Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026 are as follows: Chaitra (March - April) Ugadi/Gudi Padwa - Sri Parabhava Nama Samvatsaram - 19 March 2026 Gangaur - 4 March … [Read More...]

March 2026 Hints
If the carpet is slipping, spread cling foil below the carpet, the carpet will not slip. If the edge of the carpet is folded and there is a chance of people slipping, keep few ice cubes below the … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Phalgun month – February and March 2026
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

Hannina Kayi Sasve
Fruits mixed in coconut and chilies sauce. This is a traditional Udupi dessert served just before the meal on the plantain leaf ends. Cuisine: Udupi, Karnataka Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]

Mandakki Dosa – Murmura Dosa Recipe – Kadalepuri Dosa Recipe
Mandakki Dosa are Crepes/Pancakes prepared using puffed rice. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking time + Fermenting Time Ingredients: 4 Cups Rice soaked 1tsp Methi/Fenugreek Seeds 8 … [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...]

Pathrode
Colocasia leaves also known as Taro leaves are rolled with spices and steamed. A delicacy from the kitchens of South Canara, Karnataka. Time Required: 45 Minutes + Soaking … [Read More...]

Apple Chutney
Apple chutney is known as Seb-ka-chutney in Kashmir. Cuisine: Kashmiri Time required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Apple 6 – 8 Dry Grapes 4 tbsp Sugar A pinch of Saffron 2 pieces of … [Read More...]

Unniappam
This dish is prepared using Rice, Banana and Jaggery in the state of Kerala. This is prepared in containers designed to fry the Unniappam or Guntpongalu / Phad. Unniappam is very similar to the … [Read More...]

Bombay Grilled Sandwich – Mumbai Grilled Sandwich – Street Food
Sandwiches are another legacy that the Britishers left for the Indians to relish them in the Indian style. In Mumbai, sandwiches either grilled or plain are available in every nook and corner of … [Read More...]

Vegetable Medley
Vegetables tossed in herbs and tomato puree. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Green Capsicum 1 Red Pepper 1 Yellow Pepper 1 Zucchini 1 Onion Few Italian Basil leaves 1/4 tsp … [Read More...]
Travel

Goa Heritage Buildings
Along with endless beaches, Goa is also dotted with beautiful heritage buildings reminding of the Portuguese who ruled Goa for 450 years. Goa was freed from Portuguese in 1961, but the impact of the … [Read More...]

Lansdowne Building, Mysore
Mysore city is dotted with heritage buildings built during the reign of the Wodeyars, which reminds us of the glorious past. One such building, which lost its glory recently due to neglect, is … [Read More...]

Kudupu Sri Ananta Padmanabha Swamy Temple
Kudupu town is situated very close to Mangaluru. The name Kudupu means a basket woven out of dried forest creeper. Sri Ananta Padmanabha Temple is a major temple visited by thousands. The main … [Read More...]

Kaup Beach
Our unplanned visit to Kaup Beach pronounced as Kapu was a pleasant surprise. The character of the Kaup beach is enhanced by the striking black and white light house built on a sprawling rock on the … [Read More...]

Sims Park Coonoor
Sims park is named after J.D.Sim who was the secretary of the Madras Club in 1874. The garden is spread over 12 hectares with more than 1000 plant species at an elevation of 1780 mts above sea … [Read More...]

Muthyala Maduvu or Pearl Valley
This is a waterfall 40 Kms away from Bangalore. Since the water droplets falling from the rocks shine like pearls, the waterfalls came to be known as Muthyala Maduvu or Pearl Valley. Drive … [Read More...]

Chennakesava Temple – Belur
Usually a visit to a temple is to offer prayers and exit. But, there are many ancient temples in India from where you resist exiting and continue to go round in circles admiring the ornate carvings. … [Read More...]
Festivals

Varamahalakshmi Vratha
Sarvamangala Mangalye| Shive Sarvarthaka Sadhike| Sharanye Thriyambake Devi/Laksmi| Narayani Namosthuthe|| The above shloka is in praise of goddess Lakshmi and offering … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026 Mouna Gowri Vratha - 21 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 Vasanth Panchami - 23 January 2026 Rathasapthami - 25 January … [Read More...]

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karaavalambam Sthotra in Kannada
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karaavalambam Sthotra is written by Sri Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya in Sanskrit, my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil has translated the Sthotra to Kannada. ಶ್ರೀ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನರಸಿಂಹ … [Read More...]

Halloween
Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31. This celebration was started in Ireland by the Celts 2000 years ago. It is a believed that on this day the ghosts of the dead return to earth. … [Read More...]

Song to Goddess Lakshmi – Varamahalakshmi Arathi Haadu
My mother had written this song in the praise of Goddess Mahalakshmi in 1996. This song can be sung on festivals like Varamahalakshmi, Diwali Lakshmi Pooja, Shravana Shukravara Pooja, Ashada … [Read More...]

Ganesha Aarathi Song
This is a aarathi song dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Kannada Script: ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಚಂದದ ಆರತಿ ತಂದು ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ಸುಂದರ ನಿನ್ನಯ ಚರಣ ಕಮಲಕೆ ವಂದಿಸಿ ಬೇಡುವೆ ಸಿಂದೂರ ವದನ ಬಂದು ಕರುಣಿಸೋ … [Read More...]

Chaitra Gauri Pooja
Sarva Mangala Maangalye Shive Sarvaartha Saadhike| Sharanye Trayambake Gouri Narayani Namosthuthe|| Chaitra Gauri Pooja is also known as Tadigae Gauri Vratha, Ujjale Gauri Vratha, Soubhagya … [Read More...]
