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
Thandai – Sardai Recipe – Dry Fruits Milkshake Recipe – Dry Fruits Smoothie Recipe
Thandai is a refreshing drink prepared using many dried fruits. Holi, the festival of colors ends with a drink of Thandai and it is also offered to Lord Shiva on Shivarathri. … [Read More...]
Belasi Kosambari – Ponk Salad – Hara Jowar Salad – Green Sorghum Salad
Ponk or Paunk or Belasi is very rare to find in the markets. This are green immature sorghum grains that is used to make certain dishes during winter. I was lucky to get these from Gujarat … [Read More...]
Kesar Sandwich
Kesar Sandwich is prepared using dehydrated Milk, Nuts, and Saffron. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 12 Bread slices For the Mawa(solidified Milk) mixture: 150gms Mawa 1 - 2 … [Read More...]
Dal Raitha
Dal Raitha is cooked lentils in curds. Tastes good with Indian bread. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 15 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cup cooked Tuvar dal/Togaribele/Red gram … [Read More...]
Kalina Usali – Mixed Lentils Usal Recipe – Usal Recipe
Kalina Usali is prepared using a mixture of whole lentils like Chik Peas, Horse Gram, Green Gram, Cow Peas, Kabuli Peas, and so on. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 30 Minutes + … [Read More...]
Yellu Hasimenasinakayi Chutney
Yellu Hasimenasinakayi Chutney is a chutney prepared using Sesame Seeds and Green Chilies. This can be stored for three days without refrigeration. Time Required: 10 … [Read More...]
Pita Bread Sandwich
Pita Bread Sandwich is a tasty wholesome meal. Need not have all the ingredients mentioned in this recipe. You can use cream cheese instead of Hummus or you can use Green Capsicum instead of Red and … [Read More...]
Raw Jackfruit Dosa
Crepes prepared using Raw Jackfruit. This dish is known as Halasinakayi Dose in Kannada. Cuisine: South Indian Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 1 Cup Raw … [Read More...]
Travel
Somanathapura
Baagilali Kai Mugidu Valage Baa Yaathrikane Shileyalla Vee Gudiyu Kaleya Baleyu ….. Somanathapura temple inspired Kannada poet Kuvempu to pen the above poem. The poet says fold your hands and … [Read More...]
Birds of Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Birds of Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary can drain your Camera batteries in no time, ensure that you have additional batteries! Yes, out of 250 species you can spot at least 50 during a day stay in … [Read More...]
Nandi on top of Chamundi Hills – Chamundi Hills Nandi
As children we were very excited to either drive down for a darshan of Nandi on top of Chamundi hills or climb down the steps to reach Nandi. We would be greeted by a big seated bull in … [Read More...]
Veeranarayana Temple Gadag
Sri Vanitheyarasane Vimala Raa Jeeva Peethana Pithane Jagakathi Paavanane Sanakaadi Sajjana Nikara Daathaara Raavaanaasura Mathana Shravana Sudhaa Vinoothana Kathana Kaarana Kaavudaanatha Janava … [Read More...]
Bannari Amman Temple
Bannari Amman Temple is situated in the picturesque Sathyamangala forest, West of Tamil Nadu state. The forest is situated in Erode district. The presiding deity of the temple is Mariamma … [Read More...]
Rameswaram
The conch is auspicious to Hindus and Lord Vishnu is always depicted holding a conch in one of his hands. Rameswaram is a sacred island in the shape of a conch spread across 61.8 square kilometers in … [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
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...]
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...]
Subramanya Shashti
Subramanya Shashti also known as Champa Shashti is celebrated honoring the birth of second son of Shiva named Subramanya / Skanda. It falls on the 6th day of the Hindu month of … [Read More...]
King Raghu and Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni Tree – English Version
King Raghu of Raghuvamsha fame was a brave, generous, humble, and sensible ruler of Ayodhya. He had won many battles and his treasury was filled to the brim. On the behest of his guru Vashishta, he … [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...]
Traditional Dolls Arrangement
Here are some Dolls that are handed over from generations to generations for arranging during Dasara. Traditional Dolls Arrangement includes Dolls in a marriage party complete with the bride / groom … [Read More...]
Nagara Panchami
Nagara Panchami Nadige doddadu Naada Naadiyar Kodona Naada Naadiyar Kodona | Gelathi| Naagappage Haalu Hoyyona || The above Kannada song is sung during Nagara Panchami festival. The … [Read More...]
