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
Sauthekayi Palya
A side dish prepared using Cucumber. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cucumber 2 Green Chilies, Chopped finely Few curry leaves 2tbsp Grated Fresh Coconut 2tsp Oil 1tsp … [Read More...]
Oriental Salad
Oriental salad is prepared using Chinese Cabbage and other fresh ingredients. A very healthy salad, which is quick to make. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cup Shredded … [Read More...]
Mangodi Pulav
This flavored Rice with dehydrated lentil dumplings recipe is from the state of kings, Rajasthan. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: ½ Cup Mangodi ¼ Cup Peas 1 Onion, sliced 3 Cups … [Read More...]
Avarekayi Kodubale – Ring Murukku Recipe – Surti Papdi Murukku – Lilva Beans Crispy Rings
It is winter! and Avarekayi known as Lilva Beans are a favorite in South Karnataka. The kitchen churn out various recipes using this winter flat beans. This spicy crispy rings of kodubale … [Read More...]
Beladahannina Panaka – Wood Apple Juice Recipe – Bael ki Sherbat
Beladahannina Panaka is a juice prepared using Wood Apple. This is prepared on Rama Navami and distributed to the devotees. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Ripe Beladahannu / … [Read More...]
Avarekayi Idli – Flat Winter Beans Steamed Cakes – Papdi Lilva Idli Recipe
Avarekayi Idli is steamed rice cakes with flat beans also known as winter beans. Cuisine: South Karnataka Time required: 10 minutes + soaking and fermenting time Ingredients: 1 Cup Urad … [Read More...]
Halasinabeejada Palya – Jackfruit Seeds Stir Fry
Halasinabeejada Palya is prepared using the seeds of Jackfruit. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 20 - 25 Halasinabeeja / Jackfruit Seeds 4 - 6 Green Chilies 1/2 … [Read More...]
Achari Bhindi
Achari bhindi is a side dish prepared using Okra / Ladies Finger with Pickle Masala. Time required: 25 Minutes Cuisine: North Indian Ingredients: 15 Bhindi / Okra, chopped into 1" … [Read More...]
Travel
Maravanthe Beach
On our Karnataka coastal temple trip, my husband insisted on driving up to the Maravanthe beach. The drive was spectacular with the Arabian Sea lashing on one side of the road and the Saurpanika River … [Read More...]
Srirangapatna
The historic place of Srirangapatna / Srirangapattana is situated on the banks of river Cauvery at 15 Km from Mysore. Srirangapatna is noted for its ruler Tipu Sultan, the Ranganatha Temple, … [Read More...]
R.K.Narayan House Mysuru – Heritage site Mysore
All of us have enjoyed Malgudi days episodes on TV and the author behind this enthralling book is Sri R.K.Narayan. His house declared as a heritage site is now preserved as a museum filled with the … [Read More...]
Giri-bettada Kere
As we drove back after visiting the 5 temples at T.Narasipura to Mysore, we took a left at the 16th mile and eagerly drove to Giri-Bettada Kere (Hill Lake). The lake was shimmering and had … [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...]
Grand rooms of Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
The Grand rooms of Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur keeps you mesmerized and asking for more. These rooms were built by different kings in over a period of time. Some of the notable places inside the fort … [Read More...]
Pykara Lake
River Pykara originates from Mukurthi peak, which has many Toda settlements. This river is the largest and it is revered by the Toda tribes. The river tumbles down the hills and creates two … [Read More...]
Festivals
Hire Gowri Pooja – Dodda Gowri Pooja – Gowri Hunnime
Hire Gowri Pooja also known as Dodda Gowri Pooja and Gowri Hunnime is celebrated with devotion in North Karnataka. Below is the write up by my mother on this festival in Kannada script. This … [Read More...]
Goddess Sharadamba Utsava
Happy Saraswathi Pooja 2014. In Sringeri, Karnataka, during Dasara festival, the utsava murthy (procession idol) of Goddess Sharadamba (Saraswathi) is taken in a small chariot around the temple … [Read More...]
Banni Tree
The botanical name of this tree is Prosopis spicigera. In Sanskrit it is known as Shami Vruksha. Banni tree is found in dry and arid regions at low altitudes. This tree is widely grown in … [Read More...]
Happy Vijayadashami 2024
Why in North India, Ravana is burnt on Vijayadashami day? This is done to symbolize Lord Rama killing the 10 headed demon Ravana. Good over evil! What does the 10 heads of Ravana stand … [Read More...]
Hanuman Arathi Song – Hanumanthana Aarathi Haadu – Devotional Song
Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated in April in North India and in December in South India. North or South a song is always sung during the Arathi. This song in praise of Lord Hanuman is written by … [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...]
Christmas
"Jingle bells Jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride on a one horse open sleigh…" This is a Christmas song that everyone loves to hear and sing not only during Christmas season … [Read More...]
