Marwari Cuisine, Indian Regional Cuisine

Marwari Cuisine is the cuisine of the people from the east while princely state of Marwar in Rajasthan. It is primarily vegetarian and offers a fabulous variety of dishes. The cooking style used is mainly based on the natural climatic conditions of the desert land from where the Marwari people have originated.

Features of Marwari Cuisine
There are some specific reasons for the use of some specific ingredients. The local people who use various types of spices and herbs.
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The Marwari Jain people prepare food without using onions, garlic or any ingredient grown under the soil, except ginger and groundnuts.


Delicacies of Marwari Cuisine
In Marwari cuisine, the use of gram flour and curds is very common, each tasting dhoklas different from the other. ‘Gatta’, ‘Chilla’, ‘Kadhi’, ‘Pitthor’, ‘Pakodi Ki S
abzi’, all of these have gram flour & curds. The  flours such as bajra, makai, jawari are used in rotis, porridge, dhoklas and even in raitas. Some of the breakfast dishes are ‘Bajre Ka Khichdaa’, ‘Makai Ki Ghaat’, ‘Moong Dal Khichdi’, served during winter.

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Pallava Dynasty

Pallava Dynasty was a famous power in South India that existed between the 3rd and 9th Centuries. They ruled northern parts of Tamil Nadu, parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with Kanchipuram as their capital. The Pallavas supported Buddhism, Jainism, and the Brahminical faith and were patrons of music, painting and literature.

Origin of Pallava Dynasty
Pallava Dynasty was earlier feudatories of Andhra Satavahanas. Pallavas grew to be autonomous subsequent to their decline at Amaravati. The rule of Mahendravarman I (571 - 630 CE) and Narasimhavarman I (630 - 668 CE) witnessed the augment in the wealth and vigour of the Pallava realm.

Combats of Pallava Dynasty
Throughout their supremacy they were in steady conflict with both
 
Chalukya Dynasty in the north and the Tamil kingdoms of Chola and Pandyas in the south.

Architecture of Pallava Dynasty
The Pallava Dynasty was typically distinguished for their benefaction of Dravidian architecture. They were instrumental in the transition from rock-cut architecture to stone temples that can be witnessed even today in Mahabalipuram.

The Kailasanatha Temple in Kanchipuram and the Shore Temple were built by Narasimhavarman II.
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Pt. Ravi Shankar, Indian Classical Instrumentalist

The unparallel sitar maestro, Pandit Ravi Shankar the pole star amidst the tempest tossed arena of music, is the bridge who spearheaded east meets west upheaval. His talent, though dormant in his boyhood was spotted by Ustad Allauddin Khan who had been the guide and disciplinarian behind moulding Ravi Shankar the name he is today.

Early Life of Ravi Shankar
Ravi Shankar's elder brother was Uday Shankar who in the year 1930 uprooted the family to Paris, and the next eight years saw him basking in glory and limelight in Uday's troupe. Baba Allauddin Khan, who was associated with Ravi Shankar's brother Uday Shankar's ballet troupe for a while, began to take an active interest in the lad's musical training. Until he met Baba, Ravi Shankar showed no serious interest in music. Baba soon took the youngster over to Maihar state, whose court musician he was and began training him along with his own son, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. Though Baba was a sarodiya, he trained Ravi Shankar in the sitar. Such was his (Baba's) versatility.
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Agra Fort

Agra Fort is located on the right bank of the Yamuna River in the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh. The construction of this massive structure began in 1565, under
 
Akbar, and continued till the time of his grandson,Shahjahan. This red sandstone fortress encompasses the imperial city of the Mughal emperors. It is one of the most important and robustly built strongholds of the Mughals.
Other places near Agra Fort
The red sandstone Jahangir Mahal built by Akbar for his Hindu queen, Jodhabai. The Diwan-i-Am, the Diwan-i-Khas, Khaas Mahal, Sheesha Mahal-the Palace of Mirrors, the Pearl mosque, the Nagina Masjid, the Garden of Grapes, the Fish Pavilion and the Musamman Burj - where Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan died in 1666 A.D.

Sheesh Mahal or the Glass Palace is the finest example of decorative water engineering in the hamams.

 The Jahangir Mahal is the first notable building that is visible to the visitors, as they enter through the Amar Singh gate. Akbar built it as the women’s quarters.

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Types of Pranayama, Yoga

 
Pranayama is the Yogic science of breathing. It is one such part of Yoga which helps one in mental and spiritual healing process. Oxygen is the most vital nutrient for the integrity of the brain, nerves, glands and internal organs.

Steps to Perform Pranayama
The Pranayama process involves a series of regulated breathing exercises that is used to purify the Pranic Nadis
 by controlling, regulating, and channelizing the Prana or the life force in the body.





Major Types of Pranayama
Different types of Pranayama have different effects on the health.

Surya Bhedana Pranayama: It generates heat. It increases Pitta Dosha and decreases Kapha Dosha.

Bhramari Pranayama : It is more targeted towards mind and spirituality than the body. It balances all the three Doshas.

Kapalabhati
 Pranayama: Kapalabhati is a breathing exercise where various breathing techniques are moulded to soothe the Yoga practitioners.

Shitkari Pranayama: In this yoga, one has to breath in air externally, both right and left nostrils will be used emphatically.

