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
Money Bags
Minced vegetables filled in wonton wrappers are shaped into money bags and deep fried. Delicious! Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: ½ Cup Cabbage, Chopped … [Read More...]
Vegetable Kosambari Recipe – Minced Vegetable Salad – Hasi Tarkari Kosambari
Festive food preparations will be in full swing during the festivals lined up for the next few days and months. Here is a traditional Kosambari/salad using an assortment of vegetables. … [Read More...]
Chennangi Kalina Usali
This is a recipe using whole Masoor Dal. This easy to make and extremely nutritious dish is from North Karnataka. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Sprouting time Ingredients: 2 Cups Sprouted … [Read More...]
Baby Potato Salad
Tangy and spicy Baby Potato Salad, this can be served as a started or as an accompaniment. Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: 20 Baby Potatoes 1 tbsp Oil 2 - 3 Green Chilies, Chopped … [Read More...]
Gauva Burfi
Guava can be preserved by preparing this sweet dish. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Guava Pulp 1½ Cup Sugar 1tbsp Butter A pinch of Citric Acid A pinch of Salt A drop of … [Read More...]
Tahini Paste
Tahini paste is prepared using Sesame seeds. Cuisine: Mediterranean Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: ½ Cup Toasted Sesame Seeds 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil Juice of half … [Read More...]
Batavi Payasa – Rawa Balls Kheer Recipe
Batavi Payasa is a very unique payasa from North Karnataka. Batavi are small balls prepared using Semolina (rawa) and these are cooked in Milk. Why not surprise your folks with this payasa on … [Read More...]
Masala Vada – Channa Dal Vada – Dal Vada – Paruppu Vadai
Masala Vada are fritters prepared using lentils, chilies and onions. The aroma that arises while preparing this increases your hunger pans. I love to prepare this on a rainy cold evening … [Read More...]
Travel
Amber Fort, Jaipur
Amber also known as Amer was the former capital of the Kachhwahas. The majestic fort built on Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) in the Aravalli range of hills above the Maota Lake is visible from far … [Read More...]
Jwalamukhi Tripura Sundari Temple
"Kadamba vana vasinim, kanaka vallaki dharinim, Maharha mani harinim, mukasa mulla sad varunim, Daya vibhava karinim vichatha lochamim, charinim, Trilochana Kudimbhineem, Tripura Sundarim … [Read More...]
Dubare Elephant Camp
An island on river Cauvery solely dedicated to training captured Elephants and providing information on Elephants to enthusiastic tourists is Dubare Elephant Camp. This island is part of Dubare … [Read More...]
Soochipara Falls
Soochipara Wateralls is also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls situated in the forests of Vellarimala, Wayanad district, Kerala. Soochi in Malayalam means needle and Para means rock and so … [Read More...]
Joshimath
Joshimath is a small town buzzing with pilgrims and tourists who are heading towards the char dham, Hem Kund, Auli, Kuari Pass treks, or Valley of flowers. It is at a height of 6150 feet above sea … [Read More...]
Lakshmeshwara
Lakshmeshwara also known as Puligere is a town in Shirahatti Taluk, Gadag district, Karnataka. There are many ancient religious places situated in this town belonging to Hindus, Jains and Muslims now … [Read More...]
Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar is the tallest Islamic tower in India. It has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tower is 72.5 meters high and the base diameter is 14.3 meters and the tower narrows … [Read More...]
Festivals
Independence Day
On August 15th, 1947, India got Independence from British rule. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, addressed the Constituent Assembly and citizens to recognize the … [Read More...]
Aarathi Song – Lakshmi Arathi Song – Goddess Lakshmi Pooja Song
This is a song written by my mom and we sing this song alternatively with other songs on Friday evening while we perform aarathi to goddess Lakshmi. It can be sung to any tune that you are … [Read More...]
Ganesh Chathurthi – Ganesha Festival
I have extremely fond memories of Ganesha-Gowri festival. It was one of the grand festivals of the year for the family and for Mysore city itself. Our road would be decorated with serial lights, as … [Read More...]
Rathasapthami
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South … [Read More...]
Vijayothsava – Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni – Kannada Version
Story of King Raghu (of Raghuvamsha) written by my mother in Kannada script. This story appears in the Ramayana and my mother has written in simple words for easy understanding. Click here for … [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...]
Lullaby to Lord Rama
It is Lord Sri Rama's birthday today. Rama Navami is celebrated all over India with great devotion. The lullaby below was written by my grandfather M.M.Patil, Kurtakoti. ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮನ … [Read More...]
