As the mercury rises, the divine amba pana (better known as aam panna) offers the much - needed respite from the scorching heat. This natural coolant is the ideal offering in the month of Chaitra in Odisha signalling the entry of the season's first raw mangoes. This refreshing preparation is offered to Bhagawan Jagannath as well... Continue Reading →
One of the most popular summer drinks of Odisha is bela pana prepared from the fruit of the divine bael (Aegle marmelos), a tree very dear to Bhagawan Shiva. Bela Pana is a traditional drink that is said to have been first prepared by Bhagawan Jagannath Himself for His devotees centuries ago to beat the scorching... Continue Reading →
Gondhoraj lebu, an important component in Bengali and Odia cuisine has rightly earned the title of the 'king of aroma' or 'king of fragrance'. This delightful native lime adds a fresh burst of flavour to any dish or drink with its distinctive aroma. This indigenous lime is grown extensively in West Bengal and Odisha... Continue Reading →
20 March is celebrated as Pakhala Dibasa around the world in honour of the humble pakhala, a beloved Odia dish. In fact, pakhala is an important naivedhya offered to Bhagawan Jagannath during the Sakala Dhupa, Madhyana Dhupa and Sandhya Dhupa, a tradition that has been followed since the 10th century as per locals. The priests say that Bhagawan... 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 →
Devotees throng the holy city of Deogarh for two reasons namely to have darshan of Lord Bholenath at Baba Baidyanath Mandir and to sample their world-famous prasad, the delectable peda. The temple of Baba Baidyanath, a Jyotirlinga is said to have been built by the Pala Empire (Pala Dynasty of Orissa) and the tradition of offering peda to Lord Shiva... Continue Reading →
The Similipal biosphere reserve in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district is renowned for its rich diversity of flora and fauna. This thickly forested area is blessed with many rare medicinal plants, trees, orchids, wildlife and honey. It is estimated that over 70 percent of the population of Mayurbhanj are semi-nomadic tribes who have a deep connection with... Continue Reading →
Madhya Bharat, the centre of Shaivism between the 9th to 10th century is dotted with beautiful Shiva Temples built in the Nagara as well as Rekha Deul style of architecture predominantly seen in Odisha and parts of West Bengal, Bihar and Chhattisgarh. One stunning example of the Rekha Deul style that has miraculously survived the ravages of the... Continue Reading →
"The place of Baji Rao I in India's history comes home to us with unmistakable force and vividness when we compare the political situation of this country in 1740 with that in 1720. These twenty years of his active career witnessed a complete revolution in the character of the Maratha national state and an entire... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
If ever awards for stupidity were to be handed out, it is highly likely that Aurangzeb would confer one for himself and award the rest to his incompetent descendants. By the end of his reign, Aurangzeb who had waged war with the Marathas for twenty-five years and had only pyrrhic victories to his credit undid... 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 →
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 →
Along with the wily Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya dynasty built one of the largest empires in Akanda Bharat. He abdicated the throne in favour of his son Bindusara who was equal to the task. Bindusara not only consolidated the control over the empire but also extended it further south. Travellers' documentation and... 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 important village of Karnagarh in Medinipur district which was once the seat of the Midnapore royal family is most famous for its Chuar Bidroha, a rebellion led by Rani Shiromani, who is called as the Rani Laxmibai of Medinipur against the highly exploitative land revenue policy of the British in 1798. The British were... Continue Reading →
One of the most beloved traditional handloom sarees of West Bengal is Dhaniakhali saree deriving its name from the place Dhaniakhali in Chinsurah subdivision in Hooghly district. Hooghly district is home to some of the oldest cottage industries like silk and cotton handloom weaving, brass and bell metal manufacturing, oil pressing, village tanning and others.... Continue Reading →
Erode, popularly called as the 'Turmeric City' is the third largest turmeric market in India after Nizamabad in Telangana and Sangli in Maharashtra. There are approximately 30,000 farmers in Erode alone and around 55,000 farmers in Tamil Nadu engaged in the cultivation of turmeric. According to historical records, turmeric was grown by peasants in... Continue Reading →
The resounding victories of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Pratapgarh and Panhala was very difficult for Ali Adil Shah II of Bijapur to stomach since he had been at the receiving end of many humiliating routs. He decided to join forces with the Mughals to either capture young Shivaji or if possible, even kill him in... Continue Reading →
The temple town of Ranipur Jharial in Balangir or Bolangir district is renowned for its prowess in Tantra Vidya. This historical town of inestimable importance was part of Dakshin Kosala where Lord Rama spent a great deal of his time. Ranipur Jharial is mentioned as Soma Tirtha in the scriptures and deemed to have many... Continue Reading →
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