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
Bhath Powder – Spice Powder for Rice – Vangibhath Powder
Bhath Powder is a masala powder used to prepare a spicy rice or rawa (semolina) dish along with vegetables like Vangibhath / Eggplant, Potaotes, Peas, Fenugreek leaves, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Cabbage … [Read More...]
Sunrise Smoothie – Orange Banana Mango Smoothie Recipe
If you have Orange Banana Mango Smoothie for breakfast, I am sure you will not need a snack before lunch. Time required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Banana, peeled and diced 1 Cup ripe Mango slices … [Read More...]
Mango Green Chilies Pickle
Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR) introduced a Mango pickle with Green Chilies in the summer of 2003 and discontinued the product after a few months. We had liked the taste of this unique combination … [Read More...]
Tawa Bhindi – Okra Stir Fry Recipe – Ladies Finger Stir Fry Recipe
Tawa Bhindi is a dry side dish prepared using Okra and spices. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 15 to 20 Bhindi / Lady’s Finger / Okra Oil for shallow … [Read More...]
Menthya Batani Bhath – Fenugreek Leaves Peas Rice Recipe – Methi Mutter Rice Recipe
Rice dish prepared using Fenugreek leaves and Peas. Prepared in Karnataka during festivals and auspicious ceremonies. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 6 Cups Cooked … [Read More...]
Baledindina Kosambari – Banana Stem Salad Recipe
Baledindina Kosambari is a salad prepared using Banana Stem and Split Green Gram. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Time Ingredients: ½ foot long Balendindu / Banana Stem ¼ Cup Green … [Read More...]
Pudina Coconut Chutney – Mint Coconut Chutney Recipe
Pudina Coconut Chutney is prepared using Mint and fresh Coconut. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup fresh Pudina/ Mint ½ Cup fresh Coconut, Grated 2 Green … [Read More...]
Spring Onion Cheese Paratha
Spring Onion Cheese Paratha is Indian bread stuffed with Spring Onion and Mozzarella cheese. Time Required: 20 Minutes Makes: 4 Ingredients: 1½ Cups of Wheat Flour 1 Cup Spring Onion … [Read More...]
Travel
Lepakshi
Lepakshi means “rise o bird” in Telugu and this place is situated in Ananthpur district of Andhra Pradesh. The legend says that Jatayu the mythical bird was injured by Ravana at this very place when … [Read More...]
Hassan
Hassan district in Karnataka situated in the south-western part is popular for the many Hoysala style of temple architecture and the natural beauty. Hassan was ruled by Mauryas, Kadambas, Chalukyas, … [Read More...]
Gayathri Tiffin Room, Mysore
Gayathri Tiffin Room restaurant in Mysore more popularly known as GTR is a must visit for all the avid Masala Dosa fans. Your life is complete only after you have enjoyed the Masala Dosa in … [Read More...]
Murdeshwar – Murudeshwara
The western coast of South India is guarded by an imposing 123 feet statue of Lord Shiva at Murdeshwara. Murdeshwara is a town situated in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. The town is famous for … [Read More...]
Regional Museum of Natural History, Mysore
The Regional Museum of Natural History in Mysore was established in 1995. Information on nature and its conservation is exhibited using photographs, models, charts, stuffed artifacts, and so … [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...]
Nagarhole
My first encounter with wild life and forests was when the whole family comprising of my grandparents, parents, aunt, sister and me visited Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary in 1977 for 3 nights. As a … [Read More...]
Festivals
Aarathi Song to Sri Rama
Here is an Aarathi song in praise of Lord Rama. This is sung during Rama Navami festival and can also be sung on any other festival during Aarathi. Kannada Script: ರಾಮನ ಆರತಿ … [Read More...]
Upanayana
Every male child born in certain Hindu communities has to go through the Upanayana ritual. Upanayana is also known as Munji, Brahmopadesham (supreme teaching), and Sacred thread ceremony. The … [Read More...]
Bhagvad Gita Jayanti – Bhagvad Gita Birthday – Srimad Bhagvad Gita Jayanti
During Corona time, my quest to listen and understand the Srimad Bhagvad Gita started. My mother patiently read the Bhagvad Gita shlokas and explained each of them in Kannada. I was in awe … [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...]
Christmas
"Jingle bells Jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride on a one horse open sleigh…" This is a Christmas song that everyone loves to hear and sing not only during Christmas season … [Read More...]
Ashada Shukravara
Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) pooja / ritual is performed on all the Fridays of the Hindu month of Aashada, July-Aug in Gregorian calendar. This year (2020) Aashada starts on 22nd June and the … [Read More...]
Hanuman Arathi Song – Hanumanthana Aarathi Haadu – Devotional Song
Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated in April in North India and in December in South India. North or South a song is always sung during the Arathi. This song in praise of Lord Hanuman is written by … [Read More...]
