One of the most exquisite handicrafts of Uttar Pradesh are the wall hangings of Ghazipur that are renowned for its innovative designs, weaving and craftsmanship. This craft is practised in villages of Ghazipur, Mirzapur, Varanasi and Chandauli, with more than 3000 families engaged in this centuries-old art. The artisans use an ancient Banaras weaving... Continue Reading →
Akhanda Bharat saw several invasions from the fearsome Huns whose tentacles of power had spread across South Asia and Europe at a frightening speed in the final years of Kumaragupta's reign. By the end of the 5th century, Attila the Hun had plundered the rich provinces of Europe with alarming ease while the Huns under... Continue Reading →
Every Hindu scripture has riveting descriptions of magnificent cities, grand palaces and alluring inner chambers that are richly embellished with gold, diamonds, precious stones and expensive cloths. The bright floor coverings that were spread out to receive Lord Krishna at Shauripur near Agra have been described at length in the Mahabharat and the origin of... Continue Reading →
One of the best-preserved brick temple complexes of the 9th - 10th century is found in the sleepy village of Nibiya Khera in Bhadwara. Though no inscription has been found, it is likely that the Gurjara - Pratihara dynasty who ruled over a large part of Northern India built this temple. This temple complex... Continue Reading →
The historically and archaeologically significant city of Mau produces one of the rarest types of sarees called Mau saree that derives its name from the city. Popularly called as the ‘city of weavers’, the weaving industry has been prevalent for at least 200 years if not more. The origin of the Mau saree is traced... Continue Reading →
Banda district in Bundelkhand region has carved a unique identity for itself synonymous with great wars, patriotism and rich heritage. Mighty rulers like the Chandelas of Jejakabhukti, Bundelas, Marathas and others have contributed significantly to its history, culture and tradition. One of the most picturesque forts built in this region which is the resting place... Continue Reading →
The ancient repoussé craft, considered to be even older than the Banarasi Silk handloom industry has flourished in the heritage city of Varanasi since the Vedic times. Traditional artisans use the repoussé technique to make faces of gods and goddesses, gold and silver dresses, traditional ornaments, doors, wall decorations in temples and unique gold and... Continue Reading →
A most curious metrological temple has piqued the interest of scientists, historians and devotees for centuries. This temple has the uncanny ability to accurately forecast rainfall in the region! Villagers say that about 5 - 7 days before the onset of rains, water droplets start dripping from the monsoon patthar (monsoon stones) that have been... Continue Reading →
One of the oldest and most famous industries that has flourished for more than a thousand years in Farrukhabad is the artistic cotton printing industry. India has long been considered to be a pioneer in the art of calico printing with many craftsmen across the country engaged in creating designs that are typical of their... Continue Reading →
One of the most impressive edifices built by the Guptas is the Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh village in Jhansi division of Uttar Pradesh. Deogarh or Devgarh derives its name from dev which means God and garh which means fort. Though only a single temple with a square sanctum sanctorum is seen today, excavations have revealed the... Continue Reading →
One of the finest brick temples of India is the Bhitargaon Temple at Bhitargaon village in Ghatampur tehsil in Kanpur Nagar district. Considered to be the earliest surviving temple built by the Guptas, this architectural masterpiece is constantly in the news for its innovative construction as well as its mysterious background. Though the plan of... Continue Reading →
Another legacy of the glorious reign of the Chandelas in Mahoba is the stunning Kakramath temple in the middle of Madan Sagar. Kakramath temple is widely considered by architects, historians and artists to be an exceptional structure made entirely of the famous Mahoba granite. This temple is believed to have been built in the... Continue Reading →
