Other common names of Coffee Senna tree are coffeeweed, styptic weed. In Hindi, it is known as Kasunda, Bari kasondi, in Kannada it is known as Kolthogache, Aane chogate, in Sanskrit, it is known as … [Read More...]

April 2025 Hints
While making uddina vada / medu vada, add a tsp of chiroti rawa / fine semolina to 1 cup of soaked and grinded Urad Dal / Black gram split. This will make the vadas crisp. For plants … [Read More...]

Happy Ugadi 2025
I wish you all a very happy Ugadi and Hindu New Year. This year it is the Sri Vishwavasu Nama Samvatsara. Wish you a prosperous and healthy new year! The fragrance of Parijata wafting in the … [Read More...]

Managaluru Southekayi – Mangalore Cucumber
During the first few days of my marriage, the only Huli/sambar that I remember eating was mad from Mangaluru Southekayi. As newlyweds we were not allowed to go for dinner on our own, the relatives … [Read More...]

World Sparrow Day 2025
World sparrow day is celebrated on 20th March every year. Let us welcome them back again with grains and water. I remember seeing them nesting in-between the roofs and pillars of … [Read More...]

Buttermilk Masala Recipe – Chaas Masala Recipe – Chhach Masala Powder
Buttermilk is a soothing to the body and soul during summer. A dash of masala to the buttermilk perks it up more. Buttermilk Masala Recipe, enhances the flavor of traditional Indian buttermilk, … [Read More...]

Happy Holi 2025
Happy Holi to all the readers! These colors were arranged in Kadri, Andhra Pradesh. The roads were lined with shops selling colors, bangles, snacks, and other items. … [Read More...]

Hummus Papdi Chaat Recipe – A Delicious Fusion Snack
Holi is on the 14th and the festival is all about colors, chat, and cool drinks. Here is a unique hummus papdi chaat recipe using Hummus. Ingredients: 1 cup Pumpkin Hummus or … [Read More...]

March 2025 Hints
If you are storing dosa batter for more than two days, keep a Betal leaf on the batter. This will not make the batter sour. Heat a spoon before you use it to scoop out the pickle from the main … [Read More...]

Mosambi Juice Recipe – Sweet Lime Juice Recipe
Tomorrow is Rama Navami and it is a practice to prepare fruit juice and Kosambari (salad) and distribute to friends and family. Here is a Sweet Lime juice suitable for the summer and to celebrate the … [Read More...]

Bagel Sandwich Recipe – Vegetable Sandwich Recipe
Bagels can be eaten in so many different ways. Toast the Bagels and they are ready to eat with a hot cup of coffee. Apply some cream cheese over it and pack it for lunch or a breakfast on … [Read More...]

Chaitra Navratri
Chaitra Navratri also known as Varshik Navratri is a festival observed for nine days in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April in Gregorian Calendar). The festival starts on the first day of Chaitra … [Read More...]

Chaitra Poornima
Chaitra Poornima is the first Poornima of the Hindu lunar calendar and falls in the Hindu month of Chaitra, March – April according to Gregorian calendar. It is the Poornima (full moon) after the … [Read More...]

Gazpacho Soup
Gazpacho soup is prepared using raw vegetables and served cold. This recipes is originally from southern Spain and great to serve during Summer. Cuisine: Spain Time required: 15 … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes

Maledi Undi Recipe – Maldi Unde Recipe – Churma Laddoo Recipe
This is a sweet dish from North Karnataka. This dish is offered to Lord Shiva during Shravana Somavara Pooja and Solah Somvara Vratha / observance. Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]

Vegetable and Fruit Juice
Vegetable and Fruit Juice is packed with nutrients and vitamins. A glass of this everyday can keep many ailments at bay! Time required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 Beetroot, Peeled and … [Read More...]

Avalakki Payasa – Poha Kheer Recipe – Beaten Rice Pudding Recipe
A pudding prepared using beaten rice. This dish is usually prepared on Rathasapthami. You can prepare this on other festivals and occasions. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 20 … [Read More...]

Plain Ragi Rotti
Plain Ragi Rotti (finger millet bread) is from south Karnataka and is very healthy. Perfect for dinner when served with raitha. Cuisine: Karnataka Time Required: 30 … [Read More...]

Shavige Uppittu – Vermicelli Upma – South Indian Breakfast
Shavige Uppittu is a breakfast dish prepared using Vermicelli. Also known as Vermicelli Upma. This is on the menu for breakfast in South India. Time Required: 40 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]

Longan Smoothie Recipe – Thai Lychee Smoothie Recipe – Longan Fruit Juice Recipe
Longan Smoothie is a delicious drink prepared using creamy coconut milk and Longan fruit. If you use Coconut water, then it is a delicious Longan juice. Time required: 10 … [Read More...]

