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
Nellikayi Chut – Indian Gooseberry Chutney
Nellikayi Chut is a gooseberry chutney that is served with hot Rice and Ghee (clarified butter). Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Gooseberries 2 - 3 … [Read More...]
Shavige Uppittu – Vermicelli Upma – South Indian Breakfast
Shavige Uppittu is a breakfast dish prepared using Vermicelli. Also known as Vermicelli Upma. This is on the menu for breakfast in South India. Time Required: 40 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Whole Lemon Pickle
I had an school friend who was a Kerala Iyer and we used to have lunch together. Her lunch box always contained watery curd rice with one whole yellow Lemon pickle dunked into it. Yumm! Mouth … [Read More...]
Rose Syrup
A syrup prepared using Rose petals. This syrup can be used as a spread, or make into a drink with water or milk. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Paneer / Aromatic Rose … [Read More...]
Sev Puri Chaat – Sev Puri Chat Recipe – Chat Recipe
Sev Puri Chaat is a popular street food in India. Tiny puffed crisp bread is stuffed with potatoes, spices, and tangy sauces. It is garnished with a generous amount of Sev. Sev Puri … [Read More...]
Vegetable Cutlet Recipe
In Mysore, a restaurant called Kalpaka used to serve the best cutlets in town. Cold coffee and Cutlets at Kalpaka was a treat that I can never forget. Time required: 40 … [Read More...]
Midi Uppinakayi
Tender whole mangoes are pickled and stored for a year. Midi Uppinakayi is common in regions of Mysore, Bangalore, South and North Canara and parts of Andhra and Tamil Nadu. The pickle is … [Read More...]
Puri Unde – Puffed Rice Laddoo
Puri Unde - Puffed Rice Laddoo is a laddoo (sweet) prepared using puffed rice and Jaggery. It is prepared on all auspicious occasions and is distributed among friends and relatives. Cuisine: … [Read More...]
Travel
Kanthanpara Waterfalls – Wayanad
Kanthanpara Waterfalls - Wayanad is a beautiful waterfall situated about 22 km away from Kalpetta. Smaller than the Sentinel Rock waterfalls, the Kanthanpara Falls and its surroundings make an … [Read More...]
Sri Ramanarasaiah
When we moved to our own house, I dreamt of hanging an original Mysore painting in the lobby. Thus started my quest to find either the right painting or a painter. Fortunately, I came across a website … [Read More...]
Wild Animals of Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Wild Animals of Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary includes microscopic ants to giant Elephants to winged friends in every hue. Some of the wild animals spotted by us on our trip to Kabini is presented just … [Read More...]
Vani Vilas Water Works, Mysore
100 years ago history was made when Mysore city got drinking water from the Cauvery River flowing 12 Kms away from the city. To manage the drinking water, two pumping stations were set, one at … [Read More...]
Dharmasthala
The Western Ghats like its higher counterpart the Himalayas is dotted with pilgrimage centers. One such center is Dharmasthala situated on the banks of Netravati River in Dakshina Kannada … [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...]
Kodachadri
I cannot keep away from my beloved Western Ghats for long. The hills beckoned and we readily drove to explore Kodachadri hill ranges. Words fail to explain the enchanting beauty of Kodachadri. The … [Read More...]
Festivals
Sri Vadirajara Aradhane
Vadirajatirtharu is one of the greatest saints belonging to the Madhwa Brahmin sect. He was born in 1480 on Magha (February) Shudda Dwadashi to a Shivalli Tulu Brahmin couple, Ramabhatta and Gowri in … [Read More...]
Gowri Aarathi Song
ಗೌರಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳ ಜಯ ಗಿರಿಜಾತೆ ಮಾತೆ ।।ಪ|| ಪರಮಾಯುಧ ಕರ ದುರುಳ ಸುರಾರೆ । ಪರಮ ತೇಜ ಮೃಗರಾಜ ವಿಹಾರೆ ।।೧।। ರತ್ನ ಮುಕುಟ ಮಣಿ ಹಾರ ಕುಂಡಲ ಶೋಭೆ | ರವಿಕೋಟಿ ತೇಜ ವಿರಾಜ ಮುಖಿಯೇ ।।೨।। ಜಗದಾಧಾರೆ ಜಗದಾದಿ … [Read More...]
Vaikunta Ekadasi
"Shaantaakaaram Bhujanga Shayanam Padmanaabham Suresham Vishvaadhaaram Gagana Sadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhaangam Lakshmiikaantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhidhyaarnagamyam Vande Vishhnum Bhavabhayaharam … [Read More...]
Chaitra Poornima
Chaitra Poornima is the first Poornima of the Hindu lunar calendar and falls in the Hindu month of Chaitra, March – April according to Gregorian calendar. It is the Poornima (full moon) after the … [Read More...]
Deepavali – Diwali
Deepavali (“avali” means rows and “deepa” means lamp) or Diwali is a festival of lights much loved by one and all. It is the time for sweets, savories, family get-together, new clothes, crackers and … [Read More...]
Lakshmi Devotional Song – Arathi Hymn – Varamahalakshmi Festival
This devotional song was sung by my mother's aunt during arathi to Goddess Lakshmi. You can use any tune suitable to sing this song. In Kannada script: ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಸುಕಾಂತೆರಾರತಿ … [Read More...]
Sri Narasimha Swamy Hiranya Kashyapa Samhara
ಹಿರಣ್ಯ ಕಶ್ಯಪ ಸಂಹಾರ ಧೈರ್ಯಮಾಡಿ ದೈತ್ಯ ಹರಿಯ ಚರ್ಯ ನೋಡಿದಾ।। ಶೌರ್ಯದಿಂದ ಯುದ್ದವೆಂಬೊ ಕಾರ್ಯ ಮಾಡಿದಾ।।೧।। ಗದೆಯ ಕೈಯಲ್ಹಿಡಿದು ಹರಿಯ ಎದೆಗೆ ಹೊಡೆದನು।। ಗದೆಯು ಸಹಿತ ಕೈಯ ಹರಿಯು ವದಗಿ ಹಿಡಿದನು।।೨।। ಬಿಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಬೇಗ … [Read More...]
