travelogue, taste-stories, couture, interior-trendz, festivals, cultural-tourism
Have you heard about the ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala’? It is none other than Kuttanad. It is one of the few regions in the world where cultivation occurs below sea level and is located on the south of Vembanad. Moreover, the Popular Nehru Trophy Boat-Race takes place in this part of the world. Over 1.6 million people live on the banks of this lake. These people are directly or indirectly dependent on the lake for their livelihood.
We have come a long way through our discussions on monuments built by Mughals. Now isn’t it a good idea to have a discussion on some other instances of Mughal architecture? After all, the vast architecture of the Mughal period is not limited to the tombs, buildings, and mosques. There are many other masterpieces found in that era. However, they are not monuments by literal meaning. But, like monuments, they also present the rich heritage of Mughal Architecture. So, few words on them are a must in this discussion. Let’s start with one of the most interesting yet unexplored examples. It is Hammam or Turkish Baths.
At Lucknow, it is the aroma of Biriyani that the foodies often fall in love with. The subtle flavor of this royal delicacy attracts many to the city. A plate full of steamed rice with meat pieces peeping out of it is absolute bliss. Often, it is served with a bowl of gravy and onion salad. You can find Raita as an add-on at some places. From Chicken Biriyani, Mutton Biriyani to the simple Egg Biriyani – you can try different variants.
Located in the abode of the Nandi hills amidst lush greenery, it is an eco-friendly property ensuring a peaceful stay for travelers. They specialize in scrumptious organic food made with ingredients grown in their own vegetable gardens. It is at a distance of 50km from Bangalore. There is a mini-golf course along with other indoor games such as darts, carrom, board games, etc. The hilly terrain of the place provides suitable trekking opportunities and it is also a favorite location for watching migratory birds. Guests can also explore nearby places of interest such as Nandi Village temples, Tipu Sultan’s mosque, Devanahalli Fort amongst others
Bomb calorimeter measures the calories in food by keeping it inside a water-covered, sealed pot and heating it at a high temperature. However, as calorimeter has certain limitations, the best way to find out calories in masala dosa is through the Atwater technique.
Be it the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, or Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, these temples house particular deities with specific customs and mythological significance unique to them. Some 1000 years old temple in Tamil Nadu such as Kumbeswarar Temple in Kumbakonam and Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur has stood the test of time becoming the architectural marvels of the country. Tamil Nadu has been ruled by Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas, Vijaynagar kings, and Nayakas and this has contributed significantly to the variations in the structural patterns of the temples.
As to the question of who built Khajuraho Temple, the only bit of information known is that it was built during the reign of the Chandela dynasty, between 885 and 1050 AD. The great Vedic kings, Yashovarman and Dhanga take the credits for building most of these beautiful Khajuraho temples.
This was the “Nabapatrika”. The entire setup resembled a food chain. Like the Lion and the Buffalo, The Peacock and the Snake, the Owl, and the Rat. It seemed as if mother nature had constituted all its creations into this idol. The idol was an ekchala idol where all the images or sculptures were together in a single frame – just like the joint family. But Durga Puja in Kolkata was popularised by Raja Nabakrishna Deb of Sobhabazar after Robert Clive’s victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757.
There are twenty-nine today, and each state can rustle up some sumptuous delights just for you. You will find some humble meals, to suit every taste bud and pocket.
Given the variations in the customs and traditions and the philosophy ingrained behind each state of India, heritage tourism is a potential proponent for the upliftment of local economies. Creating opportunities for tourists by the virtue of heritage tourism not only strengthens the importance of preserving heritage sites but also paves the way for diversified economies with each place retaining its unique socio-cultural features.