Traditional Cuisine of Andhra Pradesh

The traditional cuisine of Andhra Pradesh is largely vegetarian but the coastal areas have a large repertoire of seafood.

The traditional cuisine of Andhra Pradesh is known for its spicy food all around the country.  It is identified with that among the Mughals. Over the ages, along with the Mughal influence the cuisine has been well known as a fusion of original Andhra and Hyderabad cuisine.


Features of Traditional Cuisine of Andhra Pradesh
The traditional cuisine of Andhra Pradesh is known for its heavy use of spices and chillies and is served on a banana leaf. Its huge assortment of spicy pickles and chutneys are a rage all over the country.

Various Traditional Cuisine of Andhra Pradesh
In Andhra Pradesh, food is served with rice. The rice, sambar and other lentil preparations, and steamed vegetables delicately flavoured with coconut, spices and fresh herbs are quite delectable. During the evenings, snack time is made of many preparations like onion pakodas, vadas and steamed rice muffin like dumplings called idlis

Few of the famous traditional delicacies of Andhra Pradesh are listed below.


Traditional Cuisine of Andhra Pradesh in Hyderabadi Style


Sweets of Andhra Pradesh


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Traditional Dress of Maharashtra

Traditional dress of Maharashtra replicates the identity of a typical Maharashtrian. It truly reflects the tradition and culture of Maharashtra. 

Traditional dress of Maharashtra comprises of a 9 yard saree as the traditional costume for the women, and dhoti and shirt as the traditional costume of the men folk. Maharashtra, being one of the largest and most populous states of India, demonstrates an array of costumes, which suits the purpose of any occasion, as well as weather conditions.


Traditional Dress of Maharashtra for Men
The men of Maharashtra uphold Dhoti as their cultural heritage. It may be worn along with a shirt or kurta. They also wear ‘Bandi’ over the shirt and turban called ‘Pheta’ and ‘Pagri’.



Traditional Dress of Maharashtra for Women: The traditional dress of Maharashtra for women can be categorized in two types- the Nauvari saree and Paithani saree.
Nauvari saree bears a resemblance to Dhoti and Paithani saree is worn with a long ‘pallu’.
Traditional dress of Maharashtrian, gives a pride to men and women . To know detailed information visit here :

Traditional Dress of Maharashtra

Religious Festivals of South India, Indian Religious Festivals

Religious Festivals of South India put up with the flavor of festivals which are inherent to Southern India.

Religious Festivals of South India bear the testimony to the southern Indian Religious Festivals. The southern region of India comprises of four states namely Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and the union territory of Puducherry. Festivals are to Indian subcontinent as wind is to the sea. Indian Festivals play a major role in spreading unity in diversity, with emphasis on communal harmony.
Some of the popular Religious Festivals of South India are as follows:

Onam: Celebrated in Kerala, Onam is famous for being a harvest and secular festival. People from different castes, religionsand creeds come jointly to commemorate Onam.




Pongal: It is celebrated on 14th January in Tamil Nadu. The word 'Pongal' is Tamil language mainly signifies the meaning ‘to boil over’.

Karaga: Recognized as one of the oldest festivals of Karnataka, Karaga is one of the lauded festivals of the Thigala community in Karnataka.


Thrissur Pooram: Lauded as one of the significant temple festivals in Kerala, Thrissur Pooram is held at Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur.


 The Chithirai Thiruvizha festival is celebrated in the Chitirai Month of the Tamil Calendar which falls in the month of April. It is a one month long festival.

Karthigai Deepam: The Karthigai Deepam festival can be termed as an extension of Diwali in Tamil Nadu as it falls just after the main festival of Diwali. It is the festival dedicated to the immortal light created by lord Shiva


Gowri Habba: Gowri Habba is a significant festival in parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is also celebrated in Maharashtra and is known as Hartalika. It is known as Bhaadrapada Shukla Paksha in Goa
These was a brief information, to know in detail visit here :  Religious Festivals of South India

Charminar, Monument Of Hyderabad, Telangana

Charminar has been a historical place for over 400 years and a global icon of South India. This monument is located in Hyderabad, Telangana.

