Brahma Jinalaya is a Jain Basadi / temple built in the 11th century by Attimabbe mother of Ahniga Masavadi the ruler of Lakkundi. Queen Attimabbe was generous and a benefactor of Kannada … [Read More...]
Kashivishwanatha Temple, Lakkundi
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
Chili Sauce Recipe – Red Chili Sauce Recipe – Sriracha Recipe
Red Chilies are available during the winters in India. Various varieties can be seen in the market. The heat of Chili Sauce adds the much needed zing to any dish. Ingredients: 1 Cup Raw … [Read More...]
Fruit Custard
Fruit custard is a favorite while growing up. With Ice-cream it would be the must loved Fruit Salad with Ice-cream! Time Required: 40 Minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 1 Apple 2 Banana 1 … [Read More...]
Pal Puri – Deep Fried Bread with sweetened milk
"Pal" means Milk and "Puri" is crisp deep fried Indian Bread. This dish is a combination of crispy puris with sweetened condensed milk. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: For the … [Read More...]
Plain Dosa
Plain Dosa are pancakes prepared using Rice and Black Gram Split. This is the most preferred breakfast in South India and you can hear the hiss of water on the iron griddle as stacks of Dosas … [Read More...]
Tutti Frutti Eggless Cake
Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: 2 ¼ Cup Maida / Refined Flour 1tin Condensed Milk 120ml / ½ Cup melted butter 150ml water 2tsp Vanilla essence 2tsp Baking Powder 1tsp Soda-Bi-Carb … [Read More...]
Eggless Pancakes – Pancakes without eggs
Pancakes are an all-time favorite in the West for breakfast. I like them when topped with fruits like Banana, Blueberries, and Strawberries. Time required: 20 minutes Ingredients: 2 cup Maida / … [Read More...]
Bhajra Jowar Paratha – Sorghum and Black Millet flat Bread – Bajri Bhakri Recipe
Bhajra Jowar Paratha is prepared by mixing Sorghum flour and Black Millet flour with chopped Spring Onions, Ginger and Chilies. Time Required: 25 Minutes Makes: 8 Parathas Ingredients 1 Cup … [Read More...]
Banana Strawberry Smoothie
Strawberries are crushed along with Yoghurt and Milk to get a refreshing and healthy drink. Ingredients: 15 Strawberries 1 Banana, Chopped 1/2 Cup Strawberry Ice Cream 2 Glasses of Chilled … [Read More...]
Travel
Birds of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Andaman and Nicobar islands are home to many species of birds, both aquatic and shore birds. As we traveled across the islands we came across the following birds, which we could photograph. Some birds … [Read More...]
Chunchi Falls
When I heard the name of the falls I felt like humming the good old Hindi song “Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu…Chin Chin Chu.. baba Chin Chin Chu…..” from the film Howrah Bridge sung by Geetha Dutt. Chunchi … [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...]
Bagore Ki Haveli, Udaipur
When we visited Bagore Ki Haveli / Bungalow, it was late in the evening and the live music and the subdued lights in the Haveli on the banks of Lake Pichola, Udaipur took us back to few centuries. … [Read More...]
Shopping and eating out in Andaman and Nicobar
When we planned for the Andaman and Nicobar islands trip, I knew very little about what food is available for tourists and was very apprehensive. But all my fears were put to rest when I landed on … [Read More...]
Radhanagar Beach
Radhanagar Beach is situated in Havelock Island, which is part of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is located close to Radhanagar village. In 2004, the beach was declared as one of the best … [Read More...]
Regional Museum of Natural History, Mysore
The Regional Museum of Natural History in Mysore was established in 1995. Information on nature and its conservation is exhibited using photographs, models, charts, stuffed artifacts, and so … [Read More...]
Festivals
Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – August and September 2025
Bhādrapad (August – September) Ganesh Chaturthi – 27 August 2025 Ganesha aarathi song Why Ganesha is also known as Ekadantha Mystery of the term “Morya” 21 Patra … [Read More...]
Panchamrutha Abhishekha
"Panch" means 5 and "Amrutha" means nectar in Sanskrit. Panchamrutha Abhishekha is a Hindu ritual performed at all homes and temples, where the idols are bathed with Milk, Curds, Honey, Sugar and … [Read More...]
Chaitra Gauri Pooja
Sarva Mangala Maangalye Shive Sarvaartha Saadhike| Sharanye Trayambake Gouri Narayani Namosthuthe|| Chaitra Gauri Pooja is also known as Tadigae Gauri Vratha, Ujjale Gauri Vratha, Soubhagya … [Read More...]
Bheemana Amavasya – Gandana Pooje – Gandana Habba
This festival is also known as Jyothirbheemeshwara Vrata and Pathi Sanjeevini Vratha and it is mentioned in Skaanda Purana (Skanda Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text, is … [Read More...]
Paryaya of Sri Krishna Matha (Krishna Temple) of Udupi
Paryaya is a ritualistic system by which the pontiffs of the eight muttts of Udupi, by turn, take up the responsibility of worshipping the deity at the Sri Krishna temple. The ceremony of the handing … [Read More...]
Rathasapthami
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South … [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...]
