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
Maddur Vada Recipe – Crispy Fritters
The ubiquitous Maddur Vada on Mysore – Bangalore train and highway is a hit among the passengers. You can see many enjoying the Maddur Vada with a cuppa. History: Madhvachar was a pakoda (onion … [Read More...]
Chapparada Avarekayi Rasa – Flat Beans Side Dish – Papdi Lilva Subzi Recipe
Chapparada Avarekayi Rasa is a simple to make side dish. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups, Chopped Chapparada Avarekayi (Lablab bean / Indian Flat Beans) 2 … [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...]
Eggless Strawberry Pastry
Following is the method to convert the Strawberry sponge cake into a pastry. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Strawberry Sponge Cake 150 gms Whipping Cream 2 Cups Sugar Syrup ¼ … [Read More...]
Zucchini, Broccoli, and Carrot Saute
This is a quick and healthy recipe. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 tbsp Olive Oil 1 Fresh Zucchini 2 Carrots 1 Cup Broccoli florets 3 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce Salt and … [Read More...]
Ek Do Teen Chaar Burfi
A very easy to remember recipe and can be made in very easily for parties and festivals. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Chiroti Rawa / Fine Semolina 2 Cups Ghee / Clarified … [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...]
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...]
Travel
Sharada Devi Temple, Sringeri
Namaste Sharada Devi| Kashmira Puravasini| Tvamaham Prarthaye Nithyam| Vidya Danam Chadehimi|| Sharada Devi Temple, Sringeri is one of the main temples in Sringeri Matha (monastery) … [Read More...]
Regional Museum of Natural History, Mysore
The Regional Museum of Natural History in Mysore was established in 1995. Information on nature and its conservation is exhibited using photographs, models, charts, stuffed artifacts, and so … [Read More...]
Varuna Lake
Whenever we pass through the T.Narasipura Road from Mysore, we are sure to stop at an eye-catching water body known as Varuna Lake. It is a huge lake built by the then Diwan of Mysore Sir M. … [Read More...]
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
A ride on one the heritage mountain railways transports you back to an era gone by. Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Ooty was built by the British in 1908. It was operated by then Madras Railway, … [Read More...]
Ikkeri
Ikkeri is the erstwhile capital of the Keladi Nayakas situated 3 Kms from Sagara, Shimoga district. Ikkeri in Kannada means two streets. The dynasty was founded in 1499 at Keladi very close to Ikkeri … [Read More...]
Belur
Belur – the historical town is situated on the banks of River Yagachi in Hassan District of Karnataka. Belur was known as Velapuri. The Hoysala dynasty ruled over the Deccan and parts of Tamil Nadu … [Read More...]
Devil’s Kitchen, Kodaikanal
Per our itinerary we headed off to the Devil’s Kitchen in Kodaikanal not knowing what to expect. After parking the car and a short hike uphill are caves and tranches that is mysterious and dangerous. … [Read More...]
Festivals
King Raghu and Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni Tree – English Version
King Raghu of Raghuvamsha fame was a brave, generous, humble, and sensible ruler of Ayodhya. He had won many battles and his treasury was filled to the brim. On the behest of his guru Vashishta, he … [Read More...]
Saraswathi Prarthane – Prayer to Goddess Saraswathi
Today is Saraswathi Pooja, which is part of Navrathri celebrations. This is a prarthane (prayer) to Goddess Saraswathi written by my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil in 1969. ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ಕಂದ … [Read More...]
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...]
Ananthanagantu Rangoli
This Rangoli / pattern is drawn on Ananthapadmanabha Vratha / festival of Vishnu. First draw 15 X 15 dots and join as shown below: The Ananthanagantu rangoli can be filled with colors too. … [Read More...]
Ganapathi Bappa Morya!
During the Visarjane of Genesha idol after the celebration of Ganesha festival, it is common to hear people hollering “Ganapthi Bappa Morya” in North Karnataka and Maharashtra. In this post the … [Read More...]
Shravana Shukravara Pooja
Shravana Shukravara Pooja is also known as Sampath Shukravara vratha. This is performed in the Hindu month of Shravana, July – August in Gregorian calendar dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi / Gowri. … [Read More...]
Subramanya Shashti
Subramanya Shashti also known as Champa Shashti is celebrated honoring the birth of second son of Shiva named Subramanya / Skanda. It falls on the 6th day of the Hindu month of … [Read More...]
