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

Fenugreek Salad
Fenugreek Salad is prepared tossing Fenugreek leaves along with Cucumber and Onions. Cuisine: North Karnataka Time Required: 25 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 3 Cups Fenugreek Leaves 1 … [Read More...]

Kurtkoti Chakkali – Spicy Chakkuli Recipe – Chakli Recipe – Murukku Recipe – North Karnataka style Chakli
Fritters in the shape of concentric circles. These were our favorite snack during summer at my maternal grandparents house in Kurtkoti in North Karnataka. The color and taste differed from the one's … [Read More...]

Puri Unde – Puffed Rice Laddoo
Puri Unde - Puffed Rice Laddoo is a laddoo (sweet) prepared using puffed rice and Jaggery. It is prepared on all auspicious occasions and is distributed among friends and relatives. Cuisine: … [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...]

Rawe Uppittu – Rawa Upma – Semolina Porridge – Sooji Upma
Rawe Uppittu is a dish prepared using Semolina and is popularly known as Upma. The aroma that arises while preparing this dish is enough to make you hungry and grab a plate. When served … [Read More...]

Lal, Pila Bhindi Subzi – Red Yellow Capsicum with Okra
There was a Red and Yellow Pepper along with some Okra in the fridge and I came up with this recipe using all of them. Thankfully everyone relished it with Phulkas. Time Required: 15 … [Read More...]

Hari Mirch Ka Khatta Meetha Achaar
Sweet and sour green chilies pickles. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 10 Green Chilies 6tbsp Mustard Oil 4tbsp Mustard Powder 4tbsp Garlic - Ginger paste 1tbsp Jaggery 1tbsp … [Read More...]

Vendekai Poriyal
A simple side dish prepared using Ladies finger / Okra. This is popular in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka (Bhendekayi Palya). Time Required: 25 Minutes Ingredients: 25 Vendekai / Bhendekayi / … [Read More...]
Travel

Maharana Pratap Singh Memorial – Udaipur
The Maharana Pratap singh memorial is located on top of Moti Magri / Pearl Hill in Udaipur, Rajasthan. This memorial was set up by Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar who took the help of a public … [Read More...]

Devil’s Kitchen, Kodaikanal
Per our itinerary we headed off to the Devil’s Kitchen in Kodaikanal not knowing what to expect. After parking the car and a short hike uphill are caves and tranches that is mysterious and dangerous. … [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...]

Lumbini Gardens
Nagavara Lake has had a makeover from the lake authority of India and is now known as Lumbini Gardens. The lake is spread over 43.86 hectares. The lake has been developed by the lake authority of … [Read More...]

Badrinath
Sri Badri Naryanji ki, jai Sri Badri Vishalji ki, Jai Badrinath is one of the char dhams (four pilgrim centers), which is visited by thousands of Hindus. The temple is dedicated to Lord … [Read More...]

Kshanambika Temple, Srirangapattana
Kshanambika temple though less popular than Nimishamba temple in Srirangapattana is no less powerful than Nimishamba. Kshanambika means the goddess who grants the wishes in a Kshana / Second whereas … [Read More...]

Shri Mangeshi Temple, Goa
The drive to Mangeshi Temple is beautiful as the road winds into the lush green Western Ghats hills. The temple is situated in Priol, Goa. Before the invasion of Portuguese, the temple was situated on … [Read More...]
Festivals

Song on Lord Shiva – Devotional Song
Wish you all a very happy Mahashivarathri. My mother has written this song in praise of Lord Shiva in Kannada Script. ಶಿವನ ಮಹಾತ್ಮೆ ಹಾಡು ಜಯತು ಜಯತು ಶ್ರೀಮಹಾದೇವಾ ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರ ದೇವಾ ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರ ।।ಪ।। ಜಗವ … [Read More...]

Bharat Hunnime
Bharat Hunnime is a festival celebrated by the devotees of Lord Mailaralinga (Shiva). The festival falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month Magha, which is around December-January according … [Read More...]

Hire Gowri Pooja – Dodda Gowri Pooja – Gowri Hunnime
Hire Gowri Pooja also known as Dodda Gowri Pooja and Gowri Hunnime is celebrated with devotion in North Karnataka. Below is the write up by my mother on this festival in Kannada script. This … [Read More...]

Happy Vijayadashami 2024
Why in North India, Ravana is burnt on Vijayadashami day? This is done to symbolize Lord Rama killing the 10 headed demon Ravana. Good over evil! What does the 10 heads of Ravana stand … [Read More...]

Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhane
Picture1 - Sri Raghavendra Swamy Pujyaya Raghavendraya | Satyadharma Ratayacha | Bhajatam Kalpavrikshaya | Namathaam Kamadhenave || O divine Sri Raghavendra Swamy I salute you - the one who … [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...]

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...]