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
Pathrode
Colocasia leaves also known as Taro leaves are rolled with spices and steamed. A delicacy from the kitchens of South Canara, Karnataka. Time Required: 45 Minutes + Soaking … [Read More...]
Avarekayi Kurma
A delicious side dish with gravy prepared using Flat Winter Beans. This can be also be prepared with any type of sprouted beans that is available. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 2 … [Read More...]
Gugri – Usali Recipe – Usal Recipe – Chickpea Stir Fry
Gugri is a Bengal gram/brown chickpea based side dish usually prepared as offerings to gods and distributed among the devotees. Gugri is also known as Sundal and Usali. Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Purple Yam Raita – Ratalu Raitha Recipe – Yam with Yogurt
Winter is the time when Purple Yam arrives in the market in Gujarat to make the elaborate Undhiyo. I got the vegetable from Amazon and was able to make Undhiyo and this tasty raitha. Cuisine: … [Read More...]
Bhutta – Roasted Corn – Grilled Corn Recipe
As people welcome rain, carts loaded with Corn are seen at the street corner roasting them and selling them to eager customers. Corn roasted on coal and served smeared with Mint Chutney or Salt, Chili … [Read More...]
Black Rice Salad
Black Rice is full of flavor on its own and when teamed with garden fresh vegetables and Lemon seasoning, it becomes a wholesome delicious irresistible dish. The Rice when cooked turns a deep … [Read More...]
Turnip and Apple Salad
Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Turnips boiled 1 Apple diced ½ Capsicum diced 1tbsp Olive Oil Juice of ½ Lemon ½ tsp Crushed Pepper 1 tsp Sugar 1 tsp Assorted dried herbs like … [Read More...]
Vegetable Kosambari Recipe – Minced Vegetable Salad – Hasi Tarkari Kosambari
Festive food preparations will be in full swing during the festivals lined up for the next few days and months. Here is a traditional Kosambari/salad using an assortment of vegetables. … [Read More...]
Travel
Tonnur Kere, Todanur
This amazing historical lake is spread over an area of 2,150 acres. Tonnur Kere was planned and built by the srivaishnava saint, Sri Ramanujacharya 1,000 years ago and was named by him as … [Read More...]
Keladi
The historical place Keladi is situated 6 Km from Sagar, Karnataka. Keladi Nayaka kingdom was established in 1499 by Chaudappa Gauda. Chaudappa Gauda came across treasure hidden in a cauldron. … [Read More...]
Hogenakkal Waterfalls
Hogenakkal in Kannada means Smoking rocks, but the name that is apt for this place is Yennekal meaning Oily rocks. This place is best avoided by one and all and it is a failure and shame on the … [Read More...]
Nrupatunga Betta
Nrupatunga Betta is a picnic spot in Hubli. Locals and visitors spend quality time with their family and friends. You can drive up the hill and park your vehicles at a distance of 1 Km from the … [Read More...]
Chittaranjan Palace Mysuru – The Green Hotel Mysuru
Chittaranjan Palace was built by H.R.H.Krishanaraja Wadiyar for the Mysore Princesses in 1916. It is built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. The ceilings are high with majestic masonry … [Read More...]
India Gate
Every time I have passed through the roads of India Gate, I could never take my eyes off this national monument. This iconic monument is located in central Delhi was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and … [Read More...]
Pillar Rocks, Kodaikanal
Pillar Rocks as the name suggests is a place in the Kodaikanal hills where three giant rock pillars stand tall kissing the clouds. You can view the pillars from an observation deck built on the … [Read More...]
Festivals
Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – August and September 2025
Bhādrapad (August – September) Ganesh Chaturthi – 27 August 2025 Ganesha aarathi song Why Ganesha is also known as Ekadantha Mystery of the term “Morya” 21 Patra … [Read More...]
Aarathi Song – Lakshmi Arathi Song – Goddess Lakshmi Pooja Song
This is a song written by my mom and we sing this song alternatively with other songs on Friday evening while we perform aarathi to goddess Lakshmi. It can be sung to any tune that you are … [Read More...]
Kalasha
This is an important arrangement in any of the Hindu rituals/pooja. This occupies a prominent place in the pedestal along with the idols or photographs of gods and goddesses. During marriages the … [Read More...]
Rakhsha Bandhan
Rakhsha Bandhan festival is a celebration of the brother-sister bonding, celebrated mainly in North India. It falls on Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu moth of Shravana. August - September … [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...]
Mysore Dasara Procession in Black and White
Wish you all a very happy Dasara! This Dasara procession photograph was part of my grandfather's collection. The photograph was probably taken between 1930 - 1935. … [Read More...]
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha is a religious practice that people vow to perform in the Hindu month of Karthika, which is October – November in the Gregorian calendar. It is performed for 14 years and … [Read More...]
