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
Pineapple Gojju – Sweet and Sour Pineapple Recipe
Pineapple Gojju is a sweet and spicy side dish prepared using Pineapple. Gojju generally means sweet, spicy, and sour gravy. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup … [Read More...]
Paneer Vegetable Sauté
This is a very simple dish with minimum spices. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Broccoli florets 1 Cup Beans, Chopped into ½ inch pieces 1 Cup Carrot, Peeled and thinly … [Read More...]
Kadala Curry – Chikpea Curry Recipe – Kerala Style Curry Recipe
A popular Kerala curry prepared using Black Chikpea and a perfect accompaniment to Puttu and Appam. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 Cups Soaked Black Chikpea / Kadale / … [Read More...]
Italian Black Rice
As soon as Black Rice was available in the local store, I bought it and make this delicious Italian Black Rice. A big change from the usual Indian Rice dishes. Cuisine: … [Read More...]
Mavinakayi Saaru – Raw Mango broth
Mavinakayi Saaru is a curry prepared using Raw Mangoes. This type of curry is prepared in Mangalore - Udupi region and is served with white rice. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Hagalkayi Kootu – Bitter Gourd Curry – Karela Curry Recipe
Hagalkayi Kootu is a curry prepared using Bitter Gourd. I tasted this for the first time in Ramana Maharshi Ashrama in Thiruvannamalai and it was very good. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: … [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...]
Cabbage Dosa
Crispy dosas/crepes with crunchy cabbage. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Soaking Time + Fermenting Time Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1½ Cups Raw Rice ½ Cup Urad Dal/Black Gram split 1 tsp … [Read More...]
Travel
Sand Museum in Mysore
Mysore is fortunate to have an artist with a unique art like Sand sculpting. Artist M.N.Gowri is the one behind the Sand Museum in Mysore. This is has become a must stop for tourists visiting Mysore. … [Read More...]
Cheluvamba Mansion, Mysore
Cheluvamba Mansion was built by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV in 1910. The mansion was built for the third daughter of the Maharaja, Princess Cheluvajammanni. There many other mansions similar to … [Read More...]
Horanadu
Annapoorne sadapoorne shankarapranavallabhe Gyanavairagyasiddhyartham bhiksham dehi cha parvati|| Meaning of the above verse is in praise of Goddess Annapoorneswari and the meaning is as … [Read More...]
Chunnambar Backwater
The rivers crossing Pondicherry / Puducherry forms scenic backwaters and a visit to this place is an amazing experience. The rivers ultimately meet the Bay of Bengal creating vast estuaries. … [Read More...]
Vani Vilas Water Works, Mysore
100 years ago history was made when Mysore city got drinking water from the Cauvery River flowing 12 Kms away from the city. To manage the drinking water, two pumping stations were set, one at … [Read More...]
Dolphins Nose View Point, Coonoor
The winding narrow roads into the thick shola forest and tea estates lead to the Dolphins Nose viewpoint. I love the adventurous drive to this place. The peak is at 6,000 feet above sea level, an … [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...]
Festivals
Aarathi Song to Sri Rama
Here is an Aarathi song in praise of Lord Rama. This is sung during Rama Navami festival and can also be sung on any other festival during Aarathi. Kannada Script: ರಾಮನ ಆರತಿ … [Read More...]
Rathasapthami Rangoli
Rathasapthami is a festival in honor of Sun god. On this day a Rathasapthami rangoli / kolam (patterns drawn using chalk powder) of ratha / chariot is drawn inside the shrine of … [Read More...]
Mysore Dasara Flower Show
Mysoreans love gardening and every house will have at least a Tulasi and Money plant growing in a pot. To encourage this wonderful hobby, a flower show on a grand scale is held by the … [Read More...]
Aanai Pandige – Aane Habba – Karthika Deepotsava
Aanai Pandige Karthikai also known as Karthika Deepotsava, Aane / Elephant Habba is an important festival of Iyengars (Vishishtha Advaitha sect) of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026 Mouna Gowri Vratha - 21 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 Vasanth Panchami - 23 January 2026 Rathasapthami - 25 January … [Read More...]
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...]
Traditional Dolls Arrangement
Here are some Dolls that are handed over from generations to generations for arranging during Dasara. Traditional Dolls Arrangement includes Dolls in a marriage party complete with the bride / groom … [Read More...]
