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

Balehannina Payasa Recipe – Banana Payasa Recipe – Plantain Pudding Recipe
Tomorrow is Hindu New Year - Ugadi. This festival is celebrated by worshiping god and eating Neem flowers mixed with Jaggery signifying the bitter-sweet experiences of life. Festival food … [Read More...]

Curd Idli
Rice cakes with sweetened yoghurt. Great to have during summer and when recovering from tummy upset. Time Required: 5 Minutes + Idli preparation time Ingredients: 2 Rice Idlis 1 Cup Curds … [Read More...]

Dal Palak – Spinach and Lentils Curry Recipe
A curry prepared using lentils and spinach. This recipe is from North India. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Thogaribele / Tur Dal / Red Gram Split 1 bunch Palak / … [Read More...]

Doddapatre Bonda – Cuban Oregano Fritters Recipe – Patharchur Pakora Recipe
Doddapatre Bonda are fritters prepared using Spanish-Mexican Thyme leaves. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 10 – 15 leaves Doddapatre / Spanish-Mexican Thyme … [Read More...]

Beladahannina Panaka – Wood Apple Juice Recipe – Bael ki Sherbat
Beladahannina Panaka is a juice prepared using Wood Apple. This is prepared on Rama Navami and distributed to the devotees. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Ripe Beladahannu / … [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...]

Mango Banana Smoothie Bowl
Mango Banana Smoothie Bowl is summerly delicious and a fantastic way to start the day. Time required: 10 minutes Ingredients: 2 Mangoes, sliced 2 Bananas, sliced 2 tbsp Sugar … [Read More...]

Tomato Ketchup
Tomato ketchup is loved by one and all as a favorite accompaniment to a variety of dishes. Though ketchup is widely available in stores and preparing it is a tad tedious, I have prepared to … [Read More...]
Travel

Vintage car museum, Udaipur
The Maharanas of Udaipur were connoisseurs of cars. These vintage beauties on wheels like Cadillac, Chevrolet, Morris, Rolls Royce, and so on are displayed within the grounds of the Garden Hotel in … [Read More...]

Kunti Betta
Kunti Betta / hill was the destination for a cycling and rock climbing expedition during my college days. With non gear cycles like BSA-SLR, Hero, Nataraj etc., loads of determination, and … [Read More...]

Mavinakere
I had a strong desire to visit our family deity Sri Ranganatha Swamy also known as Mavinakere Ranga in Mavinakere and I could fulfill this desire last year. I had heard that we have to trek on a … [Read More...]

Malpe Beach, Udupi
Six Kilometers from the temple town of Udupi lies a quaint village, Kodavoor Grama with a beautiful sandy beach known as Malpe Beach. People throng the beach in the evening to enjoy the … [Read More...]

Belur
Belur – the historical town is situated on the banks of River Yagachi in Hassan District of Karnataka. Belur was known as Velapuri. The Hoysala dynasty ruled over the Deccan and parts of Tamil Nadu … [Read More...]

Birds of Markonahalli Dam
Marconahalli Dam is built across Shimsha River by Sir M Visweswraiah and Ganesh Iyer in 1938-40 incurring a cost of 29 Lakhs. It is a picturesque place with abundant flora and birds. We spotted … [Read More...]

Kemmanagundi
Kemmanagundi was the chosen summer retreat of Maharajah Krishnaraja Wodeyar VI and hence it is still known as K.R.Hills. The place with its beautiful lush green hills, shola forests, waterfalls and … [Read More...]
Festivals

Lakshmi Aarathi Song – Devotional Song
Here is a devotional song sung while doing Aarathi to Goddess Lakshmi. May Goddess Lakshmi bless you with health and prosperity. ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳಾರತಿ ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ರಂಗನಾರ್ಧಾ೦ಗಿಯಳೇ … [Read More...]

Gombe Habba – Forest Arrangement
During Dasara, many households had the ritual of arranging dolls in the house for 9 days in Mysore region. This would bring out a lot of creativeness among the people. The … [Read More...]

Aarathi
Items Required: Camphor or Cotton Wicks soaked in Ghee Aarathi Plate Flower Petals and Manthrakshathe (Rice smeared with Ghee and Kumkum or Ghee and Turmeric Powder) Definition: Aarathi is a … [Read More...]

Song on Lord Panduranga
This song is in praise of Lord Panduranga of Pandharpur. Panduranga appeared in Pandharpur to bless his devotee, Pundalik, who was busy serving his parents when the Lord arrived, … [Read More...]

Gowri Aarathi Song
ಗೌರಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳ ಜಯ ಗಿರಿಜಾತೆ ಮಾತೆ ।।ಪ|| ಪರಮಾಯುಧ ಕರ ದುರುಳ ಸುರಾರೆ । ಪರಮ ತೇಜ ಮೃಗರಾಜ ವಿಹಾರೆ ।।೧।। ರತ್ನ ಮುಕುಟ ಮಣಿ ಹಾರ ಕುಂಡಲ ಶೋಭೆ | ರವಿಕೋಟಿ ತೇಜ ವಿರಾಜ ಮುಖಿಯೇ ।।೨।। ಜಗದಾಧಾರೆ ಜಗದಾದಿ … [Read More...]

Phala Gowri Vratha – Molake Gowri Vratha – Gowri Festival
Phala Gowri Vratha (observance) also known as Molake Gowri (Sprout Gowri) falls on the Sharvana Amavasya day in the Hindu month of Shravana. August – September according to Gregorian calendar. For the … [Read More...]

Nariyal Poornima
The fisherman of Daman and Kolis of Coastal Maharashtra look forward to celebrate Nariyal Poornima festival as it signifies retreating monsoon and the commencement of their fishing activity. Nariyal … [Read More...]