Festival dates in Jyaishtha month – June and July 2026 Adhika Jyaishtha (17th June - 14 July) Vata Savitri Vratha / Phala Poornima - 29 June 2026 Kara Hunnime / Bhoomi Hunnime - … [Read More...]
Avocado Chutney Recipe – Avocado Spread Recipe
Avocados are available in the South Indian market from April onwards. There is an abundance of desi Avocados in the market. Apart from making Guacamole, you can make many types of … [Read More...]
Flower Arrangement – Solitaire
You do no need a bunch of flowers to create a flower arrangement. A single flower can be a garden as well as a good flower arrangement. Ikebana rules can be sometimes applied to freestyle … [Read More...]
June 2026 Hints
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
Tawa Bhindi – Okra Stir Fry Recipe – Ladies Finger Stir Fry Recipe
Tawa Bhindi is a dry side dish prepared using Okra and spices. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 15 to 20 Bhindi / Lady’s Finger / Okra Oil for shallow … [Read More...]
Hunase Saaru – Puli Rasam – Tamarind Soup
Hunase Saaru is a watery accompaniment served with plain Rice and is prepared using Tamarind. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 2 tbsp Saarina Pudi / Rasam … [Read More...]
Davengere Benne Dosa Recipe – Butter Dosa Recipe – Davengere Benne Dose
Dosa in South India is prepared in more than a zillion ways and each way has it's own followers. One way, which is ranked amongst the top 5 is the "Davengere Benne Dose". Benne means Butter and … [Read More...]
Ambali
Gruel prepared with rice and curds. Ambali is prepared on Shravana Shanivara Vratha / religious observance. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 Cup Rice 2 Green … [Read More...]
Maida Dosa
Pancakes prepared using refined flour (all purpose flour). Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Cup Maida/Refined Flour 1 Cup Rice Flour 1/2 Cup … [Read More...]
Kumbalakayi Dose – Pumpkin Crepe Recipe – Dosai Recipe
Crepes prepared using Ash Pumpkin. When Pumpkin is added, the Crepes or Dosas turn out very soft and light. Since no oil is used for roasting, it is very healthy and good for people trying … [Read More...]
Badam Ladoo – Almond Laddoo Recipe – Laddoo Recipe
Badam Ladoo is a sweet dish prepared using Almonds. A very easy to make recipe, which is a boon during hectic festival days. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup … [Read More...]
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...]
Travel
Kurtakoti
Kurtakoti is a small village situated 16 Kms from Gadag and every single summer holidays of mine was spent here. My Grandfather was the zamindar and the police Patil. The main occupation of the … [Read More...]
Amruteshwara Temple, Annigeri
Annigeri is the birth place of one of the greatest poets (Adi Kavi) of Kannada, Pampa. It is also famous for the ancient temple dedicated to Amruteswara / Lord Shiva built by Kalyani Chalukyas in 1112 … [Read More...]
Hassan
Hassan is a city in Karnataka with a pleasant weather and named after the presiding deity of the city Goddess Hassanamba. The city was founded by Channa Krishnappa Naik in the 11th century. … [Read More...]
Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary
Picture1 - Buffer zone of the Sanctuary Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary Sanctuary is situated approximately 301 kms from Bangalore in Haveri district. It is 8 kms away from Ranebennur town. … [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...]
Lalgarh Palace, Bikaner
An architect’s delight, the Lalgarh palace in Bikaner was built between 1902 and 1926. Built in Rajput, Mughal, and European architectural styles, the building was custom-built by Maharaja Ganga Singh … [Read More...]
Muddenahalli
Muddenahalli is situated in Chikkaballapur district and is popular because Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (Sir MV) was born on 15th September 1860 to parents Mokshagundam Srinivasa Shastry and … [Read More...]
Festivals
Deepavali Song – Diwali Song – Deepavali Haadu
Deepavali song is written by my mother in Kannada script to be sung anytime during the Deepavali festival. The lyrics cover the importance and joy of celebrating Deepavali / Diwali … [Read More...]
Surya Stotra
Today is Rathasapthami and here is a beautiful stotra / hymn in praise of the sun written by Lakshmisha in Jaimini Mahabharatha. Kannada script: ಸೂರ್ಯ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರ ಮಿತ್ರಾಯ ಸೂರ್ಯಾಯ ಹಂಸಾಯ … [Read More...]
ಕೃಷ್ಣನ್ನ ತೊಟ್ಟಲಿಗೆ ಹಾಕುವ ಹಾಡು (೨೪ ನಾಮಗಳು)
This is song sung to Lord Krishna during the cradle function. On the eleventh day of the baby being born, a ceremony is performed wherein all the womenfolk gather and put the baby into cradle … [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...]
Oiling ritual song – ಎಣ್ಣೆ ಹಚ್ಚುವಾಗ ಹೇಳುವ ಹಾಡು
This is a beautiful song written by Sri Purandara Dasaru to sing during the head oiling ritual, which is the beginning of auspicious occasions like festivals, weddings, upanayana (sacred thread … [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...]
Mangala Drowya and Pooje Samaanu
Mangala Drowya and Pooje Samaanu means sacred items used on auspicious occasions like marriage rituals, upanayana (sacred thread ceremony), shrimantha (arathi to pregnant women), namakarna (naming … [Read More...]
