Avocados are available in the South Indian market from April onwards. There is an abundance of desi Avocados in the market. Apart from making Guacamole, you can make many types of … [Read More...]
Flower Arrangement – Solitaire
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
Badam Halwa – Almond Sweet Dish Recipe
Wish you all a happy and colorful Holi. Enjoy this sweet dish prepared using Almonds. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 30 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 1 Cup Almonds, … [Read More...]
Rambutan Mojito – Rambutan Juice
Summer fruit Rambutan is available once a year during July - August. You can just enjoy the fruit or can make this tasty Mojito. Time required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Rambutans Few … [Read More...]
Avarekayi Saaru – Winter Flat Beans Curry – Papdi Lilva Beans Curry Recipe
Guess what the aroma is from all of South Karnataka kitchens in winter. It is Avarekayi (field beans or flat beans)! Except for coffee, most of the items prepared for the next two months … [Read More...]
Bread Raitha
Crispy Bread drowned in spicy curds. A little unhealthy but oh! so yummy! Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 3 - 4 slices Bread (Wheat or White) Oil for deep frying 3 Cups … [Read More...]
Alasandekayi Palya
Alasande Palya is a side dish prepared using Chinese Long Beans. This is a very common dish prepared in Mysore and Bangalore region. Tastes very good with Rice and Rasam. Time Required: … [Read More...]
Pista Kulfi
Indian ice cream with Pistachios. Time Required: 30 Minutes + Freezing Time Ingredients: 2 Cups Milk 1tbsp Corn flour 1tbsp Pistachios syrup 1 Cup Sugar 4tbsp Plain Khoya/Dehydrated … [Read More...]
Sihi Kootu – Sweet Vegetable Curry – Sweet Sambar
Sihi means sweet in Kannada. Sihi Kootu is a sweet curry served with plain Rice. We were served this Kootu in Kalasa, Chikkamagalur district in one of our friend’s house. Cuisine: South … [Read More...]
Lemony Saru
A lemony flavored thin curry/soup. Lemony Saru is ideal to sip it hot along with roasted Papad/Flat dried bread on a cold winter evening. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 10 … [Read More...]
Travel
Birds of Markonahalli Dam
Marconahalli Dam is built across Shimsha River by Sir M Visweswraiah and Ganesh Iyer in 1938-40 incurring a cost of 29 Lakhs. It is a picturesque place with abundant flora and birds. We spotted … [Read More...]
Vijaynagar Beach, Havelock Island
Vijaynagar Beach is Beach No. 5 on the east coast of Havelock Island. A calm and quiet beach, it attracts people who want to get away from the maddening crowd. It is a white sand beach with … [Read More...]
Kalapathar Beach – Havelock Island
If you want an example of a breath-taking beach, it is Kalapathar Beach – Havelock Island. Kalapathar means Black Rocks and an adjoining village is also known as Kalapathar. Emerald … [Read More...]
Varadahalli
Varadahalli also known as Varadapura is situated 6 Kms from Sagar, Shimoga district of Karnataka. This divine place in the midst of pristine natural surroundings of the Western ghats was the chosen … [Read More...]
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
A ride on one the heritage mountain railways transports you back to an era gone by. Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Ooty was built by the British in 1908. It was operated by then Madras Railway, … [Read More...]
Sowkoor Durgaparameshwari Temple
A temple dedicated to goddess Sri Durgaparameshwari is situated in Sowkoor, Kundapur taluk. This unknown temple is tucked away in the gorgeous hills of the Western Ghats. But the people who … [Read More...]
Udaipur
Udaipur is a charming city in Rajasthan. It is popularly known as City of lakes and was the capital of Mewar kingdom. Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur in 1559. When Chittor fort was … [Read More...]
Festivals
Glory of Lord Mailaralinga – Mailaralinga Mahatme Haadu – Khandoba Mahima Geet
The glory of Lord Mailaralinga's song in Kannada has been sung by my mother's immediate and extended family for decades. This song was taught by a relative called Sri Shankar who lived with my … [Read More...]
Adi Shankaracharya Jayanthi
Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Deva Maheshwara Guru Sakshath Parambrahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha|| Adi Shankaracharya the founder of the Advaita philosophy begins his Gurustotram or … [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...]
Naga Rangoli – Snake Floor Design
The Naga rangolis / patterns shown below are drawn on Nagara Chauthi and Nagara Panchami festivals. Click on the image to see a bigger image. Rangoli drawn on Nagara Chauthi: Rangoli … [Read More...]
Happy Durgashtami 2024 – Durga Pooja – Dasara Durga Pooja
Ashtami during Dasara was exciting, because Ambode/dal vada/Lentil fritters were offered to Goddess Durga but eaten and savored by us! Dal is full of Shakti and hence might have been offered to … [Read More...]
Mysore State Anthem
The existence of Mysore State Anthem was bought to my notice by my dad, who during his primary school days would sing the anthem every day. In 1881, the British decided to give back the state … [Read More...]
Happy Vijayadashami – Veeragase Folk Dance of Karnataka – Guggla
Veeragase is a folk dance of Karnataka where the participants wear grand makeup, headgear, and costumes and dance to folk music composed on Hindu mythology. The dance movements are intense with … [Read More...]
