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

Rasavangi – Heerekayi Rasa Palya Recipe – Ridge Gourd Gravy Recipe – Torai Subzi Recipe
A side dish prepared using either Vangi / Brinjal or Ridge Gourd. If Ridge Gourd is used it can be called as Rasaheerekayi! The gravy can be made either thick or thin with Coconut and … [Read More...]

Masaledar Alu Paratha – Aloo Paratha Recipe – Potato stuffed flat bread Recipe
Indian bread stuffed with Potatoes and spices. I learnt to make Masaledar Alu Paratha from my Mami / Aunt who passed away two weeks back. This post is dedicated to her memory and her culinary … [Read More...]

Ginger Burfi – Ginger Candy
A very simple to make burfi, having a small piece of Ginger Burfi everyday is good for keeping the tummy cool and acidity free! Cuisine: North Karnataka Time required: 20 … [Read More...]

Capsicum Gojju – Capsicum in sweet and sour gravy
Capsicum Gojju is a sweet and spicy side dish prepared using Bell Peppers. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Capsicum, cut into roundels 1 Green Chili, Slit 1 Lemon … [Read More...]

Vegetable Medley
Vegetables tossed in herbs and tomato puree. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Green Capsicum 1 Red Pepper 1 Yellow Pepper 1 Zucchini 1 Onion Few Italian Basil leaves 1/4 tsp … [Read More...]

Palak and Methi Soup
Palak and Methi Soup is prepared using Spinach and Fenugreek leaves Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 Bunches Spinach 1 small bunch Fenugreek leaves 1 Onions, Chopped … [Read More...]

Glazed Nendrabale – Glazed Banana Recipe – Pazham nurukku – Nendrapazham sharkara ittadu
This dish is very simple to make. It is prepared using Kerala Banana, Clarified Butter and Sugar. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Ripe Nendrabale / Kerala Banana 4 tbsp … [Read More...]

Potato Wedges
Everyone loves potatoes fried in Oil and this is another favorite tossed in aromatic herbs. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Potatoes Oil for deep-frying 1tbsp Wheat Flour 2tbsp … [Read More...]
Travel

Stone House Ooty
Stone house Ooty also known as Kal Bangala by the tribals (Thodas) is the first bungalow built using stones/kal in Ooty. Stone House Ooty was built by John Sullivan in 1822. He acquired the land from … [Read More...]

Birds spotted in KR Nagar, Chunchanakatte and Hosa Agrahara – Krishna Raja Nagara
KR Nagar also known as Yedathore is situated 57 Km from Mysore. The ancient Arakeshwara temple is situated in KR Nagar. The small yet beautiful Chunchanakatte waterfalls is very near to … [Read More...]

Pushkar
I had great expectations from one of the oldest cities of India – Pushkar, but was a wee bit disappointed as the holy Pushkar lake, which is the highlight of this pilgrimage center was almost … [Read More...]

Kodaikanal
Situated in the upper Palani hills at an elevation of 2,133 m (6,998 ft), Kodaikanal is a popular hill station in South India. The meaning of the name Kodaikanal is very apt “The gift of the forest” … [Read More...]

Sringeri
Sringeri situated on the banks of the River Tunga was the chosen place by Sri Adi Shankaracharya to set up the first matha (monastery) in the 8th Century. Sringeri is located amidst the Sahyadri … [Read More...]

Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy Temple, Bangalore – Bengaluru
The Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy Temple is situated on a small hillock in Vasanthapura layout in Bangalore city. This temple is 1,000 years old is dedicated to lord Srinivasa / Balaji / Vishnu and was … [Read More...]

Maharana Pratap Singh Memorial – Udaipur
The Maharana Pratap singh memorial is located on top of Moti Magri / Pearl Hill in Udaipur, Rajasthan. This memorial was set up by Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar who took the help of a public … [Read More...]
Festivals

Visarjana Manthra
The following manthra is chanted while performing the visarjana / send off to god. In Kannada Script: ವಿಸರ್ಜನಾ ಕ್ರಮ ಯಜ್ಞೇನ ಯಗ್ನಮಯಜಂತ ದೇವಾಃ | ತಾನಿ ಧರ್ಮಾಣಿ ಪ್ರಥಮಾನ್ಯಾಸನ್ || ತೇಹ ನಾಕಂ … [Read More...]

Paryaya of Sri Krishna Matha (Krishna Temple) of Udupi
Paryaya is a ritualistic system by which the pontiffs of the eight muttts of Udupi, by turn, take up the responsibility of worshipping the deity at the Sri Krishna temple. The ceremony of the handing … [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...]

Significance of Diwali festival in different religions
Jainism Diwali is celebrated by Jains with devotion, on this day Lord Mahavira the 24th Thirthankara achieved Nirvana on Amavasya of Ashvina masa in 527 B.C. The Lord left the body and achieved … [Read More...]

Krishna Janmashtami – Gokulashtami – Birth of Lord Krishna
"Yathra Yogeeshwara Krishno | Yathra Partho Dhanurdharaha | Thathra Shree Vijayo Bhuthir | Dhruvaneethirmimathirmama ||" The meaning of the above extract from the Gita is “wherever Krishna … [Read More...]

Teej Festival
Teej festival is celebrated in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, and Nepal. This festival is commemorating the day when Goddess Parvathi reunited with Lord Shiva after 108 births. In her 108th birth, Lord … [Read More...]

Glory of Lord Mailaralinga – Mailaralinga Mahatme Haadu – Khandoba Mahima Geet
The glory of Lord Mailaralinga's song in Kannada has been sung by my mother's immediate and extended family for decades. This song was taught by a relative called Sri Shankar who lived with my … [Read More...]