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
Banana Flower Vada Recipe – Vazhakkai Poo Vada – Aratikaya Poo Vadai – Bale Hoovina Vada
Banana Flower Vada is a delicacy prepared in South India using the tender flowers of the plantain plant. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Banana … [Read More...]
Tender Coconut Pudding
Tender coconut pudding is a delightful ending to a dinner. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Cooling time Ingredients: 5 gms Agar Agar / China Grass ½ Cup Condensed Milk ¾ Cup Water 2tbsp … [Read More...]
Paneer Uthappam
Crepes / Pancakes prepared using batter made out of Rice soaked in Cottage Cheese and Whey. When the pancakes are prepared it will have a nice Paneer / cottage cheese aroma. Time Required: … [Read More...]
Godi Akki Ganji – Broken Wheat Gruel
Godi Akki Ganji is prepared using Broken Wheat. This Ganji or Gruel is extremely healthy and coming home food. After eating a variety of high calorie food during a travel, you can … [Read More...]
Microgreens Pear Salad Recipe
Microgreens are now readily available and when tossed with the right ingredients, it can turn out to be a delicious healthy starter at parties. Ingredients: A handful of Microgreens - I have … [Read More...]
Bruschetta
Grilled Italian breads rubbed with garlic, topped with Tomatoes, and drizzled with Olive Oil is a very popular and tasty starter. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 loaf Bread, cut … [Read More...]
Palak Raitha – Spinach in Yoghurt Sauce Recipe
Spinach with curds/yoghurt. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 2 medium size bunches, Palak/Spinach 3 Cups Curds/Yoghurt 1tsp Chili Powder 1tsp Black Salt 1tsp Roasted … [Read More...]
Hagalkayi Kootu – Bitter Gourd Curry – Karela Curry Recipe
Hagalkayi Kootu is a curry prepared using Bitter Gourd. I tasted this for the first time in Ramana Maharshi Ashrama in Thiruvannamalai and it was very good. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Travel
Mangaladevi Temple, Mangalore
Mangaladevi Temple was built in the 9th century AD in Bolar, Mangalore. Mangalore city derived its name from the presiding deity of the temple: Mangaladevi. It is believed that the temple was built … [Read More...]
Magod Falls
Many rivers and streams leap, bounce and fall in the exotic hills of the western ghats. River Bedti is one of them, which cascades as Magod falls. It is situated 17 Kms from Yellapur in Uttara Kannada … [Read More...]
Jaya Lakshmi Vilas Mansion Mysore
Tucked in the lush greenery of Manasagangotri is a quaint and grand mansion known as Jaya lakshmi Vilas Mansion in Mysore. This is part of the heritage buildings of Mysore and was built for Maharaja … [Read More...]
Aquatic birds of Hadinaru Kere
Hadinaru Kere is a huge lake near Mysore. The number of birds on and off the lake just blew us away. There were birds everywhere, on the surface of the lake lake, flying overhead, perched on trees … [Read More...]
Talakadu – Part II
Picture1 - Sand Dunes at Talakadu Talakadu is a place known for its sand dunes, river, ancient temples and innumerable legends. Picture2 - Trees of Talakadu Cashew nut, Fig, Nilgiri, … [Read More...]
Coorg
South Indian heroine Suhasini wearing coorgi style saree and crooning the song “Madikeri sepoyi…” (Madikeri soldier) on mist covered hills of Madikeri / Coorg in the Kannada movie Muththina Hara is … [Read More...]
Birds of Byndoor
Byndoor is a beautiful coastal town in Udupi district, Karnataka. This place was also known as Bindupura and is famous for the Byndoor Beach, Someshwara Beach, Kosalli Falls, and Ottinene Sunset … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Gombe Arathi Haadu – Dolls Arathi Song – Golu Song – Dolls Arrangement Song
In Mysore, during Dasara festival, there is a tradition of arranging dolls on 7 steps or 9 steps. Various dolls passed on from generations are removed from boxes, dusted, and arranged according to … [Read More...]
21 Patra Pooja to Lord Ganesha
21 types of Patra (leaves), 21 types of Pushpa (flowers), and 21 Kadabu or Modaka (sweets) are offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chathurthi and Sankashta Chaturthi. Just before the festivities … [Read More...]
Naga Rangoli – Snake Floor Design
The Naga rangolis / patterns shown below are drawn on Nagara Chauthi and Nagara Panchami festivals. Click on the image to see a bigger image. Rangoli drawn on Nagara Chauthi: Rangoli … [Read More...]
Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Vratha
"Kaayena Vaachaa Manasendriyairvaa Buddhyaatmanaa Vaa Prakriteh Svabhaavaatah Karomi Yadhyadh Sakalam Parasmai Naaraayanaayeti Samarpayaami" The meaning of the above shloka is: "I offer … [Read More...]
Manmatha or Kama – the god of love
Another interesting statue in Nanjanagudu is that of Manmatha or Kama - the god of love (Kama Samhara (killing) Murthy (idol)). During Holi festival, effigy of Manmatha or Kama is burnt, which is … [Read More...]
Habbada Adige – Festival Food Recipes
Festivals are time for a variety of food to be cooked and relished by one and all at home. The Habbada Adige (festive food) is prepared without Onion and Garlic. In Karnataka, the following dishes are … [Read More...]
