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
Kadalepuri Vaggarane – Puffed Rice Masala
“Kharad kadlekayi beeja bisi puri / spicy groundnuts mixed with hot puffed rice” - long ago an old man used to yell this tag line after every 5 minutes as he walked on the roads of Mysore after 6:00 … [Read More...]
Alu Methi Palak – Aloo Methi Palak Recipe – Potato Fenugreek Spinach Recipe
I learnt to make this dish from my Mami/Aunt, who is a wonderful cook. This North Indian side dish goes very well with all types of Indian Bread and is prepared using Potatoes, Fenugreek and … [Read More...]
Rajma Curry
A curry prepared using Kidney beans. This is very popular in Punjab and is served with plain Rice/Chawal. Time Required: 25 Minutes + Soaking Time Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Rajma / … [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...]
Cheese Straw
Cheese Straw is great to serve with tea in the evening. This can be part of a picnic basket and great to munch as you drive. Time required: 1 Hour Cookie method: Bread Crumbs … [Read More...]
Fenugreek Salad
Fenugreek Salad is prepared tossing Fenugreek leaves along with Cucumber and Onions. Cuisine: North Karnataka Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 3 Cups Fenugreek Leaves 1 … [Read More...]
Coconut Rice
This is also known as Thuppada anna / Ghee Rice, which is very popular in Karnataka. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Cups Cooked Rice 1 sprig Curry leaves, Chopped finely 5 - 6 … [Read More...]
Kesar Pedha Recipe – Kesar Peda Recipe – Saffron Milk Burfi Recipe – Milk Pedha Recipe
The best Kesar Pedha in Mysore was available at Indra Sweets. My dad used to get it home for all occasions. Making this Pedha (sweet) is very easy. This can be a wonderful treat to Lord Krishna … [Read More...]
Travel
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...]
Gyudmed Monastic School, Gurupura
Gyudmed Monastic School is situated in Gurupura near Hunsur, Karnataka. It is a center for study of tantra established in 1972. The founder of Gyudmed monastery was Lama Je Sherab Senge in … [Read More...]
Nanneshwara Temple, Lakkundi
The Nannesvara temple is located to the west of Kasivisvesvara temple in Lakkundi. This 11th century Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Adam Hardy, architecture scholar and … [Read More...]
St. Philomena’s Church
As you drive into Mysore from Bangalore, the first landmark of Mysore that is visible is the Chamundi hills and the next is the spires of St. Philomena’s Church. This remarkable church was … [Read More...]
Brahmeshvara Temple, Kikkeri
Kikkeri is a small town in Krishnarajapete (K.R.Pete), Mandya district of Karnataka state, India. The Brahmeshvara Temple in Kikkeri was completed in 1171 AD by Bammave Nayakiti during the … [Read More...]
Karighatta
Picture1 - Karighatta view from Nimishamba “Kari” in Kannada means black and “Ghatta” means hill. Karighatta is a hill 20Kms from Mysore just after Srirangapatna on the right side of the highway … [Read More...]
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
The magnificent fort of Mehrangarh rises in the desert and brings alive your imagination of forts from fairy tales. It looks like the sun is eager to beam its rays on the Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur … [Read More...]
Festivals
Guru Nanak Jayanthi
The birthday of Guru Nanak who is the founder of Sikhism is celebrated by Punjabis all over the world. Devotees pay obeisance to their Guru in Gurudwaras. Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 at … [Read More...]
Swarna Gowri Vratha – Gowri Habba – Gowri Festival
Swarna Gowri Vratha/Pooja is celebrated by girls and women in Karnataka and Andhara Pradesh. Goddess Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha. This festival falls in the hindu month of Bhadrapada, August - … [Read More...]
Lord Ganesha Arathi Song
Tomorrow is Ganesh Chathurthi. Wish you all a very happy festival. My mother has written the below arathi song praising Lord Ganesha. This is in Kannada script. ಗಣೇಶನಿಗೆ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಆರುತಿ … [Read More...]
Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya means infinite or never ending. Akshaya Trithiya festival falls on the third day of the Hindu month Vaishakha, April-May in Gregorian calendar. This festival is also known as Akha … [Read More...]
Lakshmi Devotional Song – Arathi Hymn – Varamahalakshmi Festival
This devotional song was sung by my mother's aunt during arathi to Goddess Lakshmi. You can use any tune suitable to sing this song. In Kannada script: ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಸುಕಾಂತೆರಾರತಿ … [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...]
Rakhsha Bandhan
Rakhsha Bandhan festival is a celebration of the brother-sister bonding, celebrated mainly in North India. It falls on Poornima / full moon day in the Hindu moth of Shravana. August - September … [Read More...]
