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
Godi Akki Ganji – Broken Wheat Gruel
Godi Akki Ganji is prepared using Broken Wheat. This Ganji or Gruel is extremely healthy and coming home food. After eating a variety of high calorie food during a travel, you can … [Read More...]
Tomato Sweet Chutney
A sweet, sour and spicy tomato chutney. This recipe was part of the course conducted by CFTRI, Mysore. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Tomato Puree 1 Cup Sugar 1tbsp Red … [Read More...]
Tomato Thokku
Tomato Thokku is very popular in South India. It is usually very spicy and goes very well when mixed with hot Rice and Ghee. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]
Boodakumbalakayi Sippe Balaka – Ash Pumpkin Skin Fryums
The peels of Ash Pumpkin are sun dried with spices. Boodakumbalakayi Sippe Balaka can be stored can deep fried whenever desired to be relished with Anna / Rice and Saaru / thin … [Read More...]
Kajjaya
A sweet dish prepared using Rice and Jaggery. This sweet has been immortalized by the famous Kannada song “Bisi Bisi Kajjaya, Bisi Bisi Kajjaya maadi koduve naanu…” sung by Annavru Dr. Rajkumar in … [Read More...]
Palak Pakodi Chaat – Spinach Fritters served with spiced yogurt – Chat Recipe
A tangy tasty snack prepared using Palak Pakoda / Spinach Fritters. Cuisine: North India Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 5 Palak Pakoda 2tbsp Boiled Potato diced or boiled … [Read More...]
Mango Juice
Summer is the time when Mangoes are available in abundance. A drink of chilled fresh Mango juice is the right way to beat the heat. Time Required: 5 Minutes + Chilling Time Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]
Kharada Kadelekayi Beeja Masale – Spicy Peanuts with Onions Recipe – Mumphali Masala
The ubiquitous Kharada Kadalkayi Beeja or Congress is mixed with Onions and made into Kharada Kadelekayi Beeja Masale, which is favorite accompaniment with drinks (hic!) Cuisine: Karnataka Time … [Read More...]
Travel
Bannerghatta National Park
Bannerghatta National Park spread over 25,000 acres was established in the year 1974. It is situated 22 km south of Bangalore, Karnataka at an altitude of 1245 to 1634 meters above sea level. If you … [Read More...]
Kanva Reservoir
A check dam was built over the Kanva river in 1946 thus forming the Kanva reservoir. It is 15 kilometres long and covers 776 hectares (1,920 acres). Sir M Vishveshwaraiah was the chief advisor while … [Read More...]
Shravanabelagola
The first time I visited Shravanabelagola was in 1982 on a school trip. It was Mahamasthakabhishekha time and we climbed up the rickety scaffolding up to the head of the monolithic statue of Bahubali … [Read More...]
Temples of Goa
You will be surprised to know that there are some beautiful and ancient temples dedicated to Hindu gods in Goa. Not so surprising either as the residents of Goa before the Portuguese came in were all … [Read More...]
Chandramauleeshwara Temple, Udupi
This ancient temple in Udupi is a must visit for all the devotees who throng this temple town. The temple is small and the presiding deity is Sri Chandramauleeshwara (Lord Shiva). Chandramauleeshwara … [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...]
Chennakesava Temple – Belur
Usually a visit to a temple is to offer prayers and exit. But, there are many ancient temples in India from where you resist exiting and continue to go round in circles admiring the ornate carvings. … [Read More...]
Festivals
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...]
Gowri Aarathi Song
Gowri is the consort of Lord Shiva and during Ganesha-Gowri Festival, songs are sung in glory of her during Arathi. Lyrics in Kannada: ಗೌರಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳವೆನ್ನಿರೆ ಗೌರಿಗೆ| ಜಯ ಭವ ಹರ … [Read More...]
Sampath Shanivara Pooja
The day next to Shravana Shukravara Pooja is Shravana Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja also known as Sampath Shanivara Gowri / Lakshmi Pooja. This pooja / vratha / religious observance is … [Read More...]
Prayer to Parvathi
This prayer was chanted by Chandrahasa to goddess Parvathi/Chamundi/Amba/Gowri. Extracted from the Gemini bharatha. ಚಂದ್ರಹಾಸನ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ - ಜೈಮಿನಿ ಭಾರತ ತಾಯೆ ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ಪರಮ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಿ … [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...]
Ashada Shukravara
Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) pooja / ritual is performed on all the Fridays of the Hindu month of Aashada, July-Aug in Gregorian calendar. This year (2020) Aashada starts on 22nd June and the … [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...]
