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
Eggless Vanilla Cup Cake
It’s 2014 Christmas baking time! and this time it is Eggless Vanilla Cup Cake. Type: Tea cakes Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: 125 gms Maida ½ tsp Baking Soda ¼ Cup Oil 1tsp … [Read More...]
Sun dried Nellikayi Chutney – Indian Gooseberry Chutney
Sun dried Nellikayi Chutney is a gooseberry chutney that can be stored for a long time and used when needed. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 Minutes + drying time Ingredients: 10 … [Read More...]
Date and Banana Milkshake
Date and banana milkshake is nutritious and lip smacking drink. Time required: 5 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Glasses of Milk 8 - 10 Dates, deseeded 2 Small Banana, Peeled and chopped 2 tbsp … [Read More...]
Orange Vanilla Cookies
This year was the year of Oranges in Bangalore. They were available in abundance and I happily indulged cooking recipes with Oranges. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 1¼ Cup … [Read More...]
Paneer Bhurji – Paneer Burji Recipe – Scrambled Cottage Cheese
A side dish prepared using Cottage Cheese and vegetables. Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1½ Cup grated Paneer/Cottage Cheese 1½ Cup Tomatoes Chopped Finely 1 Onion, … [Read More...]
Maida Chakkali – Chakkali with refined flour
Maida Chakkali savory is prepared using refined flour. Children love Chakkali and usually put it on their finger and pretend that it is the Sudarshana chakra. This also shows how Mahabharatha … [Read More...]
Mint and Cherry Tomato Salad
This is a refreshing salad to beat the heat during summer. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Mint Leaves, Chopped finely 1 Green Chili, Slit 1 Onion, Chopped finely 1/2 … [Read More...]
Parwal Alu Fry – Parwal Aloo Fry Recipe – Pointed Gourd Potato Fry Recipe
A side dish prepared using Potatoes and Pointed gourd. Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Potatoes / Alu, Peeled and Diced 4 Parwal / Pointed Gourd 2 Tomatoes 1 tsp Black Pepper … [Read More...]
Travel
Jenukallu Gudda
Jenu means Honey, Kallu means stone and Gudda means hill. This place is a viewpoint in the Western Ghat, which offers a panoramic view of the hills packed one behind the other. Jenukallu Gudda is … [Read More...]
Kanthanpara Waterfalls
Nestled in a scenic spot is the Kanthanpara Waterfalls. It is near Kalpetta, Wayanad District, Kerala. The waterfall is surrounded by Banana and betel leaves plantations and forest. It is a … [Read More...]
Udaipur
Udaipur is a charming city in Rajasthan. It is popularly known as City of lakes and was the capital of Mewar kingdom. Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur in 1559. When Chittor fort was … [Read More...]
Basillica of Bom Jesus, Goa
I had read and heard a lot about St. Francis Xavier’s mortal remains enshrined in the oldest church in India, the Basillica of Bom Jesus in Goa. When I got the opportunity to visit the … [Read More...]
Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy Temple, Bangalore – Bengaluru
The Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy Temple is situated on a small hillock in Vasanthapura layout in Bangalore city. This temple is 1,000 years old is dedicated to lord Srinivasa / Balaji / Vishnu and was … [Read More...]
Upper Lake View Point – Kodaikanal
A drive to Upper lake view point in Kodaikanal is a must, as the view of the lake from the view point is excellent. The star shaped lake gleaming in the sun with greenery all around can be seen … [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...]
Festivals
Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is a celebration of married life. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm by married women of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. It falls 9 days before Diwali. For … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Pushya month – December and January 2026
Festival dates in Paush/Pushya (December – January) Dhanurmasa Pooja – Starts on 16 December 2025 and ends on 14 January 2026 Vaikunta Ekadasi – 30 December 2025 … [Read More...]
Varamahalakshmi Vratha
Sarvamangala Mangalye| Shive Sarvarthaka Sadhike| Sharanye Thriyambake Devi/Laksmi| Narayani Namosthuthe|| The above shloka is in praise of goddess Lakshmi and offering … [Read More...]
Prayer to Parvathi
This prayer was chanted by Chandrahasa to goddess Parvathi/Chamundi/Amba/Gowri. Extracted from the Gemini bharatha. ಚಂದ್ರಹಾಸನ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ - ಜೈಮಿನಿ ಭಾರತ ತಾಯೆ ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ಪರಮ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಿ … [Read More...]
21 Pushpa Pooja to Lord Ganesha
21 types of Patra (leaves), 21 types of Pushpa (flowers), and 21 Kadabu or Modaka (sweets) are offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesha Chathurthi and Sankashta Chaturthi. There are 21 mantra chanted … [Read More...]
Festivals in Shravana month – July and August 2025
Shrāvana (August - September) - From 25 July to 22 August (2025) Shravana Shanivara - 26 July, 2 August, 9 August, 16 August (2025) Mangala Gowri Vrat - 29 July, 5 August, 12 August, … [Read More...]
Saraswathi Prarthane – Prayer to Goddess Saraswathi
Today is Saraswathi Pooja, which is part of Navrathri celebrations. This is a prarthane (prayer) to Goddess Saraswathi written by my grandfather Sri M.M.Patil in 1969. ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ಕಂದ … [Read More...]
