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

Masaledar Alu Paratha – Aloo Paratha Recipe – Potato stuffed flat bread Recipe
Indian bread stuffed with Potatoes and spices. I learnt to make Masaledar Alu Paratha from my Mami / Aunt who passed away two weeks back. This post is dedicated to her memory and her culinary … [Read More...]

Chhunda – Gujarati Mango Sweet Pickle Recipe – Aam Chutney Recipe – Chundo
A sweet pickle prepared by Gujarathis using Raw Mangoes. The vessel containing the mixture is kept directly under the sunlight, which actually softens the Raw Mangoes and thickens the Sugar … [Read More...]

Sihi Avalakki – Meethi Poha Recipe – Sweet Beaten Rice Recipe – Sweet Poha Atta Savory Mix
Sihi Avalakki is a sweet prepared using beaten rice and jaggery. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups thick Avalakki / Beaten Rice / Poha 1 Cup Grated Jaggery 1 Cup … [Read More...]

Kharjurada Holige – Dates Stuffed Bread – Khajoor Poli
Wish you all a very Happy Ugadi! What better way to usher the new year than Kharjurada Holige / Bread stuffed with Dates! Time required: 30 Minutes Cuisine: Karnataka Ingredients: ½ Cup … [Read More...]

Kuttu Ki Poori Recipe – Kuttu ki Puri Recipe – Puffed Buckwheat Bread Recipe
Kuttu ki Poori is prepared using Puffed Buckwheat flour and is consumed during vrata (ritual or diet restriction for a religious purpose). Kuttu ki Poori is usually prepared during Navaratri … [Read More...]

Soosla – Soaked Puffed Rice Masala – Puffed Rice Recipe – Churmuri Recipe
Soosla is an excellent breakfast from the kitchens of North Karnataka. It is a dish prepared using puffed rice, onions and fried gram. Cuisine: North Karnataka Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]

Potato Wedges
Everyone loves potatoes fried in Oil and this is another favorite tossed in aromatic herbs. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Potatoes Oil for deep-frying 1tbsp Wheat Flour 2tbsp … [Read More...]

Halasinahannina Dosa – Ripe Jackfruit Dosa
Pancakes/Crepes prepared using Jackfruit. This recipe reminds of the Kannada version of the song “The bear went up the mountain”, which goes like this “Karadi bettakke hoyithu…..nota … [Read More...]
Travel

Omkareshwar Temple – Madikeri
In Madikeri / Coorg there is an ancient Omkareshwar temple dedicated to Lord Omkareshwara / Shiva which was built by Lingarajendra Wodeyar II in 1820. The Omkareshwar temple is built in Kerala, … [Read More...]

Chandramauleeshwara Temple, Udupi
This ancient temple in Udupi is a must visit for all the devotees who throng this temple town. The temple is small and the presiding deity is Sri Chandramauleeshwara (Lord Shiva). Chandramauleeshwara … [Read More...]

Lepakshi
Lepakshi means “rise o bird” in Telugu and this place is situated in Ananthpur district of Andhra Pradesh. The legend says that Jatayu the mythical bird was injured by Ravana at this very place when … [Read More...]

Giri-bettada Kere
As we drove back after visiting the 5 temples at T.Narasipura to Mysore, we took a left at the 16th mile and eagerly drove to Giri-Bettada Kere (Hill Lake). The lake was shimmering and had … [Read More...]

Balmuri Falls and Edmuri Falls
Balmuri Falls and Edmuri Falls is picnickers paradise situated 18 Km from Mysore city. Balmuri Falls is a man-made waterfall (check dam) built on Cauvery River. As the river turns to the right at … [Read More...]

Nanneshwara Temple, Lakkundi
The Nannesvara temple is located to the west of Kasivisvesvara temple in Lakkundi. This 11th century Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Adam Hardy, architecture scholar and … [Read More...]

Mana Village
Mana village is a quaint tiny hamlet situated on the Indo-Tibetan border. This village is the last village of India and it is now declared as a tourism village of Uttarakhand. The residents of … [Read More...]
Festivals

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...]

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...]

Karthika Somavaragalu
Kantheyasya Lasathkaala Garalam Gangaajalam Masthake Giriraajaraja Thanayaa Jaaya Bhavaani Sathi Nandi Skanda Ganaadhiraaja Sahithaa Sri Vishwanaatha Prabhu Kashi Mandira Samsthithokhila … [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...]

Adi Shankaracharya Jayanthi
Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Deva Maheshwara Guru Sakshath Parambrahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha|| Adi Shankaracharya the founder of the Advaita philosophy begins his Gurustotram or … [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...]

Children’s Day
The UN General Assembly suggested that all countries should declare one day in a year as Children’s day. The United Nations declared November 20th as Universal Children’s Day. This day is for the … [Read More...]