The ancient temple of Shri Cheluvanarayana Swamy is situated in Melukote, Mandya District, Pandavpura Taluk. The presiding deity of the temple on the foothills is Lord Vishnu known as Thirunarayana or … [Read More...]
Happy Gowri and Ganesha Festival 2026
The most awaited festival of the year is today! and it is definitely a double dhamaka as both Swarna Gowri Vratha and Ganesh Chathurthi are celebrated on the same day. The flower decorations, … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – September and October 2026
Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – September and October2026 are as follows: Bhādrapad (August – September) Ganesh Chaturthi - 14 September 2026 Ganesha aarathi song Why Ganesha … [Read More...]
Mariapura Lake
Another weekend and another birding trip and off we drove to Mariapura lake. A beautiful serene lake where the wind blows, birds chirp, plants whisper, and fishes swim. This lake has a calming effect … [Read More...]
Kodi Beach
Kodi Beach is a pristine beach and a very long one starting somewhere near Hangaluru to Kodi Bengre Beach. The Bengre Beach is an Estuary where River Suvarna meets the Arabian sea. Kodi in … [Read More...]
Habbada Thindi and Panaka – Festival Snacks and Juice Recipes
Food and festival go hand in hand in India. Special dishes are prepared on festivals and during vratha (observance). Habbada Adige / festival food is prepared on all festivals. But … [Read More...]
Sattu Ki Paratha
Stuffed Indian bread prepared using roasted chik pea (channa) flour. This type of bread is very popular in Bihar. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Sattu Ki Atta / Roasted Chik … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Dal Makhani
This curry is prepared using whole Black Gram and is extremely tasty and very popular in the state of Punjab. Time required: 30 Minutes + Soaking Time Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Cup Saboot … [Read More...]
Caramalised Banana with Butterscotch Sauce
Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: For Butterscotch Sauce: 250gms Sugar 250 ml Cream 125 gms Butter For Praline: 125gms Sugar 50gms Cashew nuts For the Banana Caramel: 50gms … [Read More...]
Kurkuri Bhindi – Crispy Okra – Okra Pakora Recipe
Kurkuri Bhindi is a snack prepared using Okra (Ladies Finger). Cuisine: North India Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 10 – 15 Bhindi / Okra / Ladies Finger 2tbsp Gram flour 1 tsp … [Read More...]
Amatekayi Uppinakayi – Hog Plum Pickle
Amatekayi Uppinakayi is a pickle prepared using Hog Plums. My mother used to narrate a story regarding a household wherein there would be many jars with Mango / Mavinakayi, Gooseberry / Nellikayi, … [Read More...]
Hunase Saaru – Puli Rasam – Tamarind Soup
Hunase Saaru is a watery accompaniment served with plain Rice and is prepared using Tamarind. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 2 tbsp Saarina Pudi / Rasam … [Read More...]
Sweet Corn Burritos
Burrito is a wheat flour tortilla stuffed with Vegetables, Rice, or Bean and folded into a cylindrical shape. Sweet Corn Burritos is stuffed with Sweet Corn and Capscium. Cuisine: Mexican - … [Read More...]
Jamun Shikanji – Indian Blackberry Juice – Black Plum Juice – Narale Panaka
Come June - July, the markets are filled with these shiny Black-Purple fruit known as Narale Hannu in Kannada and Jamun in Hindi. Apart from eating with a pinch of salt, the fruit tastes great … [Read More...]
Kadalepuri Vaggarane – Puffed Rice Masala
“Kharad kadlekayi beeja bisi puri / spicy groundnuts mixed with hot puffed rice” - long ago an old man used to yell this tag line after every 5 minutes as he walked on the roads of Mysore after 6:00 … [Read More...]
Travel
Idagunji temple
Karnataka coastal region has many famous temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. Many temples on this coast are dedicated to Lord Ganesha. There is a belief that you are blessed if you visit … [Read More...]
Umaid Bhawan Palace
Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the most modern looking palaces built in the 20th century. As the palace is built on a mound, the palace is visible from afar. During evenings, the lights in the palace … [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...]
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...]
Rajas Tomb – Gaddige – Coorg
Gaddige or Gadduge is a place towards the north of Coorg with tombs of Kodava royalty, court dignitaries, royal priest and the royal bulls. It is situated on a hillock with a good view of the city. … [Read More...]
Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal means “Palace of Winds" is part of the city palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, and designed by Lal Chand Usta in the form of the crown of … [Read More...]
Pookode – Pookot Lake
Pookot Lake is a perennial freshwater lake in Wayanad district of Kerala. Forests around the lake enhance the beauty of the lake making it the most popular destination in Wayanad. Panamaram stream, … [Read More...]
Festivals
Kiratha Arjuna – Shabara Shankara
One of Lord Shiva’s statues in Nanjanagud is Kiratha Arjuna – Shabara Shankara statue. The character of KiraAthaArjuna is introduced in the Aranya Parva (forest section) of the great epic … [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...]
Ashada Shukravara
Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) pooja / ritual is performed on all the Fridays of the Hindu month of Aashada, July-Aug in Gregorian calendar. This year (2020) Aashada starts on 22nd June and the … [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...]
Adhik Maas – Adhika Masa – Purushotham Maas – Maal Maas
Adhik Maas is an extra month added to the Lunar Calendar to be in sync with the Solar Calendar. This period is also known as Adhika Masa in Kannada, Malimmacha (Maal), and Purushotham (Lord … [Read More...]
Oiling ritual song – ಎಣ್ಣೆ ಹಚ್ಚುವಾಗ ಹೇಳುವ ಹಾಡು
This is a beautiful song written by Sri Purandara Dasaru to sing during the head oiling ritual, which is the beginning of auspicious occasions like festivals, weddings, upanayana (sacred thread … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Ashadha month – July and August 2026
Festival dates in Ashadha month – July and August 2026 Āshādha (July - August) - From 15 July to 12 August 2026 Ashada Shukravara Lakmi Pooja - 17 July, 24 July, 31 July, … [Read More...]
