Festival dates in Kartik month – November and December 2026 Kārtik (October – November) Karwa Chauth - 29 October 2026 Diwali /Balipadyami/New Year in Gujarat - November 2026 … [Read More...]
Happy Deepavali 2026 – Happy Diwali
Deepavali (“avali” means rows and “deepa” means lamp) or Diwali is a festival of lights much loved by one and all. It is the time for sweets, savories, family get-together, new clothes, crackers and … [Read More...]
Turai Ki Sabji Recipe – Ridge Gourd Stir Fry Recipe – Heerekayi Palya
If you are bored preparing the same kind of side dish using Ridge Gourd, here is an interesting twist that gives a bite to an otherwise soggy vegetable. The vegetable is transformed and gets … [Read More...]
November 2026 Hints
Dip Apple pieces in salt water for two minutes and store in a box. This will avoid the Apple getting discolored. Peel roasted peanuts inside a closely netted bag. For Pakoda, chop Onions against … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Ashwin month – October and November 2026
Festival dates in Āshwin month – October and November 2026 Āshwin (September – October) Dasara - Navaratri - 11 October to 20 October 2026 Saraswathi Pooja - 16 October 2026 … [Read More...]
Habbada Thindi and Panaka – Festival Snacks and Juice Recipes
Food and festival go hand in hand in India. Special dishes are prepared on festivals and during vratha (observance). Habbada Adige / festival food is prepared on all festivals. But … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Purple Yam Raita – Ratalu Raitha Recipe – Yam with Yogurt
Winter is the time when Purple Yam arrives in the market in Gujarat to make the elaborate Undhiyo. I got the vegetable from Amazon and was able to make Undhiyo and this tasty raitha. Cuisine: … [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...]
Gujjia – Mawa Gujjia – Khova Nuts Gujjia Recipe – Gujiya Recipe – Gujjiya Recipe
Evaporated milk is mixed with an assortment of nuts and sugar and filled into a wrap and deep fried. The fried Gujia is dipped in sugar syrup and served. Gujjia is prepared during the … [Read More...]
Vendekayi Mor Thalippu – Okra simmered in yogurt and spices
Vendekayi in Tamil means Lady;s Finger/Okra, Mor means yoghurt and Thalippu means seasoning. So it is basically Okra simmered in yoghurt and a sesoning added to it in the end. Cuisine: Tamil … [Read More...]
Sauthekayi Hesarubele Kosambari – Split Green Gram Cucumber Salad
Raw Cucumber and soaked gram mixed with seasoning. This is prepared in Karnataka especially during festivals. During Rama Navami festival, Kosambari is offered to god as Naivedya / Blessed … [Read More...]
Star Gooseberry Pickle
Star Gooseberry is available around the year. Making Star Gooseberry Pickle is easy and also adds a little zest to the mundane lunches and dinners. Time Required: 10 Minutes Cuisine: … [Read More...]
Baledindina Kootu – Banana Stem Curry – Banana Stem Sambar Recipe
Baledindina Kootu is a curry prepared using Banana plant Stem. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 foot long Baledindu / Banana stem 1 Cup Thogaribele / Tuvar Dal / Red Gram … [Read More...]
Steamed Vegetables tossed in Herbs
An easy to prepare and healthy dish. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Cauliflower Florets 1 Cup String Beans, cut into 1” pieces 2 Carrots, Peeled and Chopped 1 Potato, … [Read More...]
Travel
Catherine Falls, Kotagiri
Roads leading to Catherine falls wind through the Nilgiri hills between tea estates and pine forests. The drive offers excellent views with the mist playing hide and seek. The water cascades … [Read More...]
Shore Birds of Kukkarahalli Lake
Busy birds chirping and singing joyfully greets early morning walkers in Kukkarahalli kere/lake. Birds of all sizes both aquatic and land/shore birds have found this lake a very conducive environment … [Read More...]
Mallalli Waterfalls
Now is the time of waterfalls. Good rains in Pushpagiri Hill ranges promise good family outing to waterfalls. Mallalli is one such waterfall situated in Bettadahalli Gram Panchayat in Somwarpet Taluk … [Read More...]
Pine forests of Kodaikanal
Pine forests in Kodaikanal is a must visit for people who love trees. Pine trees are not native to South India. The British in South India were missing these trees and they started growing them in … [Read More...]
Osian Jodhpur
Having read many books and seen in movies about the hero getting lost in the desert and seeing mirages of an Oasis, I wanted to experience an oasis and I did just that when we visited an ancient town … [Read More...]
Padubidri Beach
Travel to coastal region in Karnataka conjures visits to divine temples, long walks on the beach, watching sunset, fascinating estuaries, swaying palm trees, and delicious food. For people who … [Read More...]
Ambujavalli Temple Mysuru Palace
I remember my grandparents always taking me to this temple for a special pooja. While the pooja was getting done, I would be running around the temple premises and also sit on the beautifully … [Read More...]
Festivals
Madhwa Navami
Prathoma Hanumanamah| Dwithiyo Bheemayevacha| Poornaprajna Thrithyasto| Bhagavatkarya Sadhakaha|| The above shloka/chanting is all about the three avatars/incarnations of Sri Madhwacharya. … [Read More...]
Satyanarayana Aarathi Song
It is a must to read the story of Satyanarayana at the end of Satyanarayana pooja. Here is a song covering all the stories that has to be read. You can sing this while doing the final … [Read More...]
Gowri Aarathi Song
ಗೌರಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳ ಜಯ ಗಿರಿಜಾತೆ ಮಾತೆ ।।ಪ|| ಪರಮಾಯುಧ ಕರ ದುರುಳ ಸುರಾರೆ । ಪರಮ ತೇಜ ಮೃಗರಾಜ ವಿಹಾರೆ ।।೧।। ರತ್ನ ಮುಕುಟ ಮಣಿ ಹಾರ ಕುಂಡಲ ಶೋಭೆ | ರವಿಕೋಟಿ ತೇಜ ವಿರಾಜ ಮುಖಿಯೇ ।।೨।। ಜಗದಾಧಾರೆ ಜಗದಾದಿ … [Read More...]
Karthika Somavaragalu
Kantheyasya Lasathkaala Garalam Gangaajalam Masthake Giriraajaraja Thanayaa Jaaya Bhavaani Sathi Nandi Skanda Ganaadhiraaja Sahithaa Sri Vishwanaatha Prabhu Kashi Mandira Samsthithokhila … [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...]
Nariyal Poornima
The fisherman of Daman and Kolis of Coastal Maharashtra look forward to celebrate Nariyal Poornima festival as it signifies retreating monsoon and the commencement of their fishing activity. Nariyal … [Read More...]
Dasara Procession and Torch Light Parade during the reign of the Wodeyars
Picture1 - Illuminated Mysore Palace Mysore Dasara procession during the Maharajah’s rule used to be on a larger scale and grander. My grandparents and parents generation go on and on … [Read More...]
