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

Kadalebele Sauthekayi Kosambari – Channa Dal Cucumber Kachumbar – Split Chikpea Cucumber Salad
Kadalebele Sauthekayi Kosambari is a salad prepared using soaked Bengal Gram Dal and Cucumber. It is prepared during festivals and all auspicious occasions. Cuisine: Karnataka Time required: 10 … [Read More...]

Beerakaya Fry – Ridge Gourd Stir Fry – Heerekayi Palya – Turai Subzi
Beerakaya Fry is a side dish prepared using Ridge Gourd / Heerekayi. Cuisine: Andhra Pradesh Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Beerakaya / Ridge Gourd / Heerekayi, Peeled and … [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...]

Groundnut Chutney
This chutney is prepared by the Gujaratis and this chutney is available for sale in Jamnagar Gujarat. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Cup Roasted and peeled Groundnuts / Moomphali … [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...]

Singada Halwa
Singada Halwa is prepared using Water Chestnut flour. Singada is also known as Water Caltrop. Today is the commencement of Dasara and let us start the celebration by preparing Singada … [Read More...]

Apple Gojju Recipe – Apple Gotsu Recipe – Apple Menaskai Recipe
When there are no vegetables at home and you find Apples not eaten, you can make a quick gojju using the Apple. If the Apple is Granny Smith, the taste is better. Time required: 20 … [Read More...]

Noodle Peanut Salad
This dish is a complete and wholesome meal. Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 30 Minutes Ingredients: 2 Cups of cooked Noodles 1 Cucumber, Sliced 1 Tomato, Chopped ½ of Green, Yellow, … [Read More...]
Travel

Yercaud Botanical Garden
A visit to the Botanical Garden in hill stations is top on my to-visit list. And off we went to explore the Botanical Garden in Yercaud. The garden though small is interesting as it is tucked on a … [Read More...]

Mangaladevi Temple, Mangalore
Mangaladevi Temple was built in the 9th century AD in Bolar, Mangalore. Mangalore city derived its name from the presiding deity of the temple: Mangaladevi. It is believed that the temple was built … [Read More...]

Hadinaru Kere
One early morning we decided to drive to Hadinaru village to visit the Hadinaru Kere (lake) as we had heard that a large number of bar headed geese had ascended on the lake all the way from … [Read More...]

Manikyadhara Falls
Manikyadhara falls also known as Nellikayi Theertha is situated 1 km from Baba Budan Giri Dattatreya Peetha, Chikkamagalur, Karnataka. The water that falls down is in the form of droplets and they … [Read More...]

Mattu Beach Udupi
Mattu Beach is located around 10 kilometres from Udupi. A beautiful stretch of pristine Beach secluded from the commercial hullabaloo. An evening spent here transports to another zone. Watch the … [Read More...]

Saheliyon Ki Bari Udaipur
It took some time for us to pronounce the name (Saheliyon Ki Bari) of this ancient park built by Maharana Sangram Singh II in Udaipur in the 18th Century. He built Saheliyon ki Bari, … [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...]
Festivals

Nariyal Poornima
The fisherman of Daman and Kolis of Coastal Maharashtra look forward to celebrate Nariyal Poornima festival as it signifies retreating monsoon and the commencement of their fishing activity. Nariyal … [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...]

Hanuman Jayanthi
"Manojavam Maruthathulya Vegam Jitendriyam Budhdhi Mathaam Varishtam Vaathathmajam Vaanarayutha Mukhyam Srirama Dootham Sharanam Prapadye" The above sthotra/chanting, is part of the Sri … [Read More...]

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...]

Madhwa Navami
Prathoma Hanumanamah| Dwithiyo Bheemayevacha| Poornaprajna Thrithyasto| Bhagavatkarya Sadhakaha|| The above shloka/chanting is all about the three avatars/incarnations of Sri Madhwacharya. … [Read More...]

Navaratri Golu – Dolls Arrangement during Dasara
This is in continuation of the post “Traditional Dolls Arrangement”. The custom of arranging dolls during Navaratri / Dasara is also followed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. In these states … [Read More...]

Upanayana
Every male child born in certain Hindu communities has to go through the Upanayana ritual. Upanayana is also known as Munji, Brahmopadesham (supreme teaching), and Sacred thread ceremony. The … [Read More...]