Soan papdi, the very name invokes a multitude of emotions ranging from dread to resignation to amusement to desperation. Undoubtedly, India's most hated sweet that makes its appearance in every festive season. The unwanted yet expected and convenient guest that plays musical chairs in every social and religious function. At the end of the festive... Continue Reading →
A truly unique product from the North Eastern state of Tripura is bamboo rice. This exotic immunity boosting rice launched during the pandemic by the proactive state and central government is prepared from the seeds of 30- to 40-year-old bamboo plants. According to the locals, no part of the bamboo be it the tender... Continue Reading →
The shift of the Maratha power to Gingee created serious problems for Aurangzeb. It would be difficult for his men to receive information on what was happening within the four walls of Gingee. He decided to act quickly to put down the rising Maratha power. He left his camp of Koregaon on 18 December... Continue Reading →
Lost in the rubble of the Dudhai village temple complex is the ruined Mahadeva Temple of the 11th century. This temple built on a high platform sits behind the Lesser Surang Temple. Though it is well-known that this entire temple complex along with the goshala, dharmashala and other structures were built by the Chandelas, this temple... Continue Reading →
Located in a densely wooded area by the Devatraya Ghat on the banks of the Ganga River in the ancient city of Karanwas is the extremely rare Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Temple. As the name suggests, this temple has twelve Shiva Lingas named after the sacrosanct Jyotirlingas built in one line along with the pradhana (main) temple... Continue Reading →
Prayagraj biryani, rated second-best in India after your grandmother's is an integral component of one's daily diet in the holy city. This traditional delicacy of India is a complex dish of wholesome delicious and flavoursome goodness. Biryani is still prepared in the age-old method of slow cooking with almost all the ingredients procured locally. It... Continue Reading →
Bamboo is an economically viable grass with every part namely culm, rhizome, root, leaves and young shoots used for culinary, medicinal, domestic and industrial purposes. In Tripura especially, 21 known species of bamboo are grown in over 3,500 sq. km area of forests and planned forestry. The current state and central government have done... Continue Reading →
With mounting pressure and constant assaults on the Marathas by the Mughals, Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj revisited his strategy of staying put in Panhala. The situation was getting increasingly dangerous for him and his men and it was decided that they would make their way to the safe haven of Jinji in the Deccan. Jinji... Continue Reading →
Another lesser-known sculptural gem of the Chandelas in the temple complex of Dudhai village is the pair of Varahas crafted in the 10th to 11th century. The larger Varaha is seated near the Larger and Lesser Surang Temples while the smaller one popularly known as Bachcha is near the lake. The larger Varaha sits majestically... Continue Reading →
Another spiritual gem of Karanwas is the ancient Bhuteshwar Mahadev Temple located at a little distance from the sacrosanct Maa Kalyani Devi Mandir. As per both historical and scriptural references, the Shiva Linga consecrated in Bhuteshwar Mahadev has been revered by saints, siddha purushas, yogis and tapasvis who visited this holy place by the banks of the Ganga... Continue Reading →
A hugely popular street food of Prayagraj and pretty much the whole of North India is the deliciously creamy dahi bhalla. Also known as dahi pakodi or dahi vada or dahi gujiya, this vada made from urad dal makes its appearance in almost all festivals and celebrations. It is perhaps the excellent quality milk and curd of Prayagraj... Continue Reading →
Papaya, a deva phala (divine fruit) is valued for its immense medical, industrial and nutritional properties. Rich in Vitamin A, papaya is highly recommended to improve one's immunity, nervous system, digestion and overall body constitution. In recent years, papaya seeds, leaves and fruit have been used to treat dengue and other ailments found in the tropical region.... Continue Reading →
Raigad, one of the most impregnable forts of all the Maratha forts had been made largely inaccessible by the natural defences of Mother Earth. This fort was constructed on a large plateau with enough food, cattle and supplies required for a large military presence to hold out for a long time. In fact, this... Continue Reading →
The Larger Surang Temple, a 10th - 11th century architectural masterpiece of the Chandelas is one of the many shrines in the dilapidated temple complex at Dudhai village. Commonly known as Badi Sarai, this temple is best known for its twin shrines that share a majestic shikhara. On first glance, this temple sits on... Continue Reading →
Karanwas, an ancient city renowned for its splendour, extraordinary architecture and artwork, detailed frescoes and temples of great antiquity is located on the banks of the sacrosanct Ganga River. A visit to Karanwas will take you back in time specifically to the Mahabharat Period as there are several temples, structures and dharmashalas of this time. One of... Continue Reading →
A droolworthy Prayagraj delicacy that is commonly had as breakfast is dahi jalebi! Yes, dahi jalebi in Prayagraj is more of a breakfast item than a dessert or a snack and is relished by locals and visitors. Interestingly, dahi jalebi, jalebi rabri, imarti rabri, imarti dahi and plain jalebi or plain imarti are hugely popular breakfast items not only in Prayagraj but... Continue Reading →
Palamu district is fast becoming one of the most exciting case studies for self-sufficient farming, crop diversification, watershed development, intensive cropping based on fruit crop, micro irrigation and traditional practices using latest scientific technology in India. The lateritic soil, warm summers with cool winters and average annual rainfall of about 1200 mm seen in Palamu is... Continue Reading →
With the tragic death of Shree Dharamveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb's lifelong dream of capturing the Deccan was fulfilled. The whole territory from the Narmada to the Tungabhadra lay at his feet. However, the savagery of the desert barbarian Aurangzeb hardened the hearts of the Marathas and impelled them to protect their own and their... Continue Reading →
A stunning example of the architectural ingenuity of the Chandelas is the lesser-known Lesser Surang Temple in Dudhai village in Lalitpur district. This temple is part of a larger complex that is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It is extremely unfortunate that the glorious period of the Chandelas and... Continue Reading →
Karanwas, a remote town located on the banks of the sacrosanct Ganga derives its name from Daanveer Karna, undisputedly the most generous and large-hearted man who has ever walked this earth. This ancient town of immense spiritual and historical importance has several temples dating back to the olden times especially the Mahabharat Period. It has... Continue Reading →
Prayagraj has an enviable reputation of serving up the best gulab jamun (known here as dehati ke rasgulle) and samosa in the world. Both Banaras and Prayagraj prepare some of the most delicious sweets and namkeen using pure desi ghee that truly enhances its taste. Age-old methods and secret recipes handed down from generation to generation have... Continue Reading →
Devotees throng the holy city of Deogarh for two reasons namely to have darshan of Lord Bholenath at Baba Baidyanath Mandir and to sample their world-famous prasad, the delectable peda. The temple of Baba Baidyanath, a Jyotirlinga is said to have been built by the Pala Empire (Pala Dynasty of Orissa) and the tradition of offering peda to Lord Shiva... Continue Reading →
Shock, quickly followed by a wild outburst of rejoicing was witnessed when Aurangzeb and his men received the news of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's capture at Akluj. The young king who had tried his best to follow in the footsteps of his father, the late Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had terrorized Aurangzeb and the Mughals in his... Continue Reading →
Located a little away from the hustle and bustle of Dudhai village is an extremely rare rock-cut image of Lord Narasimha that is nothing short of an engineering and artistic feat. One must remember that the facial expressions, posture and ferocity of Lord Narasimha is probably one of the most difficult to depict even for... Continue Reading →
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