Nathuram Vinayak Godse: The Untold Story – Part VII (Martyr Jatindranath Das, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Martyr Shivaram Hari Rajguru and Freedom Fighter Batukeshwar Dutt)

From 1818, the British surreptitiously robbed Akhanda Bharat of its treasures, artefacts, rare jewels, gems and crowns, art and sculptures. A sizeable portion made its way back to their country while the remaining was placed in the British government treasury. When information was leaked that money rightfully belonging to Indians was looted by the British... Continue Reading →

December 31, 2021 0

Vishnu Varaha and ruins, Karitalai / Karanpur, Vijayraghavgarh, Katni District, Madhya Pradesh

The large red sandstone boulders of Kaimur Range have for long fascinated the rulers of Central India be it the Guptas, the Paramaras, the Chalukyas of Kalyani, Gurjara-Pratiharas, Gahadavalas and others to mention a few. Remarkable monolithic sculptures of red sandstone with exceptional detailing are found particularly in the Katni district of Madhya Pradesh. ... Continue Reading →

December 30, 2021 0

Bade Hanuman Ji or Lete Hanuman Ji Temple, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Bade Hanuman Ji or Lete Hanuman Ji, as the name suggests is a magnificent shrine of Lord Hanuman in a rare supine position. Located about 500 m north of the Allahabad Fort close to the Triveni Sangam, this massive idol of Lord Hanuman is one of the oldest in Prayag. Bade Hanuman Ji is... Continue Reading →

December 29, 2021 0

Shimoga Genasale

Shivamogga district, a gastronomer's haven offers a heady mix of traditional Udupi and highly scientific Malenadu cuisine. Shimoga is home to the Havyaka Brahmins who have adopted the age-old methods for cooking using locally available leaves, fruits, barks and agricultural produce that is season specific. Every dish prepared by them be it gojjus, hashi, chutneys, tambli, pickles... Continue Reading →

December 28, 2021 0

Bidar Ginger

Bidar district known as 'The Crown of Karnataka' is blessed with rich history, culture, architecture, national resources and agricultural produce. Located in North Karnataka, Bidar has the ideal climatic conditions (hot dry summers, cold winters and decent rainfall in the monsoon) and a mixture of clayey, red loamy, deep alluvial black calcareous clayey, deep black... Continue Reading →

December 27, 2021 0

Nathuram Vinayak Godse: The Untold Story – Part VI (Martyr Vasudev Balwant Phadke)

The year of 1818 was momentous for Akhanda Bharat with the British managing to snuff out the Maratha Empire from under the Peshwas. Though the British thought that they had displaced a Muslim invader from the seat of power, the truth is that it was the Maratha Empire whose expanse and influence across Akhanda Bharat that... Continue Reading →

December 24, 2021 0

Vishnu Varaha Temple, Bilhari Village, Rithi Tehsil, Katni District, Madhya Pradesh

Bilhari village in Katni district has many abandoned and forgotten temples and grand structures of the early medieval period. One among them is the Vishnu Varaha Temple, a lesser-known architectural gem of the Chedi kings built in the 11th century located at a little distance from the Kamakandla Fort. The temple sits on a... Continue Reading →

December 23, 2021 0

Patalpuri Mandir and Akshayavat, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Akhanda Bharat has many stunning gems in its bosom but the crown jewel is undoubtedly the ancient Patalpuri Temple and the extraordinary Akshayavata. Akshayavata is derived from the Sanskrit words akshaya meaning eternal or imperishable or indestructible and vata meaning banyan or sacred fig and therefore, literally translates to the eternal banyan (fig). According to the Hindu scriptures,... Continue Reading →

December 22, 2021 0

Udupi Hayagreeva Maddi (Hayagriva Maddi)

The history of Hayagreeva Maddi, a delectable Udupi sweet made from bengal gram (chana dal), locally sourced jaggery, freshly prepared homemade ghee, grated coconut, dried fruits and spices can be traced back to the time of the great saint and philosopher, Sri Vadirajatirtharu of Sode Matha. According to the locals, in the early 1500s, a goldsmith... Continue Reading →

December 21, 2021 0

Cuddalore Cashew Processing

It is perhaps not known to many that Panruti taluka in Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu produces one of the finest variety of cashew nut in the world. Such is the demand for the Panruti cashew across the globe, that it has been titled as the 'goldmine' of Cuddalore. Cashew nut cultivation and cashew... Continue Reading →

December 20, 2021 0

Nathuram Vinayak Godse: The Untold Story – Part V (The Chapekar Brothers)

