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
Chocolate Yoghurt Recipe – Yoghurt Dip Recipe
Chocolate Yoghurt is a wonderful way to start the New Year day. Churn this for your loved ones for breakfast and I am sure you will get the approval nod for everyone in the dining … [Read More...]
Belasi Kosambari – Ponk Salad – Hara Jowar Salad – Green Sorghum Salad
Ponk or Paunk or Belasi is very rare to find in the markets. This are green immature sorghum grains that is used to make certain dishes during winter. I was lucky to get these from Gujarat … [Read More...]
Jalebi – Jilebi Recipe
Jalebi is a sweet dish, which looks like a maze is prepared using flour, deep fried and dipped in sugar syrup. It is also known as Zulbia, Jilapi, Mushabak, and Zalabia. Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]
Methi Muthia – Muthiya Recipe – Wheat Flour and Fenugreek Dumplings
Steamed balls of Fenugreek and Wheat flour mixed with spices. This nutritious dish is from Gujarat. The Muthias can be deep fried and served with Tea. This is added to Undhiyo … [Read More...]
Garam Masala Powder – Indian Spice Powder
Garam Masala Powder is used in most of the North Indian dishes. It gives a sharp flavour and taste. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: ½ Cup Jeera/Cumin Seeds 2tbsp Coriander … [Read More...]
Choco – Vanilla Cake Sundae
Ice Cream with Cake and crunchy nuts makes this a popular Sundae. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 2 scoops Vanilla Ice Cream To Serve : 1 Small Chocolate Cake 2 Choco Sticks A … [Read More...]
Bhajra Jowar Paratha – Sorghum and Black Millet flat Bread – Bajri Bhakri Recipe
Bhajra Jowar Paratha is prepared by mixing Sorghum flour and Black Millet flour with chopped Spring Onions, Ginger and Chilies. Time Required: 25 Minutes Makes: 8 Parathas Ingredients 1 Cup … [Read More...]
Sajjappa – Coconut and Jaggery stuffed sweet dish
This sweet dish is from the kitchens of South Karnataka. Sajjappa is prepared during festivals. Time Required: 1 Hour Ingredients: Oil for deep frying For the outer layer: 1 Cup … [Read More...]
Travel
Vijaynagar Beach, Havelock Island
Vijaynagar Beach is Beach No. 5 on the east coast of Havelock Island. A calm and quiet beach, it attracts people who want to get away from the maddening crowd. It is a white sand beach with … [Read More...]
Bandipur Wild Life Sanctuary
Picture1 - Bandipur Another favorite getaway of ours is Bandipur. I have lost count the number of times we have visited this place. Between the Western Ghats and Niligiri Mountains lies … [Read More...]
Raja Seat – Coorg
Raja Seat means King’s Seat. It is view point in Coorg, which used to be a favorite place for the royals of Kodagu to hang out and watch the sun setting in the horizon. A small structure is built with … [Read More...]
Kalahalli Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple
The ancient Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple built by the Hoysala king Veera Ballala III was undiscovered and unprotected until a few years back. It must be either a divine intervention or that we Indians have … [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...]
Kalasa
Kalasa is a holy temple-town located in Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka. Kalasa is home to the Kalaseshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kalasa is 92 Kilometres South-west of Chickmagalur and … [Read More...]
Birds of Maravanthe Coast
A trip to Maravanthe, coastal Karnataka was full of surprises. We went on a boat trip to an island that was submerged during the monsoons with great anticipation to spot Dolphins. We spotted only … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026 Mouna Gowri Vratha - 21 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 Vasanth Panchami - 23 January 2026 Rathasapthami - 25 January … [Read More...]
Ashada Shukravara
Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) pooja / ritual is performed on all the Fridays of the Hindu month of Aashada, July-Aug in Gregorian calendar. This year (2020) Aashada starts on 22nd June and the … [Read More...]
Traditional Dolls Arrangement
Here are some Dolls that are handed over from generations to generations for arranging during Dasara. Traditional Dolls Arrangement includes Dolls in a marriage party complete with the bride / groom … [Read More...]
Budha Brihaspathi Vratha
Budha Brihaspathi Vratha is observed on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the Hindu month of Shravana, August-September in the Gregorian Calendar. Once Budha and Brihaspathi (Budha is planet Mercury … [Read More...]
Vata Savitri Vrata
Vata Savitri Vrata / ritual is observed by married women on Hunnime / Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, May – June in Gregorian calendar. This year (2016) it falls on 18th … [Read More...]
ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು – Aarathi Song
During Dasara, Saraswathi is worshiped and on this day few people choose to arrange the dolls. For the festival date click here. The below song dedicated to Goddess Sarawathi is written by my … [Read More...]
