Jackfruit seed flour is perhaps one of the most valuable and most underrated superfoods in the modern era. Jackfruit has been mentioned as a deva phalam (Divine fruit) and a kalpa vriksha in the Hindu texts with each and every part of the tree used in the medical, domestic and industrial sectors. This sacred tree is revered... Continue Reading →
The North Bank Plain Zone (NBPZ) of Assam comprising of Darrang, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur districts is renowned for its high-quality tea, native rice varieties, pulses, maize, oilseeds and rich and diverse horticultural crops. The indigenous pineapple, jackfruit, banana, papaya, cabbage, Assam lemon, black pepper and others grown here are much sought-after in domestic and... Continue Reading →
The North Eastern state of Tripura is home to about nineteen different tribes with each tribe and sub-tribe having their own sociocultural identity which has been conserved generation after generation. The Tripuris prepare a unique rice beverage known as Gora bwtwk which is the undistilled form of the beverage while Langi or Chuwak or Chuwarak is the finished product.... Continue Reading →
A traditional alcoholic beverage known as Bhaati Jaanr is prepared by the Nepali community who reside in Sikkim. This delicious drink is prepared from the locally available glutinous rice and medicinal herbs found in the Himalayan foothills. The starter cake known as marcha is prepared by soaking glutinous rice and mixing it with the roots of... Continue Reading →
The Rabha tribe of Assam, largely found in Lower Assam and south bank of the Brahmaputra River prepare their own unique rice brew called Choko or Jonga-mod (Jongamod). This popular rice beverage is made from ten medicinal herbs that are found locally. The starter cake known as bakhor or surachi or phap is prepared from the locally available sticky rice... Continue Reading →
Sadhier or Kiad is a traditional rice brew prepared by the Pnar people also known as the Jaiñtia or Synteng living in the West Jaintia and East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. This ancient beverage (since the 1800s) is a necessity for all religious ceremonies and important events. It is a common custom for the head priest... Continue Reading →
Zutho is a traditional rice beverage prepared by the Angami tribe that is largely based in Kohima and Dimapur districts in Nagaland. This indigenous rice brew that forms an important part of the culture and heritage of the ethnic tribes of Nagaland like the Ao, Lotha, Angami, Khiamniungan and Sümi Naga is called by different names... Continue Reading →
It is a common practice among the indigenous tribal communities of North East India to prepare and consume traditionally prepared rice beer (rice wine) from different varieties of rice with plants, medicinal herbs, fruits and flowers. The art of preparing household liquor varies slightly from tribe to tribe though the fundamental steps are almost the... Continue Reading →
Assam is widely considered to be one of the origins for rice and has one of the most interesting rice cultivars in India. Rice is grown in about 25.3 million hectares of land in Assam with an average production and productivity of about 3.8 million tonnes and 1540 kg/ha respectively. There are four divisions of... Continue Reading →
The ancient city of Tezpur known as Sonitpur in the Mahabharat was the kingdom of the mighty Shiva bhakta Banasura. Banasura, an asura had pleased Lord Shiva with his manual dexterity using his thousand arms to play for Lord Shiva as he performed the Tandava (Cosmic Dance). Banasura was at the receiving end of Lord Shiva's wrath when... Continue Reading →
Boka Chaul is derived from the Assamese words boka which means mud and chaul which means rice and as mud is soft in texture, literally means soft rice. The ethnic tribes of Kamrup and Goalpara spell it as Bakachaul and pronounce it as Banka Chaol or Buka Chal or Boga Jhul while those dwelling in the Lower Brahmaputra Valley call it as Baka, Banka, Bukaor and Booka in their colloquial dialects. There is... Continue Reading →
The quaint village of Sukharia located on the busy Somrabazar railway line in Hooghly district has some of the finest terracotta temples and old mansions that you will find in Bengal. Somrabazar has historically been the home of some of the oldest Zamindar families whose wealth, grandeur and affluence has had a significant influence on the culture... Continue Reading →
