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
Money Bags
Minced vegetables filled in wonton wrappers are shaped into money bags and deep fried. Delicious! Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: ½ Cup Cabbage, Chopped … [Read More...]
Avocado Pineapple Juice
You will find a bounty of Avocado in the market as it is raining in the coastal and hilly regions. Avocado Pineapple Juice is very easy to make but an unusual refreshing drink. Time Required: 10 … [Read More...]
Pineapple Raitha
Yogurt with Pineapple makes a cool accompaniment to Parathas or Roti / Indian bread. Time Required: 10 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Cup Pineapple 2 Cups Curds / Yoghurt 2 sprigs … [Read More...]
Kadala Curry – Chikpea Curry Recipe – Kerala Style Curry Recipe
A popular Kerala curry prepared using Black Chikpea and a perfect accompaniment to Puttu and Appam. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 Cups Soaked Black Chikpea / Kadale / … [Read More...]
Kadai Capsicum Paneer
Cottage cheese cooked with Capsicum and Tomatoes, accented with coriander seeds and freshly pounded black peppercorns laced in creamy tomato gravy. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Ragi Malt
Ragi / Finger Millet is a powerhouse of calcium and is extremely good for people of all ages. Ragi Malt is a powder that can be stored for a long time, which is prepared using sprouted Ragi, Dry … [Read More...]
Braised Purple Cabbage Recipe – Purple Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe
This is a simple stir-fry dish using purple cabbage. You can serve with either Rice or Noodles. Ingredients: 2 Cups Purple cabbage sliced 1" Ginger, sliced 4 pods Garlic, minced 3 Red … [Read More...]
Menthya Batani Bhath – Fenugreek Leaves Peas Rice Recipe – Methi Mutter Rice Recipe
Rice dish prepared using Fenugreek leaves and Peas. Prepared in Karnataka during festivals and auspicious ceremonies. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 6 Cups Cooked … [Read More...]
Travel
Kalapathar Beach – Havelock Island
If you want an example of a breath-taking beach, it is Kalapathar Beach – Havelock Island. Kalapathar means Black Rocks and an adjoining village is also known as Kalapathar. Emerald … [Read More...]
Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary
Muthanga wildlife sanctuary was established in 1973 and adjoined to the protected forest network in the Nilgiri Biosphere comprising of Nagarhole, Bandipur, and Madumalai. Rich in … [Read More...]
Maddur
Maddur is a town situated on the banks of River Shimsha in Mandya district, Karnataka. Paddy and coconut growing is the main occupation of the people living here. It is now known as … [Read More...]
Manchinbele Dam
Manchinbele dam or Manchanabele dam is situated 40 Kms from Bangalore in Manchinbele village, Magadi Taluk. The dam is built across Arkavathi River. When your expectations are at its lowest … [Read More...]
Andal Temple, Belur
Belur Chennakeshava Temple complex comprises of many temples dedicated to various deities. One such temple is the Andal temple. The presiding deity Andal is also known as Ranganayaki. This is situated … [Read More...]
Pyramid Valley International – Maitreya Buddha Pyramid
Pyramid Valley International is situated in a serene valley surrounded by greenery and small hills in Bengaluru. The campus is spread over 28 acres. Here a large pyramid is built solely for the … [Read More...]
Kukkarahalli Lake – Mysore
My sister and me always had an extended summer holidays, as my uncle’s family from Delhi would be visiting Mysore every year for their summer holidays. Our holidays would end in May and their holidays … [Read More...]
Festivals
Basava Jayanthi
Kalabeda, kola beda, husiya nidiyalu beda Muniya beda, anyarige asahya padabeda Thanna bannisabeda, idira aliyalu beda Ide antaranga shuddhi, ide bahiranga shuddhi Ide namma koodala … [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...]
Mysore Dasara Procession in Black and White
Wish you all a very happy Dasara! This Dasara procession photograph was part of my grandfather's collection. The photograph was probably taken between 1930 - 1935. … [Read More...]
Manmatha or Kama – the god of love
Another interesting statue in Nanjanagudu is that of Manmatha or Kama - the god of love (Kama Samhara (killing) Murthy (idol)). During Holi festival, effigy of Manmatha or Kama is burnt, which is … [Read More...]
Significance of Diwali festival in different religions
Jainism Diwali is celebrated by Jains with devotion, on this day Lord Mahavira the 24th Thirthankara achieved Nirvana on Amavasya of Ashvina masa in 527 B.C. The Lord left the body and achieved … [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...]
Teej Festival
Teej festival is celebrated in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, and Nepal. This festival is commemorating the day when Goddess Parvathi reunited with Lord Shiva after 108 births. In her 108th birth, Lord … [Read More...]
