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

Hirwi Mirchi cha Thecha – Green Chili with Peanuts stir fry – Mirchi Subzi
Hirwi Mirchi cha Thecha is also known as Mirchi Kharda and is prepared using Green Chili, Peanuts, and Garlic. Cuisine: Maharashtra Time required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 15 - 20 Green … [Read More...]

Badam Milk – Flavored Almond Milk Recipe
When growing up having Badam Milk in the evening was a rare treat! Krishna Bakery in Mysore used to serve delicious cold Badam Milk with slivers of Badam (Almond) floating on top. Time … [Read More...]

Tender Coconut Pudding
Tender coconut pudding is a delightful ending to a dinner. Time Required: 20 Minutes + Cooling time Ingredients: 5 gms Agar Agar / China Grass ½ Cup Condensed Milk ¾ Cup Water 2tbsp … [Read More...]

Red Chili Garlic Chutney
Red Chili Garlic Chutney is prepared using Red Chilies and Garlic. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 12 - 15 Red Chilies 4 - 5 Garlic Pods 2tbsp Tamarind Pulp 1 small piece … [Read More...]

Fenugreek Sprout Salad
This salad is healthy and tasty with a hint of bitterness. Time Required: 5 Minutes + Sprouting time Ingredients: ¼ Cup Sprouted Fenugreek Seeds ½ Cucumber, Peeled and Chopped 1 small … [Read More...]

Masala Channa Dal – Crisp Spicy Chikpea Recipe
Masala Channa Dal is deep fried Bengal Gram (Chikpea) tossed in spices. This can be made into a Chaat too. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 10 Minutes + Soaking time Caution to … [Read More...]

Schezwan Dosa
The South Indian Dosa turned Schezwan this season! Schezwan Dosa is prepared using the Schezwan sauce. Time required: 10 Minutes + soaking time + fermenting time Cuisine: … [Read More...]

Curd Rice
Cooked rice and yogurt is mixed along with seasoning and fruits. Curd rice is a must have in any of the South Indian homes. A favorite and easy to digest dish. Cuisine: South … [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...]

Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Jungle book was one of my favorite books and the movie by Disney bought this book alive. I think the makers of the movie toured Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary before making the movie. I am stating this … [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...]

Daily routine in Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram
Visitors from around the globe visit Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram and few stay back to know more about the teachings of the guru. A pamphlet printed in Ramana Maharshi Ashrama, Thiruvannamalai … [Read More...]

The Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal
The Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal is a haven for horticulture enthusiasts. It is a place where research is conducted on spices, fruits, vegetables, and hill paddy. In 1946, … [Read More...]

Jal Mahal, Jaipur
When I visited Jal Mahal, Jaipur in 1995, I was very disappointed to see the Man Sagar Lake in which it is situated was dry and dirty. The palace itself was not maintained well. I hoped that the place … [Read More...]

Sagarkatte, Mysore
The best part of the monsoon season is that the dams open their gates when full and the waterfalls and the backwaters along the river’s journey to meet the sea are fed with immeasurable water to … [Read More...]
Festivals

Bhagvad Gita Jayanti – Bhagvad Gita Birthday – Srimad Bhagvad Gita Jayanti
During Corona time, my quest to listen and understand the Srimad Bhagvad Gita started. My mother patiently read the Bhagvad Gita shlokas and explained each of them in Kannada. I was in awe … [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...]

Hanuman Arathi Song – Hanumanthana Aarathi Haadu – Devotional Song
Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated in April in North India and in December in South India. North or South a song is always sung during the Arathi. This song in praise of Lord Hanuman is written by … [Read More...]

Rama Navami
Rama Navami is a festival celebrating the birth of Sri Rama, son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. “Yada Yadaa hi dharmasya gnanirbhavathi bharatha Abhyuththaana madharmasya thadathmaanam … [Read More...]

Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026
Festival dates in Magh month – January and February 2026 Mouna Gowri Vratha - 21 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 Vasanth Panchami - 23 January 2026 Rathasapthami - 25 January … [Read More...]

Nagara Panchami
Nagara Panchami Nadige doddadu Naada Naadiyar Kodona Naada Naadiyar Kodona | Gelathi| Naagappage Haalu Hoyyona || The above Kannada song is sung during Nagara Panchami festival. The … [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...]