We are sharing the article on CHARMINAR, for you to know that

Charminar is an early medieval monument of Hyderabad, Telangana. This old monument was erected in the year 1591.This medieval monument is an example of Muslim art and architecture and the Nizami architecture that was developed in the latter half of medieval era. It is now the global icon of South India. Charminar is one of the most important tourist attractions of Hyderabad. Many local festivals are celebrated here, like Ramzaan.
Charminar is situated on the east bank of Musi River; to the west lies the Laad Bazaar, and to the southwest lies the richly ornamented granite Makkah Masjid. It is listed as an archaeological and architectural treasure on the official "List of Monuments", which has been prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India.


History of Charminar
There are several views on the construction of Charminar. But mostly it is said that Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty built the Charminar in the year 1591 after shifting his capital from Golkonda to Hyderabad. Charminar was built at the center of the city to commemorate the eradication of Cholera. This disease was .....
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Costumes of Rajasthan

Costumes of Rajasthan are stunning and graceful depicting the typical Rajasthani culture and designs.

Every person, who wear rajasthani costumes, feel proud and joy to live

Costumes of Rajasthan are exceptionally lively, reflecting the spirit of the people and the culture of the region. The clothes worn by the people of Rajasthan are designed keeping in mind the climate and conditions in which they live. Costumes and jewellery of these desert people are not mere ornaments for them. Everything from head-to-toe including the turbans, clothes, jewellery and even the footwear establish the identity, religion and the economic and social status of the population

Costumes of Rajasthan for Men
The Pagri (turban), Angarkha, Dhoti, Kamarbandh or Patka (waistband) form an integral part of a Rajasthani male’s attire.


Costumes of Rajasthan for Women:
The Rajasthani female’s attire includes Ghaghra-Choli and Odhni.

Both Hindu and Muslim women wear Odhnis. An Odhni with a yellow background and a central lotus motif in red called a ‘Pila’ is a traditional gift of parent to their daughon the birth of a son.

Royal Costumes of Rajasthan:  
Royal costumes in Rajasthan reflect the regal taste of the aristocratic hierarchy. The Rajput kings always dressed up in their most colourful and formal best.

Footwear of Rajasthan & Accessories of Rajasthan :


Wanna, know detail information visit here -> Costumes of Rajasthan

South Indian Jewellery

South Indian Jewellery is all about richness, tradition, beauty and elaborateness and a generous assimilation of brilliant precious metals like gold, exquisite stones and a constellation of all that glitters. South Indian Jewelleries were created primarily in gold and were usually worn during traditional festivals and weddings.


History of South Indian Jewellery
The initial references to the depictions of South Indian jewellery date back to the mural paintings of the Thiruvambadi shrine in the Shri Padmanabhaswami Temple, Thiruvananthapuram. Even the earliest European reference to jewellery also relates to the use of South Indian jewellery in Vijayanagar. However, the jewellery of Mughal India has been studied much more extensively, thus, comparatively neglecting the jewellery forms of southern India.

Features of South Indian Jewelleries 
Illustrious designs and elaborate crafting make the South Indian Jewellery different from other traditional ornaments from other parts of India. The South Indian jewellery owes its influence to the temple jewellery which has experienced its evolution. Gold is the primary and major stone for jewellery and the other gems like diamonds, rubies and pearls are also used for jewellery crafting. The traditional floral patterns, glittering stars, swans and lotus patterns are mostly seen in South Indian jewellery.

Various South Indian Jewelleries
Each of the state of South Indian region has their own traditional jewelleries, which exhibit their own culture. The jewelleries are designed with different features and motifs.

Jewelleries of Tamil Nadu, Kerala,Karnataka,Andhra Pradesh,Telangana and many more in detail



Here is a great site that you should checkout: South Indian Jewellery 

Traditional dress of Andhra Pradesh

Traditional dress of Andhra Pradesh reflects upon the cultural traditions, the lifestyle, the tastes and preferences and finally the impact of present modernity on the mindsets of its inhabitants.

Andhra Pradesh is the eighth largest state of India, which is extremely rich in culture and heritage. Costumes of this state are quite popular for the cotton and silk textiles. However, traditional dress of Andhra Pradesh is quite similar to that of other south Indian states. The traditional weaving styles have been developed over 3000 years ago.