Stuffed Red Chili Pickle
This pickle from Uttar Pradesh looks hot but tastes cool. Time Required: 30 Minutes + Maturing time Ingredients: 20 large Red Chilies 2 Cups Mustard Oil or Sunflower Oil For the … [Read More...]

Avarekayi Kurma
A delicious side dish with gravy prepared using Flat Winter Beans. This can be also be prepared with any type of sprouted beans that is available. Time Required: 40 Minutes Ingredients: 2 … [Read More...]
Travel

Shravanabelagola
The first time I visited Shravanabelagola was in 1982 on a school trip. It was Mahamasthakabhishekha time and we climbed up the rickety scaffolding up to the head of the monolithic statue of Bahubali … [Read More...]

Uttarakhand
My parents visited Uttarakhand in 1973 and I used to love hearing their experiences and the description of the different places they visited. My dad who was an avid photographer got all the pictures … [Read More...]

St. Lawrence Church
Churches built by the Portuguese dot the Goan landscape and St. Lawrence Church is one of them. Located on a hill and built in Portuguese style of architecture, this white church was built in 1565 for … [Read More...]

Kigga
Visit to this quaint village surrounded by natural beauty was a joy. Unassuming people with smiles, modest houses and children playing outdoor games greet you in Kigga. It is indeed a breath of fresh … [Read More...]

Padubidri Beach
Travel to coastal region in Karnataka conjures visits to divine temples, long walks on the beach, watching sunset, fascinating estuaries, swaying palm trees, and delicious food. For people who … [Read More...]

Nrityagram Dance Village, Hessarghatta and Taj Kuteeram
We planned for a weekend getaway to Nrityagram, which turned to be a unique experience. The dance village is situated on a 10 acre land near Hessarghatta, 30 Km from Bangalore. This was founded in … [Read More...]

Kukkarahalli Lake – Mysore
My sister and me always had an extended summer holidays, as my uncle’s family from Delhi would be visiting Mysore every year for their summer holidays. Our holidays would end in May and their holidays … [Read More...]
Festivals

Gowri Aarathi Song
ಗೌರಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಮಂಗಳ ಜಯ ಗಿರಿಜಾತೆ ಮಾತೆ ।।ಪ|| ಪರಮಾಯುಧ ಕರ ದುರುಳ ಸುರಾರೆ । ಪರಮ ತೇಜ ಮೃಗರಾಜ ವಿಹಾರೆ ।।೧।। ರತ್ನ ಮುಕುಟ ಮಣಿ ಹಾರ ಕುಂಡಲ ಶೋಭೆ | ರವಿಕೋಟಿ ತೇಜ ವಿರಾಜ ಮುಖಿಯೇ ।।೨।। ಜಗದಾಧಾರೆ ಜಗದಾದಿ … [Read More...]

Vaikunta Ekadasi
"Shaantaakaaram Bhujanga Shayanam Padmanaabham Suresham Vishvaadhaaram Gagana Sadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhaangam Lakshmiikaantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhidhyaarnagamyam Vande Vishhnum Bhavabhayaharam … [Read More...]

Upakarma – Janivara Habba
Upakarma festival is solely for the men. The others also join in by preparing delicious food as naivedhyam / blessed food and eating together. This festivals falls on Shravana Nakshatra (a star) on … [Read More...]

Independence Day
On August 15th, 1947, India got Independence from British rule. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, addressed the Constituent Assembly and citizens to recognize the … [Read More...]

Visarjana Manthra
The following manthra is chanted while performing the visarjana / send off to god. In Kannada Script: ವಿಸರ್ಜನಾ ಕ್ರಮ ಯಜ್ಞೇನ ಯಗ್ನಮಯಜಂತ ದೇವಾಃ | ತಾನಿ ಧರ್ಮಾಣಿ ಪ್ರಥಮಾನ್ಯಾಸನ್ || ತೇಹ ನಾಕಂ … [Read More...]

ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ – Saraswathi Prarthana
Today is Vasantha Panchami festival celebrated grandly by people of West Bengal. Here is a prarthana/prayer on goddess of education Saraswathi, which was written by my grandfather, M.M.Patil, … [Read More...]

Deepavali Song – Diwali Song – Deepavali Haadu
Deepavali song is written by my mother in Kannada script to be sung anytime during the Deepavali festival. The lyrics cover the importance and joy of celebrating Deepavali / Diwali … [Read More...]