built by Tipu Sultan in 1784. The two storeyed palace is … [Read More...]
Rajas Tomb – Gaddige – Coorg
Gaddige or Gadduge is a place towards the north of Coorg with tombs of Kodava royalty, court dignitaries, royal priest and the royal bulls. It is situated on a hillock with a good view of the city. … [Read More...]
Birds of Rajasthan
When we started our trip to Rajasthan in winter, we were looking forward to sighting many migratory as well as resident birds. The drought faced by the state for the past 3 years has resulted in dry … [Read More...]
Shopping and eating out in Udupi
When you hear the word Udupi, dosas, idlis, mangaluru bun and bhajji, comes to your mind as the restaurants run by the people from Udupi are very popular. But, when you actually visit Udupi, you hear … [Read More...]
City Palace Jaipur
City Palace Jaipur, as the name indicates, the magnificent palace is situated in the heart of old Jaipur city. The City Palace Jaipur is a fine example of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The … [Read More...]
Bangalore Fort – Bengaluru Fort
It took me few years to realize that Bangalore has an ancient fort, which was open to public. Bangalore fort was built by the founder of Bengaluru Kempe Gowda I in 1537 using mud. Kempe Gowda was a … [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...]
Vasant Panchami
"Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasanaa, Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha … [Read More...]
Karthika Somavaragalu
Kantheyasya Lasathkaala Garalam Gangaajalam Masthake Giriraajaraja Thanayaa Jaaya Bhavaani Sathi Nandi Skanda Ganaadhiraaja Sahithaa Sri Vishwanaatha Prabhu Kashi Mandira Samsthithokhila … [Read More...]
Adhik Maas – Adhika Masa – Purushotham Maas – Maal Maas
Adhik Maas is an extra month added to the Lunar Calendar to be in sync with the Solar Calendar. This period is also known as Adhika Masa in Kannada, Malimmacha (Maal), and Purushotham (Lord … [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...]
Glory of Lord Mailaralinga – Mailaralinga Mahatme Haadu – Khandoba Mahima Geet
The glory of Lord Mailaralinga's song in Kannada has been sung by my mother's immediate and extended family for decades. This song was taught by a relative called Sri Shankar who lived with my … [Read More...]
Mouna Gowri Vrata – Mauna Gowri Vrata
Unmarried girls perform Mouna Gowri Vrata. This Vrata / vowed religious observance is performed from the first day of the Hindu month of Magh to the first day of Phalgun (for 30 days), i.e, … [Read More...]
