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 →
Siddheshwar Temple, Palari, Balodabazar District, Chhattisgarh
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 →
Vishnu Mandir, Janjgir, Janjgir – Champa District, Chhattisgarh
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 →
Andal Deul or Indal Deul, Kharod, Janjgir – Champa District, Chhattisgarh
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 →
Brick Temple of Shavari, Kharod, Janjgir – Champa District, Chhattisgarh
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 →
Ancient Shiva Temple, Ganiyari Village, Kota Tehsil, Bilaspur District, Chhattisgarh
A stunning example of 10th - 11th century temple architecture of the Kalachuris of Tripuri also known as Kalachuris of Chedi is the Shiva Temple located in the remote Ganiyari village in Bilaspur district. This east – facing temple located in front of a lake has the most charming sculptures of its time adorning the... Continue Reading →
Kabirdham (Kawardha) Jaggery
One of the most important commercial crops in India that thrives in the tropical and subtropical climates is sugarcane. India is the second largest producer of sugar in the world after Brazil and has seen a phenomenal growth in sugar exports of 291 percent from USD 1,177 million in 2013 - 14 to USD 4,600... Continue Reading →
Bija Mandal, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh
A magnificent edifice of the Chaulukya dynasty or Solanki dynasty of Gujarat and the Paramara dynasty that ruled over Madhya Pradesh is the Bija Mandal or Vijaya Mandir. Some historical documents suggest that the foundation of this temple was laid by one Vachaspati, probably the Pant Pradhan of the Chaulukya dynasty and then finished by... Continue Reading →
Lakshmi Narayan Temple Group, Chandpur Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh
The largest group of temples in the historical site of Chandpur – Jahajpura is Lakshmi Narayan. Considered by historians, archaeologists, artists and architects to be one of the finest examples of the engineering, artistic and architectural prowess of the Chandelas, this group of temples though completely in ruins today still manages to exude the charm,... Continue Reading →
Belmori Temple Group, Chandpur Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh
Chandpur – Jahajpura is an excellent historical and archaeological site to appreciate some of the finest architecture of the Chandelas built between the 9th - 12th century. This remote village literally in the middle of nowhere has countless damaged sculptures, carved stones, decorative panels and ruins of bathing ghats, halls and temples in the east... Continue Reading →
Sahastralingeshwar Temple Group, Chandpur Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh
Another beautiful example of the artistic, architectural and sculptural perfection of the Chandelas is the Sahastralingeshwar Temple Group in the revered site of Chandpur – Jahajpura. Chandpur – Jahajpura now in ruins was perhaps one of the most important seats of power of the Chandelas between the 9th - 12th century. The majestic Sahastralingeshwar... Continue Reading →
Varaha Temple Group, Chandpur Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh
Chandpur - Jahajpura is revered by historians, archaeologists, architects and artists for its exemplary artefacts dating back to the 9th - 12th century. This heritage site is a fine example of the architectural, artistic and engineering prowess of the Chandelas. The east and north-west parts of this complex in particular have innumerable broken sculptures, architectural... Continue Reading →
Bhandaria Temple, Chandpur Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh
Chandpur - Jahajpura located near the Betwa River is a lesser-known treasure trove of ancient temples of the 9th - 12th century built by the Chandelas. This magnificent heritage site has five groups of temples along with a number of independent temples built over three centuries. The five groups are the Sahastralingeshwar Temple, Varaha... Continue Reading →
Surya Temple, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh
The temples, halls, dharmashalas and tanks built by the Chandelas across North India is an excellent example of their architectural grandeur, engineering precision and sculptural beauty. The Chandelas were a devout dynasty who took great pride in abiding by the age-old wisdom and tenets laid down in the Hindu texts. Every building they designed conformed to... Continue Reading →
Makarbai Temple, Makarbai Village, Mahoba District, Uttar Pradesh
The architectural brilliance, engineering ingenuity and artistic excellence of the Chandelas is best appreciated in their capital city of Mahoba. Their contribution to art, sculpture, architecture and literature is expressed in their unique style, technique, structural features and design elements in every edifice they built in Mahoba, Kalinjar, Ajaigarh and Khajuraho. It is greatly... Continue Reading →
Kondagaon Cashew
The Bastar region in the state of Chhattisgarh is famous for its rich forest reserves, Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and Minor Forest Produce (MFP). This region has a large tribal population who are revered for their expertise and knowledge in natural and organic farming. Kondagaon, a part of Bastar region has been making massive... Continue Reading →
Ancient Brick Temple, Navagaon Village, Raipur District, Chhattisgarh
It is perhaps not known to many that Chhattisgarh is one of the few states in India where one can truly appreciate the natural progression of brick art and temples from the 7th to 16th - 17th centuries. This region of Central India has always been an important seat of power for successive dynasties from... Continue Reading →
Balod Ginger (Ginger-based Products)
Balod district in Chhattisgarh has for years been a treasure trove of rare medicinal plants, spices, agricultural produce and exotic flowers. The rich plant diversity seen in this district has not been found anywhere else in Central India. This district has a sizeable tribal population who have perfected the art of living harmoniously with... Continue Reading →
Jashpur Tea
Jashpur district, tucked away in the north-eastern part of Chhattisgarh is fast becoming the most preferred destination for agritourism in Central India. This district is blessed with stunning natural beauty, exotic flowers and excellent agricultural produce. This tribal belt is dotted with many plantations growing coffee, strawberry, cashew, pear and chamomile. However, it is... Continue Reading →
उत्तराखण्ड तेजपत्ता (Tejpat of Uttarakhand)
उत्तराखंड राज्य के नैनीताल, चमोली, टेहरी, बागेश्वर, अल्मोरा, पिथौरागढ़ और चंपावत जिलों में करीब १००० से २००० मीटर की ऊंचाई पर नम और छायादार स्थानों पर उगाए जाने वाले सुगंधित तेजपत्ता सन २०१६ में भौगोलिक सांकेतिक टैग (जी आई) प्राप्त करने का अधिकारी हुआ। राष्ट्रीय और अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय बाजारों में उत्तराखंड का सुप्रसिद्ध तेजपत्ता मीठी... Continue Reading →
ओडिशा का रशोगुल्ला (Rasagola of Odisha)
जिसे देखते ही मुंह में पानी आ जाए, वो है, "ओडिशा का रशोगुल्ला" इसकी उत्पत्ति का इतिहास आठ सौ साल पुराना है। भगवान जगन्नाथ को रशोगुल्ला भोग के रूप में अर्पण करने की परंपरा सदियों से चली आ रही है। ऐसी मान्यता है की १२वी शताब्दी से यह अद्भुत मिष्ठान्न, जगन्नाथ मंदिर में नीलाद्री बिजे... Continue Reading →
भागलपुरी जर्दालू आम (Bhagalpuri Zardalu Mango, Bihar)
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 →
महाराष्ट्र का लासलगाव प्याज़ (Lasalgaon Onion, Maharashtra)
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 →
आसाम की तेज़पुर लीची (Tezpur Litchi of Assam)
पूर्वोत्तर राज्य आसाम के बारे में शायद बहुत से लोग इस बात से अनजान हैं कि यह राज्य जैविक विविधता, विभिन्न वनस्पतियों और जीव जंतुओं से समृद्ध राज्य है। आसाम अपनी उष्णकटिबंधीय वर्षा वनों, बांस के बगीचों, राष्ट्रीय उद्यानों साथ ही विभिन्न प्रकार की स्थानीय खेती और फलों के उत्पादन के लिए भी जाना जाता... Continue Reading →
