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
Pineapple Rice
This rice recipe is from Thailand. Rice is stir-fried with yellow curry paste, pineapple, raisins and cashew nuts. Cuisine: Thai Time Required: 25 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Cup … [Read More...]
Chakkali
A salty fritter in the shape of concentric circles, which is commonly prepared in South Indian homes and a favorite among children. Chakkali is compared to the Moon and a rhyme goes like this "Chanda … [Read More...]
Aloo Chaat Dilli Style – Potato Chat Recipe – Alu Chat Recipe
It is a must to taste Aloo Chaat Dilli Style when visiting Delhi. Cuisine: New Delhi Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 2 - 3 Potatoes, Boiled, Peeled, and Diced 1 Onion, Chopped … [Read More...]
Halasinakayi Huli – Raw Jackfruit Sambar – Chakka Sambar – Raw Jackfruit Curry
A Curry/Sambar prepared using raw Jackfruit. This curry is very popular in regions where Jackfruit is grown abundantly like coastal Karnataka, Chikmagalur, Mysore and Bangalore. Time … [Read More...]
Gojjina Pudi – Gojju Powder – Menaskai Powder – Gotsu Powder
Gojjina Pudi is masala powder used to prepare Gojju a type of sweet curry. Cuisine: Bangalore and Mysore Time Required: 15 Minutes. Ingredients: ½ Cup Red Chilies 1 Cup Urad Dal/Black … [Read More...]
Vegetable Chow mein
Vegetable Chow mein is a Chinese dish. In this, the noodles are prepared separately and tossed with assorted ingredients. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Packet Noodles 1” … [Read More...]
Healthy Tea
Herbal Tea is healthy tea! Required Time : 5 mts + Chilling Time Serves : 2 Ingredients: A small piece of Ginger 2 pieces Dalchini / Cinnamon 7 - 8 leaves Tulsi (Basil) 2 tsp Tea … [Read More...]
Idli Fry – Crispy Rice Cakes Recipe – Idly Fry
Deep fried Rice cakes. I tasted this on the high recommendation by my hubby at a restaurant and immediately got hooked to it. It is crispy and delicious and a perfect way to finish off left over … [Read More...]
Travel
Elephant Beach – Havelock Island
Elephant Beach is the most popular beach for water sports and activities in Havelock Island. Though most part of the beach was swept away by the 2004 Tsunami, the live corals here are the best … [Read More...]
Talakadu – Part II
Picture1 - Sand Dunes at Talakadu Talakadu is a place known for its sand dunes, river, ancient temples and innumerable legends. Picture2 - Trees of Talakadu Cashew nut, Fig, Nilgiri, … [Read More...]
Sri Vidyashankara Temple, Sringeri
The Vidyashankara Temple was built in the year 1338 A.D. entirely using stone by King Bhuvanaikadeva, at Sringeri. The temple is built in stone adopting both Hoysala Chalukya and Dravidian … [Read More...]
Manasa Devi Temple, Haridwar
Mansa Devi Temple is one of the oldest temples in Haridwar and is located on top of Bilwa Parvat. Bilwa Parvat hill is part of the Sivalik hills, which is the southernmost mountain chain of … [Read More...]
Mekedatu
Mekedatu, in Kannada means Goat’s leap, which is situated 98kms south of Bangalore. River Cauvery flows into a deep and narrow gorge, so narrow, that a goat could leap over it and that is how it got … [Read More...]
Goa Heritage Buildings
Along with endless beaches, Goa is also dotted with beautiful heritage buildings reminding of the Portuguese who ruled Goa for 450 years. Goa was freed from Portuguese in 1961, but the impact of the … [Read More...]
Somanathapura
Baagilali Kai Mugidu Valage Baa Yaathrikane Shileyalla Vee Gudiyu Kaleya Baleyu ….. Somanathapura temple inspired Kannada poet Kuvempu to pen the above poem. The poet says fold your hands and … [Read More...]
Festivals
Festival dates in Phalgun month – February and March 2026
Festival dates in Phalgun month – February and March 2026 Phālgun (February – March) Sri Raghavendra Swami Jayanthi – 24 February 2026 Holi – 2 to 4 March 2026 … [Read More...]
Karaga Festival
Karaga festival is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu by Thigala community (flower and vegetable farmers) on full moon day during the Hindu month of Chaitra, … [Read More...]
Republic Day of India
On 15th August, 1947 India became independent from the British Rule and on 26th January 1950 the Constitution of India came into force and India became sovereign democratic republic nation. 26th … [Read More...]
Oiling ritual song – ಎಣ್ಣೆ ಹಚ್ಚುವಾಗ ಹೇಳುವ ಹಾಡು
This is a beautiful song written by Sri Purandara Dasaru to sing during the head oiling ritual, which is the beginning of auspicious occasions like festivals, weddings, upanayana (sacred thread … [Read More...]
Song to Goddess Lakshmi – Varamahalakshmi Arathi Haadu
My mother had written this song in the praise of Goddess Mahalakshmi in 1996. This song can be sung on festivals like Varamahalakshmi, Diwali Lakshmi Pooja, Shravana Shukravara Pooja, Ashada … [Read More...]
Mahalaya Amavasya
15 days of the Hindu month is considered as Pitra Paksha, which are days dedicated to ancestors. It occurs in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada i.e. September-October in the Gregorian calendar. For the … [Read More...]
Dasara Gombe – Dolls Arrangement 2023
The best part of Navratri / Dushehra / Dasara celebrations in Mysuru was visiting neighbour's homes for the Gombe Arathi (doll arrangement / Golu) and enjoying the traditional and delicious sweets and … [Read More...]
