Festival dates in Phalgun month – February and March 2026 Phālgun (February – March) Sri Raghavendra Swami Jayanthi – 24 February 2026 Holi – 2 to 4 March 2026 … [Read More...]
Happy Shivaratri 2026
As Lord Shiva is Trinetra (3 eyes), Bilva leaves are offered on this auspicious day of Maha Shivaratri. Some devotees feast and few fast on this day. Devotees also do Jagran (wake the … [Read More...]
Flower Arrangement – Tall and strong
Heliconia is best for flower arrangements, as they last for a very long time. When teamed with Philodendron leaves, it makes a striking arrangement. Materials required: 1 Golden torch … [Read More...]
Ulundogare recipe – Urad Dal Rice recipe – Ullandogare – Ulundhorai
Ulundogare is prepared for naivedya (blessed food) in temples. It is a healthy meal with the right amount of carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. The flavor is derived from roasted … [Read More...]
Ikigai Café
Ikigai is a Japanese concept pronounced as ee-key-guy. It means a sense of purpose to wake up in the morning. This resonates perfectly with Navya, who has conceptualized this unique café “Ikigai” at … [Read More...]
February 2026 Hints
Use an onion to clean the grate on your grill. If your microwave is really dirty, put a damp cloth in there for about 30-45 seconds, let it sit (to cool down) then use it to wipe it down. The steam … [Read More...]
Konkaneshwara Temple, Akkihebbalu
The presiding deity at Konkaneshwara temple in Akkihebbalu, Mandya district is Lord Shiva. This temple is situated next to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. Both temples are ancient with no … [Read More...]
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is as ancient as our Puranas. Sage Gouthama's penance appeased Lord Vishnu and he appeared before him and asked his wish, the sage asked Lord Vishnu to … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Nugge Huli
This is a South Indian Curry prepared using drumstick and leavess of drumstick tree. It is also known as Sambar. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Bunch Drumstick Leaves 2 … [Read More...]
Ragi Halwa
Ragi Halwa is a pudding prepared using Finger Millet. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 40 minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Ragi / Finger Millet / Nachni 1 Cup Sugar ½ tsp Elaichi / … [Read More...]
Thuppa Sandige Anna
Ghee and Fryums Rice. This dish is prepared in Mysore region and is served during auspicious celebrations like wedding, upanayana etc. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups of … [Read More...]
Sweet and Sour Cucumber Salad
I was in Delhi last Friday and my friend served this simple, yet delicious salad for dinner. I re-created this recipe this Friday at home. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Seedless … [Read More...]
Vaththu Shavige – Idiyappam Recipe – Rice Vermicelli – Nool Puttu Recipe – String Hoppers Recipe
This is also known as Idiyappam in Tamil and Malayalam. It is known as Vaththu Shavige or Akki Shavige in Kannada and is prepared on Bheemana Amavasya festival. This Rice noodles is served in many … [Read More...]
Dabeli – Potato Slider Indian Style
Dabeli is a tasty street food originally from Kutch region of Gujarat and made famous in Mumbai. It is also known as Kachchi Dabeli. Tangy, Sweet, and Spicy Potato is sandwiched between … [Read More...]
Hot Cucumber and Mint Soup
A soup that you can sip throughout the day. Time Required: 10 Minutes + Chilling time Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 Cucumber, Slices 1 Onion, Sliced 1/2 Cup Mint Leaves, Chopped 2 cloves … [Read More...]
Falafel Sandwich
Falafel Sandwich is a Falafel Sandwich middle eastern favorite where chik pea fritters and vegetables are stuffed into a Pita bread. Cuisine: Middle East / Mediterranean Time Required: 15 … [Read More...]
Travel
Sri Ramanarasaiah
When we moved to our own house, I dreamt of hanging an original Mysore painting in the lobby. Thus started my quest to find either the right painting or a painter. Fortunately, I came across a website … [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...]
Omkareshwar Temple – Madikeri
In Madikeri / Coorg there is an ancient Omkareshwar temple dedicated to Lord Omkareshwara / Shiva which was built by Lingarajendra Wodeyar II in 1820. The Omkareshwar temple is built in Kerala, … [Read More...]
St. Philomena’s Church
As you drive into Mysore from Bangalore, the first landmark of Mysore that is visible is the Chamundi hills and the next is the spires of St. Philomena’s Church. This remarkable church was … [Read More...]
Yercaud Botanical Garden
A visit to the Botanical Garden in hill stations is top on my to-visit list. And off we went to explore the Botanical Garden in Yercaud. The garden though small is interesting as it is tucked on a … [Read More...]
Shravanabelagola
The first time I visited Shravanabelagola was in 1982 on a school trip. It was Mahamasthakabhishekha time and we climbed up the rickety scaffolding up to the head of the monolithic statue of Bahubali … [Read More...]
Ramana Ashram, Thiruvannamalai
"Distracted as we are by various thoughts, if we would continually contemplate the Self, which is Itself God, this single thought would in due course replace all distraction and would itself … [Read More...]
Festivals
Rakhsha Bandhan
Rakhsha Bandhan festival is a celebration of the brother-sister bonding, celebrated mainly in North India. It falls on Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu moth of Shravana. August - September … [Read More...]
Guru Nanak Jayanthi
The birthday of Guru Nanak who is the founder of Sikhism is celebrated by Punjabis all over the world. Devotees pay obeisance to their Guru in Gurudwaras. Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 at … [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...]
Adi Shankaracharya Jayanthi
Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Deva Maheshwara Guru Sakshath Parambrahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha|| Adi Shankaracharya the founder of the Advaita philosophy begins his Gurustotram or … [Read More...]
Ugadi, Hindu New Year
Ugadi, the name is split into Uga + Adi = Ugadi. Uga means Year and Adi means first in Sanskrit as well as in Kannada. The first day of the year is Ugadi, Hindu New Year. This falls in the Hindu month … [Read More...]
Gombe Habba – Forest Arrangement
During Dasara, many households had the ritual of arranging dolls in the house for 9 days in Mysore region. This would bring out a lot of creativeness among the people. The … [Read More...]
Chaitra Navratri
Chaitra Navratri also known as Varshik Navratri is a festival observed for nine days in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April in Gregorian Calendar). The festival starts on the first day of Chaitra … [Read More...]
