Kashivishwanatha / Lord Shiva Temple is the most flamboyant of all the temples in Lakkundi with intricate designs carved on the shikara / towers and the doorways. Kashivishwanatha … [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...]
Kodanad View Point, Kotagiri
When in Kotagiri it is a must to the Kodanadu View Point. It is a place that one can spend hours looking at the rolling hills and valleys. Kodanadu View Point is 20 km drive from Kotagiri … [Read More...]
Flowering Tobacco
I was surprised that there is a flowering version of Tobacco. Tobacco is largely grown in K.R.Nagar area. During my birding trip, I have come across large acres of land growing Tobacco and … [Read More...]
Quinoa Buddha Bowl
Quinoa Buddha Bowl is a bowl teeming with fibre and protein. Various tastes and textures form this bowl to satiate the soul. Ingredients: 1 Cup Cooked Quinoa with Salt 1 Cup Purple … [Read More...]
India loves to pose – 58
India loves to pose series contains random pictures of people in different moods and gears captured during a moment in their story. I believe that behind every face lies a story. Young India is … [Read More...]
Patchwork frame making – Snow White and Seven Dwarfs
When kids during summer holidays we used to be engaged making a lot of arts and crafts. There was not continuous TV nor mobile phones. Here is one art work that I made using material … [Read More...]
April 2026 Hints
Clean window tracks by pressing paper towels into the groove and pour half a cup of water and slide the window. Remove the paper towel. Your tracks will be clean. To make a paper towel … [Read More...]
Watermelon Sparkler
Fruit juice with soda adds the right spirit to the mood. Here is a simple cool watermelon sparkler recipe to keep you cool and your spirits high! Ingredients: Watermelon juice with or without … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026 are as follows: Chaitra (March - April) Ugadi/Gudi Padwa - Sri Parabhava Nama Samvatsaram - 19 March 2026 Gangaur - 4 March … [Read More...]
Kotagiri
Kotagiri is small hill town situated in Nilgiris biosphere at an elevation of 1793 meters above sea level. The famous Longwood Shola forests are part of this biosphere. Kotagiri is one of the … [Read More...]
Ooty
Whether you call this place Ooty, Ootacamund, Udhagai or Udaghamandalam the title best suited for this place is “Queen of hill stations”, which is the capital of Nilgiris district. Picture1 - … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Aluchi Bhaji – Sour Leafy Vegetables Side Dish Recipe – Khatta Bhaji Subzi Recipe
My brother, who is a good cook, cooked this delicious side dish when we visited him in Mumbai. I recreated this delicious recipe, which uses sour leafy vegetables. Time Required: 45 Minutes + … [Read More...]
Jhunka – Maharashtrian Zunka Recipe – Pitla Recipe
Jhunka is a side dish prepared using Gram flour, this dish is also known as Pitle. Pitle bhath is the most common menu in most of North Karnataka and Maharashtrian homes. Cuisine: North … [Read More...]
Pineapple Sweet Chutney
Pineapple tit bits cooked in sugar syrup and spray of chili flakes. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Pineapple, chopped finely 1tsp Saunf 1tsp Mustard Seeds 1tbsp Oil ½ Cup … [Read More...]
Plain Sev
Also known as Om Pudi, Nylon Sev or Thin Sev, this savory looks like a nest and it is prepared using Chick Pea/Bengal Gram flour. Plain Sev adds crunchiness when added to Chaats like Bhel Puri, Papdi … [Read More...]
Tomatillo Verde Salsa
I will call this recipe Tomat illa (illa means "not available" in Kannada) Verde Salsa. As Tomatillo (pronounced “toe-mah-TEE-yo”) is not available in India, I prepared this using Raw Tomato as it … [Read More...]
Chole – Channa Masala Recipe – Chickpea in Tomato Gravy Recipe
Chickpea in tomato gravy and spices also known as Channa. It is a common side dish in the state of Punjab and it is usually served with Batura, which is a deep fried bread. It also tastes … [Read More...]
Sookha Aloo – Alu Fry Recipe – Potato Stir Fry
Sookha Aloo is a side dish prepared using Potatoes and spices. The potatoes are crisp and are coated with spices, which you can snack on or can be served as a accompaniment. Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Agashi – Flaxseed Chutney Powder
People are now waking up to the health benefits of Flaxseed. In North Karnataka where this is grown extensively, this seed has been used in their cuisine since a long time. A chutney powder prepared … [Read More...]
Travel
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
A ride on one the heritage mountain railways transports you back to an era gone by. Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Ooty was built by the British in 1908. It was operated by then Madras Railway, … [Read More...]
Banasura Sagar Dam
Banasura Sagar dam is built across the Karamanathodu River, which is a tributary of the Kabini River. The dam situated at the foot of Banasura hill in Wayanad District of Kerala was started in 1979 to … [Read More...]
Birla Mandir, New Delhi
One of the major tourist attractions in New Delhi, Birla Mandir also known as Laxmi Narayan Temple is located in the west of Connaught place. This beautiful temple was built in the Nagara style … [Read More...]
Maddur
Maddur is a town situated on the banks of River Shimsha in Mandya district, Karnataka. Paddy and coconut growing is the main occupation of the people living here. It is now known as … [Read More...]
Ajmer, Rajasthan
Ajmer is a major city situated 11 Km from Pushkar in Rajasthan. It is famous for the Dargah/tomb of the 13th century Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. The saint is revered by both the … [Read More...]
Kodaikanal lake
The presence of a lake is always an add-on to the scenic locations especially in hill stations. It is a hub of activities like boating, horse riding, cycling, enjoying street food, and … [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...]
Festivals
Why Lord Ganesha is also known as Ekadantha / single tusk
The most popular narration on how Lord Ganesha lost his tusk is penned in the Skanda Purana / tales of gods and goddesses. Lord Ganesha was a patron of good food with a healthy appetite. Once … [Read More...]
Ganapathi Bappa Morya!
During the Visarjane of Genesha idol after the celebration of Ganesha festival, it is common to hear people hollering “Ganapthi Bappa Morya” in North Karnataka and Maharashtra. In this post the … [Read More...]
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...]
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...]
Budha Brihaspathi Vratha
Budha Brihaspathi Vratha is observed on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the Hindu month of Shravana, August-September in the Gregorian Calendar. Once Budha and Brihaspathi (Budha is planet Mercury … [Read More...]
Mannethithina Amavasya
Manneththina Amavasya, “mannu” means mud; “yeththu” in Kannada means bullocks and “Amavasya” means no moon day. This festival is celebrated in North Karnataka, and bullocks made of mud are worshiped … [Read More...]
Goddess Sharadamba Utsava
Happy Saraswathi Pooja 2014. In Sringeri, Karnataka, during Dasara festival, the utsava murthy (procession idol) of Goddess Sharadamba (Saraswathi) is taken in a small chariot around the temple … [Read More...]
