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
Bettadanellikayi Murabba
Jam prepared using Indian Gooseberries. The Gooseberries are available in India during November to January. A branch of Gooseberry tree is stuck in a Tulsi/Sacred Basil pot and worshiped … [Read More...]
Lemon Pickle
A spicy Lemon pickle. Tastes great with Curd Rice. This pickle would always be serving next to the salt in my maternal grandparents house. Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]
SAN FRAN Super Salad
A complete meal by itself, I had SAN FRAN Super Salad at an airport in Europe for dinner. I have recreated the recipe with locally available ingredients. Time required: 20 … [Read More...]
Dum Arbi – Calocassia in Gravy Recipe
Dum Arbi is Calocassia cooked in a gravy. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 7 – 8 Arbi / Calocassia / Kesuvina Gadde ½ Cup Curds 1tsp Jeera / Cumin Powder ½ … [Read More...]
Sauthekayi Palya
A side dish prepared using Cucumber. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cucumber 2 Green Chilies, Chopped finely Few curry leaves 2tbsp Grated Fresh Coconut 2tsp Oil 1tsp … [Read More...]
Kathal Mutter Vada Pav – Jackfruit Peas Sandwich Recipe – Kathal Matar Vada Pav
Kathal Mutter Vada Pav is Raw Jackfruit patties tucked in a Pav / Indian bread smeared with two kinds of chutney is sure to be a super hit with your kids as an evening snack. Cuisine: … [Read More...]
Sweet Corn Papdi Chaat – Corn Papdi Chat Recipe
I love Chaats and can have it anytime of the day. I conjured up this easy recipe to prepare Chaat using American Sweet Corn. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Sweet Corn 20 … [Read More...]
Cabbage Kadale Kalu Palya – Cabbage Chickpea Stir Fry
Cabbage Kadale Kalu Palya is prepared with Cabbage and Chickpea. Cuisine: Karnataka Time required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Cabbage, Chopped 1/2 Cup Chickpea soaked for 4 hours and … [Read More...]
Travel
Heritage buildings of Mysore – Part II
Mysore or Mysooru is a place of interest for tourists, historians, archeologists, academicians and architects. There are innumerable heritage buildings in Mysore, which add a fairy tale touch to the … [Read More...]
Mysore – Mysuru
Mysore is a heritage city and pride of Karnataka. It is a beautiful city with rich history, legends, monuments, educational centers, kings, palaces, museums, lakes, parks, culture, literature, arts, … [Read More...]
Manchinbele Dam
Manchinbele dam or Manchanabele dam is situated 40 Kms from Bangalore in Manchinbele village, Magadi Taluk. The dam is built across Arkavathi River. When your expectations are at its lowest … [Read More...]
Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple
If you want to experience poetry in stone, then you must visit Bhoga Nadeeshwara Temple. A culmination of work on the temple from 5 dynasties is very attractive to tourists and devotees. Bhoga … [Read More...]
Manasa Devi Temple, Haridwar
Mansa Devi Temple is one of the oldest temples in Haridwar and is located on top of Bilwa Parvat. Bilwa Parvat hill is part of the Sivalik hills, which is the southernmost mountain chain of … [Read More...]
Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore
Our school was right behind Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore and I have been on stage many times in the huge auditorium of this palace in programs that were part of school's parent’s day celebrations. I … [Read More...]
Upper Lake View Point – Kodaikanal
A drive to Upper lake view point in Kodaikanal is a must, as the view of the lake from the view point is excellent. The star shaped lake gleaming in the sun with greenery all around can be seen … [Read More...]
Festivals
Tulasi Aarathi Haadu
Aarathi song dedicated to Tulasi devi. In Kannada Script: ತುಳಸಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಶ್ರೀ ತುಳಸಿ ಜಯ ದೇವಪೂಜಿತೆ |ಪ| ಅತುಲ ಸುಗುಣಾ ಕರುಣಾಮಯ ಮಾತೆ || ಅತಿ ಕೋಮಲ ಪಲ್ಲವ ದಳ ಭರಿತೆ ಶ್ರುತ ಭಾವಿಕ ಜನ ವೃಂದ … [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...]
Shivana Bhajane – Shiva Bhajan – Jagratha Bhajan
Happy Maha Shivaratri! Here is an easy Bhajan (devotional song) on Lord Shiva. We used to sing this every evening during our Summer break. Hey Shiva Shankara Namami Shankara Shiva Shankara … [Read More...]
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karaavalambam Sthotra in Kannada
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karaavalambam Sthotra is written by Sri Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya in Sanskrit, my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil has translated the Sthotra to Kannada. ಶ್ರೀ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನರಸಿಂಹ … [Read More...]
Buddha Poornima – Vesak
Buddham Sharanam Gatchami|| The above verse is a chant of Buddhists meaning "I take refuge in Lord Buddha". Buddha Poornima is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. It is celebrated on … [Read More...]
Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Vratha
"Kaayena Vaachaa Manasendriyairvaa Buddhyaatmanaa Vaa Prakriteh Svabhaavaatah Karomi Yadhyadh Sakalam Parasmai Naaraayanaayeti Samarpayaami" The meaning of the above shloka is: "I offer … [Read More...]
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha is a religious practice that people vow to perform in the Hindu month of Karthika, which is October – November in the Gregorian calendar. It is performed for 14 years and … [Read More...]
