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
Menasina Saaru – Pepper Rasam – Pepper Lentil Soup
Pepper Rasam is a thin curry also known as Rasam. This is unique to Sagar district. Tastes great during winter and adds warmth to the body to fight cold and cough. Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Schezwan Sauce
Schezwan sauce is the main ingredient for Schezwan recipes. Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 10 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 15 Red Chilies, soaked in water 1 Onion, Chopped … [Read More...]
Kurtkoti Avalakki – Kurtakoti Avalakki – Hatchtchida Avalakki Recipe – Kuttavalakki Recipe – Dadpe Poha Recipe
Kurtkoti is my maternal grandparents place, which is a village in North Karnataka, where most of my summer holidays were spent with fun, food and freedom. This Spicy crunchy flattened rice snack is a … [Read More...]
Hasi Bisi Mavinakayi Uppinakayi
Hasi in Kannada means raw and Bisi means hot/warm. Hasi Bisi Mavinakayi Uppinakayi is a pickle is prepared using raw and roasted spices. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Diced … [Read More...]
Cucumber Hasi Gojju – Sweet and Sour Cucumber Salad
Cucumber Hasi Gojju is a sweet and sour salad and is prepared in South Karnataka households during auspicious occasions. If you are bored of the usual Kosambari (salad), you can try this recipe for a … [Read More...]
Pineapple Salsa
Some Pani Puri shells stuffed with chilled Pineapple Salsa makes for a fantastic snack in the evening. Cuisine: Mexican Time required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Pineapple, peeled and chopped … [Read More...]
Coconut – Garlic Chutney
Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup fresh grated Coconut 6 – 7 Green Chilies 5 – 6 Red Chilies 8 Cloves Garlic 1tsp Tamarind Pulp Salt to taste For the Seasoning: 2 tbsp … [Read More...]
Bayisida Mavinakayi Gojju – Mango Curry
Raw mango is cooked, mashed and mixed with spices and seasoning. This is a delicious and authentic dish straight from the kitchens of Udupi in Karnataka. Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Travel
Padubidri Beach
Travel to coastal region in Karnataka conjures visits to divine temples, long walks on the beach, watching sunset, fascinating estuaries, swaying palm trees, and delicious food. For people who … [Read More...]
Brindavan Gardens
Visit to Brindavan Gardens is high priority on the itinerary of visitors to Mysore. Even the good old Mysoreans love to stroll in the gardens of Brindavan Gardens, reminiscing on the glory of the … [Read More...]
Nugu Dam, Heggadadevana Kote, Mysore
Nugu Dam is a delightful little dam tucked away in a picturesque location surrounded by hills in Beerwal village, Heggadadevana Kote or H. D. Kote taluk of Mysore district in Karnataka. … [Read More...]
Anthropological Museum in Port Blair
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is intriguing place full of adventure and fun. A visit to the Anthropological Museum in Port Blair throws light on the life and times of the tribes of the islands. As … [Read More...]
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...]
Aquatic Birds of Kukkarahalli Lake
Recently there was a competition held in Bangalore between bird watcher's groups on the maximum number of birds sighted in a day. Well I was not part of this competition, but would like to share some … [Read More...]
Uttarakhand
My parents visited Uttarakhand in 1973 and I used to love hearing their experiences and the description of the different places they visited. My dad who was an avid photographer got all the pictures … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Sri Vadirajara Aradhane
Vadirajatirtharu is one of the greatest saints belonging to the Madhwa Brahmin sect. He was born in 1480 on Magha (February) Shudda Dwadashi to a Shivalli Tulu Brahmin couple, Ramabhatta and Gowri in … [Read More...]
Chaitra Navratri
Chaitra Navratri also known as Varshik Navratri is a festival observed for nine days in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April in Gregorian Calendar). The festival starts on the first day of Chaitra … [Read More...]
Chhat Pooja
Thou by whose luster all the world of life comes forth, and by thy beams again returns unto its rest, O surya with the golden hair, ascend for us day after day, and still bringing purer innocence – … [Read More...]
Mouna Gowri Vrata – Mauna Gowri Vrata
Unmarried girls perform Mouna Gowri Vrata. This Vrata / vowed religious observance is performed from the first day of the Hindu month of Magh to the first day of Phalgun (for 30 days), i.e, … [Read More...]
Hoovilya
Hoovilya is an auspicious ritual conducted just before major celebrations like Marriage or Upanayana / Sacred thread ceremony in Karnataka. It is more like an all women’s party, where at least 5 or … [Read More...]
Why Lord Ganesha is also known as Ekadantha / single tusk
The most popular narration on how Lord Ganesha lost his tusk is penned in the Skanda Purana / tales of gods and goddesses. Lord Ganesha was a patron of good food with a healthy appetite. Once … [Read More...]
