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
Mathri Chaat – Matri Chat Recipe – Fritters with spiced yoghurt
Mathri is a famous Tea time snack of North India. It is a crispy deep-fried snack that can be made into Mathri Chaat. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 20 Minutes Caution to dieters: Includes … [Read More...]
Golgappa Puri – Puri for Pani Puri
Golgappa Puri are small puffed deep fried fritters used to fill different kinds of tasty, tangy concoctions and served. The popular street food Chaats or Chats use these puris. Pani Puri, is the … [Read More...]
Subz Bahaar – Vegetables cooked with spices – Stir fried Vegetables
Subz Bahaar is a delicious side dish prepared using assorted vegetables and spices. Cuisine: North Indian Time required: 25 minutes Ingredients: 1 Carrot, diced 1 Potato, peeled and diced 5 … [Read More...]
Seemebadanekayi Palya
A side dish prepared using Chayote Squash. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Seemebadanekayi / Chayote Squash / Chow Chow 1tbsp Oil 1tsp Bengal Gram 1tsp Urad Dal 1tsp Mustard … [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...]
Kanjeevaram Idli
Kanjeevaram Idli are steamed rice cakes with spices and coconut. It is named after the temple town Kanchipuram. If there is Idli there must be the ubiquitous Dosa, try the Kancheepuram … [Read More...]
Strawberry Chutney
Ample availability of Strawberries in the market inspired me to prepare this chutney. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did! Cuisine: Fusion Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 15 – 20 … [Read More...]
Palak and Methi Soup
Palak and Methi Soup is prepared using Spinach and Fenugreek leaves Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 Bunches Spinach 1 small bunch Fenugreek leaves 1 Onions, Chopped … [Read More...]
Travel
Rajas Tomb – Gaddige – Coorg
Gaddige or Gadduge is a place towards the north of Coorg with tombs of Kodava royalty, court dignitaries, royal priest and the royal bulls. It is situated on a hillock with a good view of the city. … [Read More...]
Bada Bagh, Jaisalmer
Bada Bagh means big garden. It is a garden of royal cenotaphs or chhatris of the royal family of Jaisalmer. The cenotaphs are worth a visit to marvel at the intricate carvings and the effort … [Read More...]
Kalaseshwara Temple – Kalasa
Kalaseshwara Temple is situated in Kalasa, Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka. The legend says that while Lord Shiva and Parvathi were getting married in the Himalayas, due to the huge … [Read More...]
Ramadevara Betta
"Kitne Aadmi the?" Is the famous Sholay movie dialog shot in Ramadevara Betta. Ramadevara Betta is also known as Siddeswara Betta and Sholay Gudda and one of the most preferred family trekking … [Read More...]
Eating out in Rajasthan
Rajasthan cuisine is unique to the region. The scarcity of water and the lack of vegetation has made the Rajasthanis adopt to cooking in Oil, Ghee or Milk. After roaming the Palaces and Forts, it is … [Read More...]
Dolphins Nose View Point, Coonoor
The winding narrow roads into the thick shola forest and tea estates lead to the Dolphins Nose viewpoint. I love the adventurous drive to this place. The peak is at 6,000 feet above sea level, an … [Read More...]
Harihareshwara Temple, Harihar
The Harihareshwara temple built in 1223–1224 by Polalva, a commander and minister of the Hoysala Empire King Vira Narasimha II is situated in Harihar / Harihara, Karnataka dedicated to Hari-hara / … [Read More...]
Festivals
Aarathi Song – Lakshmi Arathi Song – Goddess Lakshmi Pooja Song
This is a song written by my mom and we sing this song alternatively with other songs on Friday evening while we perform aarathi to goddess Lakshmi. It can be sung to any tune that you are … [Read More...]
Guru Nanak Jayanthi
The birthday of Guru Nanak who is the founder of Sikhism is celebrated by Punjabis all over the world. Devotees pay obeisance to their Guru in Gurudwaras. Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 at … [Read More...]
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...]
Mahalakshmi Ashtakam – Lakshmi Sthotra – Prayer to Goddess Lakshmi
Wish you all a very happy Dasara. Today is the first day of Dasara known as Padya. The nine days during this festival is dedicated to the shakthi devathes (divine power). Here is a prayer to goddess … [Read More...]
Chaitra Poornima
Chaitra Poornima is the first Poornima of the Hindu lunar calendar and falls in the Hindu month of Chaitra, March – April according to Gregorian calendar. It is the Poornima (full moon) after the … [Read More...]
Nagara Chauthi
Nagara Chauthi festival is celebrated on the fourth day of the Hindu month Shravana, July – August according to Gregorian calendar dedicated to Snake god. For the festival date click here. On this … [Read More...]
Ashada Shukravara
Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) pooja / ritual is performed on all the Fridays of the Hindu month of Aashada, July-Aug in Gregorian calendar. This year (2020) Aashada starts on 22nd June and the … [Read More...]
