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...]
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
Inji Puli Recipe – Inji Curry Recipe – Puli Inji Recipe – Shunti Gojju Recipe,
Onam Sadya in Kerala comprises of all the possible tastes and textures. Puli Inji is a dish that adds a dash of sweet and sour to the platter. This dish is prepared using Ginger (Inji) and Puli … [Read More...]
Chutney Paneer Sandwich
Cottage cheese and Mint chutney sandwiches. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: Wheat Bread or White Bread Slices Few thin slices of Paneer/Cottage Cheese ½ Cup Pudina/Mint … [Read More...]
Leek and Potato Soup
Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: A bunch of Leek 2 Potatoes 1 Ripe Red Chili 3 Bay Leaves 1tsp Ground White Pepper 1tsp Butter 1tsp Olive Oil Celery for garnishing Salt to … [Read More...]
Choconut Ice cream
Choconut Ice cream is chocolate ice cream with dry fruit praline. The crunchy praline inside chocolate flavored ice cream is an indulgence enjoyed during summer time. Time required: 30 … [Read More...]
Dragon Fruit Salad Recipe
Dragon fruit growing is catching up across India. The plants thrive in this weather and the farmers are reaping good harvest year on year. Here is a simple yet difference fruit salad using Dragon … [Read More...]
Hurigadale Chutney Pudi – Channa Chutney Powder – Fried Gram Chutney Powder – Gun Powder Recipe
Hurigadale Chutney Pudi is a chutney powder prepared using fried gram. This is usually served with most of the South Indian Breakfast dishes. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Water Chestnut Salad Recipe – Singhara Salad – Singara Salad Recipe
Water Chestnut Salad as the name suggests is prepared using Water Chestnuts, which are very rare to find in South India. When I did find them, prepared this salad as an accompaniment with … [Read More...]
Avarekayi Kurma
A delicious side dish with gravy prepared using Flat Winter Beans. This can be also be prepared with any type of sprouted beans that is available. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 2 … [Read More...]
Travel
Kodaikanal lake
The presence of a lake is always an add-on to the scenic locations especially in hill stations. It is a hub of activities like boating, horse riding, cycling, enjoying street food, and … [Read More...]
Birds of Masinagudi
Masinagudi hills have always fascinated me. We have passed the tiny town many times on our way to Ooty and many a time have driven there for a day outing to look at the majestic hills, flora, … [Read More...]
Saheliyon Ki Bari Udaipur
It took some time for us to pronounce the name (Saheliyon Ki Bari) of this ancient park built by Maharana Sangram Singh II in Udaipur in the 18th Century. He built Saheliyon ki Bari, … [Read More...]
Kanthanpara Waterfalls – Wayanad
Kanthanpara Waterfalls - Wayanad is a beautiful waterfall situated about 22 km away from Kalpetta. Smaller than the Sentinel Rock waterfalls, the Kanthanpara Falls and its surroundings make an … [Read More...]
Sasihithlu Beach
Yet another beach on the West coast of Karnataka, so what is new here? The same Sea, Sun, and Sand? Yes, the same but another word starting from “S” can be added to the list: Surf. You don’t have to … [Read More...]
Joshimath
Joshimath is a small town buzzing with pilgrims and tourists who are heading towards the char dham, Hem Kund, Auli, Kuari Pass treks, or Valley of flowers. It is at a height of 6150 feet above sea … [Read More...]
Masinagudi
Masinagudi is one of the 5 ranges of Madumalai wild life reserve. The others are Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota. Masinagudi hills are my favorite blue hills. They are majestic and … [Read More...]
Festivals
Mannethithina Amavasya
Manneththina Amavasya, “mannu” means mud; “yeththu” in Kannada means bullocks and “Amavasya” means no moon day. This festival is celebrated in North Karnataka, and bullocks made of mud are worshiped … [Read More...]
Ashada Shukravara
Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) pooja / ritual is performed on all the Fridays of the Hindu month of Aashada, July-Aug in Gregorian calendar. This year (2020) Aashada starts on 22nd June and the … [Read More...]
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...]
Valentine’s Day
Congratulations and Celebrations When I tell everyone that you're in love with me Congratulations and Jubilations I want the world to know I'm happy as can be…. This popular love song is written … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Pushya month – December and January 2026
Festival dates in Paush/Pushya (December – January) Dhanurmasa Pooja – Starts on 16 December 2025 and ends on 14 January 2026 Vaikunta Ekadasi – 30 December 2025 … [Read More...]
Mysore Dasara Procession in Black and White
Wish you all a very happy Dasara! This Dasara procession photograph was part of my grandfather's collection. The photograph was probably taken between 1930 - 1935. … [Read More...]
Krishna Janmashtami – Gokulashtami – Birth of Lord Krishna
"Yathra Yogeeshwara Krishno | Yathra Partho Dhanurdharaha | Thathra Shree Vijayo Bhuthir | Dhruvaneethirmimathirmama ||" The meaning of the above extract from the Gita is “wherever Krishna … [Read More...]
