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
Sweet Shankarpole
Sweet Shankarpole is a crispy sweet snack; usually distributed to children during Dasara festival. Sweet Shankarpole is also prepared by Maharashtrians during Diwali. Cuisine: Karnataka and … [Read More...]
Thondekayi Korma – Ivy Gourd Side Dish Recipe – Tindli Subzi Recipe – Tindora Subzi Recipe
This side dish is prepared using Ivy Gourd. Ingredients: 2 Cups Thondekayi / Tindora / Ivy Gourd, pieces 1 Big Onion, Chopped finely 2 – 3tbsp Oil 1tsp Saunf / Fennel Seeds ¼ tsp Turmeric … [Read More...]
Dwadashi Ganji Recipe – Rice Gruel Recipe – Kayi Ganji Recipe
Tomorrow is Dwadashi and a very special one during the Hindu month of Karthika as today is the celebration of the Tulasi plant known as Uttan Dwadashi festival (Holy Basil Festival). On Dwadashi … [Read More...]
Whole Garam Masala
Whole Garam Masala is a combination of whole spices used to flavor many dishes like Vegetable Pulao, Biryani, Side Dishes, Mughlai dishes, and so on. Ingredients: Jeera / Cumin Seeds Fennel … [Read More...]
Alu Mutter – Aloo Matar – Potatoes and Peas Recipe
Alu Mutter dish is prepared using Peas and Potatoes in tomato gravy. This side dish is very popular in North India. This is served with Indian Bread. Time Required: 25 … [Read More...]
Kesar Sandwich
Kesar Sandwich is prepared using dehydrated Milk, Nuts, and Saffron. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 12 Bread slices For the Mawa(solidified Milk) mixture: 150gms Mawa 1 - 2 … [Read More...]
Mutter Poha – Matar Poha – Peas with Flattened Rice
Poha is prepared in various ways across India, Mutter Poha is a specialty of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Cuisine: Uttar Pradesh Time required: 10 Minutes + Soaking time Ingredients: 2 Cups … [Read More...]
Tawa Pulao – Street Food Pulav Recipe – Mumbai Pulao Recipe – Pilaf Recipe
Rice dish, which is a popular street food in Maharashtra. Cooked rice is stir fried with vegetables and spices on a flat thick iron pan. Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 3 Cups … [Read More...]
Travel
Mariapura Lake
Another weekend and another birding trip and off we drove to Mariapura lake. A beautiful serene lake where the wind blows, birds chirp, plants whisper, and fishes swim. This lake has a calming effect … [Read More...]
Silver Cascade Waterfall
Silver Cascade Waterfall is situated on the Kodai road. The overflowing water from the Kodiakanal lake plunges 180 feet over a vertical cliff to form the attractive waterfalls. This is a … [Read More...]
Birds of Bandipur
Bandipur is home to 200 species of birds and for bird watchers like us, it is a paradise. Bandipur has the maximum number of Tigers in the reserve forest, but do not be disappointed if you … [Read More...]
Vani Vilasa Water works pumping station, Belagola
Vani Vilasa Water works pumping station is situated in Belagola, KRS road, Mysuru. This pumping station is a heritage site and worth preserving it. This pumping station was installed in 1893 during … [Read More...]
Gumbaz Srirangapatna
Gumbaz is situated in Srirangapatna and is the mausoleum of Tiger of Mysore – Tipu Sultan, his father Hyder Ali and his mother Fathima Begum. The Gumbaz Srirangapatna stands out against the background … [Read More...]
Supra Waterfalls, Kotagiri
As we were driving up the winding hills to Kotagiri from Coonoor we came across this beautiful waterfall cascading from another hill. Stopped and took pictures of Supra waterfalls and just … [Read More...]
Birding in the vicinity of Valley School
Valley school is situated 20 Kms on Kanakpura road. The road leading to the Valley school and the surrounding area is a forest offering a place to seek the much needed solace from the maddening … [Read More...]
Festivals
Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Vratha
"Kaayena Vaachaa Manasendriyairvaa Buddhyaatmanaa Vaa Prakriteh Svabhaavaatah Karomi Yadhyadh Sakalam Parasmai Naaraayanaayeti Samarpayaami" The meaning of the above shloka is: "I offer … [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...]
Traditional Dolls Arrangement
Here are some Dolls that are handed over from generations to generations for arranging during Dasara. Traditional Dolls Arrangement includes Dolls in a marriage party complete with the bride / groom … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Habbada Thindi and Panaka – Festival Snacks and Juice Recipes
Food and festival go hand in hand in India. Special dishes are prepared on festivals and during vratha (observance). Habbada Adige / festival food is prepared on all festivals. But … [Read More...]
