नाशिक जिले के निफाड तालुक में स्थित लासलगाव न केवल भारत अपितु समस्त एशिया में प्याज का सबसे बड़ा बाज़ार है। कई लोगों को इस बात का पता ही नहीं होगा कि महाराष्ट्र देश में प्याज का सबसे बड़ा उत्पादक है। प्रसिध्द लासलगाव प्याज़ जिसे लाल निफाड या नाशिक प्याज के नाम से भी जाना... Continue Reading →
Sangli Turmeric of Maharashtra
Sangli located in the western part of Maharashtra is considered to be the largest and most important trading centre for turmeric in Asia. Popularly known as the 'Saffron City', Sangli has been cultivating its world-famous turmeric since the 1900s. It is said that large quantities of Sangli turmeric used to be exported through the Rajapur... Continue Reading →
Hatu Mata Mandir, Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh
Hatu Peak at a staggering elevation of 11,152 feet (3400 metres) is the highest peak in Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh. A narrow treacherous single road, a little away from Narkanda passing through dense forests of deodar, fir, spruce, blue pine and others on one side and a dizzying fall into a valley below leads... Continue Reading →
Bijli Mahadev Temple, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Bijli Mahadev temple is one of the most ancient and sacred temples in the spectacular Kullu Valley in Dev Bhoomi Himachal Pradesh. This temple is seated at an altitude of 2,460 metres and an arduous trek of 7 – 8 km through a scenic Cedar forest leads you to this divine place that offers a... Continue Reading →
Aadi Brahma Temple and Aadi Purkha Temple, Himachal Pradesh
The breathtaking Kullu Valley flanked by Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges of the Lesser Himalayan mountains on either side is referred to as the Valley of Gods or Eden of Apple. This historical place was called as Kulantapitha meaning end of the habitable world and is held in high esteem in the ancient texts of Brahmanda... Continue Reading →
Ajara Ghansal Rice, Ajara Taluka, Kolhapur District, Maharashtra
Scented rice has always been a prized possession in regional economies since the days of yore. Different varieties of indigenous scented rice have been cultivated in different parts of India since ancient times. Both Charaka and Sushruta have extolled the medicinal values of fragrant rice in their respective treatise. Ajara Ghansal rice grown in... Continue Reading →
Hathei Chilli of Manipur
Hathei chilli or umoruk as it is called in the local dialect is considered to be God's gift and the pride of Ukhrul for the people of Sirarakhong. This special chilli along with the seven other organically grown varieties of chilli in Manipur have been cultivated for generations. Hathei chilli thrives only in the Mahadev... Continue Reading →
Parashuram Kund, Lohit District, Arunachal Pradesh
Parshuram kund located in Lohit district on the banks of the lower level of Lohit River (a tributary of the Brahmaputra River) is one of the most sacrosanct places not only in Arunachal Pradesh but also in India. This holy place finds mention in Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana and is dedicated to Parashurama, the sixth avatar... Continue Reading →
Malinithan, Likabali, Arunachal Pradesh
The ancient town of Malinithan situated at the foothills of the Siang Hills in Likabali is steeped in religion, history, culture and architecture. Legend has it that when Lord Krishna kidnapped Rukmini Devi, they passed this beautiful location on their way to Dwaraka from Vidarbha. They found Lord Shiva and Parvathi Devi deep in tapas in... Continue Reading →
Siddheshwar Nath Temple, Kardo Forest, Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
In 2004, a young woodcutter was felling a tree in the dense Kardo jungle in the holy month of Shravan. Much to his amazement though, the tree did not fall down in the spot where it should have but instead changed direction and fell down a few kilometres away. The woodcutter was puzzled by this... Continue Reading →
Rataul Mango of Uttar Pradesh
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 →
Naga Cucumber
Cucumber is said to have been cultivated by many indigenous communities in India for more than 3,000 years. Cucumber has been grown by tribals in Nagaland for centuries. It is one of the most important crops of the North Eastern states and Nagaland ranks fifth in area under cultivation and third in production. The... Continue Reading →
Munsyari Rajma of Uttarakhand
The famed Munsyari rajma derives its name from Munsyari, situated at the entrance of Johar valley (used to be an important trade route with Tibet in ancient times) in Uttarakhand at an altitude of 7,200 feet. Munsyari rajma or rajmash as it is popularly known is a valuable cash crop grown in North Western Himalayan... Continue Reading →
Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple, Almora, Uttarakhand
Almora in Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand is renowned for its ancient heritage (primordial human settlements and early Aryan people), culture, history (mentioned in the Puranas and Mahabharat), art and food. There are many temples built here by the Chand dynasty who catapulted Almora into a formidable seat of power in the 1500s. The beautiful Kapileshwar... Continue Reading →
Timmersain Mahadev, Neeti Village, Chamoli District, Uttarakhand
Neeti of Joshimath block in Chamoli district of Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand is the last village along the Indo-China border. This remotely quaint village is home to Barfani Baba, popularly known as chota Amarnath. The villages in Neeti valley are accessible for only six to eight months due to adverse weather conditions. Many rare medicinal... Continue Reading →
Gauri Udiyar, Bageshwar, Uttarakhand
The holy town of Bageshwar situated at the confluence of Sarayu, Gomti and Bhagirathi rivers is revered by all and deemed as the land of Lord Sadashiva. This sacrosanct place is said to liberate one from the bondage of birth and death and is venerated in the Puranas. Bageshwar is nestled amidst the Bhileshwar and... Continue Reading →
Balaghat Chinnor, Madhya Pradesh
Balaghat, commonly called as the rice bowl of Madhya Pradesh produces one of the finest indigenous varieties of rice in the country. The Chinnor rice is a native of Balaghat district and finds mention in several literature and historical texts. According to the farmers, Chinnor is derived from chiknaiyukt nokdaar sugangdhit chavur where chi comes from chiknaiyukt, no from nokdaar and... Continue Reading →
Kumaon Chyura Oil of Uttarakhand
Chyura or Indian Butter Tree (Diploknema Butyracea), largely found at an altitude of 1600 m is one of the most economically important but lesser known and underutilized multipurpose tree of the Himalayas. This Kalpabriksha or Kalpavriksha as it is known in Uttarakhand has an ancient association of spiritual and cultural importance with the indigenous communities of... Continue Reading →
Solapur Pomegranate of Maharashtra
Pomegranate or anar or dalimb as it is known in the local language is said to have its origin in Baluchistan in Iran and the Himalayas. The cultivation of pomegranate began in the late 1960s in Solapur district. Locals say that in 1972, Solapur faced extreme drought and emphasis was laid on increasing the cultivation... Continue Reading →
Kapileshwar Mahadev Cave Temple, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
An unexplored and lesser-known gem in Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand is the Kapileshwar Mahadev cave temple situated on a steep hill above Ancholi village about 3 kms from Pithoragarh. This ancient temple is tucked away from all the hustle and bustle of pilgrims travelling to Kailash Manosarovar and offers a panoramic view of the famous Saur... Continue Reading →
Kot Bhramari Devi Temple (Kot Ka Mandir), Bageshwar District, Uttarakhand
When and who built this ancient Kot Bhramari Devi temple remains a mystery till date. Famous poets, litterateurs and writers have extolled the divine radiance and presence of Bhramari Devi in Bageshwar many a time. Jaishankar Prasad in his renowned drama 'Dhruv Swamini' has spoken of the great Chandragupta Maurya's stay in this region with... Continue Reading →
Arunachal Orange
Arunachal mandarin orange more commonly known as Wakro orange (deriving its name from the place where it is grown extensively in Arunachal Pradesh) is the oldest cultivated fruit crop in the state. Citrus is by far the largest grown horticultural crop in Arunachal Pradesh and Arunachal orange accounts for almost 90 percent of the total... Continue Reading →
Lasalgaon Onion of Maharashtra
Lasalgaon, situated in Niphad taluk of Nashik district is the biggest market for onions not only in India but in Asia! Maharashtra is the biggest producer of onions in the country and unknown to many, the famed Lasalgaon onion also known as Niphad red or Nashik red influences the rate of onion in the Asian... Continue Reading →
Purandar Fig of Maharashtra
The journey of the famed Purandar fig began in the late 1300s when Muhammad bin Tughlaq shifted the seat of power from Delhi to Daulatabad. A few people he used to keep company with who were well acquainted with the cultivation of fruits typical to Central Asia started growing these in the dry area of... Continue Reading →