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
Missi Roti
Missi Roti is the bread that the Rajsthanis break in their meal. It is prepared using a mixture of Bengal Gram and Wheat flour. Cuisine: Rajasthan Required Time: 20 … [Read More...]
Thai Khao-pote Onn – Thai Baby corn stir-fry – Baby Corn Recipe
Tasty crunchy baby corn with Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Baby corns, Chopped into 1" pieces 1tbsp Soya Sauce 2tbsp Oil 1tbsp Sugar For the spice paste: 3 Ripe … [Read More...]
Cucumber Idli
Steamed Rice cakes with Cucumber. Ingredients: 1 Cup Idli Rawa 2 Cups Cucumber, Grated 1/4 Cup Coconut, Grated 1/4 Cup Coconut, Chopped 3 Green Chilies 1tsp Asafoetida 3tbsp Coriander … [Read More...]
Cabbage Pakoda
Cabbage Pakoda are crispy cabbage fritters and the plates are sure to be wiped clean when served as a starter in parties. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Besan/Kadale … [Read More...]
Saboot Hari Moong Ki Dal
Saboot Hari Moong Ki Dal is prepared using soaked whole Green Gram. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 25 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 1 Cup Saboot Hari Moong / Hesarukalu / whole … [Read More...]
Balehannina Dosa – Banana Dosa Recipe – Banana Pancakes Recipe
Crepe / Pancakes prepared using Banana. Time Required: 10 Minutes + Soaking Time Ingredients: 2 Cups Raw Rice ½ Cup Fresh Coconut 3 Ripe Bananas ¾ Cup Jaggery Salt to … [Read More...]
Dal Makhani
This curry is prepared using whole Black Gram and is extremely tasty and very popular in the state of Punjab. Time required: 30 Minutes + Soaking Time Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Cup Saboot … [Read More...]
Banana Raitha Recipe – Banana in Yoghurt – Kela Raitha
Banana Raitha is a dish prepared using Banana and Yoghurt. It is a no fuss dish, can be made in a jiffy! Time required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Small Ripe Bananas 1/4 tsp Chili … [Read More...]
Travel
Jaya Lakshmi Vilas Mansion Mysore
Tucked in the lush greenery of Manasagangotri is a quaint and grand mansion known as Jaya lakshmi Vilas Mansion in Mysore. This is part of the heritage buildings of Mysore and was built for Maharaja … [Read More...]
Magadi Bird Sanctuary
When I read that a large population of waterfowls migrates to Magadi Lake in Magadi Bird Sanctuary near Kurtakoti, Gadag district, I yearned to visit this place during the migration season. I got the … [Read More...]
Maravanthe Beach
On our Karnataka coastal temple trip, my husband insisted on driving up to the Maravanthe beach. The drive was spectacular with the Arabian Sea lashing on one side of the road and the Saurpanika River … [Read More...]
Belur
Belur – the historical town is situated on the banks of River Yagachi in Hassan District of Karnataka. Belur was known as Velapuri. The Hoysala dynasty ruled over the Deccan and parts of Tamil Nadu … [Read More...]
Nrityagram Dance Village, Hessarghatta and Taj Kuteeram
We planned for a weekend getaway to Nrityagram, which turned to be a unique experience. The dance village is situated on a 10 acre land near Hessarghatta, 30 Km from Bangalore. This was founded in … [Read More...]
Kigga
Visit to this quaint village surrounded by natural beauty was a joy. Unassuming people with smiles, modest houses and children playing outdoor games greet you in Kigga. It is indeed a breath of fresh … [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
Festival dates in Vaisakh month – April and May 2026
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026 Vaishākh (April – May) Akshaya Tritiya – 19 April 2026 Basava Jayanthi– 20 April 2026 Ramanujacharya … [Read More...]
Swarna Gowri Vratha – Gowri Habba – Gowri Festival
Swarna Gowri Vratha/Pooja is celebrated by girls and women in Karnataka and Andhara Pradesh. Goddess Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha. This festival falls in the hindu month of Bhadrapada, August - … [Read More...]
Rama Navami
Rama Navami is a festival celebrating the birth of Sri Rama, son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. “Yada Yadaa hi dharmasya gnanirbhavathi bharatha Abhyuththaana madharmasya thadathmaanam … [Read More...]
Oiling ritual song – ಎಣ್ಣೆ ಹಚ್ಚುವಾಗ ಹೇಳುವ ಹಾಡು
This is a beautiful song written by Sri Purandara Dasaru to sing during the head oiling ritual, which is the beginning of auspicious occasions like festivals, weddings, upanayana (sacred thread … [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...]
Happy Vijayadashami 2024
Why in North India, Ravana is burnt on Vijayadashami day? This is done to symbolize Lord Rama killing the 10 headed demon Ravana. Good over evil! What does the 10 heads of Ravana stand … [Read More...]
Makara Sankranti
Sankranthi is a harvest festival and “Sankranthi” means movement. It is a celebration of the sun entering from the zodiac sign Dhanur/Sagittarius into Makara/Capricorn. So this Makara Sankranti … [Read More...]
