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

Bhath Powder – Spice Powder for Rice – Vangibhath Powder
Bhath Powder is a masala powder used to prepare a spicy rice or rawa (semolina) dish along with vegetables like Vangibhath / Eggplant, Potaotes, Peas, Fenugreek leaves, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Cabbage … [Read More...]

Palak Spread Dosa
Palak Spread Dosa is Pancakes/Crepes with Spinach and Onion topping. It is a great way to make children eat Spinach. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]

Dry Fruit Chikki – Lonavala Chikki Recipe
Dry Fruit Chikki are dry fruit squares prepared using nuts, sugar, and honey. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Almonds 2 tbsp Pistachios 1 Cup Cashew nuts 3/4 Cup Sugar 1/4 … [Read More...]

Sabudana Halwa
A pudding prepared using Sago Pearls. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 1 Cup Sabudana / Sago Pearls ¼ Cup Ghee / Clarified Butter 1½ Cups Sugar 1 Cup Milk Powder 4 … [Read More...]

Modaka
Modaka is a sweet dish, which is a favorite of Lord Ganesha. This is prepared on festivals or rituals dedicated to Lord Ganesha like Ganesh chathurthi, Sankanshti, Gana Homa/Havan etc. Time … [Read More...]

Flat Noodles tossed in Vegetables
Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 250 gms Flat Noodles 2tbsp Oil 1 Small Capsicum, cut into juliennes 1 Cup Shredded Cabbage 1 Carrot, Sliced thinly 2tbsp Chili Sauce 2tbsp Soya … [Read More...]

Jeegujje palya – Breadfruit Stir fry – Breadfruit Subzi – Breadfruit Recipe
Jeegujje is known as Bread fruit and is widely cultivated and consumed in Karnataka coastal regions. This stir-fry is prepared using this unusual vegetable. Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]

Dal Tadka
Dal Tadka is prepared using Yellow Lentil also known as Thogaribele, Tuvar Dal, Arhar Dal, Split Red Gram, and so on. In India Dal is prepared in so many ways and this variety is after cooking the … [Read More...]
Travel

Jal Mahal, Jaipur
When I visited Jal Mahal, Jaipur in 1995, I was very disappointed to see the Man Sagar Lake in which it is situated was dry and dirty. The palace itself was not maintained well. I hoped that the place … [Read More...]

Ramanagara
Ramanagara is situated 50 Km from Bangalore at an elevation of 2450 feet above sea level. Ramanagara was known as Closepet in memory of Sir Barry Close who was a British official during … [Read More...]

Fateh Sagar Lake, Udaipur
Fateh Sagar Lake is an artificial lake situated to the north of Lake Pichola in Udaipur. The lake was built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh. Heavy rains damaged the lake bund and the lake was renovated … [Read More...]

Chunnambar Backwater
The rivers crossing Pondicherry / Puducherry forms scenic backwaters and a visit to this place is an amazing experience. The rivers ultimately meet the Bay of Bengal creating vast estuaries. … [Read More...]

Nishat Bagh Mysuru – Sunnada Kuppanna Park Mysore
You must be wondering how the Nishat Bagh (garden) in Srinagar has landed in Mysuru situated in South India. Well, the imagination of creating such gardens for the citizens of Mysuru city to enjoy was … [Read More...]

Shimoga
Shimoga now known as Shivamogga and its beautiful Malanad (male nadu means land of the hills) region is vividly captured in writer Kuvempu’s Novel Kanooru Subbamma Heggadithi. Also, known as … [Read More...]

Aquatic Birds of Kukkarahalli Lake
Recently there was a competition held in Bangalore between bird watcher's groups on the maximum number of birds sighted in a day. Well I was not part of this competition, but would like to share some … [Read More...]
Festivals

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...]

Sri Ramanujacharya Jayanthi
“O Nityam Achyuta Padambuja Yukma Rukma Vyamohataha Tad Itaraani Trinaaya Mene Asmad Guroha Bhagavathosya Dayaika Sindhoho Ramanujasya Charanou Sharanam Prapadye” The meaning of the above … [Read More...]

Ele Ashtami – Jesta Devi Pooja
This festival is celebrated widely in North Karnataka. This festival falls on the 8th day of the Hindu month Bhadrapada, August – September of Gregorian calendar. For the festival dates click … [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...]

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...]

Dhanur Masa Poojas
Dhanur Masa Pooja as the name implies is to be performed in the Hindu month of Dhanur Masa, December – January according to Gregorian calendar. This year (2017) it is from 16th December to 15th … [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...]
