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

Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh is a tasty salad prepared using Bulgur wheat and other raw vegetables. Cuisine: Mediterranean Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Time Ingredients: 1 Cup Soaked Broken … [Read More...]

Coconut Garlic Raitha – Coconut Garlic Yogurt Recipe
Raw vegetables in coconut-garlic curds/yoghurt. Coconut Garlic Raitha tastes good with Pulao. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Cup Cucumber … [Read More...]

Bili Yellu Pudi Chitranna – Sesame Seeds Rice Recipe – Til Bhath Recipe – Til Rice Recipe
Tasty white Sesame Seeds rice from Karnataka. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Cups of Cooked Rice Salt to taste For the Masala: ½ Cup White Sesame Seeds, Roasted 4tbsp … [Read More...]

Paneer Bhurji – Paneer Burji Recipe – Scrambled Cottage Cheese
A side dish prepared using Cottage Cheese and vegetables. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1½ Cup grated Paneer/Cottage Cheese 1½ Cup Tomatoes Chopped Finely 1 Onion, … [Read More...]

Yennegai Palya – Badanekayi Ennagai Palya Recipe – Stuffed Eggplant Recipe
Yennegai Palya is prepared using Coconut, Onion and Spices stuffed into Brinjals/Eggplant/Aubergine and cooked in oil. This tasty dish is very popular in North Karnataka and served as a side … [Read More...]

Kochchida Mavinakayi Uppinakayi – Grated Mango Pickle
Kochchida Mavinakayi Uppinakayi is a traditional pickle endemic to Udupi region. The Mango is minced and pickled. “Kochchu” in Kannada means to mince. Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]

Kadalebele Usali
Kadalebele Usali is prepared using Channa Dal or Split Bengal Gram was distributed as prasada / blessed food in a Srinivasa temple, which was opposite to our house. Time Required: 30 Minutes + … [Read More...]

Makki ka Paratha – Maize Flour Bread Recipe – Maize flour Vegetable Flat Bread Recipe
Makki ka Paratha is an Indian bread prepared using Maize flour, Potatoes, and Cauliflower. Cuisine: North Indian Time required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Makki ka Atta / Maize … [Read More...]
Travel

Bhagamandala
Bhagamandala is famous for the confluence of the 3 sacred rivers, Cauvery, Sujyothi and Kanike and also for the Kerala style temple dedicated to Bhagandeshwara / Lord Shiva. Cauvery flows at this … [Read More...]

Forts of Goa
Most of the forts built in Goa are high up on the hills and offer a grand view of the Arabian Sea. The forts of Goa are dotted from Tiracol Fort, which is at the northernmost tip of Goa to Cabo da … [Read More...]

Madikeri Fort – Coorg
Madikeri or Mercara is the headquarters of Coorg or Kodagu District. It was founded by Prince Mudduraja of Haleri Dynasty in 1681 A.D and was named after him as Muddurjanakeri. With the passage of … [Read More...]

Namdroling Monastery
The largest Tibetan settlement is at Bylakuppe in Coorg District, near Kushalnagar. As you enter Bylakuppe you can see many Buddhist monks in their bright robes and Tibetan women and children going … [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...]

Varakodu Varadaraja Temple
Varakodu Varadaraja Temple is situated in Varakodu village near Mysore. The huge granite temple was developed and expanded by the Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Kings and the Mysore Wodeyars. Varakodu … [Read More...]

Talacauvery
The birth place of Cauvery / Kaveri River is Talacauvery. It is nestled in the hills of Brahmagiri range near Bhagamandala, Kodagu district, Karnataka at 1,276 meters (4,187 feet) above sea level. A … [Read More...]
Festivals

Nagara Chauthi
Nagara Chauthi festival is celebrated on the fourth day of the Hindu month Shravana, July – August according to Gregorian calendar dedicated to Snake god. For the festival date click here. On this … [Read More...]

Glory of Lord Mailaralinga – Mailaralinga Mahatme Haadu – Khandoba Mahima Geet
The glory of Lord Mailaralinga's song in Kannada has been sung by my mother's immediate and extended family for decades. This song was taught by a relative called Sri Shankar who lived with my … [Read More...]

Song in the glory of Lord Shiva
This devotional song on Lord Shiva sung during the Aarathi. ಶಿವನ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ಮಾರಾನಮರ್ದನಾಗೆ ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ನಂದೀ ವಾಹವಗೆ। ರಂಭೆಯೇರು ಚಂದದಿಂದ|| ಮುಂಗುರುಳಿನಲ್ಲೆ ಚಂದ್ರನ್ ಧರಸೀದವಗೇ … [Read More...]

Festivals in Shravana month – July and August 2025
Shrāvana (August - September) - From 25 July to 22 August (2025) Shravana Shanivara - 26 July, 2 August, 9 August, 16 August (2025) Mangala Gowri Vrat - 29 July, 5 August, 12 August, … [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...]

Gowri and Ganesha Festival Platters – Festival Food – Habbada Adige
Wish you all a very happy Gowri - Ganesha festival! Shopping, mantapa decorations, and preparing delicious festival food mark the Gowri - Ganesha festival celebrations. Gowri … [Read More...]

Adi Shankaracharya Jayanthi
Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Deva Maheshwara Guru Sakshath Parambrahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha|| Adi Shankaracharya the founder of the Advaita philosophy begins his Gurustotram or … [Read More...]
