As we hiked in the Malnad region, I came across a creeper with flowers that I had not seen before and took pictures to identify. Found out that it is the Honey Suckle Mistletoe plant. Other common … [Read More...]
Halasinahannina Gidde – Halasinahannina Gatti – Jackfruit Idli – Pelatha Gidde
In Mysuru, we do get Jackfruit and it is enjoyed as is and was not aware of the various dishes that can be prepared out of this fruit. When I heard about this dish, I wanted to taste it and … [Read More...]
Dates and Tamarind Sparkler – Kharjur Sharbat – Kharjurada Panaka
Tomorrow is Rama Navami and custom beckons us to prepare Kosambari and Panaka (Salad and Juice). Dates and Tamarind sparkler is a healthy and refreshing drink sans … [Read More...]
Mixed Fruit Arrangement
Doctors advice that we need to include different color fruits and vegetables in our diet. India being a tropical country has vibrant color fruits available throughout the year. A fruit … [Read More...]
Happy Ugadi 2024
I wish you all a very happy Ugadi and Hindu New Year. This year it is the Sri Krodhi Nama Samvatsara. Wish you a prosperous and healthy new year! Habbada Adige (festive food) plays a very … [Read More...]
April 2024 Hints
April hints are as follows: Add a pinch of sugar to the water while blanching any greens. The sugar helps to retain the color even during cooking. Add a pinch of salt to the water used to … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Sweet and Sour Pumpkin Squares
Sweet and sour crispy pumpkin squares is a healthy and tasty side dish. Serve it with Rice and Dal or with your choice of Indian Bread. Time Required: 30 Minutes Cuisine: North … [Read More...]
Sweet Potato and Channa Chaat – Sweet Potato and Chikpea Chat Recipe
A tasty snack prepared using Sweet Potato and Chikpea laced with spices and Lemon juice. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 30 Minutes + Soaking Time Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 five inch … [Read More...]
Sugarcane Dosa
Pancakes/Crepes prepared using Rice and Sugarcane juice. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice 1 Cup Sugarcane Juice ½ Cup Coconut, Grated ½ Cup Jaggery Oil for … [Read More...]
Kashi Halwa – Kushmanda Halwa – Dumroot Halwa – Ash Pumpkin Halwa
Kashi Halwa is the most common sweet dish served during wedding breakfast in Karnataka. This is also prepared during other festivals too. Rich with ghee floating around the crunchiness of the Ash … [Read More...]
Chota Alu Masala – Baby Potatoes Stir Fry – Chatpata Alu – Aloo Fry
A side dish prepared using baby potatoes. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 10 – 12 Baby Potatoes boiled and peeled 1tsp Jeera / Cumin Powder 1tsp Aamchur / Dry Mango Powder 1tsp … [Read More...]
Mathri Chaat – Matri Chat Recipe – Fritters with spiced yoghurt
Mathri is a famous Tea time snack of North India. It is a crispy deep-fried snack that can be made into Mathri Chaat. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 20 Minutes Caution to dieters: Includes … [Read More...]
Vendekai Poriyal
A simple side dish prepared using Ladies finger / Okra. This is popular in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka (Bhendekayi Palya). Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 25 Vendekai / Bhendekayi / … [Read More...]
Halbai
A very tasty and unique sweet dish prepared in Mysore and Bangalore regions using Rice, Coconut and Jaggery. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 45 Minutes + Soaking Time Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]
Travel
Pine forests of Kodaikanal
Pine forests in Kodaikanal is a must visit for people who love trees. Pine trees are not native to South India. The British in South India were missing these trees and they started growing them in … [Read More...]
Mangaladevi Temple, Mangalore
Mangaladevi Temple was built in the 9th century AD in Bolar, Mangalore. Mangalore city derived its name from the presiding deity of the temple: Mangaladevi. It is believed that the temple was built … [Read More...]
Heritage buildings of Mysore – Part II
Mysore or Mysooru is a place of interest for tourists, historians, archeologists, academicians and architects. There are innumerable heritage buildings in Mysore, which add a fairy tale touch to the … [Read More...]
Sri Siddhivinayaka Temple – Hattiangadi
Sri Siddhivinayaka Temple – Hattiangadi attracts thousands of visitors around the year from all parts of the world. Hattiangadi is a village in Udupi district and was the capital of Alupa Kings. The … [Read More...]
Devil’s Kitchen, Kodaikanal
Per our itinerary we headed off to the Devil’s Kitchen in Kodaikanal not knowing what to expect. After parking the car and a short hike uphill are caves and tranches that is mysterious and dangerous. … [Read More...]
Mana Village
Mana village is a quaint tiny hamlet situated on the Indo-Tibetan border. This village is the last village of India and it is now declared as a tourism village of Uttarakhand. The residents of … [Read More...]
Arunachala Hills, Thiruvannamalai
Lord Siva said: “What cannot be acquired without great pains – the true import of Vedanta (Self-Realization) – can be attained by anyone who looks at (this hill) from where it is visible or even … [Read More...]
Festivals
Bhagvad Gita Jayanti – Bhagvad Gita Birthday – Srimad Bhagvad Gita Jayanti
During Corona time, my quest to listen and understand the Srimad Bhagvad Gita started. My mother patiently read the Bhagvad Gita shlokas and explained each of them in Kannada. I was in awe … [Read More...]
Celebration of Makara Sankranthi in different regions of India
Makara Sankranthi is celebrated in various styles in different regions of India. Andhra Pradesh In Andhra Pradesh this festival is called as “Pedda Panduga” meaning “big festival”. It is … [Read More...]
Udaka Shanti Pooja
Udaka Shanti Pooja is performed before major events like marriage, upanayana, gruha pravesha, and so on. This pooja is performed for peace and harmony in the house. First, Ganesha is worshiped. … [Read More...]
Swarna Gowri Vratha – Gowri Habba – Gowri Festival
Swarna Gowri Vratha/Pooja is celebrated by girls and women in Karnataka and Andhara Pradesh. Goddess Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha. This festival falls in the hindu month of Bhadrapada, August - … [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...]
Karnataka Rajyotsava
Jai bharata jananiya tanujaate jai he karnataka mathe Jai sundara nadi vanagaLa nade jai he rasa rushigala beede. Bhoodeviya mukutada nava maNiye gandhada chandada honnina ganiye Raghava … [Read More...]
Lakshmi Devotional Song – Arathi Hymn – Varamahalakshmi Festival
This devotional song was sung by my mother's aunt during arathi to Goddess Lakshmi. You can use any tune suitable to sing this song. In Kannada script: ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಆರತಿ … [Read More...]