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
Phodi – Grilled Spicy Eggplant – Grilled Spicy Brinjal Recipe
Last weekend I was in Mangalore and enjoyed Podi with my friends. Podi is a crispy and tasty snack, which is very popular in this coastal region. Time Required: 30 Minutes + Soaking … [Read More...]
Jackfruit Seeds Dosa Recipe – Halasina Beejada Dosa Recipe – Dosa Recipe
Jackfruit seeds can be used to make crispy tasty Dosas (crepes). Dosas can be made using the ripe Jackfruit and also with raw Jackfruit. Time required: 30 minutes Ingredients: 25 … [Read More...]
Chili Sauce Recipe – Red Chili Sauce Recipe – Sriracha Recipe
Red Chilies are available during the winters in India. Various varieties can be seen in the market. The heat of Chili Sauce adds the much needed zing to any dish. Ingredients: 1 Cup Raw … [Read More...]
Garlic Bread
Making bread at home is an art. I have not perfected it yet, but my attempts to bake continue... Cuisine: European Time Required: 1 hour Ingredients: 250 gms Maida 1tbsp Butter or … [Read More...]
Eggless Banana Muffins
It is Christmas time and if your mood is set to bake, then these Muffins are the best bet….Merry Christmas! Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 2 ripe Robust Bananas 1 Cup Butter 1 … [Read More...]
Pudina Chutney Paratha
Mint flavored Indian Bread. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Wheat Flour Oil for roasting Salt to taste For the chutney: ½ Cup Pudina / Mint leaves 2 – 3 Green … [Read More...]
Jamun Shikanji – Indian Blackberry Juice – Black Plum Juice – Narale Panaka
Come June - July, the markets are filled with these shiny Black-Purple fruit known as Narale Hannu in Kannada and Jamun in Hindi. Apart from eating with a pinch of salt, the fruit tastes great … [Read More...]
Purple Cabbage and Apple Salad
Red Cabbage and Apple Salad is a delicious and healthy salad. Great for summer. Ingredients: 1 Bowl Purple Cabbage, Sliced thinly 1 Carrot, Peeled and sliced Few Beetroot Leaves or Spinach 1 Apple, … [Read More...]
Travel
Kurinji Andavar Murugan Temple
When I heard about this temple, I wanted to visit as a flower name was associated with the deity. Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple is situated in Kodaikanal on a hillock surrounded by Kurinji flower … [Read More...]
Nimishamba Temple
“Nimisha” means a minute, and the presiding goddess of this temple is believed to grant your wish in a minute. Nimishamba is none other than Goddess Parvathi, consort of Lord Shiva. This … [Read More...]
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...]
Kudremukh Peak
Though we did not trek up to the peak, the drive to the place where the actual trek starts was an awesome journey. Yes, we do plan to trek to the peak sometime soon. The Kudremukh peak is 1892 … [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...]
Iruppu Falls
Another spectacular sight in the Western Ghats is the Iruppu falls. Lakshmanatheertha river originates in the Brahmagiri hills in the Western ghats and falls elegantly at this place from a height of … [Read More...]
Anthropological Museum in Port Blair
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is intriguing place full of adventure and fun. A visit to the Anthropological Museum in Port Blair throws light on the life and times of the tribes of the islands. As … [Read More...]
Festivals
Story of Tripurasura Dahana – End of Tripurasura – Introduction to Baudha Avatara
Demon Taraka had 3 children namely, Tarakaksha, Kamalalochana, and Vidyunmaali. The three together performed deep penance and Brahma pleased with their devotion appeared before them. They … [Read More...]
Naga Rangoli – Snake Floor Design
The Naga rangolis / patterns shown below are drawn on Nagara Chauthi and Nagara Panchami festivals. Click on the image to see a bigger image. Rangoli drawn on Nagara Chauthi: Rangoli … [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...]
Celebration of Hindu New Year in different regions of India
New Year is celebrated all over India in different ways and is also called by different names. Some states follow the solar calendar and some follow the lunar calendar. In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh … [Read More...]
Shravana Shanivara
In Mysore every Saturday during the Hindu month of Shravana, July - August in Gregorian calendar, young boys wearing dhoti with a cotton bag hanging on their shoulders and a prominent naama / tilak on … [Read More...]
Varamahalakshmi Vratha
Sarvamangala Mangalye| Shive Sarvarthaka Sadhike| Sharanye Thriyambake Devi/Laksmi| Narayani Namosthuthe|| The above shloka is in praise of goddess Lakshmi and offering … [Read More...]
ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ – Saraswathi Prarthana
Today is Vasantha Panchami festival celebrated grandly by people of West Bengal. Here is a prarthana/prayer on goddess of education Saraswathi, which was written by my grandfather, M.M.Patil, … [Read More...]
