Muscoth Halwa, a centuries - old sweet of Sri Lanka made its way to the tiny village of Mudalur in the bustling coastal district of Thoothukudi in the 1950s. This traditional treat was accidently found by A. Joseph on one of his many trips to the island. So intrigued was he with its texture and taste,... Continue Reading →
The 16th century Shiva Temple also known as Narmadeshwar Mahadev Temple in Belpan is believed to be the origin of the sacrosanct Chhoti Narmada River. According to the locals, Chhoti Narmada emanates from the nearby Sita Kund and joins the Maniyari River. This place has been mentioned in several important Hindu texts and commentaries... Continue Reading →
Siddeshwar Temple by the ancient Balsamund Talab in Palari is a lesser - known brick temple of the 7th - 8th century. This west - facing temple strictly adheres to the tenets of the Shilpa Shastra and has been widely appreciated by historians, architects and artisans for its extraordinary sculptures, carved panels and structural ingenuity.... Continue Reading →
One of the most delicious Chettinadu snacks of Karaikudi is its world - famous thenkuzhal murukku. This traditional treat is prepared for Diwali and important social functions. Locally available IR20 raw rice (or CR Pachai) is soaked for an hour after which the water is drained and the rice is dried on a thin cloth... Continue Reading →
One of the most important kharif crops of Uttarakhand is black soybean cultivated for centuries by small and marginal farmers under rainfed conditions using organic farming techniques. Known locally as kala bhat (or kaala bhatt), this economically valuable crop has played an important role in providing the necessary nutritional, medical and food security for thousands of people... Continue Reading →
The lush green hill station of Kodaikanal famous for its purple Kurunji flower (Strobilanthes kunthiana) has been making great strides in the cultivation of Kashmir saffron in the past decade. Saffron called as red gold is the most expensive, elusive and fragile flower that grows in the foothills of the Himalayas and has largely been associated... Continue Reading →
The beautiful north eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh is famous for its diverse agricultural crops, flora and fauna and delicious local cuisine and fermented brews. Each indigenous community in this state has left an indelible impression in the history of Akhanda Bharat with its fascinating social, cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs and rituals. In... Continue Reading →
One of the lesser - known indigenous millet varieties grown extensively in Arunachal Pradesh is anyat or adlay. Also known as Job's tears (Coix Lacryma-jobi L.), this millet crop has been grown for centuries by the indigenous Adi community using traditional farming techniques and tools. According to the locals, anyat is widely cultivated by women farmers on small... Continue Reading →
Bhaderwah in Doda district in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is an unexplored ancient valley blessed with stunning natural beauty, lush greenery, snow - capped mountains and the waters of the Neeru River. This valley is truly bewitching offering a different panoramic view in every season. The prevailing agro - climatic conditions... Continue Reading →
The humble adhirasam, a delicious Diwali sweet made of rice flour and jaggery is perhaps one of the most difficult sweets to prepare requiring a high degree of expertise. This traditional Chettinad speciality is one of the signature sweets of Karaikudi in Sivaganga district. Karaikudi and surrounding areas is largely believed to be the best... Continue Reading →
Kallidaikurchi on the bank of the Thamirabarani River in Tirunelveli district is renowned for its traditional food and snacks like appalam, murukku, thengoyal and seedai, vadam and vathal and festive sweets. Almost all the delicious items prepared here are done by hand and are hugely popular within the state and country. One of the most famous accompaniments made here is arisi appalam... Continue Reading →
Varkey, the decades - old baked treat of Ooty can best be described as a native interpretation of the French Puff Pastry. This delightful teatime accompaniment was introduced in the scenic hill station by the British Raj. A number of bakeries making a variety of treats sprung up to cater to the British taste.... Continue Reading →
Manapparai, located in Tiruchirappalli district is renowned for its murukkus since the 1920s. This unique innovation was first made by Mani Iyer who sold his murukku (made of rice flour mixed with fresh butter and deep - fried in coconut oil) in his refreshment stall at the railway station to the hungry passengers. In fact,... Continue Reading →
Uthukuli, a largely barren land dependent on rain - fed agriculture is home to several dairy units that have been producing high - quality butter and ghee for decades. This town is located a few kilometres from Tiruppur, the garment export hub of the country. Locals say that their rise to fame came during... Continue Reading →
One of the most - loved traditional sweets of Tamil Nadu is manoharam. Also known as manovalam or paruppu thengai, this sweet which is essentially murukku dipped in jaggery syrup makes an appearance as part of the seer bakshanam in almost every religious ceremony in Tamil Nadu. There are two popular versions of the manoharam made across the state namely... Continue Reading →
Madurai is often referred to as the culinary capital of Tamil Nadu with an interesting range of delicacies to sample. In fact, locals emphatically state that it is extremely difficult to run a restaurant or sweet shop in Madurai as they have well - developed palates! Though the traditional hub of appalam making has... Continue Reading →
One of the most mysterious temples of the late 11th century - early 12th century in the former kingdom of Haihaiyavanshi commissioned by Raja Jajjalladeva I of the Kalachuris of Ratnapura is the incomplete Vishnu Mandir at Janjgir. Locals say that this temple was actually constructed in two parts but the temple remained unfinished as... Continue Reading →
Nagari or Nagri, once a splendid city during the Mauryan and Gupta Periods and an important seat of learning, philosophy, literature and economics is now nothing more than a forgotten chapter in the history of Akhanda Bharat. This city has been mentioned in the Mahabharat as one of the regions conquered by Nakula in the legendary Digvijaya... Continue Reading →
Kharod, known as the Kasi of Chhattisgarh is dotted with stunning brick temples dating back to the Vedic Period. Of these, only four remain today namely Shavari Devi Temple, Andal Deul, Lakshmaneshwar (also known as Lakhneshwar) Temple and Eeshaaneshwar Temple. The most famous temple of Kharod is Indal Deul also known as Andal Deul,... Continue Reading →
The spectacular Konark Temple complex is an excellent example to understand the science of Hindu philosophy and tenets of Shilpa Shastra. This complex is full of architectural and artistic gems that will leave you spellbound. The magnificent Konark Sun Temple in particular is a wonderous architectural and structural feat, a true testimony to one's faith... Continue Reading →
Bhim ki Chauri (marriage pavilion of Bhima), a mid - late 5th century edifice of possibly the Guptas or their feudatory, the Aulikaras presents a lonely picture in the midst of stunning natural beauty. This temple located in the lush green Mukundara Hills National Park is believed to be the only surviving structure of that... Continue Reading →
Kharod, a relatively sleepy town is a lesser - known treasure trove of ancient brick temples. This town of immense religious and spiritual potency is said to derive its name from Khara and Dushana, the younger brothers of Ravana. The great war between Khara and Dushana and Bhagawan Rama is said to have taken place here.... Continue Reading →
The ancient city of Boudh, formerly a part of the Khinjali Mandala of the Bhanja dynasty is dotted with stunning temples of the late 8th - 9th century built by Maharaja Ranabhanja. The discovery of plates makes mention of grants made by the Bhanjas of Khinjali Mandala to a village of Gandatapati (known later as... Continue Reading →
The 10th - 11th century Shiv Mandir known locally as Hazariya Mahadev Mandir located on the outskirts of the lesser - known Pali vilage is one of the most amazing Shivalayas ever built. The temple is open to the public only on three days in a year namely Shravan Somavara, Kartika Purnima and Maha Shivaratri.... Continue Reading →
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