In nature, wild flowers gently peep out from rocks and its crevices. This looks very beautiful. We can introduce rocks in our gardens for an aesthetic look. Similarly, rocks can be … [Read More...]
Yoga Narasimha and Saint Ramanujacharya temple, Todanur
The Yoga Narasimha and Saint Ramanujacharya temple is on a hillock and has been renovated recently and was sporting a fresh coat of paint. This temple , which is 1000 years old is built in the Chola … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Jyaishtha month – June and July 2026
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 not 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
Bean Sprout Salad
Bean Sprout Salad is a healthy edition to the dinner menu. This adds variety and boosts the health quotient. Time required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Bean Sprouts 1 Cup Chopped … [Read More...]
Carrot Payasa
Carrot Payasa is a delicious surprise that mom would make during festivals. Unsuspecting children will love this rich in vitamins payasa. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Buttermilk Masala Recipe – Buttermilk Spice Recipe – Masala Majjige Recipe – Masala More
Buttermilk is welcome during summers. A very healthy option to cool your body after a walk or after enjoying a spicy paratha. Ingredients 4 tbsp Jeera / Cumin Seeds 5 tbsp Coriander Seeds 2 … [Read More...]
Lychee Rose Ice Cream – Litchi Rose Ice Cream
It is the Lychee season in North India and as the fruits make their way into our South Indian homes, the cheer only gets louder. I am sure you love the combination of Lychee and Rose in the ice … [Read More...]
Thalipeeth
Thalipeeth is a type of bread prepared using Jower/Sorghum flour. Cuisine: North Karnataka and Maharashtra Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Cups Jower/Sorghum Flour 2 big … [Read More...]
Stuffed Green Chili Pickle
Green Chili Pickle is served with Roti or Paratha in North India. I remember my friend in college who was from Agra used get to plain Paratha roasted in Oil, Sookha Aloo Sabzi and one single big Chili … [Read More...]
Sabudana Vada Recipe – Sago Fritters – Sago Vada
Sabudana Vada are fritters prepared using Sago Pearls. It is an authentic snack of Maharashtra. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Time Ingredients: 1 Cup Sabudana / Sabbakki / Sago … [Read More...]
Corn and Methi Pulao
Corn and Methi Pulao is a Rice dish prepared using Corn and Fenugreek leaves. Cuisine: North Indian Time required: 30 minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Basmati Rice / Long Grained Rice 1 … [Read More...]
Travel
Auroville Beach Pondicherry
The Auroville Beach is very near Auroville and is situated 12 Kms from Pondicherry. Pondicherry is now known as Puducherry. An ideal place to spend time with family and friends. The … [Read More...]
Jain Temple, Sultan Bathery
A Jain temple known as Ananthanatha Swami temple is situated in Sultan Bathery, Wayanad district. The history of this Jain Temple, Sultan Bathery was narrated to us briefly by the caretaker of … [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...]
Jaisalmer Fort
Sonar Quila / Golden fort, the living fort of Jaisalmer is fascinating and exotic. Memories of time spent here will be etched forever. Jaisalmer fort was built by Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal in … [Read More...]
Keladi Rameshwara Temple
The Keladi Rameshwara temple complex built by the Nayakas in Keladi is a must visit to experience the Malanadu architecture. The wooden pillars supporting the sloping roof welcome you to into a huge … [Read More...]
Mangaladevi Temple, Mangalore
Mangaladevi Temple was built in the 9th century AD in Bolar, Mangalore. Mangalore city derived its name from the presiding deity of the temple: Mangaladevi. It is believed that the temple was built … [Read More...]
Moti Dungri Fort, Jaipur
Moti Dungri means Hills of Pearls and Moti Dungri Fort, Jaipur forms the backdrop for the beautiful Birla Mandir. The fortress was called Shankargarh (Shiva’s Home). Sawai Man Singh II … [Read More...]
Festivals
Naga Rangoli – Snake Floor Design
The Naga rangolis / patterns shown below are drawn on Nagara Chauthi and Nagara Panchami festivals. Click on the image to see a bigger image. Rangoli drawn on Nagara Chauthi: Rangoli … [Read More...]
Hire Gowri Pooja – Dodda Gowri Pooja – Gowri Hunnime
Hire Gowri Pooja also known as Dodda Gowri Pooja and Gowri Hunnime is celebrated with devotion in North Karnataka. Below is the write up by my mother on this festival in Kannada script. This … [Read More...]
Kalasha
This is an important arrangement in any of the Hindu rituals/pooja. This occupies a prominent place in the pedestal along with the idols or photographs of gods and goddesses. During marriages the … [Read More...]
21 Patra Pooja to Lord Ganesha
21 types of Patra (leaves), 21 types of Pushpa (flowers), and 21 Kadabu or Modaka (sweets) are offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chathurthi and Sankashta Chaturthi. Just before the festivities … [Read More...]
Pattada Gombe Alankara
Pattada Gombe in Kannada means, the royal dolls and Alankara means decoration. Many households have a custom of arranging dolls during Dasara festival in Mysore and distribute sweet and savories to … [Read More...]
Chatti Amavasya Festival – Vishwakarma Festival
Chatti Amavasya is the no moon day in the Hindu month of Kartika, October – November of the Gregorian calendar. For the festival date click here. This festival is celebrated in Karnataka, Andhra … [Read More...]
Karaga Festival
Karaga festival is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu by Thigala community (flower and vegetable farmers) on full moon day during the Hindu month of Chaitra, … [Read More...]
