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

South Indian Vegetable Pulao
South Indian Vegetable Pulao is a rice cooked with spices and vegetables. This recipe calls for adding freshly grated coconut into the masala paste. Flavored rice with vegetables and … [Read More...]

Longan Smoothie Recipe – Thai Lychee Smoothie Recipe – Longan Fruit Juice Recipe
Longan Smoothie is a delicious drink prepared using creamy coconut milk and Longan fruit. If you use Coconut water, then it is a delicious Longan juice. Time required: 10 … [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...]

Masala Thepla – Indian Flat Bread – Methi Chapathi – Methi Roti Recipe
Masala Thepla is a type of bread prepared in Gujarat. This has a long shelf life and is very suitable to carry while travelling. Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]

Palak Chutney – Spinach Chutney Recipe
Palak Chutney is prepared using Spinach. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 bunch Palak/Spinach 2tsp Urad Dal/Split Black Gram 3tsp Coconut 5 - 6 Green Chilies 2" piece … [Read More...]

Red Pepper Soup
Charred Red Pepper is pureed along with Tomatoes to churn a delicious soup. Perfect for a rainy and cold evening. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 Red Pepper 4 … [Read More...]

Vaggarane Anna – Onion Tomato Rice
Vaggarane Anna is cooked rice tossed in a seasoning with Onions and Tomatoes. Anytime there would be leftover rice from the previous day would become Vaggarane anna the next day for breakfast! … [Read More...]

Belasi Kosambari – Ponk Salad – Hara Jowar Salad – Green Sorghum Salad
Ponk or Paunk or Belasi is very rare to find in the markets. This are green immature sorghum grains that is used to make certain dishes during winter. I was lucky to get these from Gujarat … [Read More...]
Travel

Madhuvana Mysore Royal Cemetery – Mysuru
Today is Mahalaya Amavasya and hence this post on Mysuru Royal Cemetery. Madhuvana Mysuru Royal Cemetery also known as Khasa Brindavana is where the royal members of the erstwhile Mysuru kingdom are … [Read More...]

Maravanthe Beach
On our Karnataka coastal temple trip, my husband insisted on driving up to the Maravanthe beach. The drive was spectacular with the Arabian Sea lashing on one side of the road and the Saurpanika River … [Read More...]

Statues of Postman Basappa and Commandant Bhujangarao Jagadale
Mysore has endless memories of long drives around the heritage city lined with huge old flowering trees and historical buildings dotted with lakes and the stoic Chamundi Hill. We would never miss to … [Read More...]

Birds of Masinagudi
Masinagudi hills have always fascinated me. We have passed the tiny town many times on our way to Ooty and many a time have driven there for a day outing to look at the majestic hills, flora, … [Read More...]

City Palace Udaipur
Pichola Lake must be the only lake in India which can boast of hosting the maximum number of magnificent palaces on it. On the east bank of the lake is the City Palace Udaipur built by Maharana … [Read More...]

Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary
Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary is part of Sharavathi River Valley and was declared protected in 1972. It is the best place to spot many species of exotic birds and butterflies along with mammals and … [Read More...]

Chamundi Hills – Mysore
As you near Mysore city, the first thing that you notice is Chamundi hills standing protectively over the city spread on its foothills. Every Mysorean is fond of this hill and they might have visited … [Read More...]
Festivals

Aanai Pandige – Aane Habba – Karthika Deepotsava
Aanai Pandige Karthikai also known as Karthika Deepotsava, Aane / Elephant Habba is an important festival of Iyengars (Vishishtha Advaitha sect) of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is … [Read More...]

Song on Lord Panduranga
This song is in praise of Lord Panduranga of Pandharpur. Panduranga appeared in Pandharpur to bless his devotee, Pundalik, who was busy serving his parents when the Lord arrived, … [Read More...]

Nariyal Poornima
The fisherman of Daman and Kolis of Coastal Maharashtra look forward to celebrate Nariyal Poornima festival as it signifies retreating monsoon and the commencement of their fishing activity. Nariyal … [Read More...]

Dasara Procession and Torch Light Parade during the reign of the Wodeyars
Picture1 - Illuminated Mysore Palace Mysore Dasara procession during the Maharajah’s rule used to be on a larger scale and grander. My grandparents and parents generation go on and on … [Read More...]

Independence day memories
My mother remembers and shares her memories on the days before Indian Independence and the joy felt on 15th August 1947. Place: Kurtakoti Script: Kannada ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ ದಿನ ಈ ದಿನ ೭೪ನೆೇಯ (74th) … [Read More...]

Galipata Habba – Indian Kite Festival – Festival of Kites
Gone are the days when we used to see people flying colorful and different shape Galipata/Kites. The Kite wars and making our own customized Kites was great fun. To balance the kite a long … [Read More...]

Tulasi Aarathi Haadu
Aarathi song dedicated to Tulasi devi. In Kannada Script: ತುಳಸಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಶ್ರೀ ತುಳಸಿ ಜಯ ದೇವಪೂಜಿತೆ |ಪ| ಅತುಲ ಸುಗುಣಾ ಕರುಣಾಮಯ ಮಾತೆ || ಅತಿ ಕೋಮಲ ಪಲ್ಲವ ದಳ ಭರಿತೆ ಶ್ರುತ ಭಾವಿಕ ಜನ ವೃಂದ … [Read More...]