Festival dates in Phalgun month – February and March 2026 Phālgun (February – March) Sri Raghavendra Swami Jayanthi – 24 February 2026 Holi – 2 to 4 March 2026 … [Read More...]

Happy Shivaratri 2026
As Lord Shiva is Trinetra (3 eyes), Bilva leaves are offered on this auspicious day of Maha Shivaratri. Some devotees feast and few fast on this day. Devotees also do Jagran (wake the … [Read More...]
Flower Arrangement – Tall and strong
Heliconia is best for flower arrangements, as they last for a very long time. When teamed with Philodendron leaves, it makes a striking arrangement. Materials required: 1 Golden torch … [Read More...]

Ulundogare recipe – Urad Dal Rice recipe – Ullandogare – Ulundhorai
Ulundogare is prepared for naivedya (blessed food) in temples. It is a healthy meal with the right amount of carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. The flavor is derived from roasted … [Read More...]

Ikigai Café
Ikigai is a Japanese concept pronounced as ee-key-guy. It means a sense of purpose to wake up in the morning. This resonates perfectly with Navya, who has conceptualized this unique café “Ikigai” at … [Read More...]

February 2026 Hints
Use an onion to clean the grate on your grill. If your microwave is really dirty, put a damp cloth in there for about 30-45 seconds, let it sit (to cool down) then use it to wipe it down. The steam … [Read More...]

Konkaneshwara Temple, Akkihebbalu
The presiding deity at Konkaneshwara temple in Akkihebbalu, Mandya district is Lord Shiva. This temple is situated next to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. Both temples are ancient with no … [Read More...]

Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is as ancient as our Puranas. Sage Gouthama's penance appeased Lord Vishnu and he appeared before him and asked his wish, the sage asked Lord Vishnu to … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes

Purple Cabbage and Apple Salad
Red Cabbage and Apple Salad is a delicious and healthy salad. Great for summer. Ingredients: 1 Bowl Purple Cabbage, Sliced thinly 1 Carrot, Peeled and sliced Few Beetroot Leaves or Spinach 1 Apple, … [Read More...]

Spicy Mango Sauce Recipe
To add some spice to the Mango season, you can try and prepare a spicy Mango sauce. Time required: 25 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup Mango Pulp 1/2 tsp Ginger paste 2 or 3 cloves Garlic ground to a … [Read More...]

Vengayam Chutney – Onion Chutney
Vengayam Chutney is served all over Tamil Nadu along with Idli or Dosa. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup fresh Coconut, grated ¼ Cup Chopped Onions 1tbsp Bengal Gram Dal 1tsp … [Read More...]

Palak Pakodi Chaat – Spinach Fritters served with spiced yogurt – Chat Recipe
A tangy tasty snack prepared using Palak Pakoda / Spinach Fritters. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 5 Palak Pakoda 2tbsp Boiled Potato diced or boiled … [Read More...]

Appam
Typical Kerela crepe/pancake prepared using rice and coconut milk. Appam is relished with Ishtew a vegetable side dish. Cuisine: Kerala Soaking Time : 4 Hours Fermenting Time : 8 … [Read More...]

Heerekayi Chutney – Ridge Gourd Chutney
Heerekayi Chutney is prepared using Ridge Gourd and Coconut. This is known as Heerekayi Gojju in Udupi Region. Cuisine: South Karnataka Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Fresh … [Read More...]

Baingan and Paneer Tikki – Eggplant and Cottage Cheese Patties – Brinjal and Cottage Cheese Patties
My cook who is from Orissa cooked this delicious Baingan and Paneer Tikki for a dinner party at home. Usually except for the Paneer (Cottage Cheese), the rest of the ingredients are used to … [Read More...]

Alu Methi Palak – Aloo Methi Palak Recipe – Potato Fenugreek Spinach Recipe
I learnt to make this dish from my Mami/Aunt, who is a wonderful cook. This North Indian side dish goes very well with all types of Indian Bread and is prepared using Potatoes, Fenugreek and … [Read More...]
Travel

Manikyadhara Falls
Manikyadhara falls also known as Nellikayi Theertha is situated 1 km from Baba Budan Giri Dattatreya Peetha, Chikkamagalur, Karnataka. The water that falls down is in the form of droplets and they … [Read More...]

Cellular Jail in Port Blair
You can visualize men in white with cap renting the air in the corridors of the Cellular Jail in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the slogan Vande Mataram! Bharath Matha ki Jai! The … [Read More...]

Madhuvana Mysore Royal Cemetery – Mysuru
Today is Mahalaya Amavasya and hence this post on Mysuru Royal Cemetery. Madhuvana Mysuru Royal Cemetery also known as Khasa Brindavana is where the royal members of the erstwhile Mysuru kingdom are … [Read More...]

Mysore Palace
The main attraction of Mysore and the heritage building which gives the aura of royalty to the city is the grand Mysore palace also known as Amba Vilas. The majestic palace stands at the center and … [Read More...]

Mana Village
Mana village is a quaint tiny hamlet situated on the Indo-Tibetan border. This village is the last village of India and it is now declared as a tourism village of Uttarakhand. The residents of … [Read More...]

Saumyanayaki Temple, Belur
Belur Chennakeshava Temple complex comprises of many temples dedicated to various deities. One such temple is the Saumyanayaki temple. Saumyanayaki is the consort of Lord Vishnu (Chennakeshava). The … [Read More...]

Hyderabad
Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and is the fifth largest metropolitan city of India. It is popularly known as the City of Pearls, Lakes and Nizams. Hyderabad has developed into a major hub … [Read More...]
Festivals

Hanuman Jayanthi
"Manojavam Maruthathulya Vegam Jitendriyam Budhdhi Mathaam Varishtam Vaathathmajam Vaanarayutha Mukhyam Srirama Dootham Sharanam Prapadye" The above sthotra/chanting, is part of the Sri … [Read More...]

Halloween
Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31. This celebration was started in Ireland by the Celts 2000 years ago. It is a believed that on this day the ghosts of the dead return to earth. … [Read More...]

Ananthanagantu Rangoli
This Rangoli / pattern is drawn on Ananthapadmanabha Vratha / festival of Vishnu. First draw 15 X 15 dots and join as shown below: The Ananthanagantu rangoli can be filled with colors too. … [Read More...]

Vata Savitri Vrata
Vata Savitri Vrata / ritual is observed by married women on Hunnime / Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, May – June in Gregorian calendar. This year (2016) it falls on 18th … [Read More...]

Kadalekayi Parishe – Festival of Groundnuts – Groundnuts Fair in Bengaluru – Peanuts Festival
Festival of Groundnuts known as Kadalekayi Parishe is held in Bangalore every year on the last Monday of the Hindu month Karthika, November – December in Gregorian calendar. For the festival … [Read More...]

ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು – Aarathi Song
During Dasara, Saraswathi is worshiped and on this day few people choose to arrange the dolls. For the festival date click here. The below song dedicated to Goddess Sarawathi is written by my … [Read More...]

Lakshmi Devotional Song – Arathi Hymn – Varamahalakshmi Festival
This devotional song was sung by my mother's aunt during arathi to Goddess Lakshmi. You can use any tune suitable to sing this song. In Kannada script: ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಸುಕಾಂತೆರಾರತಿ … [Read More...]
