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

Cut Mango Pickle
Cut Mango Pickle recipe is shared by my Mami / Aunt, who is an expert in pickling. This pickle is a must have during lunch and dinner. It finds its place of pride next to the Salt on the … [Read More...]

Mooli Bhaji
This dish is prepared using Radish leaves and Radish. The usage of Radish leaves is popular in Assam. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 3 bunches Radish leaves, Chopped finely 1 Big … [Read More...]

Jalapeno Poppers
Jalapeno nah! not available in Namma Bengaluru, so prepared the poppers with Shimla Mirch. Cuisine: USA Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: Few Jalapenos or Shimla Mirch 1 Cup … [Read More...]

Sakkare Holige – Sugar Puran Poli Recipe – Sugar Obbattu Recipe
Sugar filled crispy Indian bread. Sakkare Holige dish is very popular in Karnataka during festivals, weddings etc. My mother learnt this recipe from her mother-in-law who was very good at … [Read More...]

Lauki Dal – Bottle gourd with Lentils Recipe – Sorekayi Thovve Recipe
Lauki Dal is a curry prepared using Bottle gourd and Bengal Gram. Cuisine: North Indian Time Required: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 Cups Lauki/Sorekayi/Bottle gourd, Chopped 1 … [Read More...]

Subsige Padavalkayi Palya – Dill and Snake Gourd dish
Addition of Dill leaves to Snake Gourd adds a punch, which lacks in a Gourd. Try making Subsige Padavalkayi Palya and let me know how it turns out. Time required: 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 … [Read More...]

Masala Bhath – Spicy Rice with vegetables Recipe
Masala Bhath is usually prepared on festivals and occasions using a unique masala powder and vegetables. Cuisine: North Karnataka and Maharashtra Required Time: 25 Minutes Serves: … [Read More...]

Madki Kaalina Usali – Matki Chi Usal Recipe – Moth Beans Stir Fry Recipe
My mami used to prepare this dish for breakfast when we visited them for summer vacations in North Karnataka. The dish is rich in protein and is good for growing children and also keeps them from … [Read More...]
Travel

Railway Museum Mysore
Dasara festival is the time when tourists make a beeline to visit the royal city of Mysore. All the tourist spots are swarmed by people enjoying their holidays. Not many people are aware of the … [Read More...]

Talakadu – Part II
Picture1 - Sand Dunes at Talakadu Talakadu is a place known for its sand dunes, river, ancient temples and innumerable legends. Picture2 - Trees of Talakadu Cashew nut, Fig, Nilgiri, … [Read More...]

Wayanad – Kerala
Wayanad district is the hilly, picturesque part of North East Kerala at altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 meters above sea level. The hills spread over 2,132 square kilometers are part of the Western … [Read More...]

Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple
In Kateel on an island created by river Nandini is situated the Sri Durga Parameshwari temple. Kateel is located in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka. Devotees throng the Kateel Durga … [Read More...]

Kukke Subramanya
Kukke Subramanya lies in the midst of rain forests in Sullia taluk of Dakshina Kannada. Kukke Subramanya temple situated here is dedicated to Lord Subramanya and is situated on the banks of … [Read More...]

Maravanthe Beach
On our Karnataka coastal temple trip, my husband insisted on driving up to the Maravanthe beach. The drive was spectacular with the Arabian Sea lashing on one side of the road and the Saurpanika River … [Read More...]

Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary
Picture1 - Buffer zone of the Sanctuary Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary Sanctuary is situated approximately 301 kms from Bangalore in Haveri district. It is 8 kms away from Ranebennur town. … [Read More...]
Festivals

Festival dates in Vaisakh month – April and May 2026
Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026 Vaishākh (April – May) Akshaya Tritiya – 19 April 2026 Basava Jayanthi– 20 April 2026 Ramanujacharya … [Read More...]

Sri Vadirajara Aradhane
Vadirajatirtharu is one of the greatest saints belonging to the Madhwa Brahmin sect. He was born in 1480 on Magha (February) Shudda Dwadashi to a Shivalli Tulu Brahmin couple, Ramabhatta and Gowri in … [Read More...]

Dhanur Masa Poojas
Dhanur Masa Pooja as the name implies is to be performed in the Hindu month of Dhanur Masa, December – January according to Gregorian calendar. This year (2017) it is from 16th December to 15th … [Read More...]

Teachers Day
Guru Brahma Gurur Vishnu| Guru Devo Maheshwaraha| Guru Saakshat Para Brahma| Tasmai Sree Gurave Namaha|| Meaning of the above shloka / chant is that the Guru / teacher is the representative of … [Read More...]

New Year Celebrations
Communities following Gregorian calendar celebrate New Year on 1st January every year. The year counter also gets incremented on this day. Though people following different calendars celebrate New … [Read More...]

King Raghu and Vijayadashami – Importance of Banni Tree – English Version
King Raghu of Raghuvamsha fame was a brave, generous, humble, and sensible ruler of Ayodhya. He had won many battles and his treasury was filled to the brim. On the behest of his guru Vashishta, he … [Read More...]

Manmatha or Kama – the god of love
Another interesting statue in Nanjanagudu is that of Manmatha or Kama - the god of love (Kama Samhara (killing) Murthy (idol)). During Holi festival, effigy of Manmatha or Kama is burnt, which is … [Read More...]