Today is Vijayadashami, the final day of Dasara / Navratri festivities. The festival culminates in a grand manner with thousands attending the famous Dasara procession at Mysuru. … [Read More...]
Happy Ayudha Pooja 2026
Depending on the number of Ayudha / weapons that the ruler owned decided how powerful he was in that region. Weapons comprised of daggers, guns, revolvers, swords, cannons, cannons on wheels and … [Read More...]
Happy Durgashtami 2026 – Durga Pooja – Dasara Durga Pooja
Durga pooja is no more confined to West Bengal, we can all experience the devotion and pooja in any city of India. The pendals set up by the migrants from West Bengal during Dasara gives us an … [Read More...]
Saraswathi Pooje – Sapthami – Navratri Saraswathi Pooja 2026
Swathi Nakshatra Saraswathi Pooja 2026 is on 16th October 2026. On this day, children bring their favorite or toughest subject book to the Golu / Gombe stand and keep near the doll of goddess … [Read More...]
Ramaswamy Circle, Mysuru
Our house was just behind hundred-foot road and I must have passed on this road leading to Ramaswamy circle a zillion times. Ramaswamy circle was like the head of the hundred-foot road. Jhansi Lakshmi … [Read More...]
Ambujavalli Temple Mysuru Palace
I remember my grandparents always taking me to this temple for a special pooja. While the pooja was getting done, I would be running around the temple premises and also sit on the beautifully … [Read More...]
Shweta Varahaswamy Temple Mysuru Palace
Ambavilas / Mysuru Palace complex is dotted with many ancient Hindu temples. One of them is the Shweta Varahaswamy Temple. The Shweta Varahaswamy Temple is situated in the southern gate / … [Read More...]
Dasara Gombe – Doll arrangement – Golu – 2026
During Navratri / Dasara, in Mysuru-Bengaluru region, the tradition of doll arrangement is still continued in most of the homes. They are arranged on either 3 steps or 5 steps or 7 steps or 9 … [Read More...]
Sharad Navratri Dasara Calendar for October 2026
Sharad Navratri 2026 Calendar (October) Day and Date … [Read More...]
Kada Prasad – Godi Halwa – Atta ka halwa – Gurudwara Atta Halwa
Tomorrow is the beginning of Dasara pooja, vrata, doll arrangement, garba, and endless celebrations. For the next 10 days family and friends get-together and celebrate good over evil in various … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Ashwin month – October and November 2026
Festival dates in Āshwin month – October and November 2026 Āshwin (September – October) Dasara - Navaratri - 11 October to 20 October 2026 Saraswathi Pooja - 16 October 2026 … [Read More...]
Coriander Rice Recipe
Coriander Rice Recipe is a simple and quick recipe using lots of Coriander and Raw Mango or Lemon. As this dish is a dry dish, it is very convenient to pack for school lunch boxes or picnics or … [Read More...]
India loves to pose – 59
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. The smile, the … [Read More...]
October 2026 Hints
Tie a stole to the airplane or car seat top portion and rest your head in the pouch for a good snooze. Keep your Phone in a zip lock bag and hang it on the airplane/train food tray and lock … [Read More...]
Habbada Thindi and Panaka – Festival Snacks and Juice Recipes
Food and festival go hand in hand in India. Special dishes are prepared on festivals and during vratha (observance). Habbada Adige / festival food is prepared on all festivals. But … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Kashaya Powder Recipe – Kadha Powder Recipe – Kashayam Powder Recipe – Herbal Decoction Recipe
Kashaya is a decoction prepared by boiling a powder prepared using herbs and spices. This home remedy when consumed gives relief from common cold and cough. If consumed everyday gives very … [Read More...]
Muskmelon Juice – Karbooja Panaka Recipe – Sidota Juice
Today is Rama Navami, the day Lord Rama was born. May this day bring solutions for the pandemic that has hit the world. Let us hope everyone of them impacted is cured and that the front … [Read More...]
Malnad Style Beetroot Kayi Chutney
I tasted this Beetroot chutney at Sridhara Paduka Mandira in Bengaluru. The saying that god prasada is divine and satisfying is so true. The humble lunch comprising to Rice huli, saru, and … [Read More...]
Hagalkayi Khara Gojju – Bitter Gourd Curry – Karela Subzi
Hagalkayi Khara Gojju is a side dish prepared using Bitter Gourd. The gravy is Sweet, Sour, and Spicy. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Hagalkayi / Bitter gourd pieces 5 … [Read More...]