One of the most mysterious forts of India is located in the sleepy village of Tikamgarh about 70kms from Orchha. A curious aspect about this fort is that the entire fort is clearly visible at a distance of 12 kms but completely vanishes as you near the assumed location of the fort! Even if this... Continue Reading →
One of the earliest examples of the exemplary craftsmanship of the 'Lock City' of Dindigul, famous for its unique handmade locks is seen on the door of the Dindigul Malai Kottai (Hill Fort). This lock on the fort's door is at least 400 years old if not more and was commissioned by the Madurai Nayak king Muthu... Continue Reading →
One of the most unique crops of Tamil Nadu are the Hill Bananas of Sirumalai and Virupakshi grown extensively in the eastern parts of the Western Ghats and lower Palani hills, Sirumalai and other parts of the Eastern Ghats. The aromatic and delicious Hill Bananas have been grown here for centuries by marginal farmers. ... Continue Reading →
हालांकि भागलपुर के जर्दालू आम का उल्लेख भारत की उच्च कोटि की आम की श्रेणियों जैसे: दशहरी, लंगड़ा, हापुज में कहीं नहीं पाया जाता, परंतु इस सौंधी खुशबू वाले आम को अब धीरे धीरे वह पहचान मिल रही है, जिसका यह अधिकारी है। असल में, जर्दालू आम का अपना रोचक इतिहास है, कहा जाता है... Continue Reading →
Chandrakona like nearby Bishnupur and Ambika Kalna is often referred to as the ‘city of temples’. This city grew in eminence during the reign of the Hindu Malla kings of Bishnupur whose architectural ingenuity in using the locally available terracotta to build their stupendous temples was adopted by successive rulers. It would appear that at... Continue Reading →
The ancient city of Datia located at a little distance from Gwalior is considered to be one of the most sacred kshetras of India. This historical city is mentioned as Daityavakra in the Mahabharat and is titled as Laghu Vrindavan (Little Vrindavan) for its numerous Shree Krishna Temples. It is also home to the Shri... Continue Reading →
Gamosa, a symbol of the rich culture and heritage of Assam is one of its oldest handloom products. Also known as phali in the ancient days, this textile has been held in high esteem and represents the spirit, unity and history of the people of Assam. Essentially, it would appear that the gamosa was a fabric used to wipe... Continue Reading →
Assam is home to many indigenous rice varieties commonly called as ‘unique gifts of nature’ that are not found in any other part of the world. The most famous varieties are the aromatic Joha rice, Bora, Red Bao and Chokuwa that have been grown here for centuries. The rice varieties which exhibit glutinous properties are termed as waxy rice and are... Continue Reading →
The capture of the hill forts of Purandar, Kalyan and Bhiwandi and the death, ruin and defection of feudatories like the Mores of Javli and the Sawants of Wadi respectively effected by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his able aides brought the crippling Bijapur kingdom to its knees. The construction of the new hill fort of... Continue Reading →
An interesting fort complex built during the glory days of Bengal relegated to obscurity is the Kurumbera Fort which is at a little distance from Kharagpur. Kurumbera Fort which derives its name from kurum which means stone and bera which means fence and collectively means an area fenced by stone in the local language is located in the historically... Continue Reading →
One of the most exquisite weaves in cotton and silk is found in the Bengal heartland of Shantipur - Phulia. Called as Shantipuri, this centuries-old tant (traditional Bengali saree) derives its name from Shantipur in Nadia district. The ancient handloom industry in Shantipur has been mentioned in manuscripts glorifying the life of Advaita Acharya as... Continue Reading →
A rare type of tall coconut variety with immense historical, religious and commercial importance known locally as Eathamozhy or Eathamozhi tall coconut thrives in Kanyakumari district. The unique morphological traits found in this variety are of a superior genetic constitution and it is unsurprising that there is great demand for the seedlings of Eathamozhy tall... Continue Reading →
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