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
Tzatziki
Tzatziki is a yoghurt based Greek Dip. Cuisine: Greek / Meditarranean Time required: 10 Minutes + Curd hanging time Ingredients: 1 Cup Hung Curds / Yoghurt 1 small Cucumber, Peeled and … [Read More...]
Kadalebele Mavinakayi Chutney
Bengal Gram and Mango Chutney. Time Required: 5 Minutes + Soaking Time Picture - Chutney served with Guntpongalu Ingredients: 2tbsp Kadalebele/Bengal Gram 4tbsp Grated fresh Coconut 3 … [Read More...]
Jowar Bhajji – Sorghum Flour Fritters
Jowar Bhajji are crispy fritters prepared using Sorghum flour. An ideal evening snack with hot tea or coffee. Time Required: 25 Minutes Makes: 18 Ingredients: 1 Cup Jowar Flour ¼ … [Read More...]
Pineapple Sweet Chutney
Pineapple tit bits cooked in sugar syrup and spray of chili flakes. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Pineapple, chopped finely 1tsp Saunf 1tsp Mustard Seeds 1tbsp Oil ½ Cup … [Read More...]
Red Cabbage Broccoli Salad
I love to cook dishes which are colorful and healthy and tend to buy vegetables in all hues. I tossed up this salad for dinner and everyone loved the taste of soft Broccoli with crunchy Cabbage and … [Read More...]
Salad Platter
Salad is nutritious and good for health. A portion of salad eaten during one of the meals helps the body get some fiber for easy absorption of food. Time Required: 15 … [Read More...]
Chota Bhutta Palak
A side dish prepared with Spinach and Baby corn. Time Required: 15 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 Big bunch Spinach, shred into pieces 1 Onion, Chopped finely 4 Baby Corn, Cut into … [Read More...]
Alu Palak – Aloo Palak Recipe – Potato Spinach Gravy Recipe
A side dish with gravy using Spinach and Potatoes. Alu Palak is a very popular dish of North India. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Big … [Read More...]
Travel
Museums, Armory, and Galleries of Mehrangarh Fort – Jodhpur
Apart from the grand rooms, a visit to Museums, Armory, and Galleries of Mehrangarh Fort - Jodhpur is a must. Museum: Palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniatures, costumes and furniture are … [Read More...]
Bandipur Wild Life Sanctuary
Picture1 - Bandipur Another favorite getaway of ours is Bandipur. I have lost count the number of times we have visited this place. Between the Western Ghats and Niligiri Mountains lies … [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...]
Manasa Devi Temple, Haridwar
Mansa Devi Temple is one of the oldest temples in Haridwar and is located on top of Bilwa Parvat. Bilwa Parvat hill is part of the Sivalik hills, which is the southernmost mountain chain of … [Read More...]
Elephant Beach – Havelock Island
Elephant Beach is the most popular beach for water sports and activities in Havelock Island. Though most part of the beach was swept away by the 2004 Tsunami, the live corals here are the best … [Read More...]
Kolluru Mookambika Temple
Amongst the hills of Kodachadri and on the bank of river Sourpanika is the 1200 years old temple of Kolluru Mookambika in Udupi district. The presiding deity of this Shree Kshetra is Mookambika who is … [Read More...]
Dum Dum Rock View
A stop at Dum Dum Rock View point refreshes and rejuvenates the tired travelers. The view point is situated on the Batlakundu-Kodai Ghat road. A viewing tower is strategically constructed to get a … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Swathi Nakshatra Saraswathi Pooja 2024
As children, we would feel very important on the day of Saraswathi Pooja during Dasara. On this day, our books would be stacked in front of Goddess Saraswathi Photograph and we would all worship … [Read More...]
Significance of Diwali festival in different religions
Jainism Diwali is celebrated by Jains with devotion, on this day Lord Mahavira the 24th Thirthankara achieved Nirvana on Amavasya of Ashvina masa in 527 B.C. The Lord left the body and achieved … [Read More...]
Navaratri Golu – Dolls Arrangement during Dasara
This is in continuation of the post “Traditional Dolls Arrangement”. The custom of arranging dolls during Navaratri / Dasara is also followed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. In these states … [Read More...]
Bhagvad Gita Jayanti – Bhagvad Gita Birthday – Srimad Bhagvad Gita Jayanti
During Corona time, my quest to listen and understand the Srimad Bhagvad Gita started. My mother patiently read the Bhagvad Gita shlokas and explained each of them in Kannada. I was in awe … [Read More...]
Swarna Gowri Vratha – Gowri Habba – Gowri Festival
Swarna Gowri Vratha/Pooja is celebrated by girls and women in Karnataka and Andhara Pradesh. Goddess Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha. This festival falls in the hindu month of Bhadrapada, August - … [Read More...]
Hire Gowri Pooja – Dodda Gowri Pooja – Gowri Hunnime
Hire Gowri Pooja also known as Dodda Gowri Pooja and Gowri Hunnime is celebrated with devotion in North Karnataka. Below is the write up by my mother on this festival in Kannada script. This … [Read More...]
