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
Seemebadanekayi Palya
A side dish prepared using Chayote Squash. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Seemebadanekayi / Chayote Squash / Chow Chow 1tbsp Oil 1tsp Bengal Gram 1tsp Urad Dal 1tsp Mustard … [Read More...]
Sabudana Halwa
A pudding prepared using Sago Pearls. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients: 1 Cup Sabudana / Sago Pearls ¼ Cup Ghee / Clarified Butter 1½ Cups Sugar 1 Cup Milk Powder 4 … [Read More...]
Steamed Modaka – Kuchichida Kadabu – Ukadiche modak
A sweet coconut filled in Rice flour wantons, which are steamed. This is also known as Kuchichida Kadabu (Steamed Kadabu) in Kannada. This is prepared on Ganesh Chathurthi and Bheemana … [Read More...]
Chocolate Burfi
Cook up this chocolate burfi / squares on Valentine’s Day and surprise your valentine. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Sugar 3 tsp Butter 2tsp Cocoa powder 1 Cup Milk … [Read More...]
Beladahannina Sihi – Wood Apple Crush – Bael Fruit Recipe – Beladahannu Recipe
Wood Apple is known as Beladahannu in Kannada. This fruit is used to prepare a refreshing summer drink on Rama Navami festival and the ripe rind is mashed with Jaggery and Cardamom powder and served. … [Read More...]
Nelli Gojju – Gooseberry Sweet and Sour Curry Recipe
Gojju can be prepared using many vegetables like Capsicum, Mango, Bhindi / Okra, Lemon, and this recipe is with star Gooseberries. Everyone would have eaten these small gooseberries dipped in … [Read More...]
Masoor Dal Chutney
Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: ½ Cup Masoor Dal / Red Lentils 6 – 8 Red Chilies 1 tsp Oil 3 – 2” pieces of Tamarind ½ Cup Fresh grated Coconut A Bengal dal size Hing / … [Read More...]
Ker Sangri Pickle
This pickle from Rajasthan is very different from any other pickle you would have tasted. This pickle is prepared using the local berry Ker and bean Sangri. I tasted the pickle in one of the … [Read More...]
Travel
Lalith Mahal Palace, Mysore
Whenever we drove to Chamundi hills, Lalith Mahal palace would never fail to get its share of attention. The palace built on a small hillock near the foothills of Chamundi hill is so beautiful and eye … [Read More...]
Magadi Bird Sanctuary
When I read that a large population of waterfowls migrates to Magadi Lake in Magadi Bird Sanctuary near Kurtakoti, Gadag district, I yearned to visit this place during the migration season. I got the … [Read More...]
Lake Palace, Udaipur
The most striking and beautiful architectural wonder in the world is the Lake Palace situated in Udaipur. Visitors cannot take their eyes of this beautiful pure white palace gleaming in the middle of … [Read More...]
Kukke Subramanya
Kukke Subramanya lies in the midst of rain forests in Sullia taluk of Dakshina Kannada. Kukke Subramanya temple situated here is dedicated to Lord Subramanya and is situated on the banks of … [Read More...]
Seethalayanagiri – Chikmagalur
Seethalayanagiri is situated on the way from Chikmagalur to Mullayanagiri. As you drive up the winding roads of Chandradrona hill on the way to Mullayanagiri in Chikmagalur, the views around is … [Read More...]
Horanadu
Annapoorne sadapoorne shankarapranavallabhe Gyanavairagyasiddhyartham bhiksham dehi cha parvati|| Meaning of the above verse is in praise of Goddess Annapoorneswari and the meaning is 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...]
Festivals
Shri Sathyanarayana Swamy Vratha
Narayana Lakshminaryana Narayana Sathyanarayana The above chorus is from a famous Kannada song Kapadu Sri Sathya Narayana. For lyrics please refer the following link - … [Read More...]
Vasant Panchami
"Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasanaa, Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha … [Read More...]
Guru Nanak Jayanthi
The birthday of Guru Nanak who is the founder of Sikhism is celebrated by Punjabis all over the world. Devotees pay obeisance to their Guru in Gurudwaras. Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 at … [Read More...]
Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya means infinite or never ending. Akshaya Trithiya festival falls on the third day of the Hindu month Vaishakha, April-May in Gregorian calendar. This festival is also known as Akha … [Read More...]
Lakshmi Devotional Song – Arathi Hymn – Varamahalakshmi Festival
This devotional song was sung by my mother's aunt during arathi to Goddess Lakshmi. You can use any tune suitable to sing this song. In Kannada script: ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಸುಕಾಂತೆರಾರತಿ … [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...]
Ayudha Puja
Ayudha Pooja is a celebration during Dasara. On this day the weapons used during war were worshiped in the palace. The common people worship machines, implements and vehicles at home, factories and … [Read More...]
