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
Ker Sangri – Dried Beans Side Dish – Rajastani Kandi Subzi Recipe
This is one of the most authentic dishes of Rajasthan. I made a point to taste this dish when in Rajasthan. I also bought the dried Ker and Sangri and prepared this dish at home. The Ker is a wild … [Read More...]
Mooli Paratha
Indian bread prepared with Radish. A favorite among the people of Punjab. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 3 Cups Wheat Flour 3 Radishes / Mooli / Moolangi 1tsp Ajwain / Om Kalu / … [Read More...]
Raw Jackfruit Dosa
Crepes prepared using Raw Jackfruit. This dish is known as Halasinakayi Dose in Kannada. Cuisine: South Indian Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 1 Cup Raw … [Read More...]
Tofu Noodles
Tofu Noodles is a dish packed with a great amount of nutrition and is also lip smacking! Cuisine: South East Asia Time required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Pack Instant Noodles with … [Read More...]
Sweet and Sour Mango Curry
Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 3 Ripe Mangoes 1tbsp Ghee A pinch of Asafoetida 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds 1tsp Red Chili Powder ¾ tsp Turmeric Powder 1tsp Dry Mango … [Read More...]
Fruity Pulao
Flavored Rice with fresh and dry fruits. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 Cups Basmathi Rice 2 tbsp Apple pieces 2 tbsp Ghee/Clarified Butter or Oil 1tsp Chili … [Read More...]
Coconut Garlic Chutney Powder
Coconut Garlic Chutney Powder is prepared in North Karnataka and Maharashtra and is served with Bhakri or Chapathi. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: Half Desiccated Coconut, Grated 7 … [Read More...]
Falafel Sandwich
Falafel Sandwich is a Falafel Sandwich middle eastern favorite where chik pea fritters and vegetables are stuffed into a Pita bread. Cuisine: Middle East / Mediterranean Time Required: 15 … [Read More...]
Travel
Sand Museum in Mysore
Mysore is fortunate to have an artist with a unique art like Sand sculpting. Artist M.N.Gowri is the one behind the Sand Museum in Mysore. This is has become a must stop for tourists visiting Mysore. … [Read More...]
Bhavani Shankar Temple
Bhavani Shankar Temple is situated in Vasanthapura, Bangalore. The temple is more than 250 years old and the presiding deity is Sri Bhavani Shankar (Lord Shiva). The Swayambhu Linga is … [Read More...]
Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur
Jaigarh fort also known as Victory fort is one of the most beautiful and unscathed forts in India. In 1726, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh built this fort on a hill known as Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) … [Read More...]
Aloka Palace, Mysore
I visited Aloka Palace near Yelwal, Mysore as part of my son’s summer camp outing few decades back. I visited again to take pictures and to know more about the place. A bit disappointing as there … [Read More...]
Vani Vilas Water Works, Mysore
100 years ago history was made when Mysore city got drinking water from the Cauvery River flowing 12 Kms away from the city. To manage the drinking water, two pumping stations were set, one at … [Read More...]
Jain Temples Jaisalmer
Some of the most magnificent Jain temples are location in the fort of Jaisalmer. Jain temples Jaisalmer are ancient and are a pilgrimage center for Jains. These temples date back to the 12th and 15th … [Read More...]
Adichunchanagiri
Adichunchanagiri is a town situated on top of a hill in Mandya district, Karnataka. It is the spiritual headquarters of the Vokkaliga community and is also known as Mahasamsthana Matt. The hill … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Sri Vadirajara Aradhane
Vadirajatirtharu is one of the greatest saints belonging to the Madhwa Brahmin sect. He was born in 1480 on Magha (February) Shudda Dwadashi to a Shivalli Tulu Brahmin couple, Ramabhatta and Gowri in … [Read More...]
A thought on Saraswathi Pooja
ವಿದ್ಯೆಯ ಮಹತ್ವ ಒಡಲೊಳಗಿರುವದು ವಿದ್ಯೆಯು ನಡೆದರೆ ತಾಂಬರವಲ್ಲ ಕಳ್ಳರು ಕದಿಯರ್ ಪೊಡವಿಪರು ಕಸಿದು ಕೊಳ್ಳರ್ ವಡಹುಟ್ಟಿದವರು ಪಾಲು ಕೇಳರು ಕೇಳೈ Meaning: Knowledge is something that belong to you. Strangers … [Read More...]
Vijayothsava – Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni – Kannada Version
Story of King Raghu (of Raghuvamsha) written by my mother in Kannada script. This story appears in the Ramayana and my mother has written in simple words for easy understanding. Click here for … [Read More...]
Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is a celebration of married life. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm by married women of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. It falls 9 days before Diwali. For … [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...]
Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya means infinite or never ending. Akshaya Trithiya festival falls on the third day of the Hindu month Vaishakha, April-May in Gregorian calendar. This festival is also known as Akha … [Read More...]
