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

Cucumber Hasi Gojju – Sweet and Sour Cucumber Salad
Cucumber Hasi Gojju is a sweet and sour salad and is prepared in South Karnataka households during auspicious occasions. If you are bored of the usual Kosambari (salad), you can try this recipe for a … [Read More...]

Vegetable Momo
Vegetable Momo are very popular in India and proves that Indi-Chini are Bhai Bhai! Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: For the filling: ½ Cup Cabbage, Minced ½ Cup … [Read More...]

Mirchi ke Tipore – Instant Chili Pickle Recipe – Chili Pickle Recipe
A Rajasthani friend of mine dropped in for lunch this weekend and she churned up this instant Chili pickle - Mirchi ke Tipore to our delight! Cuisine: Rajasthan Time Required: 15 … [Read More...]

Tomatillo Verde Salsa
I will call this recipe Tomat illa (illa means "not available" in Kannada) Verde Salsa. As Tomatillo (pronounced “toe-mah-TEE-yo”) is not available in India, I prepared this using Raw Tomato as it … [Read More...]

Matodi Palya Recipe – Methi Dal Subzi – Fenugreek Leaves with Lentil Recipe
Matodi Palya is a side dish prepared using Split Chickpea and Fenugreek leaves. Cuisine: North Karnataka Time required: 30 minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 1 Cup Bengal Gram Dal / … [Read More...]

Sugarcane Dosa
Pancakes/Crepes prepared using Rice and Sugarcane juice. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice 1 Cup Sugarcane Juice ½ Cup Coconut, Grated ½ Cup Jaggery Oil for … [Read More...]

Bhindi Kurma – Okra in Gravy Recipe – Ladies Finger Gravy Recipe
Bhindi Kurma is Okra in a tomato gravy. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 15 Bhindi / Lady’s Finger / Okra, Chopped into ¾“ pieces 1tsp Chaat Masala 2tsp Garam … [Read More...]

Masoor Dal Chutney
Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: ½ Cup Masoor Dal / Red Lentils 6 – 8 Red Chilies 1 tsp Oil 3 – 2” pieces of Tamarind ½ Cup Fresh grated Coconut A Bengal dal size Hing / … [Read More...]
Travel

Seethalayanagiri – Chikmagalur
Seethalayanagiri is situated on the way from Chikmagalur to Mullayanagiri. As you drive up the winding roads of Chandradrona hill on the way to Mullayanagiri in Chikmagalur, the views around is … [Read More...]

Rashtrapathi Bhavan – New Delhi
One of the most majestic residences of India is the Rashtrapathi Bhavan, New Delhi. It is the residence of India’s honorable President. Rashtrapathi Bhavan took 17 years to build and was inaugurated … [Read More...]

Trikuteshwara Temple
This ancient temple of Trikuteshwara dates back to the Kalyani Chalukyas who ruled this region during 1050 to 1200 CE. Picture1 - Entrance to Trikuteshwara Temple This temple is situated in … [Read More...]

Pondicherry Promenade
Pondicherry promenade or sea face as it is popularly known as is 1.5 kms long running along the beach. This is also known as Gourbert Avenue. A walk on the promenade is rejuvenating. There are many … [Read More...]

Pillar Rocks, Kodaikanal
Pillar Rocks as the name suggests is a place in the Kodaikanal hills where three giant rock pillars stand tall kissing the clouds. You can view the pillars from an observation deck built on the … [Read More...]

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is situated in the historical island town of Srirangapatna, Mandya district. Srirangapatna is 15 Km away from Mysore. Picture1 - Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple The … [Read More...]

Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Jungle book was one of my favorite books and the movie by Disney bought this book alive. I think the makers of the movie toured Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary before making the movie. I am stating this … [Read More...]
Festivals

Dasara Procession and Torch Light Parade during the reign of the Wodeyars
Picture1 - Illuminated Mysore Palace Mysore Dasara procession during the Maharajah’s rule used to be on a larger scale and grander. My grandparents and parents generation go on and on … [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...]

Dasara Procession in Mysore
Vijayadashami being the last day of the celebrations, a grand Jamboo Savari/procession passes through the streets of the city. The main attraction here is the idol of the goddess Chamundeshwari placed … [Read More...]

ಕೃಷ್ಣನ್ನ ತೊಟ್ಟಲಿಗೆ ಹಾಕುವ ಹಾಡು (೨೪ ನಾಮಗಳು)
This is song sung to Lord Krishna during the cradle function. On the eleventh day of the baby being born, a ceremony is performed wherein all the womenfolk gather and put the baby into cradle … [Read More...]

Shivana Bhajane – Shiva Bhajan – Jagratha Bhajan
Happy Maha Shivaratri! Here is an easy Bhajan (devotional song) on Lord Shiva. We used to sing this every evening during our Summer break. Hey Shiva Shankara Namami Shankara Shiva Shankara … [Read More...]

Aarathi Song to Sri Rama
Here is an Aarathi song in praise of Lord Rama. This is sung during Rama Navami festival and can also be sung on any other festival during Aarathi. Kannada Script: ರಾಮನ ಆರತಿ … [Read More...]

Ritu – Indian Seasons – Rithu
Ritu means "season" in ancient Indian calendars used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. There are six ritus or seasons. The word is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Ṛtú. Every season, … [Read More...]