Kattina Saaru – Rasam Recipe – Lentil Thin Curry – Hoornada Saru
Kattina saaru also known as hoornada saaru is a tasty dish prepared in Karnataka households during auspicious occasions and festivals. Cuisine: Karnataka Time required: 25 minutes + Hoorna making … [Read More...]
Cucumber Idli
Steamed Rice cakes with Cucumber. Ingredients: 1 Cup Idli Rawa 2 Cups Cucumber, Grated 1/4 Cup Coconut, Grated 1/4 Cup Coconut, Chopped 3 Green Chilies 1tsp Asafoetida 3tbsp Coriander … [Read More...]
Masala Papad
A very popular starter in restaurants in South India. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Deep fried Urad Papad 1 Grated Carrot 3 sprigs Chopped Coriander 1 Green Chili, chopped … [Read More...]
Coriander Clear Soup
Time Required: 10 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 10 sprigs Coriander Leaves 8 Peppercorns Juice of ½ Lemon Salt to taste Method: Remove the roots and wash the sprigs thoroughly. Pick … [Read More...]
Travel
Shopping and eating out in Andaman and Nicobar
When we planned for the Andaman and Nicobar islands trip, I knew very little about what food is available for tourists and was very apprehensive. But all my fears were put to rest when I landed on … [Read More...]
Yercaud
Yercaud is a beautiful hill station on the Shevaroys hills of the Eastern Ghats. Yercaud got its name because of the many trees surrounding the lake. Yeri means Lake and Kadu means forest. The … [Read More...]
Elephant Beach – Havelock Island
Elephant Beach is the most popular beach for water sports and activities in Havelock Island. Though most part of the beach was swept away by the 2004 Tsunami, the live corals here are the best … [Read More...]
Rajas Tomb – Gaddige – Coorg
Gaddige or Gadduge is a place towards the north of Coorg with tombs of Kodava royalty, court dignitaries, royal priest and the royal bulls. It is situated on a hillock with a good view of the city. … [Read More...]
Lingambudhi Lake, Mysore
Another interesting water body in Mysore is the Lingambudhi Lake. This when compared with the other two lakes Kukkarahalli and Karanji Kere is not maintained and left to the wild. A pillared … [Read More...]
Melukote Srivaishnava Piligrimage Center
Melukote is a famous piligrimage center situated in Mandya district, Karnataka. This place is also known as Thirunarayanapuram, Yadavagiri or Yadugiri nestled in the Cauvery river valley. From Mysore … [Read More...]
Forts of Goa
Most of the forts built in Goa are high up on the hills and offer a grand view of the Arabian Sea. The forts of Goa are dotted from Tiracol Fort, which is at the northernmost tip of Goa to Cabo da … [Read More...]
Festivals
Mahashivarathri – Shivratri
Om Vande Shambhu Umaapatim Surgurum Vande Jagad Kaaranaam | Vande Pannag Bhushanaam Mrigadharam Vande Pashunaam Patim| Vande Surya Shashaak Vahninayanam Vande Mukundapriyam| Vande Bhakta … [Read More...]
Sheege Hunnime
Sheege Hunnime festival is fondly remembered by my mother. The excerpt follows… My dad seemed to be in a very celebrative mood. He ordered the servants to get the bullock cart ready and also … [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...]
Sri Gurubhajane Purnadarathi -Sri Sridhara Swamiji
This bhajan is sung during the Aarathi in Sridhara Ashrama. Sri Sridhara Swamiji is considered the avatar of Dattatreya. His samadhi and ashram is located in Varadahalli, Sagar taluk. There are many … [Read More...]
Mysore Dasara Procession in Black and White
Wish you all a very happy Dasara! This Dasara procession photograph was part of my grandfather's collection. The photograph was probably taken between 1930 - 1935. … [Read More...]
Rathasapthami Rangoli
Rathasapthami is a festival in honor of Sun god. On this day a Rathasapthami rangoli / kolam (patterns drawn using chalk powder) of ratha / chariot is drawn inside the shrine of … [Read More...]
Glory of Lord Mailaralinga – Mailaralinga Mahatme Haadu – Khandoba Mahima Geet
The glory of Lord Mailaralinga's song in Kannada has been sung by my mother's immediate and extended family for decades. This song was taught by a relative called Sri Shankar who lived with my … [Read More...]
