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
Jackfruit Seeds Vada – Jackfruit Seeds Fritters – Halasina Beejada Vade
After the Jackfruit season, if you have collected the seeds, you can make this crispy and tasty vadas / fritters for a rainy evening with hot filter coffee. Ingredients: 1 Cup Jackfruit seeds, … [Read More...]
Cheese Straw
Cheese Straw is great to serve with tea in the evening. This can be part of a picnic basket and great to munch as you drive. Time required: 1 Hour Cookie method: Bread Crumbs … [Read More...]
Rave Rotti
Bread prepared using Semolina. Cuisine: Uttara Kannada District Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Rawa / Semolina 1 Onion, Chopped finely 1 Carrot, Grated 2 – 3 Green … [Read More...]
Beetroot Chutney
Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Beetroot, Chopped 1 Cup Grated fresh Coconut 1tbsp Urad Dal/Black Gram Split 7 - 8 Red Chilies 1tsp Mustard Seeds Juice of 1 Lemon 1tbsp … [Read More...]
Bellary Soppina Mudde – Methi Dal Recipe – Fenugreek Leaves and Lentils Side Dish Recipe
This dish is a very healthy and popular side dish served along with Indian Bread in Bellary, Karnataka. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 25 minutes Ingredients: 1 Bunch Methi / Fenugreek … [Read More...]
Huli Thovve – Hulthovve – Daal with Vegetables – Dal Recipe
Huli Thovve is a curry prepared using lentils and vegetables. It is a popular dish during festivals and celebrations like weddings in South Karnataka. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Tomato Ketchup
Tomato ketchup is loved by one and all as a favorite accompaniment to a variety of dishes. Though ketchup is widely available in stores and preparing it is a tad tedious, I have prepared to … [Read More...]
Fattoush
Fattoush is a salad using Pita bread and vegetables. Cuisine: Lebanese Time required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Pita Bread 1 cup Cucumber cubes 1 cup Tomato cubes 1/2 cup Capsicum … [Read More...]
Travel
Kunti Betta
Kunti Betta / hill was the destination for a cycling and rock climbing expedition during my college days. With non gear cycles like BSA-SLR, Hero, Nataraj etc., loads of determination, and … [Read More...]
Shri Anantheswara temple
Udupi was known as Shivalli, which was derived from the presiding deity of this temple. The brahmins living in this place to this day are known as Shivalli brahmins. Shri Anatnheswara (Lord … [Read More...]
Madiwala Lake, Bengaluru
One of the biggest lakes in Bangaluru, Madiwala Lake is spread over an area of 114 hectares. A residential area nearby is known as Madiwala. The Madiwala lake is situated in BTM layout and … [Read More...]
Chunnambar Backwater
The rivers crossing Pondicherry / Puducherry forms scenic backwaters and a visit to this place is an amazing experience. The rivers ultimately meet the Bay of Bengal creating vast estuaries. … [Read More...]
Kotagiri
Kotagiri is small hill town situated in Nilgiris biosphere at an elevation of 1793 meters above sea level. The famous Longwood Shola forests are part of this biosphere. Kotagiri is one of the … [Read More...]
Vidurashwatha
Legends and Indian history has been etched in this small village called Vidurashwatha in Karnataka. There is a huge Peepal tree with a shrine that is worshiped by people who flock this place. … [Read More...]
Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary
Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary is part of Sharavathi River Valley and was declared protected in 1972. It is the best place to spot many species of exotic birds and butterflies along with mammals and … [Read More...]
Festivals
Festivals in Shravana month – July and August 2025
Shrāvana (August - September) - From 25 July to 22 August (2025) Shravana Shanivara - 26 July, 2 August, 9 August, 16 August (2025) Mangala Gowri Vrat - 29 July, 5 August, 12 August, … [Read More...]
Gombe Habba – Forest Arrangement
During Dasara, many households had the ritual of arranging dolls in the house for 9 days in Mysore region. This would bring out a lot of creativeness among the people. The … [Read More...]
Dasara – Celebration of Dussehra in different regions of India – Navratri Celebrations
In Mysore, we always looked forward to Dasara, which is the Nada Habba (festival of Karnataka state) and it is not only celebrated in homes but the whole city seems to wake up from the slumber to 10 … [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...]
A thought on Saraswathi Pooja
ವಿದ್ಯೆಯ ಮಹತ್ವ ಒಡಲೊಳಗಿರುವದು ವಿದ್ಯೆಯು ನಡೆದರೆ ತಾಂಬರವಲ್ಲ ಕಳ್ಳರು ಕದಿಯರ್ ಪೊಡವಿಪರು ಕಸಿದು ಕೊಳ್ಳರ್ ವಡಹುಟ್ಟಿದವರು ಪಾಲು ಕೇಳರು ಕೇಳೈ Meaning: Knowledge is something that belong to you. Strangers … [Read More...]
Ganesh Chathurthi – Ganesha Festival
I have extremely fond memories of Ganesha-Gowri festival. It was one of the grand festivals of the year for the family and for Mysore city itself. Our road would be decorated with serial lights, as … [Read More...]
