Who better than Gautham Buddha to represent Peace? This arrangement using Bamboo and Buddha bust gives out the most peaceful oriental vibe. The famous Three Refuges (or Triple Gem) in … [Read More...]

Water Apple Salad Recipe
Water Apple in White and Red are available in plenty during May End to June End. This fruit though tasteless is considered good for health. I tried this recipe and the fruit became a bit … [Read More...]

July 2026 Hints
When using Banana leaves as a wrap, iron using an electric ironing machine iron and then use them. Add a pinch of salt at each stage of cooking, for example, add a pinch when sautéing Onions, … [Read More...]

Flower Arrangement – Rock Solid
In nature, wild flowers gently peep out from rocks and its crevices. This looks very beautiful. We can introduce rocks in our gardens for an aesthetic look. Similarly, rocks can be … [Read More...]

Yoga Narasimha and Saint Ramanujacharya temple, Todanur
The Yoga Narasimha and Saint Ramanujacharya temple is on a hillock and has been renovated recently and was sporting a fresh coat of paint. This temple , which is 1000 years old is built in the Chola … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Jyaishtha month – June and July 2026
Festival dates in Jyaishtha month – June and July 2026 Adhika Jyaishtha (17th May - 15th June) Vata Savitri Vratha / Phala Poornima - 29 June 2026 Kara Hunnime / Bhoomi Hunnime … [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...]

Neeru Dosa – Thin Rice Dosa
"Neeru" in Kannada means water. Neeru Dosa is prepared with a batter as thin as water and hence the name. Cuisine: Udupi Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Time Serves: … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes

Schezwan Sauce
Schezwan sauce is the main ingredient for Schezwan recipes. Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 10 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 15 Red Chilies, soaked in water 1 Onion, Chopped … [Read More...]

Special Pakoda – Pakora Recipe – Onion Pakora Recipe
The rains bring in so much cheer and the Monsoon has visited South India on time this year. The temperature has come down and isn’t it a perfect time to have Pakodas / fritters and hot tea listening … [Read More...]

Paneer Tikka Masala – Cottage Cheese in spicy gravy
Paneer Tikka Masala is a side dish is prepared with grilled Paneer. Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: For the Tikka: 15 1" square pieces of Paneer/Cottage Cheese 1 Cup Hung … [Read More...]

Whole Lemon Pickle
I had an school friend who was a Kerala Iyer and we used to have lunch together. Her lunch box always contained watery curd rice with one whole yellow Lemon pickle dunked into it. Yumm! Mouth … [Read More...]

Ker Sangri – Dried Beans Side Dish – Rajastani Kandi Subzi Recipe
This is one of the most authentic dishes of Rajasthan. I made a point to taste this dish when in Rajasthan. I also bought the dried Ker and Sangri and prepared this dish at home. The Ker is a wild … [Read More...]

Mango Shikarani – Mango Pulp with Cardamom
This sweet dish is prepared from the pulp of ripe mangoes. During summer Mango Shikarani also known as Aam Ras is prepared in households of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Time … [Read More...]

Kurtkoti Chakkali – Spicy Chakkuli Recipe – Chakli Recipe – Murukku Recipe – North Karnataka style Chakli
Fritters in the shape of concentric circles. These were our favorite snack during summer at my maternal grandparents house in Kurtkoti in North Karnataka. The color and taste differed from the one's … [Read More...]

Chocolate Tea
Chocolate flavored Tea. Time Required: 10 Minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 3tsp Tea Powder 1 Cup Milk 1 Cup Water Few chunks of dark Chocolate with 1tbsp Milk or 2 tbsp Drinking Chocolate … [Read More...]
Travel

Lakshmeshwara
Lakshmeshwara also known as Puligere is a town in Shirahatti Taluk, Gadag district, Karnataka. There are many ancient religious places situated in this town belonging to Hindus, Jains and Muslims now … [Read More...]

Channapattana – Channapatna
Have you ever played with a Channapattana toy? I have, and there are many children in South India who have grown up playing with Channapattana toys. During Dasara, 70 percent of the doll arrangements … [Read More...]

Birds of Maravanthe Coast
A trip to Maravanthe, coastal Karnataka was full of surprises. We went on a boat trip to an island that was submerged during the monsoons with great anticipation to spot Dolphins. We spotted only … [Read More...]

Lansdowne Building, Mysore
Mysore city is dotted with heritage buildings built during the reign of the Wodeyars, which reminds us of the glorious past. One such building, which lost its glory recently due to neglect, is … [Read More...]

Magod Falls
Many rivers and streams leap, bounce and fall in the exotic hills of the western ghats. River Bedti is one of them, which cascades as Magod falls. It is situated 17 Kms from Yellapur in Uttara Kannada … [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...]

Iruppu Falls
Another spectacular sight in the Western Ghats is the Iruppu falls. Lakshmanatheertha river originates in the Brahmagiri hills in the Western ghats and falls elegantly at this place from a height of … [Read More...]
Festivals

Ganesha Ashtotra Shathanaamavali – 108 names of Lord Ganesha
Ganesha Ashtotra Shathanaamavali is 108 names of Lord Ganesha. While chanting this, you can offer 21 Patra or 21 Pushpa to Lord Ganesha. Here there are 110 names of Lord Ganesha. Om … [Read More...]

Song in the glory of Lord Shiva
This devotional song on Lord Shiva sung during the Aarathi. ಶಿವನ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ಮಾರಾನಮರ್ದನಾಗೆ ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ನಂದೀ ವಾಹವಗೆ। ರಂಭೆಯೇರು ಚಂದದಿಂದ|| ಮುಂಗುರುಳಿನಲ್ಲೆ ಚಂದ್ರನ್ ಧರಸೀದವಗೇ … [Read More...]

Rathasapthami
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South … [Read More...]

Independence day memories
My mother remembers and shares her memories on the days before Indian Independence and the joy felt on 15th August 1947. Place: Kurtakoti Script: Kannada ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ ದಿನ ಈ ದಿನ ೭೪ನೆೇಯ (74th) … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026 Mouna Gowri Vratha - 21 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 Vasanth Panchami - 23 January 2026 Rathasapthami - 25 January … [Read More...]

Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavir Jayanti is also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and signifies the birth anniversary of the last and 24th Jain thirthankara Lord Mahavira. Lord Mahavira was born in 599 BCE on the thirteenth … [Read More...]

Mouna Gowri Vrata – Mauna Gowri Vrata
Unmarried girls perform Mouna Gowri Vrata. This Vrata / vowed religious observance is performed from the first day of the Hindu month of Magh to the first day of Phalgun (for 30 days), i.e, … [Read More...]
