Vasco da Gama's ships left Portugal on 8 July 1497, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and sailed up the east coast of Africa to Malindi. He took the help of a guide given by a local ruler and headed towards southern India. It took them only twenty-three days to cross from Africa to Malabar.... Continue Reading →
One of the most interesting temples of Varanasi that is rarely frequented by any because of the legends associated with it is the Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple at Scindia Ghat. Scindia Ghat was built by the Scindia (Shinde) dynasty who played an important role in the Maratha ascendency. This temple is located north of the Manikarnika... Continue Reading →
One of the most outstanding examples of iconography along the Rewa River (Narmada River) is the Datta Guru Temple also known as Garudeshwar Datta Mandir in Garudeshwar village. Garudeswar village lies to the south of Tilakwada and east of Rajpipla and is a part of the important Narmada Parikrama. Thousands of devotees walk barefoot visiting... Continue Reading →
Zutho is a traditional rice beverage prepared by the Angami tribe that is largely based in Kohima and Dimapur districts in Nagaland. This indigenous rice brew that forms an important part of the culture and heritage of the ethnic tribes of Nagaland like the Ao, Lotha, Angami, Khiamniungan and Sümi Naga is called by different names... Continue Reading →
One of the most sinfully sweet and flavoursome mangoes of Malda is the famous Himsagar. Locally known as Khirsapati, this native mango thrives in the district of Malda especially along the banks of the Mahanadi and Kalindi rivers where, the entire stretch is dotted with old and new orchards appearing as an unbroken expanse of... Continue Reading →
When the political intrigues in the Bijapur court had reduced the state to hopeless confusion and the Marathas continued to capture their lands, the regent Khawas Khan decided to send a large army to wrest back Panhala under the commander Abdul Karim Bahlol Khan. The news of this fresh advance reached Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who... Continue Reading →
'Poetry in stone' best describes the ancient Virateshwar Temple in Shahdol district renowned for its religious and spiritual potency. As the name suggests, Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Virateshwar, an embodiment of the entire gamut of creation. According to the priest and locals, the mere darshan of Lord Virateshwar helps one to experience the Supreme... Continue Reading →
One of the most important tirthasthalas along the Rewa River is the ancient temple of Kuber Bhandari Shiva in Karnali village. People often stop over at the 'City of Temples', Chandod located at the Triveni Sangam of Saraswati, Narmada and Orsang rivers before proceeding to Kuber Bhandari Temple by boat. Legend has it that Lord... Continue Reading →
Chubitchi or chubok is a traditional rice based alcoholic beverage of the Garo tribe. The Garos living in the Khasi Hills, Garo Hills and Ri Bhoi district in Meghalaya have a unique food culture indicative of their ethnicity. Chubitchi is paramount to the Garo diet that normally is made up of rice, vegetables and meat. This... Continue Reading →
Kesar is one of the finest varieties of Indian mangoes and much sought-after in domestic and international markets. Marathwada Kesar mango finds its origin in the Valsad district of Gujarat though the famed Kesar mango was first cultivated in Junagadh district. Kesar mango has been cultivated in the Marathwada district for centuries. It has often... Continue Reading →
Following the triumph at Panhala, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj decided to press forward his advantage and capture lands which were under the rule of the Bijapur Adil Shahis. After the capture of the forts of Parali and Satara (captured on 26 July 1673), Maharaj had extended his dominion to the east of Ghatmatha over the present... Continue Reading →
One of the finest examples of the Post Gupta period is the Kherat brick temples located in the sleepy village of Kherat in Bhind district. According to historians, Bhind region has been mentioned in both the Ramayana and Mahabharat wherein it is believed that Lord Rama spent a great deal of time here during his... Continue Reading →
Our search for the holiest shrines along the Rewa River (Narmada River) takes us to the charming village of Shuklatirth located about 16 km from Bharuch. Not many are aware that Shuklatirth village located on the bank of the Narmada River is one of the most sacrosanct places in the world. Shuklatirth derives its... Continue Reading →
It is a common practice among the indigenous tribal communities of North East India to prepare and consume traditionally prepared rice beer (rice wine) from different varieties of rice with plants, medicinal herbs, fruits and flowers. The art of preparing household liquor varies slightly from tribe to tribe though the fundamental steps are almost the... Continue Reading →
The vibrant saffron hue and sinfully sweet taste of the Gir Kesar mango puts it on the list of much loved and sought-after mangoes of India. Titled by the locals as the 'Queen of Mangoes', this delightfully bright and delicious mango finds its place among the country's five best indigenous varieties. Gir Kesar mango... Continue Reading →
Though there were constant skirmishes between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Mughals, the former's relationship with Bijapur was relatively peaceful. His power was acknowledged by all the southern states. The chief minister of Bijapur, Abdul Muhammad paid chauth to Maharaj to prevent him from plundering Bijapur. Even Qutub Shah of Golkonda was in awe of him... Continue Reading →
The ancient city of Bharuch (Broach) located at the mouth of the holy Rewa River (Narmada River) derives its name from the exemplary tapasvi Bhirgu Maharshi. Not many are aware that the Rewa River is in fact older than the Ganga and deemed to be immensely sacrosanct. The spiritual potency of this river is discernible... Continue Reading →
"The place of Baji Rao I in India's history comes home to us with unmistakable force and vividness when we compare the political situation of this country in 1740 with that in 1720. These twenty years of his active career witnessed a complete revolution in the character of the Maratha national state and an entire... Continue Reading →
It is perhaps not known to many that Mizoram has a rich diversity of exotic flora and fauna, rare aromatic and medicinal plants and bamboo and an assorted variety of fruit crops like grapes (higher productivity than the national average as well as that of Maharashtra), papaya, mandarin, orange, pineapple, passion fruit and banana and... Continue Reading →
The North Eastern state of Mizoram is a treasure trove of ginger diversity with as many as eight native varieties cultivated here since the ancient times. Ginger along with turmeric and chillies are important cash crops and widely used to prepare local delicacies as well as medicines. Mizo ginger is grown in Aizawl, Serchhip,... Continue Reading →
The Second Sack of Surat paved the way for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to make preparations for his ambitious missions by land and sea. The raid into Khandesh and Berar followed by Baglana and Karinja led to the bloody toil of Salher. The spirit of the Marathas was greatly roused by their comprehensive victory over Ikhlas... Continue Reading →
An exquisite 19th century terracotta temple commonly known as the ‘temple in the bazaar’ holds its own in the busy marketplace of Hath-tala (Hathtala) in Illambazaar. This temple draws the interest of visitors from across states for its unusual octagonal shape and stunning terracotta carvings. Hath-tala Gauranga Mahaprabhu Temple is one of the many temples... Continue Reading →
sahasa.in 