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
Pakadagina Chiroti – Deep fried layered sweet pastry – Padhir Pheni
Pakadagina Chiroti is deep fried layered pastry dipped in Sugar Syrup. This dish is prepared during festivals in North Karnataka. “Paka” means sugar syrup in Kannada and “Chiroti” is a … [Read More...]
Pepper, Tomato, Corn Relish
Pepper, Tomato, Corn Relish is an accompaniment, which can be served with Crackers, Bread, Indian Bread, or eaten just like that! Time required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 5 Tomatoes 1 … [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...]
Shavige Payasa
Shavige Payasa is vermicelli cooked in milk, which is also called as Kheer. This is prepared during festivals and auspicious occasions. My mom makes the best in the world! Required Time: 20 … [Read More...]
Rawa Idli – Semolina Steamed Cakes
Rawa Idli are steamed cakes prepared using Semolina. An ideal and filling breakfast. This was first prepared by Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR) for the soldiers serving in harsh climates. … [Read More...]
Kashmiri Chai – Kashmiri Tea Recipe – Spiced Almond Tea Recipe
Tea prepared using Almonds, Cinnamon, Saffron and Cardamom. This concoction is very popular in the beautiful state of Kashmir, India. Cuisine: Kashmir Time Required: 10 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Pathrode Gasi – Colocasia Leaves Recipe – Pathrode Recipe
Pathrode Gasi is a gravy based side dish prepared using Pathrode. Cuisine: Udupi - Mangalore Time Required: 30 Minutes Time Required: 20 Minutes + to prepare Patrode Ingredients: 2 Cups … [Read More...]
Fruity Pulao
Flavored Rice with fresh and dry fruits. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 Cups Basmathi Rice 2 tbsp Apple pieces 2 tbsp Ghee/Clarified Butter or Oil 1tsp Chili … [Read More...]
Travel
Pajaka Kshethra
Sri Hanuma Bheema Madhwa! The champion of the Dwaitha philosophy Sri Madhwacharya was born in Pajaka Kshetra located in Udupi district. Sri Madhvacharya is the incarnation of Bheema, one of the … [Read More...]
Chennakesava Temple – Belur
Usually a visit to a temple is to offer prayers and exit. But, there are many ancient temples in India from where you resist exiting and continue to go round in circles admiring the ornate carvings. … [Read More...]
Chikmagalur – Chikkamagaluru
Chikmagalur was always mentioned by my dad and his cousins with a lot of affection as they spent all their holidays in their maternal Grandfather’s coffee estate. I have heard many incidents and … [Read More...]
Shopping and Eating out in Mysore
Shopping in Mysore for souvenir or anything else can be done in plenty. Tourists, locals and rural people living around Mysore make a beeline to the shopping centers like Landsdowne building, … [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...]
Botanical Garden at Lingambudhi Lake – Mysuru Botanical Garden – Mysore
The first botanical garden in Mysuru is an added fragrance to the charm of Mysuru. Flowers and trees of different species are known to thrive well in Mysuru weather. The Botanical Garden is … [Read More...]
Mangalore – Mangaluru
My headmistress in school was from Mangalore. She scowled at us all the time and disapproved everything we did. It was very rare to see her smile and though I have seen her appreciate, it was never … [Read More...]
Festivals
Upanayana
Every male child born in certain Hindu communities has to go through the Upanayana ritual. Upanayana is also known as Munji, Brahmopadesham (supreme teaching), and Sacred thread ceremony. The … [Read More...]
Sri Gurubhajane Purnadarathi -Sri Sridhara Swamiji
This bhajan is sung during the Aarathi in Sridhara Ashrama. Sri Sridhara Swamiji is considered the avatar of Dattatreya. His samadhi and ashram is located in Varadahalli, Sagar taluk. There are many … [Read More...]
Mysore Dasara – Mysuru Dasara Celebrations – Mysuru Dussehra – Mysuru Navratri
Mysore looks its best during the 10-day Dasara celebration where all the major roads in the city, heritage buildings, palaces, historical monuments, ancient temples and shops are … [Read More...]
Shri Sathyanarayana Swamy Vratha
Narayana Lakshminaryana Narayana Sathyanarayana The above chorus is from a famous Kannada song Kapadu Sri Sathya Narayana. For lyrics please refer the following link - … [Read More...]
Good Friday
Having studied in a Catholic school, we were shown many movies on Jesus Christ. I remember when I was 6 or 7 yrs old and crying out with all my heart when Jesus was being nailed to the cross and Mary … [Read More...]
Story of Tripurasura Dahana – End of Tripurasura – Introduction to Baudha Avatara
Demon Taraka had 3 children namely, Tarakaksha, Kamalalochana, and Vidyunmaali. The three together performed deep penance and Brahma pleased with their devotion appeared before them. They … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Margashirsha month – November and December 2025
Mārgashīrsha (November – December) Champashashthi / Subramanyana Shashthi - 26 November 2025 Huttari habba - 5 December 2025 Shuddha Panchami Ellu amavasya - 19 December 2025 … [Read More...]
