South Indian Cuisine

South Indian cuisine consists of the dishes of four South Indian states that include Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

South Indian Cuisine had an influence of foreign and native rulers. Since the South Indian climate is hot and they lie on the coastal areas of the country, the dishes are such that suits these features.

South Indian Meals are centred on rice or rice-based dishes. Rice is combined with Sambhar and Rasam, dry and curried vegetables and meat dishes and a host of coconut-based chutneys and Pappadums.

Chutneys are an accompaniment for a main dish in a South Indian meal.Generally Chutneys are wet or dry that has a thick to fine texture.
Coconut milk straight from the nut is a common

beverage and sight in South India. Coffee is very popular in South India and Madras coffee is popular in South Indian restaurants throughout the world
Kerala Cuisine
Kerala also has a mouth watering cuisine that comprises of Malabar cuisine. In Kerala, most curries always have a lot of coconut milk.

Tamil Nadu Cuisine
Tamil Nadu is famous for its filter coffee as most Tamils have a subtle contempt for instant coffee. Tamil Nadu has its Chettinadu cuisine that is very well known.
 
Andhra Pradesh Cuisine
Cuisine of Andhra Pradesh is well renowned not just in the country but also amongst the gourmet all over the world.

Karnataka Cuisine
Karnataka is blessed with a rich culinary heritage. Regional food habits differ vastly depending on locally available ingredients; the result is a richly varied spread. Kodagu cuisine, North Karnataka cuisine, Malenadu cuisine, South Karnataka cuisine are the divisions of Karnataka cuisine.

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Padahastasana, Cultural Asanas

Padahastasana is a cultural asana that is also known as the forward bending asana. It is the seventh posture in the series of Hatha yoga positions.

Padahastasana is Cultural Yoga Asana which is an intense forward bend and has great health effects on the body. It is one of the 12 basic postures of Hatha yoga.

It is also the third pose of Surya Namaskar, the sun salutation sequence. It is believed to reduce tamas, which means heaviness or inertia in the body.

Practice of Padahastasana


In the beginning, one should practice for 15-20 seconds, increasing the duration over time.

Effects of Padahastasana
Padahastasana is an inverted posture which provides innumerable health benefits. This cultural asana is beneficial in indigestion. It prevents stiffness of spine as this yoga asana stretches and lengthens the entire spine.

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Indian Pet Animals

Indian pet animals like, dog, cat, bird, fish, rabbit, etc form an integral part of the houses and are domesticated for both personal and commercial purposes.

Indian Pet Animals are an important part of almost every household in the country and are kept either for domestic purpose or for commercial use.

A pet animal is a domestic animal kept for amusement and company. It has been medically approved that pets give significant health benefits and help in relieving stress.
Types of Indian Pet Animals
The different types of pet animals available in India are discussed below in details:

Mammals
Amongst mammals, dogs are the most common Indian Pet Animals, followed by cats which are also found in many residences.

Indian Dogs
Dogs are believed to be a classic example of domesticated animals normally suited to being pets. International breeds like Labrador, Daschund, Beagle, Pug, Great Dane, Basset Hound, Bull Dog, Dalmatians, Doberman, German Sheperd, Boxer, Cocker Spaniel, Irish Setter and local breeds such as, Combai, Rajapalayam, Kanni, Mudhol Hound, Chippiparai, and Caravan Hound are amongst the most preferred.
Indian Cats
Domestic cats are also frequently found in many households in India. Cats appear to be less changed behaviourally by their association with humans, in comparison.

Other Mammals in India
Many horses and related animals like goats and sheep are also suitable for human companionship as pets or work animals. Pet rabbits usually live for 5 years, but sometimes can also live twice as long.

Indian Birds and Fishes
Everybody is familiar with exotic birds being kept as pets. These birds include cockatoo, parrot, myna, love-birds etc. It is best to buy the cage with the bird, as each species' requirements are different.

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Indian Buddhist Sites

Indian Buddhist Sites are one of the best ways to know more about Buddha and Buddhism, and are located in the various Indian states.

Indian Buddhist sites are numerous in number which are scattered throughout the length and breadth of Asia.

A majority of these renowned regions are closely associated with the life of Lord Gautama Buddha and have been visited by Buddha either for preaching Buddhist principles or for meditation. To transform himself from 'Siddhartha' to 'Sakyamuni' and then to Buddha he had travelled far and wide on various purposes.

Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is one of the most well known places for Buddhists which lies in the eastern Indian state of Bihar. The most important attraction here is the Bodhi tree under which Gautama attained Enlightenment. Another attraction here is the Mahabodhi Temple.

Sarnath
The Deer Park in Sarnath is the place where Buddha delivered his first discourse, through which he had preached the 'four noble truths' and their associated principles. The place is situated near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Today there are some of most exquisite Buddhist monuments in Sarnath.
Kushinagar
Kushinagar town in Uttar Pradesh is the site where Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana following His demise and it was referred to as 'Kushavati' or 'Jatakas' during ancient periods.
 
Rajgir 
Rajgir, situated in Bihar was once a capital of the Magadha kingdom which later developed into Mauryan Empire and is believed to have come into existence during 1000 BC.

