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

Avakai – Raw Mango Pickle Andhra Style
Avakai is the most popular pickle of Andhra Pradesh. This pickle is served in almost all restaurants across Andhra and its demand has triggered the setting up of many small scale industries … [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...]

Hithikavare Saaru – Avarekayi Rasam Recipe – South Karnataka Rasam
Hithikavare Saaru is a curry, which is very popular in South Karnataka. The outer skin of the winter beans is peeled off and they are cooked in spices. Time Required: 1 Hour Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]

Saunth Panak – Dry Ginger Drink – Shunti Panaka
In Maharashtra, during Rama Navami, Saunth Panak a drink is prepared using Dry Ginger and Jaggery to distribute among friends. Cuisine: Maharashtra Time Required: 5 … [Read More...]

Groundnut Chutney
This chutney is prepared by the Gujaratis and this chutney is available for sale in Jamnagar Gujarat. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Roasted and peeled Groundnuts / Moomphali … [Read More...]

Peas and Potato Soup
Time Required: 25 minutes Serves: 4 Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 1 tbsp Butter 4 Potatoes, diced 1 Cup Shelled Peas 1 large Onion, chopped 2 Garlic cloves, crushed 1tsp … [Read More...]

Halu Kodubale Recipe – Milk Kodubale Recipe – Ring Murukku Recipe
Halu Kodubale is another variety of Kodubale, the ubiquitous snack of South Karnataka homes. Sipping hot filter coffee and spicy Kodubale as the windy rain wets the surrounding is an out of the … [Read More...]

Kharjoor Yellu Holige – Dates and Sesame Seeds Stuffed Bread – Kharjoor Till Poli
Kharjoor Yellu Holige is prepared using dates and sesame seeds. A stuffing is prepared using dates and sesame seeds and this is stuffed inside the dough and rolled out. A very tasty and … [Read More...]
Travel

Muthyala Maduvu or Pearl Valley
This is a waterfall 40 Kms away from Bangalore. Since the water droplets falling from the rocks shine like pearls, the waterfalls came to be known as Muthyala Maduvu or Pearl Valley. Drive … [Read More...]

Dum Dum Rock View
A stop at Dum Dum Rock View point refreshes and rejuvenates the tired travelers. The view point is situated on the Batlakundu-Kodai Ghat road. A viewing tower is strategically constructed to get a … [Read More...]

Halebidu – Halebeedu
The city Dwarasamudra meaning “the door to the sea” was the capital city of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. In the 14th century the city was vandalized by Malik Kafur and since then has been … [Read More...]

Banasura Sagar Dam
Banasura Sagar dam is built across the Karamanathodu River, which is a tributary of the Kabini River. The dam situated at the foot of Banasura hill in Wayanad District of Kerala was started in 1979 to … [Read More...]

Kunti Betta
Kunti Betta / hill was the destination for a cycling and rock climbing expedition during my college days. With non gear cycles like BSA-SLR, Hero, Nataraj etc., loads of determination, and … [Read More...]

Sowkoor Durgaparameshwari Temple
A temple dedicated to goddess Sri Durgaparameshwari is situated in Sowkoor, Kundapur taluk. This unknown temple is tucked away in the gorgeous hills of the Western Ghats. But the people who … [Read More...]

Mailara Lingeshwara Temple at Devara Gudda
Palisai Bhandara Ruchiranga Mailara Linga Palisai Bhandara Ruchiranga Yelu Koti Pramatha Sangha Moola Shruthi Vaahana Thuranga Neela Shaila Nivasa Ganga Malasa Hrudayabja Brunga The … [Read More...]
Festivals

Onam
Onam is celebrated in Kerala with a lot of enthusiasm. It is their biggest harvest festival and it falls in the Malayali (Malayalam is the language spoken in Kerala and hence the people of Kerala are … [Read More...]
Mahalaya Amavasya
15 days of the Hindu month is considered as Pitra Paksha, which are days dedicated to ancestors. It occurs in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada i.e. September-October in the Gregorian calendar. For the … [Read More...]

Deepavali – Diwali
Deepavali (“avali” means rows and “deepa” means lamp) or Diwali is a festival of lights much loved by one and all. It is the time for sweets, savories, family get-together, new clothes, crackers and … [Read More...]

ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ – Saraswathi Prarthana
Today is Vasantha Panchami festival celebrated grandly by people of West Bengal. Here is a prarthana/prayer on goddess of education Saraswathi, which was written by my grandfather, M.M.Patil, … [Read More...]

Mahalakshmi Ashtakam – Lakshmi Sthotra – Prayer to Goddess Lakshmi
Wish you all a very happy Dasara. Today is the first day of Dasara known as Padya. The nine days during this festival is dedicated to the shakthi devathes (divine power). Here is a prayer to goddess … [Read More...]

Siriyala Shashti
Shiva Shiva endare bhayavilla Shiva namake sathi berilla (2) The above lyrics is a famous song from the movie Bhaktha Siriyala starring Lokesh, Aarathi, and Ashwath. The meaning of the … [Read More...]

Festivals in Shravana month – July and August 2025
Shrāvana (August - September) - From 25 July to 22 August (2025) Shravana Shanivara - 26 July, 2 August, 9 August, 16 August (2025) Mangala Gowri Vrat - 29 July, 5 August, 12 August, … [Read More...]