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
Unniappam
This dish is prepared using Rice, Banana and Jaggery in the state of Kerala. This is prepared in containers designed to fry the Unniappam or Guntpongalu / Phad. Unniappam is very similar to the … [Read More...]
Halpi – Fried Gram Burfi
A very easy to make sweet dish prepared using fried Gram. Another name for this recipe is Hurigadale Burfi and perfect to make during Gombe habba (Dasara). Cuisine: North Karnataka Time Required: … [Read More...]
Watermelon Salad
Watermelon salad is simple as well as coolingly delicious! Ingredients are simple and available in most kitchens. Time required: 5 minutes Ingredients: 1 Bowl Watermelon pieces 1/2 Cup … [Read More...]
Besan Laddoo
A sweet prepared using Gram Flour. Besan Laddoo is extremely popular in North Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat. As children we used to love gorging on them. Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]
Halasinakayi Palya – Raw Jackfruit Stir Fry – Chakka Thoran
Halasinakayi Palya is a south Indian side dish prepared using raw Jackfruit. Cuisine: South India Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 250gms Raw Jackfruit 3 Green … [Read More...]
Akki Rotti – Rice Flour Bread
Akki rotti is a very tasty bread prepared using Rice flour. This is extremely popular in Bangalore and Mysore regions. Cuisine: South Karnataka Time Required:30 … [Read More...]
Kalan – Raw Banana in spicy Yogurt Sauce – Kaccha Kela Raitha Recipe – Balekayi Mosaru Bhajji Recipe
This dish is from Kerala using raw Banana and Yogurt. This is served during Onam sadya. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Raw Banana, Peeled and chopped 2 Cups Curds / Yoghurt ½ … [Read More...]
Oriental Rice
Oriental Rice is a delicious main course prepared using various vegetables and Bean Sprouts. Cuisine: Orient Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 3 Bowls Cooked Rice 1 Cup Green, … [Read More...]
Travel
Ottinene Sunset Point
Ottinene Sunset Point is one of the most amazing places that I have ever been to. If you are anywhere near Kundapura do not miss visiting this place. The Sunset Point is up a small hill. You … [Read More...]
Maharaja’s Sanskrit College, Mysore
The Maharaja’s Sanskrit school was started by then Maharaja of Mysuru, H.H.Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in 1868. The Maharaja was an expert in Kannada and Sanskrit languages. He was scholar and a writer … [Read More...]
Nagarhole
My first encounter with wild life and forests was when the whole family comprising of my grandparents, parents, aunt, sister and me visited Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary in 1977 for 3 nights. As a … [Read More...]
Giri-bettada Kere
As we drove back after visiting the 5 temples at T.Narasipura to Mysore, we took a left at the 16th mile and eagerly drove to Giri-Bettada Kere (Hill Lake). The lake was shimmering and had … [Read More...]
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
The best part of our trip to Chikmagalur district last summer was the time spent at the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is one of the best forest reserves that we have been to and would love … [Read More...]
Gomatagiri
Gomatagiri is situated in Bettadoor in Mysore district. Gomatagiri is a major Jain center. In the 11th Century, a 10-meter-tall granite statue of Gometeshwara also known as Bahubali is installed on … [Read More...]
Koliwada
Koliwada is a remote village tucked away in a non-descript area of North Karnataka. The village is one of the most neglected and basic needs like water, electricity, drains, roads, and toilets are … [Read More...]
Festivals
Sankranthi Yellu – Karnataka Sesame Seeds Mixture
A mixture of Sesame Seeds, Molasses, Coconut, Groundnuts and Fried Gram. In Karnataka this is prepared during Sankranthi festival and distributed among friends and family along with Sakkare … [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...]
Rathasapthami
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Bhadrapada month – August and September 2025
Bhādrapad (August – September) Ganesh Chaturthi – 27 August 2025 Ganesha aarathi song Why Ganesha is also known as Ekadantha Mystery of the term “Morya” 21 Patra … [Read More...]
Lord Vishnu Arathi Song – Lord Hari Arathi Song
This is a song in praise of Lord Vishnu also known as Hari. My mother had learnt this song from her late aunt few decades back. Tomorrow is Vaikunta Chaturdashi vratha (observance) and … [Read More...]
Udaka Shanti Pooja
Udaka Shanti Pooja is performed before major events like marriage, upanayana, gruha pravesha, and so on. This pooja is performed for peace and harmony in the house. First, Ganesha is worshiped. … [Read More...]
Naga Rangoli – Snake Floor Design
The Naga rangolis / patterns shown below are drawn on Nagara Chauthi and Nagara Panchami festivals. Click on the image to see a bigger image. Rangoli drawn on Nagara Chauthi: Rangoli … [Read More...]
