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
Sweet and Sour Cucumber Salad
I was in Delhi last Friday and my friend served this simple, yet delicious salad for dinner. I re-created this recipe this Friday at home. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Seedless … [Read More...]
Shenga Holige
Happy Ugadi! Shenga Holige is a sweet stuffed bread using Groundnuts and Jaggery. Cuisine: North Karnataka Time Required: 40 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 1 Cup Roasted and peeled … [Read More...]
Sweet Corn Burritos
Burrito is a wheat flour tortilla stuffed with Vegetables, Rice, or Bean and folded into a cylindrical shape. Sweet Corn Burritos is stuffed with Sweet Corn and Capscium. Cuisine: Mexican - … [Read More...]
Masala Thondekayi Palya Recipe – Masaledar Tindli Recipe – Spicy Ivy Gourd Recipe
Ivy gourd or Thondekayi with masala makes for a great accompaniment with Chapathis or Rotis. This type of side dish is popularly prepared during weddings and festivals. Ingredients: 3 Cups … [Read More...]
Hummus
Hummus is a spread or dip prepared using Chik peas. Cuisine: Mediterranean Time Required: 10 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 1 Cup Soaked and Boiled Chik Peas Juice of 2 Lemons Few … [Read More...]
Quinoa Soup
As the title suggests, the soup is prepared using Quinoa. Healthy and wholesome food and great when it is a wet and cold evening. Time required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Glasses of … [Read More...]
Alugadde Palya – Alu Subzi Recipe – Aloo Subzi Recipe – Potato Side Dish Recipe
Alugadde Palya is a dish prepared using the ubiquitous Potatoes. A spoonful of this is tucked inside hot Dosa/Pancakes popularly known as Masala Dosa. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 25 … [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...]
Travel
Heritage buildings of Mysore – Part II
Mysore or Mysooru is a place of interest for tourists, historians, archeologists, academicians and architects. There are innumerable heritage buildings in Mysore, which add a fairy tale touch to the … [Read More...]
Shopping and eating out in Andaman and Nicobar
When we planned for the Andaman and Nicobar islands trip, I knew very little about what food is available for tourists and was very apprehensive. But all my fears were put to rest when I landed on … [Read More...]
Phantom Rock
Phantom Rock also known locally as Cheengeri Mala is a skull shaped rock on a metamorphic rocky hill. When we visited it was raining continuously and hence we could not attempt to climb the … [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...]
Chain Tree
Chain Tree in Lakkidi, Wayanad was extremely intriguing and many types of trees trained to grow like chains came to my mind. Just before we left the resort for the sightseeing, the manager of the … [Read More...]
Ooty Lake
Not a single bollywood movie would be complete without a song being picturized with the hero and heroein boating in Ooty Lake. The lake is an artificial lake built by the founder of Ooty John … [Read More...]
Umaid Bhawan Palace
Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the most modern looking palaces built in the 20th century. As the palace is built on a mound, the palace is visible from afar. During evenings, the lights in the palace … [Read More...]
Festivals
Sri Vadirajara Aradhane
Vadirajatirtharu is one of the greatest saints belonging to the Madhwa Brahmin sect. He was born in 1480 on Magha (February) Shudda Dwadashi to a Shivalli Tulu Brahmin couple, Ramabhatta and Gowri in … [Read More...]
Christmas
"Jingle bells Jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride on a one horse open sleigh…" This is a Christmas song that everyone loves to hear and sing not only during Christmas season … [Read More...]
Dasara Procession in Mysore
Vijayadashami being the last day of the celebrations, a grand Jamboo Savari/procession passes through the streets of the city. The main attraction here is the idol of the goddess Chamundeshwari placed … [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...]
Gombe Habba – Forest Arrangement
During Dasara, many households had the ritual of arranging dolls in the house for 9 days in Mysore region. This would bring out a lot of creativeness among the people. The … [Read More...]
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...]
Surya Stotra
Today is Rathasapthami and here is a beautiful stotra / hymn in praise of the sun written by Lakshmisha in Jaimini Mahabharatha. Kannada script: ಸೂರ್ಯ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರ ಮಿತ್ರಾಯ ಸೂರ್ಯಾಯ ಹಂಸಾಯ … [Read More...]
