The Yoga Narasimha Temple is another temple at Melukote, which is at a height of 1,777 mtrs above mean sea level. The majestic gopura / tower of the temple is visible from far. This temple … [Read More...]
Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple, Melukote
The ancient temple of Shri Cheluvanarayana Swamy is situated in Melukote, Mandya District, Pandavpura Taluk. The presiding deity of the temple on the foothills is Lord Vishnu known as Thirunarayana or … [Read More...]
Happy Gowri and Ganesha Festival 2026
The most awaited festival of the year is today! and it is definitely a double dhamaka as both Swarna Gowri Vratha and Ganesh Chathurthi are celebrated on the same day. The flower decorations, … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – September and October 2026
Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – September and October2026 are as follows: Bhādrapad (August – September) Ganesh Chaturthi - 14 September 2026 Ganesha aarathi song Why Ganesha … [Read More...]
Mariapura Lake
Another weekend and another birding trip and off we drove to Mariapura lake. A beautiful serene lake where the wind blows, birds chirp, plants whisper, and fishes swim. This lake has a calming effect … [Read More...]
Kodi Beach
Kodi Beach is a pristine beach and a very long one starting somewhere near Hangaluru to Kodi Bengre Beach. The Bengre Beach is an Estuary where River Suvarna meets the Arabian sea. Kodi in … [Read More...]
Habbada Thindi and Panaka – Festival Snacks and Juice Recipes
Food and festival go hand in hand in India. Special dishes are prepared on festivals and during vratha (observance). Habbada Adige / festival food is prepared on all festivals. But … [Read More...]
Sattu Ki Paratha
Stuffed Indian bread prepared using roasted chik pea (channa) flour. This type of bread is very popular in Bihar. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Sattu Ki Atta / Roasted Chik … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Gilki Ki Subzi – Ridge Gourd Side Dish Recipe – Heerekayi Palya
Gilki Ki Subzi is prepared using Ridge Gourd. A very simple recipe and quick to make for those days when you want to get out of the kitchen soon yet serve a delicious and nutritious dish for the … [Read More...]
Soppina Palya – Leafy Vegetable Recipe – Hari Subzi Recipe
A very healthy side dish prepared using leafy vegetables with split Red Gram. This is a popular dish in North Karnataka and is usually served with Jowar Roti / Sorghum flour bread. Time … [Read More...]
Palak Paneer
A side dish with gravy using Spinach and Cottage Cheese. Palak Paneer is an extremely popular dish in North India. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Big bunches of Palak / … [Read More...]
Kayi Sasve Chitranna – Udupi Chitranna Recipe – Sarson Bath Recipe – Coconut Rice Recipe
Kayi Sasve Chitranna is rice prepared using Coconut and Mustard Seeds. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 6 Cups Cooked Rice 1 Cup Fresh Coconut, Grated 5 Green … [Read More...]
Sev Ki Subzi – Potatoes Radish cooked with Sev
A very unique side dish prepared using Sev, which is a deep fried crispy snack. Cuisine: Gujarat and Rajasthan Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Radish / Mooli peeled and diced 2 … [Read More...]
Hagalkayi Kootu – Bitter Gourd Curry – Karela Curry Recipe
Hagalkayi Kootu is a curry prepared using Bitter Gourd. I tasted this for the first time in Ramana Maharshi Ashrama in Thiruvannamalai and it was very good. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]
Hesarubele Payasa – Moong Dal Kheer Recipe – Parappu Payasam Recipe – Cherupayar Pradhaman
Pudding prepared using split Green Gram. This is a favorite among Kannadigas during festivals. Recipe: South India Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Hesarubele / … [Read More...]
Aluchi Bhaji – Sour Leafy Vegetables Side Dish Recipe – Khatta Bhaji Subzi Recipe
My brother, who is a good cook, cooked this delicious side dish when we visited him in Mumbai. I recreated this delicious recipe, which uses sour leafy vegetables. Time Required: 45 Minutes + … [Read More...]
