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
Kheer Kadam Recipe – Ras Kadam Recipe – Khoya Kadam Recipe
Diwali the festival of lights is just round the corner and kitchens in India are in full swing making delicious sweets. Here is a recipe of Kheer Kadam to make your Diwali celebrations … [Read More...]
Mango Tit Bits Jam – Raw Mango Jam Recipe – Mango Preserve
Jam with Mango pieces floating in it! I used to love this as a child and used to have it for dessert. I am sure your kids will love this preserve. Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Dal Palak – Spinach and Lentils Curry Recipe
A curry prepared using lentils and spinach. This recipe is from North India. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Thogaribele / Tur Dal / Red Gram Split 1 bunch Palak / … [Read More...]
Boondi Raitha Recipe
Boondi is small round crunchy deep fried snack. This is mixed with Yogurt and spices to make the Raitha. A very popular dish of North India. It is served as an accompaniment with … [Read More...]
Bruschetta
Grilled Italian breads rubbed with garlic, topped with Tomatoes, and drizzled with Olive Oil is a very popular and tasty starter. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 loaf Bread, cut … [Read More...]
Shavige Payasa
Shavige Payasa is vermicelli cooked in milk, which is also called as Kheer. This is prepared during festivals and auspicious occasions. My mom makes the best in the world! Required Time: 20 … [Read More...]
Adai Dosa – Mixed Lentils Dosa Recipe
Spicy pancakes prepared using a mixture of different lentils. A very popular breakfast dish in Tamil Nadu. Cuisine: Tamil Nadu Time Required: 30 Minutes + Soaking Time + Fermenting … [Read More...]
South Indian Potato Masala – Alu Masala Recipe – Aloo Masala Recipe
South Indian Potato Masala is a side dish that goes very well with Poori or Chapathi. You can also serve this with Dosa instead of the dry potato side dish. Cuisine: Karnataka Time … [Read More...]
Travel
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner
Raja Rai Singh conquered Mewar and the pleased Mughal emperor Akbar rewarded him the territory in Gujarat and Burhanpur. To celebrate his success, Raja Rai Singh built the grand fort of Bikaner known … [Read More...]
Sri Durgadevi Temple – Kunjarugiri
Coastal region of Karnataka is renowned for various temples and is known as Parashurama Kshetra (region carved by Lord Parashuramam, an avatar of Lord Vishnu). On a small hill known as … [Read More...]
Aloka Palace, Mysore
I visited Aloka Palace near Yelwal, Mysore as part of my son’s summer camp outing few decades back. I visited again to take pictures and to know more about the place. A bit disappointing as there … [Read More...]
Lalgarh Palace, Bikaner
An architect’s delight, the Lalgarh palace in Bikaner was built between 1902 and 1926. Built in Rajput, Mughal, and European architectural styles, the building was custom-built by Maharaja Ganga Singh … [Read More...]
Bangalore – LalBagh – Bengaluru
Lalbagh is a Botanical Garden situated in South Bangalore, India. The garden was commissioned by the ruler of Mysore, Hyder Ali in 1760. His son Tipu Sultan completed the 240 acre gardens. The Glass … [Read More...]
Cauvery Nisargadhama
I always felt lucky living in Mysore as the choice of weekend getaways were innumerable. One such favorite getaway was to picnic at Cauvery Nisargadhama and also visit Namdroling Monastary and … [Read More...]
Delta Point – Kundapura
As you travel across coastal Karnataka, you come across innumerable rivers on one side and the ocean on the other side. It is just paradise on earth. The rivers meet the ocean at many places and the … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Karthika Somavaragalu
Kantheyasya Lasathkaala Garalam Gangaajalam Masthake Giriraajaraja Thanayaa Jaaya Bhavaani Sathi Nandi Skanda Ganaadhiraaja Sahithaa Sri Vishwanaatha Prabhu Kashi Mandira Samsthithokhila … [Read More...]
Dasara Gombe – Doll arrangement – Golu – 2025
Dasara is celebrated in different ways in various regions of our country. The celebration is of goddess Durga and her various avatars. Each day the goddess is decorated in a different way … [Read More...]
Hanuman Jayanthi
"Manojavam Maruthathulya Vegam Jitendriyam Budhdhi Mathaam Varishtam Vaathathmajam Vaanarayutha Mukhyam Srirama Dootham Sharanam Prapadye" The above sthotra/chanting, is part of the Sri … [Read More...]
Siriyala Shashti
Shiva Shiva endare bhayavilla Shiva namake sathi berilla (2) The above lyrics is a famous song from the movie Bhaktha Siriyala starring Lokesh, Aarathi, and Ashwath. The meaning of the … [Read More...]
Holi – Festival of Colors
I remember Holi being celebrated on the streets of Mysore, where the kids from the neighborhood would go begging from house to house collecting discarded things that can be burnt like mats, brooms, … [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...]
