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

Broccoli and Garlic
Broccoli and Garlic stir fry is easy to make and is packed with nutrition. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Broccoli florets 3 Garlic Cloves 2 Red Chili flakes Few … [Read More...]

Paneer stuffed Capsicums
I cannot resist buying tiny capsicums that floods the market during June in Bangalore. They are perfect to stuff with different ingredients. In this recipe Capsicums are stuffed with crumbled cottage … [Read More...]

Modaka
Modaka is a sweet dish, which is a favorite of Lord Ganesha. This is prepared on festivals or rituals dedicated to Lord Ganesha like Ganesh chathurthi, Sankanshti, Gana Homa/Havan etc. Time … [Read More...]

Vaggarane Avalakki – Poha South Indian Style – Beaten Rice in Seasoning
A dish prepared using Poha/Flattened Rice. Vaggarane Avalakki is extremely tasty and much sought after to be prepared for breakfast. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 40 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]

Guacamole
Guacamole is a Mexican dip/salad prepared using Avocado / Butter Fruit. It is a very healthy and nutritious salad and can be eaten as is or used as a spread on bread or as a dip with Nachos, Potato … [Read More...]

Palak Vada – Palak Medu Vada – Uddina Vada – Medhu Vadai – Ulundu Vadai
Palak Vada is a fritter prepared using Split Black Gram and Spinach. This does not need any accompaniment and can be served hot with Tea. Cuisine: South Indian Time Required: 20 minutes + … [Read More...]

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...]

Double Beans Pulao
Rice cooked with Double Beans and spices. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups Basmati Rice 1 Cup Double Beans 2 – 3 Bay leaves 2 Onions Sliced 2 Green … [Read More...]
Travel

Sooryanarayana Temple, Lakkundi – Suryanarayana temple
Sun plays a vital role in our lives and the whole mankind, animals, plants, and birds thrive because of the sunlight. Hence, Sun is worshipped throughout India. Rathasapthami festival is … [Read More...]

Raja Seat – Coorg
Raja Seat means King’s Seat. It is view point in Coorg, which used to be a favorite place for the royals of Kodagu to hang out and watch the sun setting in the horizon. A small structure is built with … [Read More...]

Sathodi Falls
Sathodi Falls is situated in Uttara Kannada (North Karnataka) district; it is 32 Kms away from Yellapur. In the midst of the rain forests of Western Ghats many unknown water bodies come together near … [Read More...]

Pine forests of Kodaikanal
Pine forests in Kodaikanal is a must visit for people who love trees. Pine trees are not native to South India. The British in South India were missing these trees and they started growing them in … [Read More...]

Aloka Palace, Mysore
I visited Aloka Palace near Yelwal, Mysore as part of my son’s summer camp outing few decades back. I visited again to take pictures and to know more about the place. A bit disappointing as there … [Read More...]

Hogenakkal Waterfalls
Hogenakkal in Kannada means Smoking rocks, but the name that is apt for this place is Yennekal meaning Oily rocks. This place is best avoided by one and all and it is a failure and shame on the … [Read More...]

Kodi Beach
Kodi Beach is a pristine beach and a very long one starting somewhere near Hangaluru to Kodi Bengre Beach. The Bengre Beach is an Estuary where River Suvarna meets the Arabian sea. Kodi in … [Read More...]
Festivals

Habbada Adige – Festival Food Recipes
Festivals are time for a variety of food to be cooked and relished by one and all at home. The Habbada Adige (festive food) is prepared without Onion and Garlic. In Karnataka, the following dishes are … [Read More...]

Banni Tree
The botanical name of this tree is Prosopis spicigera. In Sanskrit it is known as Shami Vruksha. Banni tree is found in dry and arid regions at low altitudes. This tree is widely grown in … [Read More...]

Ganesha Aarathi Song
This is a aarathi song dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Kannada Script: ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳ ಗಣರಾಯ ಜಯ ಜಯ ಚಂದದ ಆರತಿ ತಂದು ಬೆಳಗುವೆ ಸುಂದರ ನಿನ್ನಯ ಚರಣ ಕಮಲಕೆ ವಂದಿಸಿ ಬೇಡುವೆ ಸಿಂದೂರ ವದನ ಬಂದು ಕರುಣಿಸೋ … [Read More...]

Ugadi, Hindu New Year
Ugadi, the name is split into Uga + Adi = Ugadi. Uga means Year and Adi means first in Sanskrit as well as in Kannada. The first day of the year is Ugadi, Hindu New Year. This falls in the Hindu month … [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...]

Ganesh Chathurthi – Ganesha Festival
I have extremely fond memories of Ganesha-Gowri festival. It was one of the grand festivals of the year for the family and for Mysore city itself. Our road would be decorated with serial lights, as … [Read More...]

Dasara Gombe – Doll arrangement – Golu – 2025
Dasara is celebrated in different ways in various regions of our country. The celebration is of goddess Durga and her various avatars. Each day the goddess is decorated in a different way … [Read More...]