Travel
Ooty Botanical Gardens
The jewel in Ooty’s tourism crown is the beautifully laid 22 acre Ooty botanical gardens. The garden was conceptualized in 1847 by the then governor of Madras Marquis of Tweedale. The 22 acres is … [Read More...]
Magadi Bird Sanctuary
When I read that a large population of waterfowls migrates to Magadi Lake in Magadi Bird Sanctuary near Kurtakoti, Gadag district, I yearned to visit this place during the migration season. I got the … [Read More...]
Annamalaiyar Temple, Thiruvannamalai
The Annamalaiyar temple situated at Thiruvannamalai is dedicated to Lord Shiva known as Sri Arunachalaswarar - Annamaliyar. It is one of the Pancha Bhootha Sthala, the Pancha Bhootha are sky, air, … [Read More...]
Pookode – Pookot Lake
Pookot Lake is a perennial freshwater lake in Wayanad district of Kerala. Forests around the lake enhance the beauty of the lake making it the most popular destination in Wayanad. Panamaram stream, … [Read More...]
Kerala
State of Kerala known as God’s own country is situated to the south west of India. Capital of Kerala is Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). Kerala with its moderate climate throughout the year is … [Read More...]
Brahma Jinalaya – Jain Basadi – Lakkundi
Brahma Jinalaya is a Jain Basadi / temple built in the 11th century by Attimabbe mother of Ahniga Masavadi the ruler of Lakkundi. Queen Attimabbe was generous and a benefactor of Kannada … [Read More...]
Manasa Devi Temple, Haridwar
Mansa Devi Temple is one of the oldest temples in Haridwar and is located on top of Bilwa Parvat. Bilwa Parvat hill is part of the Sivalik hills, which is the southernmost mountain chain of … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Song to Goddess Lakshmi – Varamahalakshmi Arathi Haadu
My mother had written this song in the praise of Goddess Mahalakshmi in 1996. This song can be sung on festivals like Varamahalakshmi, Diwali Lakshmi Pooja, Shravana Shukravara Pooja, Ashada … [Read More...]
Lakshmi Aarathi Song – Devotional Song
Here is a devotional song sung while doing Aarathi to Goddess Lakshmi. May Goddess Lakshmi bless you with health and prosperity. ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳಾರತಿ ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ರಂಗನಾರ್ಧಾ೦ಗಿಯಳೇ … [Read More...]
Dhanur Masa Poojas
Dhanur Masa Pooja as the name implies is to be performed in the Hindu month of Dhanur Masa, December – January according to Gregorian calendar. This year (2017) it is from 16th December to 15th … [Read More...]
Sri Narasimha Swamy Hiranya Kashyapa Samhara
ಹಿರಣ್ಯ ಕಶ್ಯಪ ಸಂಹಾರ ಧೈರ್ಯಮಾಡಿ ದೈತ್ಯ ಹರಿಯ ಚರ್ಯ ನೋಡಿದಾ।। ಶೌರ್ಯದಿಂದ ಯುದ್ದವೆಂಬೊ ಕಾರ್ಯ ಮಾಡಿದಾ।।೧।। ಗದೆಯ ಕೈಯಲ್ಹಿಡಿದು ಹರಿಯ ಎದೆಗೆ ಹೊಡೆದನು।। ಗದೆಯು ಸಹಿತ ಕೈಯ ಹರಿಯು ವದಗಿ ಹಿಡಿದನು।।೨।। ಬಿಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಬೇಗ … [Read More...]
Shivana Bhajane – Shiva Bhajan – Jagratha Bhajan
Happy Maha Shivaratri! Here is an easy Bhajan (devotional song) on Lord Shiva. We used to sing this every evening during our Summer break. Hey Shiva Shankara Namami Shankara Shiva Shankara … [Read More...]
Budha Brihaspathi Vratha
Budha Brihaspathi Vratha is observed on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the Hindu month of Shravana, August-September in the Gregorian Calendar. Once Budha and Brihaspathi (Budha is planet Mercury … [Read More...]
