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

Maida Chakkali – Chakkali with refined flour
Maida Chakkali savory is prepared using refined flour. Children love Chakkali and usually put it on their finger and pretend that it is the Sudarshana chakra. This also shows how Mahabharatha … [Read More...]

Cabbage Paratha – Cabbage Flat Bread Recipe – Gobi Paratha Recipe
Cabbage Paratha is an Indian bread stuffed with cabbage. A favorite among North Indians. This is also the best way to make children eat vegetables. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]

Bandale Dose
Bandale in Kannada means a round bottomed wok/pan. The Dosa/pancake is prepared in these types of pans and hence the name. It is also called as "Dodna" by South Canara residents. I knew … [Read More...]

Sweet Pumpkin Raitha – Pumpkin in Yogurt Sauce – Kaddu Raitha Recipe
Kumbalakayi Raitha or Sweet Pumpkin Raitha is a favorite in our house. The sweet vegetable when mixed with the Yogurt sauce with a crunchy Black Gram seasoning is a dish we eat with Vegetable … [Read More...]

Samosa
Samosas are a deep fried conical shaped pastry stuffed with Potatoes and spices. It is the most popular snack in India. Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: Oil for deep frying For the … [Read More...]

Bombay Sandwich Chutney – Mumbai Sandwich Chutney
The famous Bombay Sandwich, the ubiquitous street food of Bombay gets its taste from the chutney used. The chutney is spicy, tangy, and creamy. Cuisine: Bombay Time required: 5 … [Read More...]

Hesarakalu and Sabsige Palya – Green Gram and Dill Recipe
Hesarakalu and Sabsige Palya is prepared using whole Green Gram and Dill. This makes for an interesting side dish to go along with the Indian Bread. Cuisine: North Karnataka Time required: 15 … [Read More...]

Sabudana Khichdi – Sago Polenta Recipe – Sabakki Khichadi Recipe
Sabudana Khichdi is a dish prepared using Sago pearls. This is usually prepared on days of vratas / religious observance and festivals like Shivarathri, Ekadashi, Nagarachauthi etc. Cuisine: North … [Read More...]
Travel

Chunchanakatte Falls – Chunchankatte Waterfalls
Cauvery flows into Chunchanakatte falls roaring thunderously forming a 60 feet height and approximately 300 to 400 feet wide waterfalls. This place is situated 57 Kms from Mysore in Krishna Raja … [Read More...]

Talakadu – Part I
Picture1 - Talakadu Sand Dunes Talakadu is situated 50 Kms from Mysore and was under the rule of Western Gangas, Tamil Cholas in the 11th and 12th centuries, Hoysalas in the 12th century, … [Read More...]

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Sri Ranganatha is the presiding deity of the ancient temple at Srirangapattana. Picture1 - Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary Islands “Thittu” means a small mount / rise. Ranganathittu means … [Read More...]

Janapada Loka, Ramanagaram
Janapada Loka is the result of the single minded dedication of Sri H.L.Nage Gowda to protect and promote folk art and culture of Karnataka. He was a retired bureaucrat and folklorist. Janapada Loka … [Read More...]

Sri Siddhivinayaka Temple – Hattiangadi
Sri Siddhivinayaka Temple – Hattiangadi attracts thousands of visitors around the year from all parts of the world. Hattiangadi is a village in Udupi district and was the capital of Alupa Kings. The … [Read More...]

Ooty
Whether you call this place Ooty, Ootacamund, Udhagai or Udaghamandalam the title best suited for this place is “Queen of hill stations”, which is the capital of Nilgiris district. Picture1 - … [Read More...]

Forts of Goa
Most of the forts built in Goa are high up on the hills and offer a grand view of the Arabian Sea. The forts of Goa are dotted from Tiracol Fort, which is at the northernmost tip of Goa to Cabo da … [Read More...]
Festivals

Mysore Dasara Procession in Black and White
Wish you all a very happy Dasara! This Dasara procession photograph was part of my grandfather's collection. The photograph was probably taken between 1930 - 1935. … [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...]

Hanuman Arathi Song – Hanumanthana Aarathi Haadu – Devotional Song
Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated in April in North India and in December in South India. North or South a song is always sung during the Arathi. This song in praise of Lord Hanuman is written by … [Read More...]

Mahalakshmi Ashtakam – Lakshmi Sthotra – Prayer to Goddess Lakshmi
Wish you all a very happy Dasara. Today is the first day of Dasara known as Padya. The nine days during this festival is dedicated to the shakthi devathes (divine power). Here is a prayer to goddess … [Read More...]

Deepavali – Diwali
Deepavali (“avali” means rows and “deepa” means lamp) or Diwali is a festival of lights much loved by one and all. It is the time for sweets, savories, family get-together, new clothes, crackers and … [Read More...]

Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha
Vaikunta Chathurdashi Vratha is a religious practice that people vow to perform in the Hindu month of Karthika, which is October – November in the Gregorian calendar. It is performed for 14 years and … [Read More...]

Valentine’s Day
Congratulations and Celebrations When I tell everyone that you're in love with me Congratulations and Jubilations I want the world to know I'm happy as can be…. This popular love song is written … [Read More...]