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...]

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 not 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...]

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...]

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...]

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

Purple Cabbage and Apple Salad
Red Cabbage and Apple Salad is a delicious and healthy salad. Great for summer. Ingredients: 1 Bowl Purple Cabbage, Sliced thinly 1 Carrot, Peeled and sliced Few Beetroot Leaves or Spinach 1 Apple, … [Read More...]

Kadalepuri Vaggarane – Puffed Rice Masala
“Kharad kadlekayi beeja bisi puri / spicy groundnuts mixed with hot puffed rice” - long ago an old man used to yell this tag line after every 5 minutes as he walked on the roads of Mysore after 6:00 … [Read More...]

Chori Aloo Subzi – Cowpeas Beans and Potato Side Dish Recipe – Potato Recipe
Chori Aloo Subzi is a side dish prepared using Yard Long Beans and Potatoes. Mildly spiced, this gravy side dish is a very good accompaniment with Indian Bread. Cowpeas Beans is also known as … [Read More...]

Pathrode
Colocasia leaves also known as Taro leaves are rolled with spices and steamed. A delicacy from the kitchens of South Canara, Karnataka. Time Required: 45 Minutes + Soaking … [Read More...]

Khandvi
Khandvi is prepared using Gram Flour and Yoghurt. It is a low calorie, fiber-rich snack. Cuisine: Gujarat Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Besan / Bengal Gram Flour 1 Cup … [Read More...]

Palak Poori
Palak Poori is deep fried fluffy bread prepared using Spinach. Popeye the sailor man....will love this Poori! Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Wheat Flour 1 Medium Bunch … [Read More...]

Idli Bites
A tasty snack using left over Idli / steamed rice cakes. Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Idli / Steamed Rice Cakes 12 Curry leaves 4 Green Chilies, Slit 1tbsp Oil 1tsp Mustard … [Read More...]

Avarekayi Masala Vada – Flat Beans Fritters
Avarekayi Masala Vada are fritters prepared using winter/flat beans. A tasty snack on a winter evening with a cup of masala tea. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups fresh … [Read More...]
Travel

Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore
Our school was right behind Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore and I have been on stage many times in the huge auditorium of this palace in programs that were part of school's parent’s day celebrations. I … [Read More...]

Garagadakuppe Anjaneya Swamy Temple
Another long pending wish to visit Garagadakuppe Anjaneya Swamy Temple was fulfilled. The Anjaneya Swamy Temple at Garagadakuppe village is believed to be very powerful and believed to … [Read More...]

Birla Mandir Jaipur
People visiting Jaipur never fail to visit the Birla Mandir Jaipur dedicated to Lord Narayana / Vishnu and his consort Goddess Laxmi. The temple was built by B.M.Birla foundation in white Markarana … [Read More...]

Nagarhole
My first encounter with wild life and forests was when the whole family comprising of my grandparents, parents, aunt, sister and me visited Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary in 1977 for 3 nights. As a … [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...]

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...]

Kodachadri
I cannot keep away from my beloved Western Ghats for long. The hills beckoned and we readily drove to explore Kodachadri hill ranges. Words fail to explain the enchanting beauty of Kodachadri. The … [Read More...]
Festivals

Chaitra Poornima
Chaitra Poornima is the first Poornima of the Hindu lunar calendar and falls in the Hindu month of Chaitra, March – April according to Gregorian calendar. It is the Poornima (full moon) after the … [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...]

Mysore Dasara Flower Show
Mysoreans love gardening and every house will have at least a Tulasi and Money plant growing in a pot. To encourage this wonderful hobby, a flower show on a grand scale is held by the … [Read More...]

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karaavalambam Sthotra in Kannada
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karaavalambam Sthotra is written by Sri Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya in Sanskrit, my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil has translated the Sthotra to Kannada. ಶ್ರೀ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನರಸಿಂಹ … [Read More...]

Ganesha Aarathi Song
This is a aarathi song dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Kannada Script: ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಚಂದದ ಆರತಿ ತಂದು ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ಸುಂದರ ನಿನ್ನಯ ಚರಣ ಕಮಲಕೆ ವಂದಿಸಿ ಬೇಡುವೆ ಸಿಂದೂರ ವದನ ಬಂದು ಕರುಣಿಸೋ … [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...]

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...]
