Wish you all a very happy Rama Navami. … [Read More...]

Coffee Senna Tree – Coffeeweed Tree
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

Pudina Khajur Chutney
Mint and palm Dates chutney. Time Required: 10 Minutes Ingredients: 1 bunch Pudina/Mint leaves 6 Khajur/Dates 2” piece Tamarind 3 Green Chilies ½ tsp Jeera Powder Salt to … [Read More...]

Vegetable Momo
Vegetable Momo are very popular in India and proves that Indi-Chini are Bhai Bhai! Cuisine: Chinese Time Required: 45 Minutes Ingredients: For the filling: ½ Cup Cabbage, Minced ½ Cup … [Read More...]

Adangai Uppinkai – Mango Pickle Udupi Style
There is no end to the number of dishes that you can make with Mangoes. Preservation of Mangoes include dehydrating, and making pickles, jams, chutneys, and sauces. Adangai Uppinkai is a pickle … [Read More...]

Golgappa Puri – Puri for Pani Puri
Golgappa Puri are small puffed deep fried fritters used to fill different kinds of tasty, tangy concoctions and served. The popular street food Chaats or Chats use these puris. Pani Puri, is the … [Read More...]

Nippattu – Thattai Recipe – Nippittu Recipe
Nippattu is a favorite snacks among Mysoreans and Bangaloreans. This is prepared during festivals like Krishna Janmashtami, Dasara, and on occasions like weddings and upanayana. Time … [Read More...]

Mosaru Avalakki
Yoghurt and beaten rice mixed together with seasoning. This dish is very soothing and a perfect way to detoxify. When Avalakki / beaten rice is offered to any Hindu, he/she will not refuse it. This is … [Read More...]

Sudha Rasa – Fruits in Syrup
Sudha Rasa is a soothing dessert, which can be prepared quickly. Mom used to make this on Thursdays when Grandpa used to have only Chapathis in the evenings. Beautiful memory and lovely … [Read More...]

Ishtew – Vegetables in Coconut Milk
Ishtew is a mixed vegetable stew from the state of Kerala. Vegetables are simmered in coconut milk and this is served with a crepe/pancake called Appam. Cuisine: Kerala Time … [Read More...]
Travel

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...]

Dolphins Nose View Point, Coonoor
The winding narrow roads into the thick shola forest and tea estates lead to the Dolphins Nose viewpoint. I love the adventurous drive to this place. The peak is at 6,000 feet above sea level, an … [Read More...]

Veera Narayana Temple, Belur
Chennakeshava Temple complex in Belur comprises of many temples dedicated to various deities. One such temple is the Veera Narayana temple. The presiding deity Veera Narayana is also known as Lakshmi … [Read More...]

Sims Park Coonoor
Sims park is named after J.D.Sim who was the secretary of the Madras Club in 1874. The garden is spread over 12 hectares with more than 1000 plant species at an elevation of 1780 mts above sea … [Read More...]

Melukote Srivaishnava Piligrimage Center
Melukote is a famous piligrimage center situated in Mandya district, Karnataka. This place is also known as Thirunarayanapuram, Yadavagiri or Yadugiri nestled in the Cauvery river valley. From Mysore … [Read More...]

Mullayanagiri
If you want to be on top of Karnataka, then travel to Mullayanagiri, which is the highest peak in Karnataka. It is 16 Km from Chikkamagalur and is 1930 meters above sea level and the view of the … [Read More...]

Aquatic Birds of Kukkarahalli Lake
Recently there was a competition held in Bangalore between bird watcher's groups on the maximum number of birds sighted in a day. Well I was not part of this competition, but would like to share some … [Read More...]
Festivals

Song to Goddess Lakshmi – Varamahalakshmi Arathi Haadu
My mother had written this song in the praise of Goddess Mahalakshmi in 1996. This song can be sung on festivals like Varamahalakshmi, Diwali Lakshmi Pooja, Shravana Shukravara Pooja, Ashada … [Read More...]

Story of Tripurasura Dahana – End of Tripurasura – Introduction to Baudha Avatara
Demon Taraka had 3 children namely, Tarakaksha, Kamalalochana, and Vidyunmaali. The three together performed deep penance and Brahma pleased with their devotion appeared before them. They … [Read More...]

Banni Tree
The botanical name of this tree is Prosopis spicigera. In Sanskrit it is known as Shami Vruksha. Banni tree is found in dry and arid regions at low altitudes. This tree is widely grown in … [Read More...]

Mysore Dasara Flower Show
Mysoreans love gardening and every house will have at least a Tulasi and Money plant growing in a pot. To encourage this wonderful hobby, a flower show on a grand scale is held by the … [Read More...]

Holi – Festival of Colors
I remember Holi being celebrated on the streets of Mysore, where the kids from the neighborhood would go begging from house to house collecting discarded things that can be burnt like mats, brooms, … [Read More...]

Udaka Shanti Pooja
Udaka Shanti Pooja is performed before major events like marriage, upanayana, gruha pravesha, and so on. This pooja is performed for peace and harmony in the house. First, Ganesha is worshiped. … [Read More...]

Galipata Habba – Indian Kite Festival – Festival of Kites
Gone are the days when we used to see people flying colorful and different shape Galipata/Kites. The Kite wars and making our own customized Kites was great fun. To balance the kite a long … [Read More...]