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

Appam
Typical Kerela crepe/pancake prepared using rice and coconut milk. Appam is relished with Ishtew a vegetable side dish. Cuisine: Kerala Soaking Time : 4 Hours Fermenting Time : 8 … [Read More...]

Jamun Jam – Jamun Jelly Recipe
Jamun Jam is a preserve prepared using the Jamun fruit. My mother loves to make this as she says the Jamun fruit is best for Jelly as it has the right amount of Pectin. She knows exactly … [Read More...]

Hasi Bisi Mavinakayi Uppinakayi
Hasi in Kannada means raw and Bisi means hot/warm. Hasi Bisi Mavinakayi Uppinakayi is a pickle is prepared using raw and roasted spices. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Diced … [Read More...]

Pita Bread Sandwich
Pita Bread Sandwich is a tasty wholesome meal. Need not have all the ingredients mentioned in this recipe. You can use cream cheese instead of Hummus or you can use Green Capsicum instead of Red and … [Read More...]

Menthedittu Gojju
This dish is very easy to prepare and serve. Cuisine: North Karnataka Time required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 3 tbsp Menthedittu / Menthkoot 1tbsp Sweet Chutney or 1tsp Tamarind pulp + 1 … [Read More...]

Rasayana – Banana Rasayana – Banana Prasad Recipe – Balehannu Rasayana
Rasayana is a sweet dish prepared using ripe Banana and Jaggery. Rasayana is prepared as Prasada (offering) during festivals. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 2 … [Read More...]

Cucumber and Spring Onion Dip
This recipe is for a tasty tangy dip to accompany crisp savouries, bread sticks, or vegetable sticks. Cuisine: Continental Time Required: 20 Minutes + Hung Curds preparation … [Read More...]

Mysore Set Dosa Recipe – Set Dose Recipe
The crepes/pancakes are served in sets. Earlier a Mysore Set Dosa consisted of 4 Dosas, now it is 3 Dosas in a set. It is a filling breakfast served with Chutney and Sagu or Kurma. Time … [Read More...]
Travel

Bhadravathi
I remember visiting Bhadravathi in 1979 as part of our school education trip. We visited Vishweshwaraya Iron and Steel Limited (VISL) factory and all I can remember is that it was very hot and noisy … [Read More...]

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...]

City Palace Jaipur
City Palace Jaipur, as the name indicates, the magnificent palace is situated in the heart of old Jaipur city. The City Palace Jaipur is a fine example of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The … [Read More...]

Kukke Subramanya
Kukke Subramanya lies in the midst of rain forests in Sullia taluk of Dakshina Kannada. Kukke Subramanya temple situated here is dedicated to Lord Subramanya and is situated on the banks of … [Read More...]

Brindavan Gardens
Visit to Brindavan Gardens is high priority on the itinerary of visitors to Mysore. Even the good old Mysoreans love to stroll in the gardens of Brindavan Gardens, reminiscing on the glory of the … [Read More...]

Holenarasipura, Karnataka
Holenarasipura is situated in Hassan district, Karnataka. Nayakas ruled this place from 1547 to 1667. Kanteerava Narasaraja Wodeyar, the king of Mysore defeated Narasimha Nayaka and Holenarasipura … [Read More...]

Birla Mandir Jaipur
People visiting Jaipur never fail to visit the Birla Mandir Jaipur dedicated to Lord Narayana / Vishnu and his consort Goddess Laxmi. The temple was built by B.M.Birla foundation in white Markarana … [Read More...]
Festivals

Gombe Arathi Haadu – Dolls Arathi Song – Golu Song – Dolls Arrangement Song
In Mysore, during Dasara festival, there is a tradition of arranging dolls on 7 steps or 9 steps. Various dolls passed on from generations are removed from boxes, dusted, and arranged according to … [Read More...]

Subramanya Shashti
Subramanya Shashti also known as Champa Shashti is celebrated honoring the birth of second son of Shiva named Subramanya / Skanda. It falls on the 6th day of the Hindu month of … [Read More...]

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...]

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...]

Aanai Pandige – Aane Habba – Karthika Deepotsava
Aanai Pandige Karthikai also known as Karthika Deepotsava, Aane / Elephant Habba is an important festival of Iyengars (Vishishtha Advaitha sect) of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is … [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...]

Kadalekayi Parishe – Festival of Groundnuts – Groundnuts Fair in Bengaluru – Peanuts Festival
Festival of Groundnuts known as Kadalekayi Parishe is held in Bangalore every year on the last Monday of the Hindu month Karthika, November – December in Gregorian calendar. For the festival … [Read More...]