Traditional Dress of Andhra Pradesh for Men:
Dhoti, kurta, shirt and lungi are the traditional dresses of Andhra Pradesh for men. Muslim men of the state wear pajamas instead of dhoti and kurta with a fez cap (cylindrical red cap).
Traditional Dress of Andhra Pradesh for Women:
Traditional dress of Andhra Pradesh for women is saree &  two-piece or a half saree worn by girls or young women in Andhra Pradesh. It consists of a skirt, blouse and a dupatta

Traditional Sarees of Andhra Pradesh:
Sarees are the pride of Andhra Pradesh, woven in traditional patterns. The patterns on the pallu and border, that represent South Indian culture, add to their timeless appeal.
Traditional dress of Andhra Pradesh also includes some of the most popular cotton and silk sarees which have their own weaving style with traditional designs and motifs like Ikkat, Gadwal, Jamdani, Dharmavaram silk etc. Some of the most popular sarees are detailed below:

To know more in details, visit here : Traditional Dress of Andhra Pradesh

Temples - Dilwara temples

The Dilwara temples are one of the finest Jain temples and Dilwara temple are regarded as the epitome of Jain art. It is known for its extraordinary architecture and marvellous marble stone carvings. This is a pilgrimage site for the Jains. According to the inscription found at Mount. Abu, it was basically a seat of Shaivism and Jainism and made its appearance only in 11th century.
History of Dilwara Temples
Mount Abu located in the southwest part of Rajasthan is a part of the Aravalli Mouintain Ranges and is separated from the Aravalli by a narrow valley and Guru Shikhar is the highest point at the northern end. The Dilwara temples are dedicated to the Jain Tirthankars and served as storehouses of illustrated manuscripts and treatises. The temples at Mount Abu were constructed between 800 AD and 1200 AD. Vimala Shah,
Architecture of Dilwara Temple 
. The temple is built in the Nagara style of architecture. The temple is spread across a vast area and most of the temples are single-storied structures.
Temples of Dilwara
The Dilwara Temple complex comprises of 5 temples, each with its own identity and these are named after the village in which they are located. Discussed elaborately below are the 5 main temples of Dilwara....
    
For more, here is a great site you should checkout:   Dilwara Temple have five shrines that are dedicated to Lord Adinath, Lord Rishabh Dev, Lord Neminath, Lord Mahavira and Lord Parshvanatha respectively.

Hill Stations in Kerala

Hill Stations in Kerala are endowed with lush green vegetation and a wide variety of animals and birds along with vast valleys, cliffs and small rivers.

Hill stations of Kerala are concentrated on the Western Ghats. These hill stations are endowed with a variety of species of animals and birds and are bordered with Indian tropical rain forests. These hill stations experiences an influx of tourists especially during the summers. The hill stations of Kerala contain a wealth offorest resources including minerals, vegetation and wildlife. Thekkady, Lakkidi,Peermedu, Malampuzha, Mattupetty, Ayyampuzha, Gavi, Athirappilly, Charalkunnu, Malayattoor, Kalpetta, Thiruvambadi, Malakkappara, Vithura and Ranipuram are the popular hill destinations which are easily accessible from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Bengaluru, and Puducherry.

Devikulam,  Idukki District : Devikulam is a tiny hill station in Kerala located almost 16 km to the south western part of Munnar. The best time to visit Devikulam is during the months of September to May.


Idukki,  Idukki District:  Idukki is also known for its sanctuaries. Idukki is enriched with the major rivers which include Thalayar River, Periyar and Thodupuzhayar River. Idukki is named after the Idukku which is known as ‘narrow gorge’ in the Malayalam language. Idukki is a veritable heaven of flora and fauna and is known for its spice and tea plantations.

Munnar, Idukki District: It is an ideal spot for the enthusiastic mountaineer. Kurinjimala Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary of Coimbatore District (Tamil Nadu), Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park and Pampadum Shola National Park are the wildlife sanctuaries of South India bordered Munnar with the rich flora and fauna.

Vagamon, Kottayam District and Idukki district: 
While taking a stroll one can come across elephant, which are seen busy fun and frolicking in water pools.  The waterfalls and the deep rain forests are dominant.

Vythiri,  Waynad District :

Vythiri is rich in coffee and spice plantations.
The ideal time to visit this place is from summer to winters.

Ponmudi,  Thiruvananthapuram:

To know more in detail visit here : Hill Stations in Kerala

Folk Dance Of Maharashtra

Folk Dances of Maharashtra have evolved mainly from the rural areas of Maharashtra. Several folk dances in this state are performed during the time of festivalsor other occasions, representing the merrymaking and culture of Maharashtra. The state has been famous for its vibrant music and the folk forms are the true reflection of the society.

