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

Green Chikpea Raitha – Soppina Kadalekayi Mosaru Bhajji Recipe – Hasiru Kadale Raitha Recipe
Winter is the time for tender chikpea to hit the market. I always get it before it disappears from the market and my mom shells them open in record breaking time. In no time I will have a … [Read More...]

Ghee Rice
Ghee Rice is a very popular dish in Kerala. A very simple to make dish with oodles of Ghee / Clarified Butter. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Basmathi Rice 4 tbsp Ghee 1 … [Read More...]

Akki Ubba Rotti – Rice Flat Bread Recipe – Akki Rotti – Chawal Roti
Puffed bread prepared using Rice Flour, which is very popular in Coorg district. "Ubba" in Kannada means puffed up. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Rice Flour Add 2 … [Read More...]

Garlic Chutney
Garlic Chutney known as Lasun Chutney is very popular in Gujarat. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Dry Red Chilies or 1tbsp Red Chili Powder 10 Flakes of Garlic Salt to … [Read More...]

Panaka – Lemonade – Lemon Juice
Lemon Juice prepared with Jaggery and served during Rama Navami festival. This is very good to quench your thirst during summer and while trekking. Time Required: 10 … [Read More...]

Panch Phoran – Spices of Bengal – Five Spices
Bengali, Assamese and Oriya cuisine is tempered with Panch phoran, which is a combination of 5 spices - Fennel Seeds / Saunf, Cumin Seeds / Jeera, Fenugreek Seeds / Methi, Nigella Seeds / Kalonji, … [Read More...]

SAN FRAN Super Salad
A complete meal by itself, I had SAN FRAN Super Salad at an airport in Europe for dinner. I have recreated the recipe with locally available ingredients. Time required: 20 … [Read More...]

Sihi Kumbalakayi Palya – Sweet Pumpkin Stir Fry – Kaddu Dry Sabzi – Thoran
A side dish prepared using Sweet Pumpkin. This is a very common dish served in Rayara Mutta / Sri Raghavendra Swamy temple. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 500 gms Sihi … [Read More...]
Travel

Sharavathi River Valley View
The most beautiful valley award in the Western Ghats without doubt goes to Sharavathi River valley. This valley is rich in bio-diversity and is nestled in the central Western Ghats of Shimoga … [Read More...]

Jain Temples Jaisalmer
Some of the most magnificent Jain temples are location in the fort of Jaisalmer. Jain temples Jaisalmer are ancient and are a pilgrimage center for Jains. These temples date back to the 12th and 15th … [Read More...]

Trikuteshwara Temple
This ancient temple of Trikuteshwara dates back to the Kalyani Chalukyas who ruled this region during 1050 to 1200 CE. Picture1 - Entrance to Trikuteshwara Temple This temple is situated in … [Read More...]

Byndoor Beach
Byndoor Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand on the Arabian Sea. The place is completely green with hills on one side and long stretches of beach on the other side.Together it is one of the … [Read More...]

Kalaseshwara Temple – Kalasa
Kalaseshwara Temple is situated in Kalasa, Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka. The legend says that while Lord Shiva and Parvathi were getting married in the Himalayas, due to the huge … [Read More...]

Big Banyan Tree
Known as “Dodda Aalada Mara” in Kannada, this big banyan tree is 380 to 400 years old. It is situated in Kethohalli village, 25 Kms from Bangalore city. Dodda Aalada Mara is one of the biggest … [Read More...]

Gumbaz Srirangapatna
Gumbaz is situated in Srirangapatna and is the mausoleum of Tiger of Mysore – Tipu Sultan, his father Hyder Ali and his mother Fathima Begum. The Gumbaz Srirangapatna stands out against the background … [Read More...]
Festivals

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...]

Kojagari Lakshmi Puja
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is perfomed in West Bengal, Orissa, and Assam. It falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month Ashwin, September – October according to Gregorian calendar. For the festival date … [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...]

Mangala Drowya and Pooje Samaanu
Mangala Drowya and Pooje Samaanu means sacred items used on auspicious occasions like marriage rituals, upanayana (sacred thread ceremony), shrimantha (arathi to pregnant women), namakarna (naming … [Read More...]

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...]

Mahashivarathri – Shivratri
Om Vande Shambhu Umaapatim Surgurum Vande Jagad Kaaranaam | Vande Pannag Bhushanaam Mrigadharam Vande Pashunaam Patim| Vande Surya Shashaak Vahninayanam Vande Mukundapriyam| Vande Bhakta … [Read More...]

Happy Durgashtami 2024 – Durga Pooja – Dasara Durga Pooja
Ashtami during Dasara was exciting, because Ambode/dal vada/Lentil fritters were offered to Goddess Durga but eaten and savored by us! Dal is full of Shakti and hence might have been offered to … [Read More...]