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
Sun dried Nellikayi Chutney – Indian Gooseberry Chutney
Sun dried Nellikayi Chutney is a gooseberry chutney that can be stored for a long time and used when needed. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 Minutes + drying time Ingredients: 10 … [Read More...]
Sambar Powder
Sambar Powder is a masala powder to prepare the ubiquitous Sambar a curry with vegetables. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Coriander Seeds 10 Red Chilies 1tsp Fenugreek/Methi … [Read More...]
Turnip and Apple Salad
Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Turnips boiled 1 Apple diced ½ Capsicum diced 1tbsp Olive Oil Juice of ½ Lemon ½ tsp Crushed Pepper 1 tsp Sugar 1 tsp Assorted dried herbs like … [Read More...]
Hot Tomato Sauce
Hot Tomato Sauce is served with Falafel. You can also serve with Cutlet, Patties, or Fritters. Cuisine: Lebanese Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Large Tomatoes 5 Ripe Red … [Read More...]
Heerekayi Bonda – Ridge Gourd Fritters – Turai Pakora – Beerekayi Bajji
When you bite into a Heerekayi Bonda (Ridge Gourd fritters) your taste buds are sure to be confused. The outer layer is crispy and spicy and even before the saltiness is experienced a … [Read More...]
Halpi – Fried Gram Burfi
A very easy to make sweet dish prepared using fried Gram. Another name for this recipe is Hurigadale Burfi and perfect to make during Gombe habba (Dasara). Cuisine: North Karnataka Time Required: … [Read More...]
Bombay Sandwich Masala Powder – Mumbai Sandwich Masala Powder
Bombay Sandwich Masala Powder is another taste enhancer for the Bombay Sandwich. Having this condiment in the kitchen can sure enhance the taste of the Sandwich along with the Sandwich … [Read More...]
Alu Methi Palak – Aloo Methi Palak Recipe – Potato Fenugreek Spinach Recipe
I learnt to make this dish from my Mami/Aunt, who is a wonderful cook. This North Indian side dish goes very well with all types of Indian Bread and is prepared using Potatoes, Fenugreek and … [Read More...]
Travel
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...]
Jamia Masjid Srirangapatna
Masjid-e-Ala aka Jumma Masjid is an historical tourism sites in Srirangapatna, Karnataka. Tipu Sultan built Masjid-e-Ala aka Jamia Masjid Srirangapatna in the year of 1784 AD and used to worship … [Read More...]
Anthropological Museum in Port Blair
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is intriguing place full of adventure and fun. A visit to the Anthropological Museum in Port Blair throws light on the life and times of the tribes of the islands. As … [Read More...]
Linganamakki Dam
The Linganamakki dam is located in Kargal town, Sagara taluk and is built across Sharavathi River in 1964. The length of the dam is 2.4 km and height is 193 feet. The dam is situated at a height of … [Read More...]
Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple, T Narasipura
Thousands visit Tirumakudalu Narasipura (T.Narasipura) to visit the ancient temple dedicated to Lord Narsimha Swamy. The temple is popularly known as Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple. On the right bank of … [Read More...]
Mallalli Waterfalls
Now is the time of waterfalls. Good rains in Pushpagiri Hill ranges promise good family outing to waterfalls. Mallalli is one such waterfall situated in Bettadahalli Gram Panchayat in Somwarpet Taluk … [Read More...]
Birds of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Andaman and Nicobar islands are home to many species of birds, both aquatic and shore birds. As we traveled across the islands we came across the following birds, which we could photograph. Some birds … [Read More...]
Festivals
Sampath Shanivara Pooja
The day next to Shravana Shukravara Pooja is Shravana Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja also known as Sampath Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja. This pooja / vratha / religious observance is … [Read More...]
Naga Rangoli – Snake Floor Design
The Naga rangolis / patterns shown below are drawn on Nagara Chauthi and Nagara Panchami festivals. Click on the image to see a bigger image. Rangoli drawn on Nagara Chauthi: Rangoli … [Read More...]
Visarjana Manthra
The following manthra is chanted while performing the visarjana / send off to god. In Kannada Script: ವಿಸರ್ಜನಾ ಕ್ರಮ ಯಜ್ಞೇನ ಯಗ್ನಮಯಜಂತ ದೇವಾಃ | ತಾನಿ ಧರ್ಮಾಣಿ ಪ್ರಥಮಾನ್ಯಾಸನ್ || ತೇಹ ನಾಕಂ … [Read More...]
Lohri festival in Punjab – Makara Shankranthi – Harvest Festival
Makara Shankranthi is called as Lohri in Punjab. It is one of the major festivals of Punjab. It is celebrated with great pomp and show. This festival falls on Chaturdashi i.e., the 14th day in the … [Read More...]
ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು – Aarathi Song
During Dasara, Saraswathi is worshiped and on this day few people choose to arrange the dolls. For the festival date click here. The below song dedicated to Goddess Sarawathi is written by my … [Read More...]
Mouna Gowri Vrata – Mauna Gowri Vrata
Unmarried girls perform Mouna Gowri Vrata. This Vrata / vowed religious observance is performed from the first day of the Hindu month of Magh to the first day of Phalgun (for 30 days), i.e, … [Read More...]
Upakarma – Janivara Habba
Upakarma festival is solely for the men. The others also join in by preparing delicious food as naivedhyam / blessed food and eating together. This festivals falls on Shravana Nakshatra (a star) on … [Read More...]
