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
Ksheeranna
A sweet dish prepared using milk and rice. My grandmother used to prepare this often on festival days. This is also a temple recipe as the temples in Karnataka offer this dish as Prasada / blessed … [Read More...]
Steamed Modaka – Kuchichida Kadabu – Ukadiche modak
A sweet coconut filled in Rice flour wantons, which are steamed. This is also known as Kuchichida Kadabu (Steamed Kadabu) in Kannada. This is prepared on Ganesh Chathurthi and Bheemana … [Read More...]
Vegetable Bonda – Vegetable Stuffed Fritters Recipe – Fried Vegetable Dumplings Recipe
Balls of mashed Vegetablesand spices dipped in batter and deep fried. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: Oil for deep frying For the filling: 3 Potatoes 1 Cup Beans, Carrot, and … [Read More...]
Sukha Puri Recipe – Chat Recipe – Stuffed Sookha Puri Chat
One Sukha Puri is often given complimentary after you have eaten your fill of Pani Puri or Golgappa. The Sukha Puri is so tasty that people are ordering for a plate of Sukha Puri. Time … [Read More...]
Masala Lassi
Flavored salty Buttermilk. The spices in Indian dishes can be pretty harsh on the tummy, hence the food is usually washed down by a glass of Lassi to cool it. This is a favorite in Punjab. Time … [Read More...]
Banana Chips
Chips prepared using raw Banana and fried in Coconut Oil. If you do not like the taste of Coconut Oil, you can use any other refined Oil. Banana Chips is very popular in Kerala … [Read More...]
Steamed Vegetables tossed in Herbs
An easy to prepare and healthy dish. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Cauliflower Florets 1 Cup String Beans, cut into 1” pieces 2 Carrots, Peeled and Chopped 1 Potato, … [Read More...]
Masaledar Corn and Capsicum
This side dish has the taste of sweetness from the Corn, sourness from the Tomatoes and flavor and crunchiness of Capsicum. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Sweet Corn … [Read More...]
Travel
Kuruva Dweep or Kuruva Island
Kuruva Dweep or Kuruva Island (popular name) is situated in Kerala, India Dweep means an island; it is a group of 7 islands on the tributaries of Kabini River flowing into the forests. It makes an … [Read More...]
Kaudiyala, Uttarakhand
Kaudiyala is situated 37 Km from Rishikesh and it is famous for white water rafting on the Ganges. The flow of Ganges is glorious here. You can see many young people camping here waiting impatiently … [Read More...]
Chamundi Hills – Mysore
As you near Mysore city, the first thing that you notice is Chamundi hills standing protectively over the city spread on its foothills. Every Mysorean is fond of this hill and they might have visited … [Read More...]
Chhatarpur Temple Complex
Chhatarpur Temple complex is the second largest temple complex in India and is located in South Delhi. 60 acres of land has been converted into gardens and lawns dotted with 20 temples dedicated to … [Read More...]
Auroville Beach Pondicherry
The Auroville Beach is very near Auroville and is situated 12 Kms from Pondicherry. Pondicherry is now known as Puducherry. An ideal place to spend time with family and friends. The … [Read More...]
Havelock Island
As we cruised from Port Blair to Havelock Island, I looked forward to fulfill my dream to snorkel, sea walk, and scuba dive. Not limited to only these activities, Havelock Island has a lot to offer to … [Read More...]
Seethalayanagiri – Chikmagalur
Seethalayanagiri is situated on the way from Chikmagalur to Mullayanagiri. As you drive up the winding roads of Chandradrona hill on the way to Mullayanagiri in Chikmagalur, the views around is … [Read More...]
Festivals
Prayer to Parvathi
This prayer was chanted by Chandrahasa to goddess Parvathi/Chamundi/Amba/Gowri. Extracted from the Gemini bharatha. ಚಂದ್ರಹಾಸನ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ - ಜೈಮಿನಿ ಭಾರತ ತಾಯೆ ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ಪರಮ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಿ … [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...]
Festivals in Shravana month – July and August 2025
Shrāvana (August - September) - From 25 July to 22 August (2025) Shravana Shanivara - 26 July, 2 August, 9 August, 16 August (2025) Mangala Gowri Vrat - 29 July, 5 August, 12 August, … [Read More...]
Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is a celebration of married life. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm by married women of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. It falls 9 days before Diwali. For … [Read More...]
Hoovilya
Hoovilya is an auspicious ritual conducted just before major celebrations like Marriage or Upanayana / Sacred thread ceremony in Karnataka. It is more like an all women’s party, where at least 5 or … [Read More...]
Krishna Janmashtami – Gokulashtami – Birth of Lord Krishna
"Yathra Yogeeshwara Krishno | Yathra Partho Dhanurdharaha | Thathra Shree Vijayo Bhuthir | Dhruvaneethirmimathirmama ||" The meaning of the above extract from the Gita is “wherever Krishna … [Read More...]
Lord Vishnu Arathi Song – Lord Hari Arathi Song
This is a song in praise of Lord Vishnu also known as Hari. My mother had learnt this song from her late aunt few decades back. Tomorrow is Vaikunta Chaturdashi vratha (observance) and … [Read More...]
