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...]
January 2026 Hints
To clear baking mess in the kitchen, crush a piece of aluminium foil and get to scrub. It will clear the mess from your pots and pans in no time. How to clean kids scribbling on the wall? Use … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026 Mouna Gowri Vratha - 21 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 Vasanth Panchami - 23 January 2026 Rathasapthami - 25 January … [Read More...]
Paryaya of Sri Krishna Matha (Krishna Temple) of Udupi
Paryaya is a ritualistic system by which the pontiffs of the eight muttts of Udupi, by turn, take up the responsibility of worshipping the deity at the Sri Krishna temple. The ceremony of the handing … [Read More...]
Makara Shankrathi Platter 2026 – Pongal Platter
Happy Makara Shankranthi! The Sun moves and the cold bids goodbye. This time of the year is celebrated with harvest and food. … [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...]
Palash Tree
This tree blooms during February and covers the landscape red thus deriving the other name Flame of the Forest. Botanical name of Palash tree is Butea monosperma belonging to family Fabaceae. … [Read More...]
Vasant Panchami
"Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasanaa, Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Ghama Ghamalu
Ghama Ghamalu are Cardamom flavored cookies. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 150gms/5 Ounce Maida (Refined Flour) 100gms/3.5 Ounce Butter 125gms/4.4 Ounce Sugar ½ tsp Ammonia Bi … [Read More...]
Sweet Kolkotte – Sweet Steamed Rice Balls Recipe
Sweet Kolkotte is a dish where steamed rice balls are mixed with Coconut and Jaggery mixture. This is prepared as an offering to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chaturthi festival. Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]
Sweet and Sour Cucumber Salad
I was in Delhi last Friday and my friend served this simple, yet delicious salad for dinner. I re-created this recipe this Friday at home. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Seedless … [Read More...]
Sakkare Holige – Sugar Puran Poli Recipe – Sugar Obbattu Recipe
Sugar filled crispy Indian bread. Sakkare Holige dish is very popular in Karnataka during festivals, weddings etc. My mother learnt this recipe from her mother-in-law who was very good at … [Read More...]
Kiwi Banana Salad
Kiwi Banana Salad is quick to make and is a delicious and healthy addition to dinner. Time required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Kiwi Fruit, Peeled and Chopped 1/4 Onion, Chopped 1 Small … [Read More...]
Paneer stuffed Capsicums
I cannot resist buying tiny capsicums that floods the market during June in Bangalore. They are perfect to stuff with different ingredients. In this recipe Capsicums are stuffed with crumbled cottage … [Read More...]
Saboot Hari Moong Ki Dal
Saboot Hari Moong Ki Dal is prepared using soaked whole Green Gram. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 25 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 1 Cup Saboot Hari Moong / Hesarukalu / whole … [Read More...]
Seemebadanekayi Raitha
Seemebadanekayi Raitha is Chayote squash dunked in spiced yoghurt. Time required: 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 small Seemebadanekayi / Chayote Squash 2 Cups Yoghurt / Curds 2 Green … [Read More...]
Travel
Koliwada
Koliwada is a remote village tucked away in a non-descript area of North Karnataka. The village is one of the most neglected and basic needs like water, electricity, drains, roads, and toilets are … [Read More...]
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
The fourth largest state of India, Andhra Pradesh is situated in South India established on November 1st 1956. It shares its borders with Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Tamilnadu. … [Read More...]
Doddabetta Peak, Ooty
“Dodda” means big and “Betta” means hill in Kannada language spoken by the Badaga tribe of Ooty. Doddabetta is situated 10 Km from Ooty at 2,623 meters above sea level and it is the highest peak in … [Read More...]
Andal Temple, Belur
Belur Chennakeshava Temple complex comprises of many temples dedicated to various deities. One such temple is the Andal temple. The presiding deity Andal is also known as Ranganayaki. This is situated … [Read More...]
Bangalore Fort – Bengaluru Fort
It took me few years to realize that Bangalore has an ancient fort, which was open to public. Bangalore fort was built by the founder of Bengaluru Kempe Gowda I in 1537 using mud. Kempe Gowda was a … [Read More...]
Chunnambar Backwater
The rivers crossing Pondicherry / Puducherry forms scenic backwaters and a visit to this place is an amazing experience. The rivers ultimately meet the Bay of Bengal creating vast estuaries. … [Read More...]
Ghati Subramanya Temple
Ghati Subramanya temple of great reverence is a piligrimage center situated near Doddaballapur, 60 Km from Bangalore. Ghati Subramanya temple is dedicated to Lord Subramanya and Lakshmi … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Mysore Dasara Procession in Black and White
Wish you all a very happy Dasara! This Dasara procession photograph was part of my grandfather's collection. The photograph was probably taken between 1930 - 1935. … [Read More...]
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karaavalambam Sthotra in Kannada
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karaavalambam Sthotra is written by Sri Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya in Sanskrit, my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil has translated the Sthotra to Kannada. ಶ್ರೀ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನರಸಿಂಹ … [Read More...]
Happy Vijayadashami – Veeragase Folk Dance of Karnataka – Guggla
Veeragase is a folk dance of Karnataka where the participants wear grand makeup, headgear, and costumes and dance to folk music composed on Hindu mythology. The dance movements are intense with … [Read More...]
Deepavali Song – Diwali Song – Deepavali Haadu
Deepavali song is written by my mother in Kannada script to be sung anytime during the Deepavali festival. The lyrics cover the importance and joy of celebrating Deepavali / Diwali … [Read More...]
Celebration of Hindu New Year in different regions of India
New Year is celebrated all over India in different ways and is also called by different names. Some states follow the solar calendar and some follow the lunar calendar. In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh … [Read More...]
Dasara Gombe – Doll arrangement – Golu – 2025
Dasara is celebrated in different ways in various regions of our country. The celebration is of goddess Durga and her various avatars. Each day the goddess is decorated in a different way … [Read More...]
