Make a organic insecticide by adding onions and garlic to a jar of water, let it stand for a week, and spray plants with it. Used tea bags sprinkled on rose plants will make them blossom faster … [Read More...]
Nambhi Narayana Temple, Thodanur
The Nambhi Narayana/Lakshmi Narayana temple is the largest and the oldest temple in Thodanur. This was originally a Jain basathi/temple. Hoysala king Bittidevaraya, who was a Jain was influenced … [Read More...]
Akeel Dip Recipe
Yes, like you I was intrigued hearing the name of this dip. Akeel Dip is from Yemen and is similar to Indian Raitha with its own unique twist. This dip can be served with any of the crisp starters or … [Read More...]
Song on Lord Panduranga
This song is in praise of Lord Panduranga of Pandharpur. Panduranga appeared in Pandharpur to bless his devotee, Pundalik, who was busy serving his parents when the Lord arrived, … [Read More...]
Flower Arrangement – Windy
The wind blown arrangement is the nearest you can get to nature. This arrangement is one of my favorite. This arrangement gives an illusion of a tree laden with flowers blown to a side by … [Read More...]
Dinner with Pumpkin – Roti platter with Pumpkin
Light dinner keeps you agile the next day. Early dinner the better. Though this is easy said than done! Pumpkin is a powerhouse of fibre and when teamed with Roti is a perfect way to … [Read More...]
Black-eyed Susan Vine
The attractive flowers of Black-Eyed Susan Vine are like a pop-up in any garden. The profuse flowers are attractive and add the much needed colour among the other trees and plants. The … [Read More...]
Needle Rock View Point, Gudalur, Ooty
Needle Rock View Point is known as Soochi Malai. Soochi in Tamil means needle and Malai means hills. The name needle is derived from the rock that narrows to a sharp needle tip. As you wind up … [Read More...]
Boondi Burani Raitha Recipe – Boondi Raitha Recipe
Raitha is a dish prepared using Yoghurt in India. This is served as an accompaniment with Indian Bread and Pulav or Biryani (Spicy flavorful rice). During summer this is a prepared dish in most of … [Read More...]
May 2026 Hints
To preserve your expensive shoes, slide each separately into zip bags and hot blow over them to get a perfect shoe cover. To unclog shower pores, place a paper towel over the shower head, pour … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Vaisakh month – April and May 2026
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026 Vaishākh (April – May) Akshaya Tritiya – 19 April 2026 Basava Jayanthi– 20 April 2026 Ramanujacharya … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Hoornada Holige – Puran Poli – Obbattu
A sweet flat bread, stuffed with a mixture of Jaggery and cooked lentil. This is also known as Obbattu and Puran Poli and is prepared on festivals. Time Required: 1 Hour Makes: … [Read More...]
Fruit salad with ice cream
In Mysore, our favorite destination for ice cream would be the ice cream shop Phalamruta (Fruit nectar) situated in Lansdowne building. The tiny shop had few wooden benches lined up for the … [Read More...]
Appam
Typical Kerela crepe/pancake prepared using rice and coconut milk. Appam is relished with Ishtew a vegetable side dish. Cuisine: Kerala Soaking Time : 4 Hours Fermenting Time : 8 … [Read More...]
Bili Yellu Pudi Chitranna – Sesame Seeds Rice Recipe – Til Bhath Recipe – Til Rice Recipe
Tasty white Sesame Seeds rice from Karnataka. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Cups of Cooked Rice Salt to taste For the Masala: ½ Cup White Sesame Seeds, Roasted 4tbsp … [Read More...]
Alu Mutter – Aloo Matar – Potatoes and Peas Recipe
Alu Mutter dish is prepared using Peas and Potatoes in tomato gravy. This side dish is very popular in North India. This is served with Indian Bread. Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Thovve – Dal Recipe
Cooked split Red Gram with seasoning. This is a very auspicious dish among the Brahmin community and is prepared during festivals and all auspicious occasions. When the food is served … [Read More...]
Red Pepper Soup
Charred Red Pepper is pureed along with Tomatoes to churn a delicious soup. Perfect for a rainy and cold evening. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Red Pepper 4 … [Read More...]
Stuffed Red Chili Pickle
This pickle from Uttar Pradesh looks hot but tastes cool. Time Required: 30 Minutes + Maturing time Ingredients: 20 large Red Chilies 2 Cups Mustard Oil or Sunflower Oil For the … [Read More...]
Travel
Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Jungle book was one of my favorite books and the movie by Disney bought this book alive. I think the makers of the movie toured Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary before making the movie. I am stating this … [Read More...]
Kalahalli Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple
The ancient Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple built by the Hoysala king Veera Ballala III was undiscovered and unprotected until a few years back. It must be either a divine intervention or that we Indians have … [Read More...]
BR Hills – Biligiri Rangana Betta – Biligiri Ranga Hill Range
"Biligiri Rangaiah, Neene Helaiah Sri Ranganayakiya Chandulli Chaluvaiah…" The above is a popular song of the 70's from the Kannada movie Sharapanjara, which was sung by P.Susheela and … [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...]
Someshwara Temple – Byndoor Someshwara Temple
Byndoor is situated on the coastal belt of Karnataka. It is the most beautiful and pristine place with beaches, hills, estuaries, and temples. Someshwara temple is a small ancient temple in … [Read More...]
Kalasa
Kalasa is a holy temple-town located in Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka. Kalasa is home to the Kalaseshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kalasa is 92 Kilometres South-west of Chickmagalur and … [Read More...]
Sharada Devi Temple, Sringeri
Namaste Sharada Devi| Kashmira Puravasini| Tvamaham Prarthaye Nithyam| Vidya Danam Chadehimi|| Sharada Devi Temple, Sringeri is one of the main temples in Sringeri Matha (monastery) … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Karnataka Rajyotsava
Jai bharata jananiya tanujaate jai he karnataka mathe Jai sundara nadi vanagaLa nade jai he rasa rushigala beede. Bhoodeviya mukutada nava maNiye gandhada chandada honnina ganiye Raghava … [Read More...]
Teej Festival
Teej festival is celebrated in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, and Nepal. This festival is commemorating the day when Goddess Parvathi reunited with Lord Shiva after 108 births. In her 108th birth, Lord … [Read More...]
Gowri Aarathi Song
Gowri is the consort of Lord Shiva and during Ganesha-Gowri Festival, songs are sung in glory of her during Arathi. Lyrics in Kannada: ಗೌರಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳವೆನ್ನಿರೆ ಗೌರಿಗೆ| ಜಯ ಭವ ಹರ … [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...]
Chhat Pooja
Thou by whose luster all the world of life comes forth, and by thy beams again returns unto its rest, O surya with the golden hair, ascend for us day after day, and still bringing purer innocence – … [Read More...]
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...]
