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
Avarekayi Saaru – Winter Flat Beans Curry – Papdi Lilva Beans Curry Recipe
Guess what the aroma is from all of South Karnataka kitchens in winter. It is Avarekayi (field beans or flat beans)! Except for coffee, most of the items prepared for the next two months … [Read More...]
Mango Green Chilies Pickle
Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR) introduced a Mango pickle with Green Chilies in the summer of 2003 and discontinued the product after a few months. We had liked the taste of this unique combination … [Read More...]
Stuffed Parwal – Stuffed Pointed Gourd Recipe
Pointed Gourd stuffed with Onion, Potatoes and spices. Time required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 7 – 8 Parwal / Pointed Gourd 2tbsp Oil 2 Green Chilies, Chopped finely 1tsp Mustard … [Read More...]
Seemebadanekayi Palya
A side dish prepared using Chayote Squash. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Seemebadanekayi / Chayote Squash / Chow Chow 1tbsp Oil 1tsp Bengal Gram 1tsp Urad Dal 1tsp Mustard … [Read More...]
Pomelo Salad
Pomelo is known as Chakkotha in Kannada. Time Required: 2 Minutes + Peeling Time Ingredients: 1 Pomelo Fruit / Chakkotha 1tsp Chili Powder 4tbsp Sugar Salt to taste Method: Mix all the … [Read More...]
Masala Thondekayi Palya Recipe – Masaledar Tindli Recipe – Spicy Ivy Gourd Recipe
Ivy gourd or Thondekayi with masala makes for a great accompaniment with Chapathis or Rotis. This type of side dish is popularly prepared during weddings and festivals. Ingredients: 3 Cups … [Read More...]
Hesarubele Muchore – Green Gram Savory
During Dasara in Mysore, the households would start preparations to arrange dolls in their houses. The aroma of savories and sweets being prepared would fill the air and children would wait in … [Read More...]
Pineapple Juice
Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Pineapple pieces 4tbsp Sugar A pinch of Pepper (Optional) A pinch of Salt Method: Churn all the ingredients together in the blender. Sieve … [Read More...]
Travel
Shopping in Rajasthan
Rajasthan is haven for shoppers. Every city in Rajasthan has a buzzing colorful market and visitors throng these places to take back things as a momento. Shopping in Rajasthan is an experience by … [Read More...]
Birla Mandir Jaipur
People visiting Jaipur never fail to visit the Birla Mandir Jaipur dedicated to Lord Narayana / Vishnu and his consort Goddess Laxmi. The temple was built by B.M.Birla foundation in white Markarana … [Read More...]
Colonel Bailey’s Dungeon, Srirangapatna
The word Dungeon is morbid and imagination conjures up of prisoners suffering in the dark dungeons. To see it for real, travel to Srirangapatna and visit the Dungeon built during the rule of Tipu … [Read More...]
Shore Birds of Kukkarahalli Lake
Busy birds chirping and singing joyfully greets early morning walkers in Kukkarahalli kere/lake. Birds of all sizes both aquatic and land/shore birds have found this lake a very conducive environment … [Read More...]
Auli
Auli situated at a height of 3050 meters (9000 feet) above sea level in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand is a must visit place. The Himalayan snow slopes at Auli attracts skiers from across the world. … [Read More...]
Jwalamukhi Tripura Sundari Temple
"Kadamba vana vasinim, kanaka vallaki dharinim, Maharha mani harinim, mukasa mulla sad varunim, Daya vibhava karinim vichatha lochamim, charinim, Trilochana Kudimbhineem, Tripura Sundarim … [Read More...]
Vidurashwatha
Legends and Indian history has been etched in this small village called Vidurashwatha in Karnataka. There is a huge Peepal tree with a shrine that is worshiped by people who flock this place. … [Read More...]
Festivals
Ele Ashtami – Jesta Devi Pooja
This festival is celebrated widely in North Karnataka. This festival falls on the 8th day of the Hindu month Bhadrapada, August – September of Gregorian calendar. For the festival dates click … [Read More...]
Aarathi
Items Required: Camphor or Cotton Wicks soaked in Ghee Aarathi Plate Flower Petals and Manthrakshathe (Rice smeared with Ghee and Kumkum or Ghee and Turmeric Powder) Definition: Aarathi is a … [Read More...]
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha is a religious practice that people vow to perform in the Hindu month of Karthika, which is October – November in the Gregorian calendar. It is performed for 14 years and … [Read More...]
Lakshmi Aarathi Song – Devotional Song
Here is a devotional song sung while doing Aarathi to Goddess Lakshmi. May Goddess Lakshmi bless you with health and prosperity. ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳಾರತಿ ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ರಂಗನಾರ್ಧಾ೦ಗಿಯಳೇ … [Read More...]
Pattada Gombe Alankara
Pattada Gombe in Kannada means, the royal dolls and Alankara means decoration. Many households have a custom of arranging dolls during Dasara festival in Mysore and distribute sweet and savories to … [Read More...]
Kalasha
This is an important arrangement in any of the Hindu rituals/pooja. This occupies a prominent place in the pedestal along with the idols or photographs of gods and goddesses. During marriages the … [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...]
