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
Badanekayi Masala Palya – Eggplant with spices – Brinjal Side Dish Recipe
This side dish is very similar to Yennegai (Coconut, Onion and Spices stuffed into Brinjals/Eggplant/Aubergine and cooked in oil) but much more easier to prepare. In this dish the aubergine is … [Read More...]
Bengal Gram and Coconut Chutney – Kadalebele Kayi Chutney – Kadlebele Chutney
Bengal Gram and Coconut Chutney can be made spicy by adding more Green Chilies. This spicy chutney goes very well with Idli. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 10 … [Read More...]
Bisibelebath Powder – Masala Powder – Mysuru Bisibele Bhath Recipe
Bisibelebath Powder is used to prepare the delicious and wholesome Bisibelebath a heady mixture of lentil, rice, vegetables and spices. Recipe straight from the kitchens of Mysore. Time … [Read More...]
Coriander Chutney
Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Coriander Leaves 8 Green Chilies Four 4” piece Tamarind Salt to taste Method: Clean and wash Coriander Leaves. Grind all the ingredients … [Read More...]
Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables
Two decades ago, Central Food Technology Research Institute (C.F.T.R.I) in Mysore conducted classes for women in Mysore regarding preservation of fruits and vegetables. Mom completed the course and … [Read More...]
Capsicum Gojju – Capsicum in sweet and sour gravy
Capsicum Gojju is a sweet and spicy side dish prepared using Bell Peppers. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Capsicum, cut into roundels 1 Green Chili, Slit 1 Lemon … [Read More...]
Lemon Pickle
A spicy Lemon pickle. Tastes great with Curd Rice. This pickle would always be serving next to the salt in my maternal grandparents house. Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]
Pudina Tomato Chutney
Pudina Tomato Chutney is a chutney prepared using Mint leaves and Tomato. Tomato adds a tang to the chutney. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 2 bunches Pudina Ki Patte/Mint … [Read More...]
Travel
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
The fourth largest state of India, Andhra Pradesh is situated in South India established on November 1st 1956. It shares its borders with Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Tamilnadu. … [Read More...]
Thataiah Park, Mysore – Mysuru
Every time I have zipped past the strip of a park in front of Landsdowne building in Mysore with the statue of Thataiah, I have wondered who this “Thatha” (grandfather) was? Now I reveal to myself and … [Read More...]
Birds of Rajasthan
When we started our trip to Rajasthan in winter, we were looking forward to sighting many migratory as well as resident birds. The drought faced by the state for the past 3 years has resulted in dry … [Read More...]
Namdroling Monastery
The largest Tibetan settlement is at Bylakuppe in Coorg District, near Kushalnagar. As you enter Bylakuppe you can see many Buddhist monks in their bright robes and Tibetan women and children going … [Read More...]
Vintage car museum, Udaipur
The Maharanas of Udaipur were connoisseurs of cars. These vintage beauties on wheels like Cadillac, Chevrolet, Morris, Rolls Royce, and so on are displayed within the grounds of the Garden Hotel in … [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...]
Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall
The classic European style Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall was built in 1915 in Bangalore. Sir K. Sheshadri Iyer was the Dewan of Mysore state from 1883 to 1901. Built in his honour the building has … [Read More...]
Festivals
Bhagvad Gita Aarathi Song – Bhagvad Gita Jayanthi – Bhagvad Gita Birthday
Bhagvad Gita Aarathi Song is a prayer that is sung after reading the Srimad Bhagvad Gita book. Known as Gita Arati, the verses are found at the end of the 18th chapter of the Bhagvad Gita … [Read More...]
Subramanya Shashti
Subramanya Shashti also known as Champa Shashti is celebrated honoring the birth of second son of Shiva named Subramanya / Skanda. It falls on the 6th day of the Hindu month of … [Read More...]
Why Lord Ganesha is also known as Ekadantha / single tusk
The most popular narration on how Lord Ganesha lost his tusk is penned in the Skanda Purana / tales of gods and goddesses. Lord Ganesha was a patron of good food with a healthy appetite. Once … [Read More...]
Mahalaya Amavasya
15 days of the Hindu month is considered as Pitra Paksha, which are days dedicated to ancestors. It occurs in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada i.e. September-October in the Gregorian calendar. For the … [Read More...]
Sri Ramanujacharya Jayanthi
“O Nityam Achyuta Padambuja Yukma Rukma Vyamohataha Tad Itaraani Trinaaya Mene Asmad Guroha Bhagavathosya Dayaika Sindhoho Ramanujasya Charanou Sharanam Prapadye” The meaning of the above … [Read More...]
Lullaby to Lord Rama
It is Lord Sri Rama's birthday today. Rama Navami is celebrated all over India with great devotion. The lullaby below was written by my grandfather M.M.Patil, Kurtakoti. ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮನ … [Read More...]
Banni Tree
The botanical name of this tree is Prosopis spicigera. In Sanskrit it is known as Shami Vruksha. Banni tree is found in dry and arid regions at low altitudes. This tree is widely grown in … [Read More...]
