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
Whole Lemon Pickle
I had an school friend who was a Kerala Iyer and we used to have lunch together. Her lunch box always contained watery curd rice with one whole yellow Lemon pickle dunked into it. Yumm! Mouth … [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...]
Chori Aloo Subzi – Cowpeas Beans and Potato Side Dish Recipe – Potato Recipe
Chori Aloo Subzi is a side dish prepared using Yard Long Beans and Potatoes. Mildly spiced, this gravy side dish is a very good accompaniment with Indian Bread. Cowpeas Beans is also known as … [Read More...]
Paneer Tikka
Cottage Cheese coated with spices and grilled or shallow fried. This dish is very suitable to be served as a starter. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 10 – 15 1” square pieces of … [Read More...]
Sesame Seeds Squares
Sesame Seeds Squares is a crunchy sweet is prepared in North India during Sankranthi festival. It is believed that if you consume Sesame seeds during winter, it keeps you warm. Time Required: … [Read More...]
Jamun Shikanji – Indian Blackberry Juice – Black Plum Juice – Narale Panaka
Come June - July, the markets are filled with these shiny Black-Purple fruit known as Narale Hannu in Kannada and Jamun in Hindi. Apart from eating with a pinch of salt, the fruit tastes great … [Read More...]
Alu Methi – Aloo Methi Recipe – Potato Fenugreek Leaves Recipe
A side dish prepared using Potatoes and Fenugreek leaves. Ingredients: 5 Potatoes, peeled diced 1 bunch Methi / Fenugreek leaves, cleaned and chopped finely 2 tbsp Oil 1tsp Saunf / … [Read More...]
Alasandekayi Masala – Cowpeas Beans Side Dish Recipe – Lobiya kee Phaliyaan Subzi
Alasandekayi Masala is a side dish prepared using Cowpeas Beans. Cuisine: Indian Time required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Bowl, Chopped Alasandekayi / Yard long beans 1 Tomato, Chopped … [Read More...]
Travel
Kavadi Kere
A beautiful lake spread over 62 acres shines like glass reflecting the blue sky and the hills all around it. The floating dried leaves along with lily leaves creates a lovely pattern over it. Beside … [Read More...]
Kalathgiri Waterfalls
After spending a fair amount of time in Kemmanagundi, we drove to Kalathgiri waterfalls and were very disappointed. There was less water, due to summer but, the garbage, litter and unruly crowd made … [Read More...]
Shri Kamakshi Sharada Temple, Hebbur
Shri Kamakshi Sharada Temple is situated in Hebbur, a village in Kunigal Taluk, Tumkur district of Karnataka. The temple is managed by Shri Kodandashrama Mutt of Hebbur. The village got its name … [Read More...]
Srirama Temple, Ponkuzhi
A stop at Srirama Temple, Ponkuzhi on the way from Mysore to Sulthan Bathery is a must, as it is situated in a very serene and scenic place. The Ponkuzhi River flowing on one side, the bamboo … [Read More...]
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
The best part of our trip to Chikmagalur district last summer was the time spent at the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is one of the best forest reserves that we have been to and would love … [Read More...]
Shravanabelagola
The first time I visited Shravanabelagola was in 1982 on a school trip. It was Mahamasthakabhishekha time and we climbed up the rickety scaffolding up to the head of the monolithic statue of Bahubali … [Read More...]
Chain Tree
Chain Tree in Lakkidi, Wayanad was extremely intriguing and many types of trees trained to grow like chains came to my mind. Just before we left the resort for the sightseeing, the manager of the … [Read More...]
Festivals
Kiratha Arjuna – Shabara Shankara
One of Lord Shiva’s statues in Nanjanagud is Kiratha Arjuna – Shabara Shankara statue. The character of KiraAthaArjuna is introduced in the Aranya Parva (forest section) of the great epic … [Read More...]
Happy Vijayadashami 2024
Why in North India, Ravana is burnt on Vijayadashami day? This is done to symbolize Lord Rama killing the 10 headed demon Ravana. Good over evil! What does the 10 heads of Ravana stand … [Read More...]
Prayer to Parvathi
This prayer was chanted by Chandrahasa to goddess Parvathi/Chamundi/Amba/Gowri. Extracted from the Gemini bharatha. ಚಂದ್ರಹಾಸನ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ - ಜೈಮಿನಿ ಭಾರತ ತಾಯೆ ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ಪರಮ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಿ … [Read More...]
Gombe Arathi Haadu – Dolls Arathi Song – Golu Song – Dolls Arrangement Song
In Mysore, during Dasara festival, there is a tradition of arranging dolls on 7 steps or 9 steps. Various dolls passed on from generations are removed from boxes, dusted, and arranged according to … [Read More...]
Shri Sathyanarayana Swamy Vratha
Narayana Lakshminaryana Narayana Sathyanarayana The above chorus is from a famous Kannada song Kapadu Sri Sathya Narayana. For lyrics please refer the following link - … [Read More...]
Ganesha Ashtotra Shathanaamavali – 108 names of Lord Ganesha
Ganesha Ashtotra Shathanaamavali is 108 names of Lord Ganesha. While chanting this, you can offer 21 Patra or 21 Pushpa to Lord Ganesha. Here there are 110 names of Lord Ganesha. Om … [Read More...]
ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು – Aarathi Song
During Dasara, Saraswathi is worshiped and on this day few people choose to arrange the dolls. For the festival date click here. The below song dedicated to Goddess Sarawathi is written by my … [Read More...]
