Festival dates in Phalgun month – February and March 2026 Phālgun (February – March) Sri Raghavendra Swami Jayanthi – 24 February 2026 Holi – 2 to 4 March 2026 … [Read More...]
Happy Shivaratri 2026
As Lord Shiva is Trinetra (3 eyes), Bilva leaves are offered on this auspicious day of Maha Shivaratri. Some devotees feast and few fast on this day. Devotees also do Jagran (wake the … [Read More...]
Flower Arrangement – Tall and strong
Heliconia is best for flower arrangements, as they last for a very long time. When teamed with Philodendron leaves, it makes a striking arrangement. Materials required: 1 Golden torch … [Read More...]
Ulundogare recipe – Urad Dal Rice recipe – Ullandogare – Ulundhorai
Ulundogare is prepared for naivedya (blessed food) in temples. It is a healthy meal with the right amount of carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. The flavor is derived from roasted … [Read More...]
Ikigai Café
Ikigai is a Japanese concept pronounced as ee-key-guy. It means a sense of purpose to wake up in the morning. This resonates perfectly with Navya, who has conceptualized this unique café “Ikigai” at … [Read More...]
February 2026 Hints
Use an onion to clean the grate on your grill. If your microwave is really dirty, put a damp cloth in there for about 30-45 seconds, let it sit (to cool down) then use it to wipe it down. The steam … [Read More...]
Konkaneshwara Temple, Akkihebbalu
The presiding deity at Konkaneshwara temple in Akkihebbalu, Mandya district is Lord Shiva. This temple is situated next to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. Both temples are ancient with no … [Read More...]
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is as ancient as our Puranas. Sage Gouthama's penance appeased Lord Vishnu and he appeared before him and asked his wish, the sage asked Lord Vishnu to … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Boiled Tapioca
Boiled Tapioca is very popular in Kerala. This is served with different types of chutneys. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 3 to 4 pieces of Tapioca / Mara Genasu Salt to … [Read More...]
Kadlekayi – Groundnuts Unde
Kadlekayi - Groundnuts Unde is a sweet dish prepared using Groundnuts / Peanuts and Jaggery. A sweet filled with proteins is also nick named as "protein ball". A favorite sweet among … [Read More...]
Churmuri – Puffed Rice Salad
A tasty spicy dish prepared using puffed rice. Churmuri is an evening snack very popular in Mysore. Cuisine: South Karnataka Time Required: 30 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 6 … [Read More...]
Sookha Aloo – Alu Fry Recipe – Potato Stir Fry
Sookha Aloo is a side dish prepared using Potatoes and spices. The potatoes are crisp and are coated with spices, which you can snack on or can be served as a accompaniment. Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Sweet Kolkotte – Sweet Steamed Rice Balls Recipe
Sweet Kolkotte is a dish where steamed rice balls are mixed with Coconut and Jaggery mixture. This is prepared as an offering to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chaturthi festival. Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]
Cabbage Kadale Kalu Palya – Cabbage Chickpea Stir Fry
Cabbage Kadale Kalu Palya is prepared with Cabbage and Chickpea. Cuisine: Karnataka Time required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Cabbage, Chopped 1/2 Cup Chickpea soaked for 4 hours and … [Read More...]
Kabuli Channa Chat Recipe – Channa Chat Recipe
Tomorrow is Holi and the celebrations can only get better with a delicious plate of Chat. Happy Holi! Ingredients: 1 Cup Kabuli Chana/ Chikpeas boiled with little Salt 1/4 Cup Potato cubes, deep … [Read More...]
Hesarukalu Saaru – Whole Green Gram Rasam – Moong Rasam
Hesarukalu Saaru is a thin curry prepared using whole green gram. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Hesarukalu/Saboot Moong/Whole Green Gram Few Curry leaves 1tsp … [Read More...]
Travel
KARP Mounted Police Headquarters Mysuru – Karnataka Armed Reserve Police Headquarters
Every Vijayadashami day, the Dasara Procession starts from Mysuru Palace and reaches Bannimantap ground with great pomp and fanfare. The golden howdah with Goddess Chamundeshwari majestically walks … [Read More...]
Karapuzha Dam
The main purpose of building Karapuzha dam was to utilize Karapuzha River for irrigation purpose. Karapuzha River is a tributary of Kabini River. This is one of the biggest earth dams in India … [Read More...]
Shembaganur Museum of Natural History – Kodaikanal
Shembaganur Museum of Natural History in Kodaikanal was started in 1895 and is affiliated with Loyola college, Chennai. It is now preserved by the Sacred Heart College. This is also known The Anglade … [Read More...]
Pondicherry Promenade
Pondicherry promenade or sea face as it is popularly known as is 1.5 kms long running along the beach. This is also known as Gourbert Avenue. A walk on the promenade is rejuvenating. There are many … [Read More...]
Umaid Bhawan Palace
Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the most modern looking palaces built in the 20th century. As the palace is built on a mound, the palace is visible from afar. During evenings, the lights in the palace … [Read More...]
Brindavan Gardens
Visit to Brindavan Gardens is high priority on the itinerary of visitors to Mysore. Even the good old Mysoreans love to stroll in the gardens of Brindavan Gardens, reminiscing on the glory of the … [Read More...]
Bryant Park Kodaikanal
Bryant Park is a botanical garden spread over 20.5 acres of land in Kodaikanal. The park is named after a forest officer from Madurai, H.D.Bryant who planned and built the park in … [Read More...]
Festivals
Mahashivarathri – Shivratri
Om Vande Shambhu Umaapatim Surgurum Vande Jagad Kaaranaam | Vande Pannag Bhushanaam Mrigadharam Vande Pashunaam Patim| Vande Surya Shashaak Vahninayanam Vande Mukundapriyam| Vande Bhakta … [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...]
Saraswathi Prarthane – Prayer to Goddess Saraswathi
Today is Saraswathi Pooja, which is part of Navrathri celebrations. This is a prarthane (prayer) to Goddess Saraswathi written by my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil in 1969. ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ಕಂದ … [Read More...]
Oiling ritual song – ಎಣ್ಣೆ ಹಚ್ಚುವಾಗ ಹೇಳುವ ಹಾಡು
This is a beautiful song written by Sri Purandara Dasaru to sing during the head oiling ritual, which is the beginning of auspicious occasions like festivals, weddings, upanayana (sacred thread … [Read More...]
Song to Goddess Lakshmi – Varamahalakshmi Arathi Haadu
My mother had written this song in the praise of Goddess Mahalakshmi in 1996. This song can be sung on festivals like Varamahalakshmi, Diwali Lakshmi Pooja, Shravana Shukravara Pooja, Ashada … [Read More...]
Lord Vishnu Arathi Song – Lord Hari Arathi Song
This is a song in praise of Lord Vishnu also known as Hari. My mother had learnt this song from her late aunt few decades back. Tomorrow is Vaikunta Chaturdashi vratha (observance) and … [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...]
