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...]
Kodanad View Point, Kotagiri
When in Kotagiri it is a must to the Kodanadu View Point. It is a place that one can spend hours looking at the rolling hills and valleys. Kodanadu View Point is 20 km drive from Kotagiri … [Read More...]
Flowering Tobacco
I was surprised that there is a flowering version of Tobacco. Tobacco is largely grown in K.R.Nagar area. During my birding trip, I have come across large acres of land growing Tobacco and … [Read More...]
Quinoa Buddha Bowl
Quinoa Buddha Bowl is a bowl teeming with fibre and protein. Various tastes and textures form this bowl to satiate the soul. Ingredients: 1 Cup Cooked Quinoa with Salt 1 Cup Purple … [Read More...]
India loves to pose – 58
India loves to pose series contains random pictures of people in different moods and gears captured during a moment in their story. I believe that behind every face lies a story. Young India is … [Read More...]
Patchwork frame making – Snow White and Seven Dwarfs
When kids during summer holidays we used to be engaged making a lot of arts and crafts. There was not continuous TV nor mobile phones. Here is one art work that I made using material … [Read More...]
April 2026 Hints
Clean window tracks by pressing paper towels into the groove and pour half a cup of water and slide the window. Remove the paper towel. Your tracks will be clean. To make a paper towel … [Read More...]
Watermelon Sparkler
Fruit juice with soda adds the right spirit to the mood. Here is a simple cool watermelon sparkler recipe to keep you cool and your spirits high! Ingredients: Watermelon juice with or without … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026
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...]
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...]
Ooty
Whether you call this place Ooty, Ootacamund, Udhagai or Udaghamandalam the title best suited for this place is “Queen of hill stations”, which is the capital of Nilgiris district. Picture1 - … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Ishtew – Vegetables in Coconut Milk
Ishtew is a mixed vegetable stew from the state of Kerala. Vegetables are simmered in coconut milk and this is served with a crepe/pancake called Appam. Cuisine: Kerala Time … [Read More...]
Palak Pakodi Chaat – Spinach Fritters served with spiced yogurt – Chat Recipe
A tangy tasty snack prepared using Palak Pakoda / Spinach Fritters. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 5 Palak Pakoda 2tbsp Boiled Potato diced or boiled … [Read More...]
Hirwi Mirchi cha Thecha – Green Chili with Peanuts stir fry – Mirchi Subzi
Hirwi Mirchi cha Thecha is also known as Mirchi Kharda and is prepared using Green Chili, Peanuts, and Garlic. Cuisine: Maharashtra Time required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 15 - 20 Green … [Read More...]
Money Bags
Minced vegetables filled in wonton wrappers are shaped into money bags and deep fried. Delicious! Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: ½ Cup Cabbage, Chopped … [Read More...]
Kancheepuram Dosa
Kancheepuram is a temple town in Tamil Nadu. There is a Idli called Kancheepuram / Kanjeevaram Idli and here is a recipe for Kancheepuram Dosa. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Time + … [Read More...]
Aralu Sandige – Flattened Puffed Rice Fryums
Puffed and flattened Rice is mixed with raw white Pumpkin, Green Chilies and Salt and dried in the sun for two days. Aralu Sandige can be stored for a long time. This dried fryums will be … [Read More...]
Garlic Rice
Garlic Rice is another variety of rice that can be part of your party menu. Cuisine: South Indian Time required: 25 minutes Ingredients: 3 Cups Cooked Rice Few Curry leaves 1 tsp Mustard … [Read More...]
Avarekayi Saaru – Winter Flat Beans Curry – Papdi Lilva Beans Curry Recipe
Guess what the aroma is from all of South Karnataka kitchens in winter. It is Avarekayi (field beans or flat beans)! Except for coffee, most of the items prepared for the next two months … [Read More...]
Travel
Srirama Temple, Ponkuzhi
A stop at Srirama Temple, Ponkuzhi on the way from Mysore to Sulthan Bathery is a must, as it is situated in a very serene and scenic place. The Ponkuzhi River flowing on one side, the bamboo … [Read More...]
Kaudiyala, Uttarakhand
Kaudiyala is situated 37 Km from Rishikesh and it is famous for white water rafting on the Ganges. The flow of Ganges is glorious here. You can see many young people camping here waiting impatiently … [Read More...]
St. Philomena’s Church
As you drive into Mysore from Bangalore, the first landmark of Mysore that is visible is the Chamundi hills and the next is the spires of St. Philomena’s Church. This remarkable church was … [Read More...]
Jenukallu Gudda
Jenu means Honey, Kallu means stone and Gudda means hill. This place is a viewpoint in the Western Ghat, which offers a panoramic view of the hills packed one behind the other. Jenukallu Gudda is … [Read More...]
Kshanambika Temple, Srirangapattana
Kshanambika temple though less popular than Nimishamba temple in Srirangapattana is no less powerful than Nimishamba. Kshanambika means the goddess who grants the wishes in a Kshana / Second whereas … [Read More...]
Big Banyan Tree
Known as “Dodda Aalada Mara” in Kannada, this big banyan tree is 380 to 400 years old. It is situated in Kethohalli village, 25 Kms from Bangalore city. Dodda Aalada Mara is one of the biggest … [Read More...]
Kishkinda Moolika Bonsai Garden Mysore
You will be delighted to find a bonsai garden of international standard in the city of palaces: Mysore. Kishkinda Moolika Bonsai garden is in Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Ashrama and houses many … [Read More...]
Festivals
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated in Canada and United States of America. It is the day when people thank the almighty for a good harvest and for all the good things bestowed on … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Ashwin month – September and October 2025
Āshwin (September – October) Dasara - Navaratri - 22 September to 2 October 2025 Saraswathi Pooja - 29 September 2025 Durgashtami - 30 September 2025 Ayudha Pooja - 1 October … [Read More...]
Lullaby to Lord Rama
It is Lord Sri Rama's birthday today. Rama Navami is celebrated all over India with great devotion. The lullaby below was written by my grandfather M.M.Patil, Kurtakoti. ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮನ … [Read More...]
Mahalaya Amavasya
15 days of the Hindu month is considered as Pitra Paksha, which are days dedicated to ancestors. It occurs in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada i.e. September-October in the Gregorian calendar. For the … [Read More...]
Children’s Day
The UN General Assembly suggested that all countries should declare one day in a year as Children’s day. The United Nations declared November 20th as Universal Children’s Day. This day is for the … [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...]
Ayudha Puja
Ayudha Pooja is a celebration during Dasara. On this day the weapons used during war were worshiped in the palace. The common people worship machines, implements and vehicles at home, factories and … [Read More...]
