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
Hari Makai Ki Subzi – Sweet Corn and Spinach Gravy Recipe
Sweet corn kernels cooked in Spinach puree. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Makai / Sweet Corn Kernels, Boiled 1 Bunch Spinach, Blanched and pureed 2 … [Read More...]
Mint and Tomato Pizza
I was delighted to get Whole Wheat Pizza base, which is much more healthy than White Pizza base / Maida. Mint Chutney and Tomato Sauce makes this Pizza tangy, spicy, and aromatic. Time Required: … [Read More...]
Beerakaya Fry – Ridge Gourd Stir Fry – Heerekayi Palya – Turai Subzi
Beerakaya Fry is a side dish prepared using Ridge Gourd / Heerekayi. Cuisine: Andhra Pradesh Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Beerakaya / Ridge Gourd / Heerekayi, Peeled and … [Read More...]
Uddina Vada or Bonda – Split Black Gram Fritters – Medu Vada – Ulundu Vadai
Uddina Vada or Bonda are fritters prepared using Split Black Gram and spices. You can shape them like a doughnut too. Though the doughnut shaped fritter is served in all the restaurants teamed … [Read More...]
Hot Tomato Sauce
Hot Tomato Sauce is served with Falafel. You can also serve with Cutlet, Patties, or Fritters. Cuisine: Lebanese Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Large Tomatoes 5 Ripe Red … [Read More...]
Onion Dosa
South Indian pancakes with Onion toppings. The aroma that arises while preparing this Dosa is sure to increase the hunger pangs of everyone at home. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking and … [Read More...]
Purple Cabbage and Cucumber Salad
Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Red/Purple Cabbage, Shredded 1 small Cucumber, Peeled and Chopped 2tbsp Roasted Pine nuts 1tbsp Mustard (fluid) 1tsp Olive Oil 1tsp Crushed … [Read More...]
Rose Syrup
A syrup prepared using Rose petals. This syrup can be used as a spread, or make into a drink with water or milk. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Paneer / Aromatic Rose … [Read More...]
Travel
Mysore Palace
The main attraction of Mysore and the heritage building which gives the aura of royalty to the city is the grand Mysore palace also known as Amba Vilas. The majestic palace stands at the center and … [Read More...]
Kunigal Dodda Kere
Kunigal Dodda Kere means Big Lake of Kunigal. The lake is situated in Kunigal town, Tumkur district, Karnataka. The famous Kannada singer P. Kalinga Rao composed music and popularized the folk … [Read More...]
Vijaynagar Beach, Havelock Island
Vijaynagar Beach is Beach No. 5 on the east coast of Havelock Island. A calm and quiet beach, it attracts people who want to get away from the maddening crowd. It is a white sand beach with … [Read More...]
Kunti Betta
Kunti Betta / hill was the destination for a cycling and rock climbing expedition during my college days. With non gear cycles like BSA-SLR, Hero, Nataraj etc., loads of determination, and … [Read More...]
Bannari Amman Temple
Bannari Amman Temple is situated in the picturesque Sathyamangala forest, West of Tamil Nadu state. The forest is situated in Erode district. The presiding deity of the temple is Mariamma … [Read More...]
Hyderabad
Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and is the fifth largest metropolitan city of India. It is popularly known as the City of Pearls, Lakes and Nizams. Hyderabad has developed into a major hub … [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...]
Festivals
Sheege Hunnime
Sheege Hunnime festival is fondly remembered by my mother. The excerpt follows… My dad seemed to be in a very celebrative mood. He ordered the servants to get the bullock cart ready and also … [Read More...]
Valentine’s Day
Congratulations and Celebrations When I tell everyone that you're in love with me Congratulations and Jubilations I want the world to know I'm happy as can be…. This popular love song is written … [Read More...]
Shravana Shanivara
In Mysore every Saturday during the Hindu month of Shravana, July - August in Gregorian calendar, young boys wearing dhoti with a cotton bag hanging on their shoulders and a prominent naama / tilak on … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – August and September 2025
Bhādrapad (August – September) Ganesh Chaturthi – 27 August 2025 Ganesha aarathi song Why Ganesha is also known as Ekadantha Mystery of the term “Morya” 21 Patra … [Read More...]
Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavir Jayanti is also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and signifies the birth anniversary of the last and 24th Jain thirthankara Lord Mahavira. Lord Mahavira was born in 599 BCE on the thirteenth … [Read More...]
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...]
Mysore Dasara – Mysuru Dasara Celebrations – Mysuru Dussehra – Mysuru Navratri
Mysore looks its best during the 10-day Dasara celebration where all the major roads in the city, heritage buildings, palaces, historical monuments, ancient temples and shops are … [Read More...]