The parasitic British managed to establish their control by the late 1800s and brought in a slew of draconian measures designed to fill their coffers while tormenting the true and rightful owners of the lands and riches of Akhanda Bharat. A fateful pandemic of plague swept the nation in 1896 - 97, particularly the state of Maharashtra.... Continue Reading →

December 17, 2021 0

Shiva Temple, Kamakandla Fort, Bilhari Village, Rithi Tehsil, Katni District, Madhya Pradesh

A stunning fragment of the glorious reign of Maharaja Yuvarajadeva I of the Kalachuris of Tripuri (also known as Kalachuris of Chedi) that has largely remained in obscurity owing to its dilapidated state is the ancient building of Kamakandla. Though it is called as Kamakandla Fort, the typical architectural styling of a fort is missing.... Continue Reading →

December 16, 2021 1

Someshwar Temple, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Someshwar Mahadev Mandir (also known as Someshwar Nath Mandir) situated across the holy Yamuna River in Arail village is one of the eight important tirthsthalas of Prayagraj. This sacrosanct temple finds mention in the Padma Purana and Shiva Purana and is worshipped by all the devotees who participate in the Kumbha, Ardha Kumbha and Magha Mela. According to the... Continue Reading →

December 15, 2021 0

Belgaum Kunda

Belgaum, known as the 'sugar bowl of Karnataka' is famous for its karadantu, 'cycle' khova, mandige and of course, kunda! In fact, the city is also called Kundagiri after this delectable sweet made from fresh milk, sugar and spices. According to the locals, the origin of this sweet can be traced back to Gajanan Mithaiwala of Vitthal... Continue Reading →

December 14, 2021 1

Pollachi Cocoa

Pollachi, known in Tamil as Pozhil Vaitchi meaning land blessed with stunning natural beauty, wealth and prosperity is famous for its innumerable cocoa plantations and delicious world-famous bar chocolates. Owing to its proximity to the Western Ghats, Pollachi has the ideal climate (hot summers, cool winters and adequate annual rainfall) to grow cocoa. Cocoa (Theobroma cacao... Continue Reading →

December 13, 2021 0

Nathuram Vinayak Godse: The Untold Story – Part IV (First World War)

A conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia soon led to the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and spiralled into a full-blown bloody crisis in Europe. Clear divisions arose with Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey forming the Central Powers and France, Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan and the United States of America the Allies. Mid - 1914 to... Continue Reading →

December 10, 2021 0

Joda Temple, Baihar, Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh

Joda Temple, as the name suggests is a pair of temples located in the vibrant town of Baihar in Balaghat district. The 12th century temples face each other and are located by the side of an ancient tank. The temples are in a state of disrepair with a large section of architectural elements and... Continue Reading →

December 9, 2021 0

Takshakeshwar Nath Mandir, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Takshakeshwar Nath Mandir situated on the bank of the Yamuna River is one of the oldest temples in Prayagraj. The temple is believed to be at least 5000 years old if not more and historical and archaeological evidence found at the site suggests that this temple has been in existence since the ancient times. ... Continue Reading →

December 8, 2021 0

Belgaum Cycle Khova (Ballari ‘Cycle’ Khova)

Belagavi has a wide range of scrumptious sweets and lip-smacking savouries that will surely tantalize your taste buds. Kunda, karadantu, mandige and 'cycle' khova are a must try for one visiting this historical city. 'Cycle' khova as the name suggests is khova that is sold by vendors on bicycles! This sinfully delicious sweet is surprisingly light on the stomach and... Continue Reading →

December 7, 2021 1

Nathuram Vinayak Godse: The Untold Story – Part III (Assassination of Swami Shraddhanand)

Swami Shraddhanand was actively engaged in the shuddhi movement across North India. The purpose of this movement was to bring back various sections of Hindus who had converted to Islam and Christianity by force and with the promise of rice and shelter. The derogatory term 'rice bag convert' came into existence when poor Hindus deprived of... Continue Reading →

December 3, 2021 0

Samudra Koop, Ulta Qila, Jhusi, Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh

Samudra Koop that literally translates to ocean well is one of the most sacrosanct tirths of Prayagraj. Located in the archaeologically important town of Jhusi, this ancient well was established during the reign of the Chandravamsa dynasty (Lunar dynasty) roughly around 7100 BCE. Jhusi used to be known as Pratisthan Pur during the reign of... Continue Reading →

December 1, 2021 0

Month: December 2021