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
Basmati and Yellow Pepper Salad – Basmati Rice Salad
A salad with an unusual combination of Basmati Rice and Yellow Pepper. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Chilling Time Ingredients: 1 Cup Basmati Rice 1 tsp Ghee / Clarified Butter or Olive … [Read More...]
Curd Idli
Rice cakes with sweetened yoghurt. Great to have during summer and when recovering from tummy upset. Time Required: 5 Minutes + Idli preparation time Ingredients: 2 Rice Idlis 1 Cup Curds … [Read More...]
Sprout Spring Rolls
Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 10 -12 Readymade Wonton Wrappers (Spring Roll wrappers) 3 tbsp Maida / Refined flour mixed with ¼ Cup of water Oil for … [Read More...]
Bagala Bhath – Vermicelli in yoghurt
Bagala Bhath is a dish prepared using Vermicelli and Curds/Yogurt. This is very popular in Andhra Pradesh and is very similar to Curd Rice. In this dish instead of rice, vermicilli is … [Read More...]
Cabbage Kadale Kalu Palya – Cabbage Chickpea Stir Fry
Cabbage Kadale Kalu Palya is prepared with Cabbage and Chickpea. Cuisine: Karnataka Time required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Cabbage, Chopped 1/2 Cup Chickpea soaked for 4 hours and … [Read More...]
Eggless Walnut Brownie
Brownies are the fastest to get over when served warm with Vanilla Ice cream. Type: Tea Cakes Makes: 250 gms Time Required: 1 Hour Ingredients: 60 gms Dark chocolate 40 gms / ¼ Cup … [Read More...]
Dasara Dose – Cucumber Dosa Recipe – Mullusauthekayi Dosa Recipe – Udupi Recipe
There is an excellent vegetable shop next to the Hanuman temple in Saligrama, Dakshni Kannada. As I was browsing, I saw giant Cucumbers and casually asked the vendor, whether he knew the … [Read More...]
Cottage Cheese and Lettuce Salad
Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 20 Paneer / Cottage Cheese Cubes 1 bunch Lettuce, Chopped or roughly torn 1/2 Yellow Pepper, Sliced 1 small Onion, Chopped finely 1 Big Red Chili, … [Read More...]
Travel
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...]
Panambur Beach Mangalore
Panambur Beach Mangalore is maintained by a private company and is a fun place to go with family and friends. The port is also situated nearby. The Gurupura River joins the Arabian Sea here. … [Read More...]
Janapada Loka, Ramanagaram
Janapada Loka is the result of the single minded dedication of Sri H.L.Nage Gowda to protect and promote folk art and culture of Karnataka. He was a retired bureaucrat and folklorist. Janapada Loka … [Read More...]
Cellular Jail in Port Blair
You can visualize men in white with cap renting the air in the corridors of the Cellular Jail in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the slogan Vande Mataram! Bharath Matha ki Jai! The … [Read More...]
Birds of Masinagudi
Masinagudi hills have always fascinated me. We have passed the tiny town many times on our way to Ooty and many a time have driven there for a day outing to look at the majestic hills, flora, … [Read More...]
Yoga Narasimha and Saint Ramanujacharya temple, Todanur
The Yoga Narasimha and Saint Ramanujacharya temple is on a hillock and has been renovated recently and was sporting a fresh coat of paint. This temple , which is 1000 years old is built in the Chola … [Read More...]
Mallur Krishna Temple – Ambegalu Navaneeta Krishna Temple – Ramaprameya Temple
Aprameyo hrishikeshah Padmanabho mara prabhuh | Vishwakarma manustvstha Sthavishtah sthaviro dhruvah|| -Verse from Vishnusahasranama (1000 names of lord Vishnu) Mallur also known, as Doddamallur … [Read More...]
Festivals
Hire Gowri Pooja – Dodda Gowri Pooja – Gowri Hunnime
Hire Gowri Pooja also known as Dodda Gowri Pooja and Gowri Hunnime is celebrated with devotion in North Karnataka. Below is the write up by my mother on this festival in Kannada script. This … [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...]
Happy Vijayadashami 2024
Why in North India, Ravana is burnt on Vijayadashami day? This is done to symbolize Lord Rama killing the 10 headed demon Ravana. Good over evil! What does the 10 heads of Ravana stand … [Read More...]
Kalasha
This is an important arrangement in any of the Hindu rituals/pooja. This occupies a prominent place in the pedestal along with the idols or photographs of gods and goddesses. During marriages the … [Read More...]
Surya Stotra
Today is Rathasapthami and here is a beautiful stotra / hymn in praise of the sun written by Lakshmisha in Jaimini Mahabharatha. Kannada script: ಸೂರ್ಯ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರ ಮಿತ್ರಾಯ ಸೂರ್ಯಾಯ ಹಂಸಾಯ … [Read More...]
Udaka Shanti Pooja
Udaka Shanti Pooja is performed before major events like marriage, upanayana, gruha pravesha, and so on. This pooja is performed for peace and harmony in the house. First, Ganesha is worshiped. … [Read More...]
Ayudha Puja
Ayudha Pooja is a celebration during Dasara. On this day the weapons used during war were worshiped in the palace. The common people worship machines, implements and vehicles at home, factories and … [Read More...]
