Add baking soda while washing fruits and vegetable, this will remove any type of contamination. Add sparkling water to Pani puri dough. The Puris will turn out crisp. Add oil while boiling … [Read More...]

Malnad Style Beetroot Kayi Chutney
I tasted this Beetroot chutney at Sridhara Paduka Mandira in Bengaluru. The saying that god prasada is divine and satisfying is so true. The humble lunch comprising to Rice huli, saru, and … [Read More...]

Lord Jaganath Rath Yatra
The famous Chariot festival of Orissa state falls in the month of Ashada (June - July). The Rath Yatra is one of the oldest and biggest festival of India held in Puri, Odisha … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Ashadha month – July and August 2026
Festival dates in Ashadha month – July and August 2026 Āshādha (July - August) - From 15 July to 12 August 2026 Ashada Shukravara Lakmi Pooja - 17 July, 24 July, 31 July, … [Read More...]

Flower Arrangement – Peaced
Who better than Gautham Buddha to represent Peace? This arrangement using Bamboo and Buddha bust gives out the most peaceful oriental vibe. The famous Three Refuges (or Triple Gem) in … [Read More...]

Water Apple Salad Recipe
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...]

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...]

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

Stir-fried Fresh Green Chickpeas – Soppina Kadalekayi Palya – Hara Channa Subzi
Fresh Green Chickpeas start appearing in the market at the end of December and continue till January end. A wide range of dishes are prepared using the green chikpeas. Here is a simple stir-fry with … [Read More...]

Guacamole
Guacamole is a Mexican dip/salad prepared using Avocado / Butter Fruit. It is a very healthy and nutritious salad and can be eaten as is or used as a spread on bread or as a dip with Nachos, Potato … [Read More...]

Rose Tea Recipe
This aromatic tea is prepared using dry aromatic rose petals. Time required: 5 minutes Ingredients: 1tbsp Tea Powder 1tbsp Aromatic dried rose petals Method: Add Tea Powder and the … [Read More...]

Gujarati Dal Recipe – Lentils cooked with Jaggery and spices
Gujarati dal brings a refreshing change after consuming spicy food. This dal is mild and a bit sweet. You can adjust the sweetness according to your taste. Cuisine: … [Read More...]

Hesarukalu Kosambari – Sprouted Whole Green Gram Salad
Hesarukalu Kosambari is a South Indian salad with sprouted green gram. A very healthy dish, this is usually prepared for lunch in most of the households. Cuisine: Mysore Region, … [Read More...]

Tossed Salad
Tossed salad is easy to make and is extremely healthy. I always make this as everybody in the house likes the colors in the salad. This salad goes well with any of the Indian Bread. Time … [Read More...]

Gadbad Ice Cream – Gudbad Ice Cream Recipe
Gadbad is a slang in Kannada meaning there is something wrong or something amiss. History of Gadbad goes like this, a customer visited Diana restaurant in Udupi and ordered for an ice cream, he … [Read More...]

Red Rice Idli – Red Parboiled Rice Cakes Recipe
Red Rice Idli is a healthy version of the already healthy Idli (steamed cakes). Try this to add variety to the South Indian Breakfast. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 15 Minutes + … [Read More...]
Travel

Karighatta
Picture1 - Karighatta view from Nimishamba “Kari” in Kannada means black and “Ghatta” means hill. Karighatta is a hill 20Kms from Mysore just after Srirangapatna on the right side of the highway … [Read More...]

Chhatarpur Temple Complex
Chhatarpur Temple complex is the second largest temple complex in India and is located in South Delhi. 60 acres of land has been converted into gardens and lawns dotted with 20 temples dedicated to … [Read More...]

Udaipur
Udaipur is a charming city in Rajasthan. It is popularly known as City of lakes and was the capital of Mewar kingdom. Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur in 1559. When Chittor fort was … [Read More...]

Talakadu – Part I
Picture1 - Talakadu Sand Dunes Talakadu is situated 50 Kms from Mysore and was under the rule of Western Gangas, Tamil Cholas in the 11th and 12th centuries, Hoysalas in the 12th century, … [Read More...]

Birds of Rajasthan
When we started our trip to Rajasthan in winter, we were looking forward to sighting many migratory as well as resident birds. The drought faced by the state for the past 3 years has resulted in dry … [Read More...]

Lumbini Gardens
Nagavara Lake has had a makeover from the lake authority of India and is now known as Lumbini Gardens. The lake is spread over 43.86 hectares. The lake has been developed by the lake authority of … [Read More...]

Kote Venkataramana Temple – Bangalore – Bengaluru
Kote Venkataramana Temple - Bangalore is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore and situated next to Tipu Sultan Summer Palace. Built in 1689 by the Mysore king Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar, it is a fine … [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...]

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...]

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...]

Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – August and September 2025
Bhādrapad (August – September) Ganesh Chaturthi – 27 August 2025 Ganesha aarathi song Why Ganesha is also known as Ekadantha Mystery of the term “Morya” 21 Patra … [Read More...]

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...]

Adi Shankaracharya Jayanthi
Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Deva Maheshwara Guru Sakshath Parambrahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha|| Adi Shankaracharya the founder of the Advaita philosophy begins his Gurustotram or … [Read More...]

Aarathi Song – Lakshmi Arathi Song – Goddess Lakshmi Pooja Song
This is a song written by my mom and we sing this song alternatively with other songs on Friday evening while we perform aarathi to goddess Lakshmi. It can be sung to any tune that you are … [Read More...]