Vaishali 
Vaishali is present in Bihar and is called so since it was extensive or 'Vishal' as per the Hindi language, according to a Theravadin scholar and Buddhist commentator known as Buddhaghosa who lived during the 5th century.
Sanchi
This Buddhist site is located in Madhya Pradesh, India. This is the place, which was converted to a Buddhist retreat. The Great Stupa here was built by emperor Ashoka and is said to be amongst the most ancient stone structures in India.
 
Ajanta
The figure of 'Padmapani' or 'Avalokiteshvara' is to be found here. There are 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves at Ajanta in Maharashtra.

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Lord Hanuman, Hindu God

Lord Hanuman is described as the monkey God. He was the son of Anjana and is believed to be an avatar of the supreme Lord Shiva.Lord Hanuman is the son of Vayu, the Hindu God of Wind. He was a devotee of Lord Rama.
Lord Hanuman plays an important role in Ramayana, the Indian epic. Hanuman is considered to be an avatar (incarnation) of Lord Shiva.

Birth of Lord Hanuman
Hanuman was born in the Treta Yuga. There are several stories in regard to his birth. Anjana was an apsara named Punjikasthala, who was cursed to be born on earth as a female monkey.
Legends of Lord Hanuman
Hanuman is also considered as the incarnation of Lord Shiva. It is said that when Ravana once tried to enter Shiva’s abode in Himalayas, Nandi stopped him and Ravana mocked him as monkey, Nandi cursed Ravana that he will meet his end due to Monkey.

Lord Hanuman in Ramayana
Meeting of Hanuman with Rama is an important episode in the epic "Ramayana", as from then on Hanuman was a great follower of Rama. At the latter part of the 14 years exile, Rama and his brother Lakshmana were in search for Sita, who had been abducted by the Rakshasa emperor Ravana.

They came near the mountain Rishyamukha where Sugriva and his followers along with Hanuman were hiding from his elder brother Bali, who had cast him out of the kingdom and kept his wife captive.

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Mount Abu, Rajasthan, Hill Stations in India

Mount Abu, Rajasthan is noted for its exquisite locales, comfortable lodging and good mode of transportation.

Mount Abu, Rajasthan is the sole hill station of the state, which is placed in the core of a piece of land, which is elevated to a height of 1220 meters.

Etymology of Mount Abu
The name has its derivation from Arbuda. Arbuda is a powerful snake who once had saved Nandi from a 'chasm'. Nandi is the holy bull of Lord Shiva. Also Mount Abu, Rajasthan is a home of holy person and sages.
 
History of Mount Abu
The earliest name of Mount Abu is Arbudaanchal. In the Puranas, the area has been referred to as Arbudaranya and 'Abu' is a diminutive of this ancient name.
Climate of Mount Abu
Summer lives from mid-April to mid-June and the nights are unpleasantly cold.
Attractions of Mount Abu
Mount Abu is a great tourist destination, a hill station with the typical mix together of the flavours of Rajasthan. Following are the places to visit in Mount Abu:

Guru Shikar:
Guru Shikar is the highest point in mount Abu. It is wonderful to get a panoramic sight of the entire province and is well-known for its temple of Guru Dattatreya.

Dilwara Jain Temples: Dilwara Jain temples are situated at a distance of just 2.5 kilometres. Brilliant use of marble in the architecture and the decorative carvings and the perfect stone laying technique make it one in the middle of the most beautiful pilgrimage spots in the world.

Achalgarh Fort

The fort was recreated in 1452 by Maharana Kumbha the leader of the Mewar kingdom and was renamed as 'Achalgarh' or the permanent. The fort yet stands in ruins to this day.

Nakki Lake
 Nakki Lake is an ancient and sacred lake. The lake is also well-known as Mahatma Gandhi’s ruins were engrossed here leading to the structure of Gandhi Ghat.
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North Indian Dances, Indian Dances

North Indian Dances portray various aspects of Hindu and Muslim culture that have influenced the region for a long time.
North Indian Dances represent a prosperous multiplicity. North India was the centre of ancient kingdoms, such as Maurya Empire, Gupta Empire, Mughal dynasty and British Indian Empires which introduced diverse culture to the region.

Different North Indian Dances
Following are the Different North Indian Dances:
Kathak Dance: ‘Kathak’ is celebrated as a classical dance form which originated with the
nomadic bards of ancient northern India.


Bhangra Dance: ‘Bhangra’ with its thumping music is performed in occasions like weddings and other traditional festivals.
Ras Leela DanceThe ‘Ras Leela’ is the most well-liked form of folk dance of India, particularly in the festivals of ‘Krishna Janmashtami’ and ‘Holi’ in the regions in ‘Mathura’ and ‘Vrindavan’ in Uttar Pradesh.

Garba Dance: ‘Garba’ is the most famous dance form in India. The traditional ‘garba’ dance from Gujarat is performed around the statue of ‘Goddess Shakti’ during the festival of ‘Navaratri’.

Ghoomar Dance: ‘Ghoomar’ is in the list of the most amazing local dances in India. The traditional folk dance ‘Ghoomar’ is performed by the women of ‘Bhil tribes’ along with other Rajasthani communities.


Dumhal Dance: 'Dumhal' is a type of dance from Kashmir. It is presented by the dancers wearing long colourful wraps and tall pointed caps, studded with beads and shells.

Hurka Baul Dance: ‘Hurka Baul’ is presented in paddy and maize cultivation, in different fields.

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