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Rabindranath Tagore, Indian Poet

Rabindranath Tagore, a renowned poet and a Nobel award receiver for literature, was born in the year 1861. He grew up in the heart of Kolkata in a colonised country. Tagore's works focused on certain issues such as racial humiliation, search for self-esteem, education, and religion that was concerned with India. Literary works, nationalism and Santiniketan remained the passion of Tagore, for more than six decades of his life.










Early Life of Rabindranath Tagore

Tagore was born the youngest of fourteen children, in the Jorasanko mansion, now known as
Tagore House, to parents Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi.  Rabindranath's father, Debendranath, was one of the leaders of the Brahmo Samaj.


Rabindranath as a Poet  was known for his different forms of creative writing such as essays, letters, short stories, novels and dramas and is best known for his poems. Among his fifty and odd volumes of poetry are Manasi (1890), Sonar Tari (1894), Gitanjali (1910), Gitimalya (1914), and Balaka (1916).

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Benaulim Beach, Goa

Benaulim Beach is one of the evergreen destinations of Goa. It has the whole thing, right from captivating beaches, deluxe silvery sands, to nightlife and parties. It begins with the end of the Colva beach.

Location of Benaulim Beach
Benaulim Beach is located in south Goa on the shores of the Arabian Sea. It lies 41 kilometres away from Panaji, capital of the Indian state of Goa.

History of Benaulim Beach
According to Hindu mythology, Goa was formed when the sage Shri Parasurama

considered asLord Vishnu's sixth incarnation, fired an arrow into the sea from the top of the Western Ghats and ordered the waters to recede.

Things To Do In Benaulim Beach
The huge palm trees shading the beach make it one of the ultimate beaches for relaxing through day and night. Moreover, the sea is safe for swimming and  other vendors offering an array of food items. Water activities like jet skiing, snorkelling, parasailing and wind surfing are here.

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Kambala, Buffalo Race, Karnataka

Kambala or Buffalo Race is a well-known sport in Karnataka. Kambala is played before the harvesting season begins. It is a way of showing gratitude to gods who protect their crops from destruction. To celebrate Kambala, the farmers of Karnataka organize different kinds of outdoor sports. Kambala is also seen as the beginning of the sowing season for the next round of crops. Besides these, the sport is also organized during the religious festivals of the region.

Legends of Kambala                                         It is difficult to trace the history of Kambala, yet it is popularly believed that Kambala is a sport festival that originated in the farming community of Karnataka . Kambala is considered as a sport of the royal (landlord) family of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi region of Karnataka. Kambala festival is dedicated to Kadri's Lord Manjunatha, a living form of Lord Shiva. Kambala was started by the Hoysala Kings. 

Categories of Kambala

• Negilu: In Negilu Kambala, a lighter plough is made especially which is tied to the buffaloes.
• Hagga: In Hagga Kambala, a rope is tied to the buffaloes.
• Kane Halage: In Kane Halage Kambala, a rounded piece of wood is tied to buffaloes.

The winning pair of buffaloes was rewarded with coconuts and bananas. Now, gold coins, silver coins are given, cash award is also given.

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Soya Tikki, Indian Snack

Soya Tikki is a popular Indian snack item relished almost all over the country. This mouth-watering snack is rich in protein and fibre. It is easy to cook and can be prepared at home.  Soya Tikki can also be purchased from various food stores.

Ingredients of Soya Tikki

• Soya paneer, half kg
• Soya flour, 100 gm
• Potatoes, four to five
• onion (finely chopped), one or two
• Ginger (grated), two tsp
• Peas (shelled), half cup
• Coriander leaves (finely chopped), half cup
• Green chillies (finely chopped), two tsp
• Red chilli powder, one tsp
• Cumin seed powder, two tbsp
• Coriander (dhania) powder, two tsp
• Cloves (ground), one tsp
• Salt to taste
• Cooking oil, as required

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Traditional Dresses of Assam

Assam Silk saris dresses of Assam consist of the Muga or the golden silk fibre which has a huge demand in the global market.The 'Muga' is the most important and the most preferred wild silk all over India and is the main cause behind the exquisiteness and elegance of the Assam Silk saris. Embroideries also incorporate, acquainted and culture-related things, such as architecture and stone sculptures on the Madan Kamdev Temple in Assam.
Hub of Traditional Dresses of Assam
Sualkuchi is the place where the world famous Assam silk is grown. It is situated at a distance of 32 km from Guwahati. The golden silk of Assam is exceptional to this state.

Bodo Tribe 
The Bodo Tribe of Assam resides amidst the lush greenery of the region.  The men of the Bodo tribe, dresses themselves in Dhoti and Chador, which is made from Endi.


Dimasa Tribe
The dressing style of Dimasa Tribe in Assam is very similar to the Bodo tribe.
Mech Kachcharis Tribe
Mech Kachcharis wear ordinary dresses that are hand spun and hand woven. The men wear dhoti, turban and endi shawl or chaddar

Rabha tribe
The people belonging to Rabha tribe in Assam wear typical costumes known as koum kontong that are woven by women on the back-strap loom.

 Mishing tribe The women of the Mishing tribe wear simplistic traditional dresses.

Read more : Traditional Dresses of Assam