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

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 Banana Muffins
It is Christmas time and if your mood is set to bake, then these Muffins are the best bet….Merry Christmas! Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 2 ripe Robust Bananas 1 Cup Butter 1 … [Read More...]

Heerekayi Bonda – Ridge Gourd Fritters – Turai Pakora – Beerekayi Bajji
When you bite into a Heerekayi Bonda (Ridge Gourd fritters) your taste buds are sure to be confused. The outer layer is crispy and spicy and even before the saltiness is experienced a … [Read More...]

Undhiyu Recipe – Oondhiya Recipe – Gujarati Undhiyu Recipe – Undhiyo Recipe
Undhiyu is a traditional Gujarati dish prepared using "n" number of ingredients. The main ingredients like the Winter Beans, Green Chikpeas, Green Pigeon Peas are available only during … [Read More...]

Watermelon Rose Drink Recipe
During Octobers, though it rains on few days, the climate remains hot and humid. After a few rounds of dancing during Dasara, it is great to take a break and sip delicious cold Watermelon Rose … [Read More...]

Sweet Corn Soup
Sweet Corn Soup is prepared using Sweet Corn Kernels. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Cup Sweet Corn, Kernels 1 Onion 3 – 4 Garlic Pods Crushed Pepper 1tbsp Butter … [Read More...]

Jamun Jam – Jamun Jelly Recipe
Jamun Jam is a preserve prepared using the Jamun fruit. My mother loves to make this as she says the Jamun fruit is best for Jelly as it has the right amount of Pectin. She knows exactly … [Read More...]

Mangodi
Rajasthan being an arid region was not suitable for growing vegetables. The people hence preserved the vegetables and lentils by dehydrating them. They used this whenever vegetables were required. The … [Read More...]
Travel

Halebidu – Halebeedu
The city Dwarasamudra meaning “the door to the sea” was the capital city of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. In the 14th century the city was vandalized by Malik Kafur and since then has been … [Read More...]

Chandramauleeshwara Temple, Udupi
This ancient temple in Udupi is a must visit for all the devotees who throng this temple town. The temple is small and the presiding deity is Sri Chandramauleeshwara (Lord Shiva). Chandramauleeshwara … [Read More...]

Moti Dungri Fort, Jaipur
Moti Dungri means Hills of Pearls and Moti Dungri Fort, Jaipur forms the backdrop for the beautiful Birla Mandir. The fortress was called Shankargarh (Shiva’s Home). Sawai Man Singh II … [Read More...]

Nandi on top of Chamundi Hills – Chamundi Hills Nandi
As children we were very excited to either drive down for a darshan of Nandi on top of Chamundi hills or climb down the steps to reach Nandi. We would be greeted by a big seated bull in … [Read More...]

Nrupatunga Betta
Nrupatunga Betta is a picnic spot in Hubli. Locals and visitors spend quality time with their family and friends. You can drive up the hill and park your vehicles at a distance of 1 Km from the … [Read More...]

Upper Lake View Point – Kodaikanal
A drive to Upper lake view point in Kodaikanal is a must, as the view of the lake from the view point is excellent. The star shaped lake gleaming in the sun with greenery all around can be seen … [Read More...]

BR Hills – Biligiri Rangana Betta – Biligiri Ranga Hill Range
"Biligiri Rangaiah, Neene Helaiah Sri Ranganayakiya Chandulli Chaluvaiah…" The above is a popular song of the 70's from the Kannada movie Sharapanjara, which was sung by P.Susheela and … [Read More...]
Festivals

Ananthanagantu Rangoli
This Rangoli / pattern is drawn on Ananthapadmanabha Vratha / festival of Vishnu. First draw 15 X 15 dots and join as shown below: The Ananthanagantu rangoli can be filled with colors too. … [Read More...]

Rakhsha Bandhan
Rakhsha Bandhan festival is a celebration of the brother-sister bonding, celebrated mainly in North India. It falls on Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu moth of Shravana. August - September … [Read More...]

Deepavali Song – Diwali Song – Deepavali Haadu
Deepavali song is written by my mother in Kannada script to be sung anytime during the Deepavali festival. The lyrics cover the importance and joy of celebrating Deepavali / Diwali … [Read More...]

Song on Lord Shiva – Devotional Song
Wish you all a very happy Mahashivarathri. My mother has written this song in praise of Lord Shiva in Kannada Script. ಶಿವನ ಮಹಾತ್ಮೆ ಹಾಡು ಜಯತು ಜಯತು ಶ್ರೀಮಹಾದೇವಾ ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರ ದೇವಾ ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರ ।।ಪ।। ಜಗವ … [Read More...]

Kojagari Lakshmi Puja
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is perfomed in West Bengal, Orissa, and Assam. It falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month Ashwin, September – October according to Gregorian calendar. For the festival date … [Read More...]

Bheemana Amavasya – Gandana Pooje – Gandana Habba
This festival is also known as Jyothirbheemeshwara Vrata and Pathi Sanjeevini Vratha and it is mentioned in Skaanda Purana (Skanda Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text, is … [Read More...]

Vijayothsava – Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni – Kannada Version
Story of King Raghu (of Raghuvamsha) written by my mother in Kannada script. This story appears in the Ramayana and my mother has written in simple words for easy understanding. Click here for … [Read More...]
