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

Paneer Patties – Cottage Cheese Patties Recipe
Paneer Patties are prepared using Cottage Cheese. The crispy texture on the outside and spiced and crumbled Paneer when you dig in is the right snack to have in the evenings. Cuisine: North … [Read More...]

Anarasa
Anarasa is a deep fried sweet dish. Though the preparation is very elaborate when you taste the end product it is worth all the trouble. Cuisine: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh Time Required: … [Read More...]

Green Chili Sauce
The fresh flavor of Chilies in this sauce stings your tongue to perfection when eaten with Momos or steamed Wontons. Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 2tbsp Sugar ½ … [Read More...]

Kadalepuri Vaggarane – Puffed Rice Masala
“Kharad kadlekayi beeja bisi puri / spicy groundnuts mixed with hot puffed rice” - long ago an old man used to yell this tag line after every 5 minutes as he walked on the roads of Mysore after 6:00 … [Read More...]

Vangibhath
"Vangi" means Brinjal/Eggplant in Telugu. Vangibhath is a rice dish prepared using Brinjal/Eggplant and Bhath powder. The eggplant variety Eerangere Badnekayi available in Mysore is very suitable … [Read More...]

Pudina Coconut Chutney – Mint Coconut Chutney Recipe
Pudina Coconut Chutney is prepared using Mint and fresh Coconut. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup fresh Pudina/ Mint ½ Cup fresh Coconut, Grated 2 Green … [Read More...]

Stuffed Capsicum Bonda – Potato Stuffed Capsicum Fritters
Small Capsicums are stuffed with Potatoes and dipped into a fritter batter and deep fried. Tiny Capsicums are available during December in Bangalore/Mysore. Cuisine: South … [Read More...]

Paan Ki Laddoo Recipe – Betel Leaf Coconut Laddoo – Paan Coconut Laddoo Recipe
Paan or Betel leaf is an integral part of Indian culture. Every occasion ends with guests being served with Paan prepared using Betel leaves, Gulkand (rose petal preserve), Betel nuts, Saunf, … [Read More...]
Travel

Yercaud Botanical Garden
A visit to the Botanical Garden in hill stations is top on my to-visit list. And off we went to explore the Botanical Garden in Yercaud. The garden though small is interesting as it is tucked on a … [Read More...]

Daily routine in Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram
Visitors from around the globe visit Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram and few stay back to know more about the teachings of the guru. A pamphlet printed in Ramana Maharshi Ashrama, Thiruvannamalai … [Read More...]

St. Lawrence Church
Churches built by the Portuguese dot the Goan landscape and St. Lawrence Church is one of them. Located on a hill and built in Portuguese style of architecture, this white church was built in 1565 for … [Read More...]

Shetty Kere – Mysore
On the Kozhikode-Mysore-Kollegal Highway, a small lake known as Shetty Kere attracts a lot of bird life. Though Lake Dalvoy next to this lake is 10 times bigger, it does not attract any birds … [Read More...]

Lakkidi view point, Wyanad
Lakkidi view point in Wayanad, Kerala offers a bird’s eye view of the rolling green hills, cliffs, and valleys. It is a treat to the eye and the best time to visit is during sunset. Lakkidi get … [Read More...]

Sri Prasanna Nanjundeshwara Temple
Sri Prasanna Nanjundeshwara Temple is an extremely old temple situated on Kozhikode-Mysore-Kollegal Highway. This temple was in ruins and recently is now being renovated by Karnataka Muzrai … [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...]
Festivals

Ganapathi Bappa Morya!
During the Visarjane of Genesha idol after the celebration of Ganesha festival, it is common to hear people hollering “Ganapthi Bappa Morya” in North Karnataka and Maharashtra. In this post the … [Read More...]

Rathasapthami
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South … [Read More...]

Dasara Procession and Torch Light Parade during the reign of the Wodeyars
Picture1 - Illuminated Mysore Palace Mysore Dasara procession during the Maharajah’s rule used to be on a larger scale and grander. My grandparents and parents generation go on and on … [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...]

Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Vratha
"Kaayena Vaachaa Manasendriyairvaa Buddhyaatmanaa Vaa Prakriteh Svabhaavaatah Karomi Yadhyadh Sakalam Parasmai Naaraayanaayeti Samarpayaami" The meaning of the above shloka is: "I offer … [Read More...]

Chatti Amavasya Festival – Vishwakarma Festival
Chatti Amavasya is the no moon day in the Hindu month of Kartika, October – November of the Gregorian calendar. For the festival date click here. This festival is celebrated in Karnataka, Andhra … [Read More...]

Nariyal Poornima
The fisherman of Daman and Kolis of Coastal Maharashtra look forward to celebrate Nariyal Poornima festival as it signifies retreating monsoon and the commencement of their fishing activity. Nariyal … [Read More...]