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
Kurtakoti Saaru – Rasam Recipe – North Karnataka Rasam Recipe
Saaru also known as Rasam in other parts of South India can be prepared in many different ways. While on holidays at my maternal grandfather house, the Saaru used to be so different as the … [Read More...]
Hirwi Mirchi cha Thecha – Green Chili with Peanuts stir fry – Mirchi Subzi
Hirwi Mirchi cha Thecha is also known as Mirchi Kharda and is prepared using Green Chili, Peanuts, and Garlic. Cuisine: Maharashtra Time required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 15 - 20 Green … [Read More...]
Coriander Garlic Chutney
Coriander Garlic Chutney is used in while preparing Chaats. It adds a spicy and garlicky flavor to the chaat. This can be served along with Dhokla or with Parathas (Indian Stuffed … [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...]
Heerekayi Chutney – Ridge Gourd Chutney
Heerekayi Chutney is prepared using Ridge Gourd and Coconut. This is known as Heerekayi Gojju in Udupi Region. Cuisine: South Karnataka Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Fresh … [Read More...]
Sauthekayi Hesarubele Kosambari – Split Green Gram Cucumber Salad
Raw Cucumber and soaked gram mixed with seasoning. This is prepared in Karnataka especially during festivals. During Rama Navami festival, Kosambari is offered to god as Naivedya / Blessed … [Read More...]
Kadai Capsicum Paneer
Cottage cheese cooked with Capsicum and Tomatoes, accented with coriander seeds and freshly pounded black peppercorns laced in creamy tomato gravy. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Kairi Chi Dal – Chikpea Mango Salad Recipe – Kadalebele Mavinakayi Kosambari Recipe
Kairi Chi Dal is a salad prepared using Bengal Gram Dal and Raw Mango. This is distributed among women who are invited for Haldi Kumkum on Gudi Padwa (New Year) and Ganesh idol visarjan … [Read More...]
Travel
Big Foot Goa
Big Foot Goa also known as ancestral Goa is situated in Loutolim is a center for Art, Culture & Environment started by Maendra in 1995. Big Foot Goa has taken shape on a 9 acres hillock and there … [Read More...]
Bannerghatta National Park
Bannerghatta National Park spread over 25,000 acres was established in the year 1974. It is situated 22 km south of Bangalore, Karnataka at an altitude of 1245 to 1634 meters above sea level. If you … [Read More...]
City Palace Udaipur
Pichola Lake must be the only lake in India which can boast of hosting the maximum number of magnificent palaces on it. On the east bank of the lake is the City Palace Udaipur built by Maharana … [Read More...]
Lake Palace, Udaipur
The most striking and beautiful architectural wonder in the world is the Lake Palace situated in Udaipur. Visitors cannot take their eyes of this beautiful pure white palace gleaming in the middle of … [Read More...]
Osian Jodhpur
Having read many books and seen in movies about the hero getting lost in the desert and seeing mirages of an Oasis, I wanted to experience an oasis and I did just that when we visited an ancient town … [Read More...]
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
The magnificent fort of Mehrangarh rises in the desert and brings alive your imagination of forts from fairy tales. It looks like the sun is eager to beam its rays on the Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur … [Read More...]
Jaya Lakshmi Vilas Mansion Mysore
Tucked in the lush greenery of Manasagangotri is a quaint and grand mansion known as Jaya lakshmi Vilas Mansion in Mysore. This is part of the heritage buildings of Mysore and was built for Maharaja … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026 Mouna Gowri Vratha - 21 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 Vasanth Panchami - 23 January 2026 Rathasapthami - 25 January … [Read More...]
Nagara Panchami
Nagara Panchami Nadige doddadu Naada Naadiyar Kodona Naada Naadiyar Kodona | Gelathi| Naagappage Haalu Hoyyona || The above Kannada song is sung during Nagara Panchami festival. The … [Read More...]
Dasara Gombe – Doll arrangement – Golu – 2025
Dasara is celebrated in different ways in various regions of our country. The celebration is of goddess Durga and her various avatars. Each day the goddess is decorated in a different way … [Read More...]
Deepavali – Diwali
Deepavali (“avali” means rows and “deepa” means lamp) or Diwali is a festival of lights much loved by one and all. It is the time for sweets, savories, family get-together, new clothes, crackers and … [Read More...]
Narasimha Jayanthi
Ugram Viram Maha-Vishnum Jvalantam Sarvato Mukham | Nrisimham Bhishanam Bhadram Mrityur Mrityum Namamy Aham || “I bow down to the ferocious and heroic like Lord Vishnu. He is burning from every … [Read More...]
Basava Jayanthi
Kalabeda, kola beda, husiya nidiyalu beda Muniya beda, anyarige asahya padabeda Thanna bannisabeda, idira aliyalu beda Ide antaranga shuddhi, ide bahiranga shuddhi Ide namma koodala … [Read More...]
