The ancient temple of Shri Cheluvanarayana Swamy is situated in Melukote, Mandya District, Pandavpura Taluk. The presiding deity of the temple on the foothills is Lord Vishnu known as Thirunarayana or … [Read More...]
Happy Gowri and Ganesha Festival 2026
The most awaited festival of the year is today! and it is definitely a double dhamaka as both Swarna Gowri Vratha and Ganesh Chathurthi are celebrated on the same day. The flower decorations, … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – September and October 2026
Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – September and October2026 are as follows: Bhādrapad (August – September) Ganesh Chaturthi - 14 September 2026 Ganesha aarathi song Why Ganesha … [Read More...]
Mariapura Lake
Another weekend and another birding trip and off we drove to Mariapura lake. A beautiful serene lake where the wind blows, birds chirp, plants whisper, and fishes swim. This lake has a calming effect … [Read More...]
Kodi Beach
Kodi Beach is a pristine beach and a very long one starting somewhere near Hangaluru to Kodi Bengre Beach. The Bengre Beach is an Estuary where River Suvarna meets the Arabian sea. Kodi in … [Read More...]
Habbada Thindi and Panaka – Festival Snacks and Juice Recipes
Food and festival go hand in hand in India. Special dishes are prepared on festivals and during vratha (observance). Habbada Adige / festival food is prepared on all festivals. But … [Read More...]
Sattu Ki Paratha
Stuffed Indian bread prepared using roasted chik pea (channa) flour. This type of bread is very popular in Bihar. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Sattu Ki Atta / Roasted Chik … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Halasinabeejada Palya – Jackfruit Seeds Stir Fry
Halasinabeejada Palya is prepared using the seeds of Jackfruit. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 20 - 25 Halasinabeeja / Jackfruit Seeds 4 - 6 Green Chilies 1/2 … [Read More...]
Hagalakayi (Bitter Gourd) Sutta Chutney – Bitter Gourd Chutney Recipe – Karela Chutney Recipe
Chutney prepared using charred Bitter Gourd. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 2 tiny or 1 big Hagalkayi / Bitter Gourd / Karela ½ Cup grated Dry Coconut 6 – 7 Green Chilies 1tbsp … [Read More...]
Sabudana Idli
Steamed cakes prepared using Sabakki / Sago Pearls. Cuisine: South Indian Time Required: 30 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 2 Cups Upittu Rava / Semolina 1 Cup Sabudana 2 - 3 Cups … [Read More...]
Lal, Pila Bhindi Subzi – Red Yellow Capsicum with Okra
There was a Red and Yellow Pepper along with some Okra in the fridge and I came up with this recipe using all of them. Thankfully everyone relished it with Phulkas. Time Required: 15 … [Read More...]
Apple Mint Jelly
Recipe of mint flavored apple jelly. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 bowl Mint leaves 1/2 bowl Water 1/2 Cup Sugar 1 Apple Salt and Pepper Green food coloring … [Read More...]
Maledi Undi Recipe – Maldi Unde Recipe – Churma Laddoo Recipe
This is a sweet dish from North Karnataka. This dish is offered to Lord Shiva during Shravana Somavara Pooja and Solah Somvara Vratha / observance. Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]
Masala Pudi – Spice Powder – Goda Masala – Kala Masala
This masala pudi (powder) is used in most of North Karnataka dishes like Badanekayi Yennagai, Masala Bhath, Saaru / Rasam etc., Cuisine: North Karnataka Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Yellu Hasimenasinakayi Chutney
Yellu Hasimenasinakayi Chutney is a chutney prepared using Sesame Seeds and Green Chilies. This can be stored for three days without refrigeration. Time Required: 10 … [Read More...]
Travel
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Jaisalmer is a delightful city situated in the middle of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. This fairy tale city is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. I enjoyed every minute that we spent in … [Read More...]
Mallur Krishna Temple – Ambegalu Navaneeta Krishna Temple – Ramaprameya Temple
Aprameyo hrishikeshah Padmanabho mara prabhuh | Vishwakarma manustvstha Sthavishtah sthaviro dhruvah|| -Verse from Vishnusahasranama (1000 names of lord Vishnu) Mallur also known, as Doddamallur … [Read More...]
Radhanagar Beach
Radhanagar Beach is situated in Havelock Island, which is part of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is located close to Radhanagar village. In 2004, the beach was declared as one of the best … [Read More...]
Yercaud
Yercaud is a beautiful hill station on the Shevaroys hills of the Eastern Ghats. Yercaud got its name because of the many trees surrounding the lake. Yeri means Lake and Kadu means forest. The … [Read More...]
Agumbe, Karnataka
Agumbe is known as Chirapunji of South India as this place is next to Chirapunji in receiving a very high rainfall. So, you can just imagine the beauty of this place, rain forests covered hills, … [Read More...]
Birding in the vicinity of Valley School
Valley school is situated 20 Kms on Kanakpura road. The road leading to the Valley school and the surrounding area is a forest offering a place to seek the much needed solace from the maddening … [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...]
Festivals
Saraswathi Prarthane – Prayer to Goddess Saraswathi
Today is Saraswathi Pooja, which is part of Navrathri celebrations. This is a prarthane (prayer) to Goddess Saraswathi written by my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil in 1969. ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ಕಂದ … [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...]
Mysore Dasara Procession in Black and White
Wish you all a very happy Dasara! This Dasara procession photograph was part of my grandfather's collection. The photograph was probably taken between 1930 - 1935. … [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...]
Sri Krishna Song – Arathi Song
Happy Sri Krishna Janmashtami dear readers. Like Sri Krishna heard Draupadi's cries for help, let us hope and pray that he comes down to earth and help us by getting rid of the pandemic very … [Read More...]
Lord Ganesha Arathi Song
Tomorrow is Ganesh Chathurthi. Wish you all a very happy festival. My mother has written the below arathi song praising Lord Ganesha. This is in Kannada script. ಗಣೇಶನಿಗೆ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಆರುತಿ … [Read More...]
Hire Gowri Pooja – Dodda Gowri Pooja – Gowri Hunnime
Hire Gowri Pooja also known as Dodda Gowri Pooja and Gowri Hunnime is celebrated with devotion in North Karnataka. Below is the write up by my mother on this festival in Kannada script. This … [Read More...]