उत्तर प्रदेश का वाराणसी शहर बहुत वर्षों तक भारत के सबसे बड़े खिलौने उद्योग के केंद्र के रूप में प्रसिद्ध रहा। माना जाता है कि इस प्राचीन कारीगरी को ना केवल अपने समय के राजाओं बल्कि मुगलों और ब्रिटिश शासकों द्वारा भी संरक्षण प्राप्त हुआ था। इस कारीगरी का प्रादुर्भाव कब और कैसे हुआ इस... Continue Reading →
The ancient city of Mahoba in the geographically and culturally important Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh has played a vital role in defining the heritage, art, architecture, literature and regional food of India. This city was called Kekpur in Treta Yuga, Patanpur in Dwapura Yuga and Mahotsava Nagar derived from the grand celebrations held by... Continue Reading →
The ancient city of Varanasi is one of the major centres of glass beads also known as kaanch ke moti. Historians say that glass has been used since ancient times and many archaeological excavations have unearthed glass pieces and crucibles that are over thousands of years old in different parts of Uttar Pradesh. Besides this,... Continue Reading →
Mirzapur in Varanasi district in Uttar Pradesh is one of the oldest and most important areas of dari weaving in the country. This belt that stretches across Bhadohi, Varanasi, Ghazipur, Sonbhadra, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Jaunpur and Chandauli districts represents the largest concentration of dari weavers in India. The whole process of Mirzapur handmade dari is labour... Continue Reading →
The historical city of Mahoba in Bundelkhand, once known as Mahotsav Nagar was the stronghold of the Chandelas and Pratiharas. In the ninth century, the Chandela king ordered a betel vine from Udaipur - Banswara in Rajasthan and planted it in the western part of Gorakhgiri. The westerly and southerly winds at Bundelkhand are warmer... Continue Reading →
"कालानमक" जी हां, ये चावल की एक खास किस्म का नाम है, जो पूर्वी उत्तर प्रदेश के तराई क्षेत्रों में उपजाया जाता है। इसके ऊपर की भूसी काले रंग की होती है और साथ में नमक प्रत्यय क्यों जोड़ा यह तो हमारे पूर्वज बताने के लिए हैं नहीं। बहरहाल, आपको जानकर आश्चर्य होगा कि बेहद... Continue Reading →
मेरठ में कैंची निर्माण ३५० वर्ष पुराना घरेलू उद्योग है। स्थानीय लोगों का कहना है कि यहां अखुंजी नाम का एक लुहार रहता था, जिसने मुगल काल के दौरान सन १६ ४५ में, चमडा काटने के लिय दो तलवारों को मिलाकर भारत में निर्मित कैंची की पहली जोड़ी का निर्माण किया था। कैंची निर्माण,... Continue Reading →
The Rataul mango was discovered by the renowned mango aficionado, Sheikh Mohammed Afaq Faridi (grandson of the late Abdur Razzak who cultivated the first mangoes in Rataul in the late 1800s) while taking a stroll in a farm. Sheikh Mohammed Afaq Faridi was so passionate about mangoes that he could tell the variety just by... Continue Reading →
Hastinapur (City of elephants) in the state of Uttar Pradesh is one of the most significant places of history, culture, heritage, spirituality, knowledge and wisdom in the world. This ancient city was the capital of the Kuru kingdom of the Kauravas and it was here that the seeds were sown for the unimaginable carnage witnessed... Continue Reading →
The famous Malihabad in the Lucknow district of Uttar Pradesh is synonymous with mangoes. Popularly known as the mango capital of India, it is home to over 700 varieties of mangoes which on an average fetch about 150 crore every season! There is an eternal bond between mangoes and Awadh. The mangoes were not... Continue Reading →
Kalanamak (‘Kala’ means black derived from the husk and the suffix ‘namak’ means salt) is one of the finest quality aromatic rice grown in India. This scented variety has been cultivated since 600 BC i.e., since and probably before the Buddhist era. It is also known as ‘Buddha rice’ as it is believed that Mahatma... Continue Reading →
For many years, Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh was considered to be one of the largest toy-making centres in India. This ancient craft is believed to have received great patronage from many kings as well as from the Mughals and British. There is not much information available about the origin of this craft... Continue Reading →
sahasa.in 