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

Stuffed Green Chili Pickle
Green Chili Pickle is served with Roti or Paratha in North India. I remember my friend in college who was from Agra used get to plain Paratha roasted in Oil, Sookha Aloo Sabzi and one single big Chili … [Read More...]

Tofu Salad
Bean curd Salad is a complete healthy meal. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: A slab of Tofu, cut into cubes Few tender Spinach leaves Few Spring Onions, Chopped finely 1 Yellow … [Read More...]

Kayi Kadabu – Coconut Gujiya – Karanji recipe
A deep fried sweet with coconut stuffing. This is prepared during festivals and offered to god. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Wheat Flour or Chiroti Rawa (fine Semolina) 4 … [Read More...]

Avarekayi Masala Vada – Flat Beans Fritters
Avarekayi Masala Vada are fritters prepared using winter/flat beans. A tasty snack on a winter evening with a cup of masala tea. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups fresh … [Read More...]

Alugadde Patchadi – Alu Raitha Recipe – Aloo Raitha Recipe – Potato in Yogurt
A dish using Potatoes and Yoghurt prepared in South Indian style. Alugadde Patchadi is also called as Alu Raitha in North India and is prepared with a slight variation. This dish is also … [Read More...]

Alasandekayi Masala – Cowpeas Beans Side Dish Recipe – Lobiya kee Phaliyaan Subzi
Alasandekayi Masala is a side dish prepared using Cowpeas Beans. Cuisine: Indian Time required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Bowl, Chopped Alasandekayi / Yard long beans 1 Tomato, Chopped … [Read More...]

Sihi Kootu – Sweet Vegetable Curry – Sweet Sambar
Sihi means sweet in Kannada. Sihi Kootu is a sweet curry served with plain Rice. We were served this Kootu in Kalasa, Chikkamagalur district in one of our friend’s house. Cuisine: South … [Read More...]

Beans Neeru Palya
This is a side dish with gravy prepared using String beans. Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 20 String Beans ¼ Cup Grated Fresh Coconut 1 tsp Jeera / Cumin Seeds 3 Peppercorns 3 … [Read More...]
Travel

Muthyala Maduvu or Pearl Valley
This is a waterfall 40 Kms away from Bangalore. Since the water droplets falling from the rocks shine like pearls, the waterfalls came to be known as Muthyala Maduvu or Pearl Valley. Drive … [Read More...]

Malpe Beach, Udupi
Six Kilometers from the temple town of Udupi lies a quaint village, Kodavoor Grama with a beautiful sandy beach known as Malpe Beach. People throng the beach in the evening to enjoy the … [Read More...]

Mini Forest in J.P.Nagar Bangalore – Bengaluru
At a walkable distance from our house is a Mini forest maintained by the forest department. Picture1 - Mini Forest An early morning walk inside the mini forest delighted us with sights and … [Read More...]

Udupi
Udupi is synonymous with darshinis (vegetarian eating joints) serving tasty South Indian food. Udupi is also famous for temples and is situated on the coast of Karnataka. Udupi was carved out as a … [Read More...]

Auroville Beach Pondicherry
The Auroville Beach is very near Auroville and is situated 12 Kms from Pondicherry. Pondicherry is now known as Puducherry. An ideal place to spend time with family and friends. The … [Read More...]

Jagdish Temple, Rajasthan
Om Jai Jagadisha Hare Swami Jai Jagdisha Hare Bhaktha janonke sankata Dasa jnonke sankata Kshaname door kare Om Jai Jagadisha Hare Meaning - Hail Lord Jagadish / Vishnu / king of the … [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...]
Festivals

Sheege Hunnime
Sheege Hunnime festival is fondly remembered by my mother. The excerpt follows… My dad seemed to be in a very celebrative mood. He ordered the servants to get the bullock cart ready and also … [Read More...]

A thought on Saraswathi Pooja
ವಿದ್ಯೆಯ ಮಹತ್ವ ಒಡಲೊಳಗಿರುವದು ವಿದ್ಯೆಯು ನಡೆದರೆ ತಾಂಬರವಲ್ಲ ಕಳ್ಳರು ಕದಿಯರ್ ಪೊಡವಿಪರು ಕಸಿದು ಕೊಳ್ಳರ್ ವಡಹುಟ್ಟಿದವರು ಪಾಲು ಕೇಳರು ಕೇಳೈ Meaning: Knowledge is something that belong to you. Strangers … [Read More...]
Mahalaya Amavasya
15 days of the Hindu month is considered as Pitra Paksha, which are days dedicated to ancestors. It occurs in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada i.e. September-October in the Gregorian calendar. For the … [Read More...]

Good Friday
Having studied in a Catholic school, we were shown many movies on Jesus Christ. I remember when I was 6 or 7 yrs old and crying out with all my heart when Jesus was being nailed to the cross and Mary … [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...]

Lullaby to Lord Rama
It is Lord Sri Rama's birthday today. Rama Navami is celebrated all over India with great devotion. The lullaby below was written by my grandfather M.M.Patil, Kurtakoti. ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮನ … [Read More...]

Teej Festival
Teej festival is celebrated in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, and Nepal. This festival is commemorating the day when Goddess Parvathi reunited with Lord Shiva after 108 births. In her 108th birth, Lord … [Read More...]