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

Beladahannina Panaka – Wood Apple Juice Recipe – Bael ki Sherbat
Beladahannina Panaka is a juice prepared using Wood Apple. This is prepared on Rama Navami and distributed to the devotees. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Ripe Beladahannu / … [Read More...]

Masala Soda
Masala soda is best served with Punjabi food. It is good for digestion and also to quench the thirst. Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: Juice of 1 Lemon 1 bottle plain Soda or Coke or … [Read More...]

Pudina Sherbet – Mint Juice Recipe
Mint juice is healthy and great thirst quencher. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: ½ Cup Pudina / Mint leaves 1tsp Lemon Juice 4tbsp Sugar A pinch of Salt 2 Glasses of … [Read More...]

Kurtakoti Saaru – Rasam Recipe – North Karnataka Rasam Recipe
Saaru also known as Rasam in other parts of South India can be prepared in many different ways. While on holidays at my maternal grandfather house, the Saaru used to be so different as the … [Read More...]

Menasina Saaru – Pepper Rasam – Pepper Lentil Soup
Pepper Rasam is a thin curry also known as Rasam. This is unique to Sagar district. Tastes great during winter and adds warmth to the body to fight cold and cough. Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]

Date and Banana Milkshake
Date and banana milkshake is nutritious and lip smacking drink. Time required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Glasses of Milk 8 - 10 Dates, deseeded 2 Small Banana, Peeled and chopped 2 tbsp … [Read More...]

Dal Methi
Dal Methi is a nutritious side dish prepared using Split Red Gram and Fenugreek leaves. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Tuvar Dal / Split Red Gram 1 … [Read More...]

Purple Cabbage and Cucumber Salad
Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Red/Purple Cabbage, Shredded 1 small Cucumber, Peeled and Chopped 2tbsp Roasted Pine nuts 1tbsp Mustard (fluid) 1tsp Olive Oil 1tsp Crushed … [Read More...]
Travel

Harihareshwara Temple, Harihar
The Harihareshwara temple built in 1223–1224 by Polalva, a commander and minister of the Hoysala Empire King Vira Narasimha II is situated in Harihar / Harihara, Karnataka dedicated to Hari-hara / … [Read More...]

Big Banyan Tree
Known as “Dodda Aalada Mara” in Kannada, this big banyan tree is 380 to 400 years old. It is situated in Kethohalli village, 25 Kms from Bangalore city. Dodda Aalada Mara is one of the biggest … [Read More...]

Belur
Belur – the historical town is situated on the banks of River Yagachi in Hassan District of Karnataka. Belur was known as Velapuri. The Hoysala dynasty ruled over the Deccan and parts of Tamil Nadu … [Read More...]

Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary
Muthanga wildlife sanctuary was established in 1973 and adjoined to the protected forest network in the Nilgiri Biosphere comprising of Nagarhole, Bandipur, and Madumalai. Rich in … [Read More...]

Lakkundi
Lakkundi is also known as Lokki Gundi and it is a place filled with history, striking yet forgotten Hindu and Jain temples, wells, inscriptions and museum . This village is situated 12 kms … [Read More...]

Muddenahalli
Muddenahalli is situated in Chikkaballapur district and is popular because Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (Sir MV) was born on 15th September 1860 to parents Mokshagundam Srinivasa Shastry and … [Read More...]

I live to tell this story…
I was parched and knew I would die a slow and painful death. The stench was unbearable and the plastic was clogging my respiratory organs. Slowly my body was getting filled by … [Read More...]
Festivals

Chhat Pooja
Thou by whose luster all the world of life comes forth, and by thy beams again returns unto its rest, O surya with the golden hair, ascend for us day after day, and still bringing purer innocence – … [Read More...]

Morada Bagina
Bagina is an offering of everything essential and dear to you. It is believed that you will be blessed with all the things that you desire by performing particular vratas/ vowed religious observance … [Read More...]

Oiling ritual song – ಎಣ್ಣೆ ಹಚ್ಚುವಾಗ ಹೇಳುವ ಹಾಡು
This is a beautiful song written by Sri Purandara Dasaru to sing during the head oiling ritual, which is the beginning of auspicious occasions like festivals, weddings, upanayana (sacred thread … [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...]

Sampath Shanivara Pooja
The day next to Shravana Shukravara Pooja is Shravana Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja also known as Sampath Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja. This pooja / vratha / religious observance is … [Read More...]

Guru Poornima
Guru Poornima is the auspicious day of worshiping the Guru/Master falls on Poornima, which is the full moon day in the Hindu season of Ashada. July - August in the Gregorian calendar. This … [Read More...]

Dasara Procession and Torch Light Parade during the reign of the Wodeyars
Picture1 - Illuminated Mysore Palace Mysore Dasara procession during the Maharajah’s rule used to be on a larger scale and grander. My grandparents and parents generation go on and on … [Read More...]
