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
Aloo Ka Halwa – Potato Pudding – Alu Halwa – Potato Halwa Recipe
Aloo ka Halwa is prepared when people restrict type of food consumed. This is known as Vrat ka Khana or Palahara or Falhar. This is practiced during festivals or certain rituals. Cuisine: North … [Read More...]
Makki Ki Roti
Indian bread prepared using Corn meal. Makki Ki Roti is a favorite among Punjabis along with Sarson Ka Saag/side dish. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1½ Cups Makai Ki … [Read More...]
Palak Rice – Spinach Rice Recipe
Spinach Rice is a healthy dish. This is great to pack for lunch to school or office. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Bunch Palak / Spinach, Chopped 1 Cup Rice 1 Onion, … [Read More...]
Moong Dal Halwa – Split Green Gram Sweet Dish – Moong Dal Shira Recipe – Hesarubele Sajjige Recipe
Moong Dal Halwa is a rich sweet dish prepared using split Green Gram. This is prepared during winters in North India. Moong Dal Halwa is a must-have on the wedding menu. I have heard … [Read More...]
Hesarubele Muchore – Green Gram Savory
During Dasara in Mysore, the households would start preparations to arrange dolls in their houses. The aroma of savories and sweets being prepared would fill the air and children would wait in … [Read More...]
Vepudu Karam – Andhra Masala Powder Recipe
Vepudu Karam is a masala powder used to make dry side dishes using different types to vegetables like Ridge Gourd, Bottle Gourd, Brinjal, and so on. Cuisine: Andhra Pradesh Time Required: 15 … [Read More...]
Steamed Vegetables tossed in Herbs
An easy to prepare and healthy dish. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Cauliflower Florets 1 Cup String Beans, cut into 1” pieces 2 Carrots, Peeled and Chopped 1 Potato, … [Read More...]
Paneer Pakoda
Fritters prepared using Cottage Cheese. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 250gms Paneer/Cottage Cheese 1 Cup Besan/Gram Flour 1tsp Garam Masala ½ tsp Kala Namak/Black … [Read More...]
Travel
Goa Heritage Buildings
Along with endless beaches, Goa is also dotted with beautiful heritage buildings reminding of the Portuguese who ruled Goa for 450 years. Goa was freed from Portuguese in 1961, but the impact of the … [Read More...]
Devil’s Kitchen, Kodaikanal
Per our itinerary we headed off to the Devil’s Kitchen in Kodaikanal not knowing what to expect. After parking the car and a short hike uphill are caves and tranches that is mysterious and dangerous. … [Read More...]
Sri Ramanarasaiah
When we moved to our own house, I dreamt of hanging an original Mysore painting in the lobby. Thus started my quest to find either the right painting or a painter. Fortunately, I came across a website … [Read More...]
Dharmasthala
The Western Ghats like its higher counterpart the Himalayas is dotted with pilgrimage centers. One such center is Dharmasthala situated on the banks of Netravati River in Dakshina Kannada … [Read More...]
Coorg
South Indian heroine Suhasini wearing coorgi style saree and crooning the song “Madikeri sepoyi…” (Madikeri soldier) on mist covered hills of Madikeri / Coorg in the Kannada movie Muththina Hara is … [Read More...]
Madhuvana Mysore Royal Cemetery – Mysuru
Today is Mahalaya Amavasya and hence this post on Mysuru Royal Cemetery. Madhuvana Mysuru Royal Cemetery also known as Khasa Brindavana is where the royal members of the erstwhile Mysuru kingdom are … [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...]
Festivals
Deepavali – Diwali
Deepavali (“avali” means rows and “deepa” means lamp) or Diwali is a festival of lights much loved by one and all. It is the time for sweets, savories, family get-together, new clothes, crackers and … [Read More...]
ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ – Saraswathi Prarthana
Today is Vasantha Panchami festival celebrated grandly by people of West Bengal. Here is a prarthana/prayer on goddess of education Saraswathi, which was written by my grandfather, M.M.Patil, … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Kartik month – October and November 2025
Kārtik (October – November) Diwali /Balipadyami/New Year in Gujarat - 22 October 2025 Karthika Somawara - 27 October, 3 November, 10 November, and 17 November 2025 Uttandwadashi - 2 … [Read More...]
Karaga Festival
Karaga festival is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu by Thigala community (flower and vegetable farmers) on full moon day during the Hindu month of Chaitra, … [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...]
Galipata Habba – Indian Kite Festival – Festival of Kites
Gone are the days when we used to see people flying colorful and different shape Galipata/Kites. The Kite wars and making our own customized Kites was great fun. To balance the kite a long … [Read More...]
Celebration of Hindu New Year in different regions of India
New Year is celebrated all over India in different ways and is also called by different names. Some states follow the solar calendar and some follow the lunar calendar. In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh … [Read More...]
