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 Karela – Stuffed Bitter Gourd Recipe
Bitter gourd stuffed with Onions and Masala and shallow fried. Cuisine: North India. Time Required: 30 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 8 small Karela/Hagalkayi/Bitter Gourd preferably … [Read More...]

Ragi Rotti
Ragi Rotti is type of Indian bread prepared using Finger Millet/Nachni. Time Required:30 minutes Cuisine: Karnataka Ingredients: 4 Cups Ragi Flour 1.5 Cups Grated Fresh Coconut 6 Green … [Read More...]

Bean Sprout Salad
Bean Sprout Salad is a healthy edition to the dinner menu. This adds variety and boosts the health quotient. Time required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Bean Sprouts 1 Cup Chopped … [Read More...]

Stuffed Capsicum Bonda – Potato Stuffed Capsicum Fritters
Small Capsicums are stuffed with Potatoes and dipped into a fritter batter and deep fried. Tiny Capsicums are available during December in Bangalore/Mysore. Cuisine: South … [Read More...]

Carrot-Cucumber Clear Vegetable Soup
Time Required: 15 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Carrot cut into roundels 1 Cucumber cut into roundels 5-6 Spring Onion Bulbs 2tbsp Spring Onion Scallions, Chopped 2” Ginger, Chopped 2 Green … [Read More...]

Golgappa
Small deep fried puffed bread stuffed with Potatoes and spices. This is dipped into a vessel of tangy water and comes out filled with the water. It is put into the mouth and the tangy water, crispy … [Read More...]

Spicy Mango Sauce Recipe
To add some spice to the Mango season, you can try and prepare a spicy Mango sauce. Time required: 25 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup Mango Pulp 1/2 tsp Ginger paste 2 or 3 cloves Garlic ground to a … [Read More...]

Maida Laddoo
Maida Laddoo is prepared using refined flour and lots of desi Ghee. It just melts in your mouth! Wish you all a very happy Swarna Gowri Vratha. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]
Travel

Nahargarh Fort – Jaipur, Rajasthan
Nahargarh fort was built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It is built on one of the hills of the Aravalli at 600 feet above Jaipur city in Rajasthan. The fort is being renovated and the … [Read More...]

Catherine Falls, Kotagiri
Roads leading to Catherine falls wind through the Nilgiri hills between tea estates and pine forests. The drive offers excellent views with the mist playing hide and seek. The water cascades … [Read More...]

Shri Venugopala Swamy Temple, Kannambadi
Since the day it was reported that the Venugopala Swamy temple resurfaced in the backwaters of Cauvery 2002 due to drought in the Mysore region, I was very keen on visiting the temple. There was … [Read More...]

Mushrooms in Kukkarahalli Kere
When I was walking in Kukkarahalli Kere last Sunday, I got to see many varieties of Mushrooms growing in the thicket. Not a surprise as Mysore has received copious rains this … [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...]

Varuna Lake
Whenever we pass through the T.Narasipura Road from Mysore, we are sure to stop at an eye-catching water body known as Varuna Lake. It is a huge lake built by the then Diwan of Mysore Sir M. … [Read More...]

Varadahalli
Varadahalli also known as Varadapura is situated 6 Kms from Sagar, Shimoga district of Karnataka. This divine place in the midst of pristine natural surroundings of the Western ghats was the chosen … [Read More...]
Festivals

Aarathi Song – Lakshmi Arathi Song – Goddess Lakshmi Pooja Song
This is a song written by my mom and we sing this song alternatively with other songs on Friday evening while we perform aarathi to goddess Lakshmi. It can be sung to any tune that you are … [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...]

Vaikunta Ekadasi
"Shaantaakaaram Bhujanga Shayanam Padmanaabham Suresham Vishvaadhaaram Gagana Sadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhaangam Lakshmiikaantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhidhyaarnagamyam Vande Vishhnum Bhavabhayaharam … [Read More...]

Vasant Panchami
"Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasanaa, Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha … [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...]

Sri Narasimha Swamy Hiranya Kashyapa Samhara
ಹಿರಣ್ಯ ಕಶ್ಯಪ ಸಂಹಾರ ಧೈರ್ಯಮಾಡಿ ದೈತ್ಯ ಹರಿಯ ಚರ್ಯ ನೋಡಿದಾ।। ಶೌರ್ಯದಿಂದ ಯುದ್ದವೆಂಬೊ ಕಾರ್ಯ ಮಾಡಿದಾ।।೧।। ಗದೆಯ ಕೈಯಲ್ಹಿಡಿದು ಹರಿಯ ಎದೆಗೆ ಹೊಡೆದನು।। ಗದೆಯು ಸಹಿತ ಕೈಯ ಹರಿಯು ವದಗಿ ಹಿಡಿದನು।।೨।। ಬಿಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಬೇಗ … [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...]