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
Papitha Sabzi – Papitha Subzi Recipe – Raw Papaya Side Dish
A side dish prepared using Raw Papaya. This is a very common dish prepared in the kitchens of Orissa and Bihar. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 medium sized Raw … [Read More...]
Alugadde Rasa Palya – Potato Gravy – Alu Subzi – Aloo Bhaji
A side dish with gravy prepared using Potatoes. This side dish is very popular in South Karnataka. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Potatoes, Peeled and Chopped finely 1 tsp Chili … [Read More...]
Ishtew – Vegetables in Coconut Milk
Ishtew is a mixed vegetable stew from the state of Kerala. Vegetables are simmered in coconut milk and this is served with a crepe/pancake called Appam. Cuisine: Kerala Time … [Read More...]
Menthya Batani Bhath – Fenugreek Leaves Peas Rice Recipe – Methi Mutter Rice Recipe
Rice dish prepared using Fenugreek leaves and Peas. Prepared in Karnataka during festivals and auspicious ceremonies. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 6 Cups Cooked … [Read More...]
Stuffed Red Chili Pickle
This pickle from Uttar Pradesh looks hot but tastes cool. Time Required: 30 Minutes + Maturing time Ingredients: 20 large Red Chilies 2 Cups Mustard Oil or Sunflower Oil For the … [Read More...]
Hasi Bisi Mavinakayi Uppinakayi
Hasi in Kannada means raw and Bisi means hot/warm. Hasi Bisi Mavinakayi Uppinakayi is a pickle is prepared using raw and roasted spices. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Diced … [Read More...]
Carrot Palya – Carrot Onion Stir Fry Recipe – Carrot Toran Recipe – Carrot Poriyal Recipe
Carrot Palya is a side dish from Karnataka. Very easy to make and the dish is rich in nutrition. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 3 Carrots 1 Onion (on a festival day, you … [Read More...]
Kayi Sasve Chitranna – Udupi Chitranna Recipe – Sarson Bath Recipe – Coconut Rice Recipe
Kayi Sasve Chitranna is rice prepared using Coconut and Mustard Seeds. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 6 Cups Cooked Rice 1 Cup Fresh Coconut, Grated 5 Green … [Read More...]
Travel
Sultan Battery, Kerala
Gananaptivattam was a small town in Wayanad district ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe and Pazhassi Raja of Kottayam-Kurumbanad Royal Dynasty of Kannur. Hyder Ali captured Wayanad and his son Tipu … [Read More...]
Lingambudhi Lake, Mysore
Another interesting water body in Mysore is the Lingambudhi Lake. This when compared with the other two lakes Kukkarahalli and Karanji Kere is not maintained and left to the wild. A pillared … [Read More...]
Shimoga
Shimoga now known as Shivamogga and its beautiful Malanad (male nadu means land of the hills) region is vividly captured in writer Kuvempu’s Novel Kanooru Subbamma Heggadithi. Also, known as … [Read More...]
Shopping and eating out in Andaman and Nicobar
When we planned for the Andaman and Nicobar islands trip, I knew very little about what food is available for tourists and was very apprehensive. But all my fears were put to rest when I landed on … [Read More...]
Catigao Wildlife Sanctuary
Picture1 - On the way to Catigao Established in 1969, Catigao Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Canacona Taluk, South east of Goa. It is on NH – 17 bordering Goa – Karnataka border. The sanctuary … [Read More...]
Sangam at Koodli – Kudli – Kudali
Koodli is a quaint village with rich history situated in Shimoga district of Karnataka. The two major rivers Tunga and Bhadra meet at this point and flow forward as Tungabhadra River. … [Read More...]
Doddabetta Peak, Ooty
“Dodda” means big and “Betta” means hill in Kannada language spoken by the Badaga tribe of Ooty. Doddabetta is situated 10 Km from Ooty at 2,623 meters above sea level and it is the highest peak in … [Read More...]
Festivals
Mysore Dasara Flower Show
Mysoreans love gardening and every house will have at least a Tulasi and Money plant growing in a pot. To encourage this wonderful hobby, a flower show on a grand scale is held by the … [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...]
Surya Stotra
Today is Rathasapthami and here is a beautiful stotra / hymn in praise of the sun written by Lakshmisha in Jaimini Mahabharatha. Kannada script: ಸೂರ್ಯ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರ ಮಿತ್ರಾಯ ಸೂರ್ಯಾಯ ಹಂಸಾಯ … [Read More...]
Celebration of Makara Sankranthi in different regions of India
Makara Sankranthi is celebrated in various styles in different regions of India. Andhra Pradesh In Andhra Pradesh this festival is called as “Pedda Panduga” meaning “big festival”. It is … [Read More...]
Happy Vijayadashami – Veeragase Folk Dance of Karnataka – Guggla
Veeragase is a folk dance of Karnataka where the participants wear grand makeup, headgear, and costumes and dance to folk music composed on Hindu mythology. The dance movements are intense with … [Read More...]
Vijayothsava – Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni – Kannada Version
Story of King Raghu (of Raghuvamsha) written by my mother in Kannada script. This story appears in the Ramayana and my mother has written in simple words for easy understanding. Click here for … [Read More...]
Happy Durgashtami 2024 – Durga Pooja – Dasara Durga Pooja
Ashtami during Dasara was exciting, because Ambode/dal vada/Lentil fritters were offered to Goddess Durga but eaten and savored by us! Dal is full of Shakti and hence might have been offered to … [Read More...]
