Flower arrangement styles like So-getsu school use drifwood in their arrangements. Driftwood refers to branches of trees, which breaks off and fall into the water. These pieces drift along the … [Read More...]
Happy Onam 2026
Wish you all a very happy Onam! It is time for Onam Sadya and Pookalam across Kerala and rest of the country and world where people from Kerala reside. … [Read More...]
Onam Sadya – Plantain leaf Onam Thali – Onasadya
Onam is celebrated for 10 days. During these days women wear Mudum Neriyathum/Mundu and make designs on the floor using flowers known as Pookalam. Around the Pookalam women perform … [Read More...]
Labneh Dip Recipe
Labneh is prepared from hung curds/yogurt. This recipe is from the Middle East. The thick hung curds is whisked with herbs, cucumber, zatar, olive oil, and chili flakes. You can also add Olives, … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Shravana month – August and September 2026
Festival dates in Shravana month – August and September 2026 are as follows: Shrāvana (August - September) - From 13 August to 11 September (2026) Shravana Shanivara - 15 August, 22 … [Read More...]
August 2026 Hints
Add baking soda while washing fruits and vegetable, this will remove any type of contamination. Add sparkling water to Pani puri dough. The Puris will turn out crisp. Add oil while boiling … [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...]
Pookalam Art – Flower Carpet Making – Flower Rangoli
Pookalam (Flower Rangoli / Pattern), the art of designing floral carpets on the day of Onam festival in Kerala welcome their beloved king Mahabali. Pookalam Art can be made on … [Read More...]
Pookalam
Flower arrangement of Indian origin is Pookalam. “Poo” means flower and “kalam” design in Malayalam. The flowers are laid out in beautiful patterns on the floor. Traditionally laying out Pookalam is a … [Read More...]
Onam
Onam is celebrated in Kerala with a lot of enthusiasm. It is their biggest harvest festival and it falls in the Malayali (Malayalam is the language spoken in Kerala and hence the people of Kerala are … [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...]
Wood Arrangement
"Wood Arrangements" include arrangements with driftwood or even roots and stumps of trees. Coffee roots are very popular in wood arrangements. The roots and the wood when combined with bright flowers … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
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...]
Eggless Raisin cake
Sweet and sour Raisins are always a favorite with bakers. Time Required: 1 Hour 20 Minutes Ingredients: 3 Cups Flour/Maida 2 Cups Black Raisins 1 Cup Pistachios 2 Cups of Water 2 Cups … [Read More...]
Akki Ubba Rotti – Rice Flat Bread Recipe – Akki Rotti – Chawal Roti
Puffed bread prepared using Rice Flour, which is very popular in Coorg district. "Ubba" in Kannada means puffed up. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice Flour Add 2 … [Read More...]
Mint Chutney
Mint chutney goes will with Indian bread as well bakery bread. When added to a sandwich, it taste good and also adds flavor and spice to it. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]
Padavalkayi Masala – Snake Gourd Stir Fry Recipe – Chichinda Subzi
Padavalkayi Masala is a side dish prepared using Snake Gourd. A simple, yet tasty dish. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Padavalkayi / Snake Gourd, … [Read More...]
Paneer Kali Mirch
Paneer Kali Mirch is a side dish where Cottage Cheese cubes are cooked in Cashew and Cream gravy. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Bowl Paneer Cubes 4 - 5 … [Read More...]
Green Chili Chutney
Green Chili Chutney is usually served with Samosa, Dhokla and other snacks. This adds spiciness to the dish. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Green Chilies 1 Cup Coriander … [Read More...]
Groundnut Chutney
This chutney is prepared by the Gujaratis and this chutney is available for sale in Jamnagar Gujarat. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Roasted and peeled Groundnuts / Moomphali … [Read More...]
Travel
Padukere Beach, Udupi
As we drove down coastal Karnataka, we stopped at the long stretch of Padukere Beach. Every beach though they appear the same have their own characteristics in terms of the trees lining the beach, … [Read More...]
Catigao Wildlife Sanctuary
Picture1 - On the way to Catigao Established in 1969, Catigao Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Canacona Taluk, South east of Goa. It is on NH – 17 bordering Goa – Karnataka border. The sanctuary … [Read More...]
Kalathgiri Waterfalls
After spending a fair amount of time in Kemmanagundi, we drove to Kalathgiri waterfalls and were very disappointed. There was less water, due to summer but, the garbage, litter and unruly crowd made … [Read More...]
Kalahatti Waterfalls
Picture1 - On the way to Kalahatti Falls Kalahatti waterfall is nestled in the midst of the enchanting Kalhatti ghats of Nilgiri birosphere. It is situated 14 Kms from Ooty and 15 Kms from … [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...]
Payana Vintage and Classic Car Museum Mysuru
Another addition to the heritage city Mysuru is a wonderful huge Vintage and Classic Car Museum known as Payana located on the outskirts of the city. You can call it an automobile museum … [Read More...]
ISKCON Temples of Bangalore
The most iconic temple in Bangalore is the ISKCON temple situated on a small hill along the West of Chord Road. It is dedicated to Sri Radha Krishna. ISKCON stand for International Society for … [Read More...]
Festivals
Ganesha Ashtotra Shathanaamavali – 108 names of Lord Ganesha
Ganesha Ashtotra Shathanaamavali is 108 names of Lord Ganesha. While chanting this, you can offer 21 Patra or 21 Pushpa to Lord Ganesha. Here there are 110 names of Lord Ganesha. Om … [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...]
Rathasapthami
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South … [Read More...]
Shravana Shukravara Pooja
Shravana Shukravara Pooja is also known as Sampath Shukravara vratha. This is performed in the Hindu month of Shravana, July – August in Gregorian calendar dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi / Gowri. … [Read More...]
Aarathi song for Lord Rama
On the auspicious day of the birth of Lord Rama (Rama Navami festival), songs praising him are sung while doing the traditional Arathi. ರಾಮನ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳಂ ಜಯರಘು ಪುನ್ಗವರಾಘವಾ ಅಂಗದ … [Read More...]
Tulasi Aarathi Haadu
Aarathi song dedicated to Tulasi devi. In Kannada Script: ತುಳಸಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಶ್ರೀ ತುಳಸಿ ಜಯ ದೇವಪೂಜಿತೆ |ಪ| ಅತುಲ ಸುಗುಣಾ ಕರುಣಾಮಯ ಮಾತೆ || ಅತಿ ಕೋಮಲ ಪಲ್ಲವ ದಳ ಭರಿತೆ ಶ್ರುತ ಭಾವಿಕ ಜನ ವೃಂದ … [Read More...]
Subramanya Shashti
Subramanya Shashti also known as Champa Shashti is celebrated honoring the birth of second son of Shiva named Subramanya / Skanda. It falls on the 6th day of the Hindu month of … [Read More...]
