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
Dates and Tamarind Sparkler – Kharjur Sharbat – Kharjurada Panaka
Tomorrow is Rama Navami and custom beckons us to prepare Kosambari and Panaka (Salad and Juice). Dates and Tamarind sparkler is a healthy and refreshing drink sans … [Read More...]
Mango Banana Smoothie Bowl
Mango Banana Smoothie Bowl is summerly delicious and a fantastic way to start the day. Time required: 10 minutes Ingredients: 2 Mangoes, sliced 2 Bananas, sliced 2 tbsp Sugar … [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...]
Kayi Holige – Nariyal Poli Recipe – Kayi Obbattu Recipe – Thengai Poli Recipe
A sweet bread stuffed with Coconut mixture. Kayi Holige is prepared during festivals especially during Gowri-Ganesha festival. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 1 … [Read More...]
King of Vegetable
Assorted vegetables and cottage cheese cooked with spices. The name is befitting because it is a really rich dish with cream, butter, cottage cheese, saffron and milk added to it. Time … [Read More...]
Kothambari Soppina Khara – Coriander Chutney Recipe – Dhaniya Chutney Recipe
An interesting North Karnataka style chutney recipe prepared using Coriander leaves. A very good accompaniment with dry rotis. Time Required: 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Chopped Coriander … [Read More...]
Dum Arbi – Calocassia in Gravy Recipe
Dum Arbi is Calocassia cooked in a gravy. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 7 – 8 Arbi / Calocassia / Kesuvina Gadde ½ Cup Curds 1tsp Jeera / Cumin Powder ½ … [Read More...]
Garlic Rice
Garlic Rice is another variety of rice that can be part of your party menu. Cuisine: South Indian Time required: 25 minutes Ingredients: 3 Cups Cooked Rice Few Curry leaves 1 tsp Mustard … [Read More...]
Travel
Mysore Paintings Museum Mysore – Ramsingh Museum of Mysuru Paintings – Ramsons Museum Mysuru
Most of the houses and temples in Mysore will have a frame of Mysore painting. Kodandarama painting was the most famous adorning the walls of Rama Mandira and would be the centre piece during the Rama … [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...]
Lansdowne Building, Mysore
Mysore city is dotted with heritage buildings built during the reign of the Wodeyars, which reminds us of the glorious past. One such building, which lost its glory recently due to neglect, is … [Read More...]
Udaipur
Udaipur is a charming city in Rajasthan. It is popularly known as City of lakes and was the capital of Mewar kingdom. Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur in 1559. When Chittor fort was … [Read More...]
Jodhpur
Jodhpur is the second largest city in the state of kings, Rajasthan. It was formerly the capital of the kingdom of Mewar. Jodhpur is known as Sun City, because of the weather being sunny throughout … [Read More...]
Kote Venkataramana Temple – Bangalore – Bengaluru
Kote Venkataramana Temple - Bangalore is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore and situated next to Tipu Sultan Summer Palace. Built in 1689 by the Mysore king Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar, it is a fine … [Read More...]
Bangalore – Bengaluru
Bangalore is the capital city of Karnataka and IT capital of India. Kempegowda was a Palegar of Vijayanagar empire who found Bangalore by chance and named the city Benda kalooru (the place where the … [Read More...]
Festivals
Shri Sathyanarayana Swamy Vratha
Narayana Lakshminaryana Narayana Sathyanarayana The above chorus is from a famous Kannada song Kapadu Sri Sathya Narayana. For lyrics please refer the following link - … [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...]
Budha Brihaspathi Vratha
Budha Brihaspathi Vratha is observed on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the Hindu month of Shravana, August-September in the Gregorian Calendar. Once Budha and Brihaspathi (Budha is planet Mercury … [Read More...]
Teej Festival
Teej festival is celebrated in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, and Nepal. This festival is commemorating the day when Goddess Parvathi reunited with Lord Shiva after 108 births. In her 108th birth, Lord … [Read More...]
Mahalakshmi Ashtakam – Lakshmi Sthotra – Prayer to Goddess Lakshmi
Wish you all a very happy Dasara. Today is the first day of Dasara known as Padya. The nine days during this festival is dedicated to the shakthi devathes (divine power). Here is a prayer to goddess … [Read More...]
Aarathi song for Lord Rama
On the auspicious day of the birth of Lord Rama (Rama Navami festival), songs praising him are sung while doing the traditional Arathi. ರಾಮನ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳಂ ಜಯರಘು ಪುನ್ಗವರಾಘವಾ ಅಂಗದ … [Read More...]
Manmatha or Kama – the god of love
Another interesting statue in Nanjanagudu is that of Manmatha or Kama - the god of love (Kama Samhara (killing) Murthy (idol)). During Holi festival, effigy of Manmatha or Kama is burnt, which is … [Read More...]
