Festival dates in Jyaishtha month – June and July 2026 Adhika Jyaishtha (17th May - 15th June) Vata Savitri Vratha / Phala Poornima - 29 June 2026 Kara Hunnime / Bhoomi Hunnime … [Read More...]

Avocado Chutney Recipe – Avocado Spread Recipe
Avocados are available in the South Indian market from April onwards. There is an abundance of desi Avocados in the market. Apart from making Guacamole, you can make many types of … [Read More...]

Flower Arrangement – Solitaire
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

Aati Ganji – Udupi style Dwadashi Ganji – Rice Gruel
Today is Prathama Ekadashi and tomorrow being Dwadashi, it is a practice in many households to break the Ekadashi fast by consuming Ganji (rice gruel). In Mysuru region, the Ganji is prepared a … [Read More...]

Conchigli Pasta Tomato
Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 Bowl Conchigli (Shell shaped) Pasta 1 Onion, Sliced 1/2 Cup Capsicum 3tsp Olive Oil 2tbsp Grated Cheese 1tsp Salt For the Sauce: 1 … [Read More...]

Baked Beans Toast
A healthy breakfast to start the day Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 12 slices of Wheat Bread 1 tin Baked Beans 1 Onion, Chopped finely 1tbsp Chopped Coriander Leaves, … [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...]

Nimbehannina Gojju – Lemon in sweet and sour gravy – Nimbu Ras Recipe – Mensakayi Recipe
You must be wondering that the Gojju might become bitter, but the Gojju is not bitter and there is a twist in the recipe. At my home whenever Huggi/Pongal is prepared, this Gojju is served as an … [Read More...]

Alu Chaat Masala – Tangy Potatoes – Alu Chat Recipe – Aloo Chat Recipe
Alu Chaat Masala is spicy and tangy Potatoes served with an assortment of chutneys and spices. It is an excellent evening snack with a hot cup of tea. Cuisine: North India Time Required: … [Read More...]

Nippattu – Thattai Recipe – Nippittu Recipe
Nippattu is a favorite snacks among Mysoreans and Bangaloreans. This is prepared during festivals like Krishna Janmashtami, Dasara, and on occasions like weddings and upanayana. Time … [Read More...]

Strawberry Spinach Salad
Strawberry Spinach Salad is an interesting combination of Strawberry and Spinach. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Chopped Strawberries Few tender Spinach leaves, torn into … [Read More...]
Travel

Sri Manjunatheshwara temple, Dharmasthala
Sri Manjunatheshwara temple situated in Dharmasthala in South Kanara District attracts more than 10,000 visitors every day. It is a place with a culmination of people from all walks of life and … [Read More...]

Doddabetta Peak, Ooty
“Dodda” means big and “Betta” means hill in Kannada language spoken by the Badaga tribe of Ooty. Doddabetta is situated 10 Km from Ooty at 2,623 meters above sea level and it is the highest peak in … [Read More...]

Gomatagiri
Gomatagiri is situated in Bettadoor in Mysore district. Gomatagiri is a major Jain center. In the 11th Century, a 10-meter-tall granite statue of Gometeshwara also known as Bahubali is installed on … [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...]

Tyavarekoppa Lion Safari
Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari was established in 1988 and is located 15 Kms north-west of Shimoga on the way to Sagar. It is a wild life park with wild animals like tigers, lions, … [Read More...]

Pykara Lake
River Pykara originates from Mukurthi peak, which has many Toda settlements. This river is the largest and it is revered by the Toda tribes. The river tumbles down the hills and creates two … [Read More...]

Coonoor
Coonoor is situated at the head of the Hulikal ravine at 6,235 feet above sea level in Ooty district. Surrounded by tea plantations, grasslands, pine forests, shola, green meadows, tree factories, … [Read More...]
Festivals

Independence day memories
My mother remembers and shares her memories on the days before Indian Independence and the joy felt on 15th August 1947. Place: Kurtakoti Script: Kannada ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ ದಿನ ಈ ದಿನ ೭೪ನೆೇಯ (74th) … [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...]

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...]

ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು – Aarathi Song
During Dasara, Saraswathi is worshiped and on this day few people choose to arrange the dolls. For the festival date click here. The below song dedicated to Goddess Sarawathi is written by my … [Read More...]

Ritu – Indian Seasons – Rithu
Ritu means "season" in ancient Indian calendars used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. There are six ritus or seasons. The word is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Ṛtú. Every season, … [Read More...]

Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated in Canada and United States of America. It is the day when people thank the almighty for a good harvest and for all the good things bestowed on … [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...]