Various Folk Dances of Maharashtra
Kala and Dindi are the religious folk dances of this state which are performed with a lot of enthusiasm. Apart from the religious folk dances, there are various other folk dances which are performed in the state of Maharashtra. The folk dances of Maharashtra are detailed below:

kala: Kala is a form of folk dance which describes the jovial mood of Lord Krishna. This folk dance of Maharashtra includes in its performance a pot which symbolizes fertility. A man breaks the pot and splashes curds over the dancers. The dancers twirl sticks and swords in a feverish battle dance after this ceremonial opening. The most prominent attraction of this dance form is the rhythm and the beat.

Dindi: Another religious folk dance of Maharashtra is Dindi. This dance is performed mainly during the day of Ekadashi in the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar. This dance portrays Lord Krishna performing naughty deeds and having a playful nature. The dancers dance with the rhythm of the drum beat known as Dindi by encircling the musicians, and thus creating a fantastic musical background.

For more, you should checkout here: Folk Dances of Maharashtra

Nalanda

Nalanda is an ancient city of early era of Hindu kings, founded in the 5th century AD. It is famous as the ancient seat of learning. The decline of Nalanda and its university is associated with the decline of Buddhism in India. When Hiuen Tsang travelled the length and breadth of India in the 7th century, he observed that his religion was in slow decay and even had ominous premonitions of Nalanda's forthcoming demise. Buddhism had steadily lost popularity with the laity and thrived, thanks to royal patronage, only in the monasteries of Bihar and Bengal. By the time of the Pala Dynasty, the traditional Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism forms of Buddhism were imbued with Tantric practices involving secret rituals and magic. The rise of Hindu philosophies in the subcontinent and the waning of the Buddhist Pala dynasty after the 11th century meant that Buddhism was hemmed in on multiple fronts, political, philosophical and moral. The final blow of Nalanda University was delivered when its still-flourishing monasteries, the last visible symbols of its existence in India, were overrun during the Muslim invasion that swept across Northern India at the turn of the 13th century.  

History of Nalanda
Hieun Tsang stayed here in the 7th century AD and left detailed description of the excellence of education system and purity of monastic life practiced in Nalanda. He also gave a vivid account of both the ambiance and architecture of this unique university of ancient times. In this first residential international university of the world, 2,000 teachers and 10,000 monks students from all over Buddhist world lived and studied here. The Gupta kings patronized these monasteries, built in old Kushan architectural style, in a row of cells around a courtyard. Emperor Ashoka and Harshavardhana were some of its most celebrated patrons who built temples, monasteries and viharas here. Recent excavations have unearthed elaborate structures here. To know more read:

http://www.indianetzone.com/3/nalanda.htm

Paheli, the Indian film

The Indian film, 'Paheli' is directed by Amol Palekar and is produced by Shah Rukh Khan's production house Red Chillies EntertainmentThe film 'Paheli' is a sort of fairy tale. The sandscape of rural Rajasthan, the vibrantly colorful dresses of its denizens, the rustic ambience, all of it transports the viewers into a mirage-like world. The director Amol Palekar has adopted a simple and thought provoking folktale onto celluloid for this unforgettable cinematic experience called 'Paheli'. This Indian film is a beautiful riddle that provides its own answer. It is the story of a woman who longs for love of her husband. It is the story of a ghost who reciprocates her love by assuming the form of her husband. This is based on the short story of Vijayadan Detha's 'Duvidha'. 

The Indian movie 'Paheli' tells the story of a wife played by Rani Mukerji who is left by her husband played by Shahrukh Khan. The wife is visited by a ghost, disguised as her husband, who is in love with her and takes her husband's place as well. 

The whole movie is recounted by two puppets. This is voiced by Naseeruddin Shah and his Ratna Pathak Shah. Lachchi played by Rani Mukerji is to be married to Kishen played by Shahrukh Khan. Kishen is the son of Bhanwarlal played by Anupam Kher. He is a rich businessman. Kishen is very much interested in making money. So he and his father decide that Kishen will go to other business and earn some more money. The day for his going is decided just after the wedding ceremony. On their first night, Kishen does not look to his wife. In the early morning he sets off on a business trip for five years. Lachchi is devastated and nothing to say to her husband. Gajrobai played by Juhi Chawla is her husband's sister-in-law. She consoles her and says that Gajrobai's husband played by Sunil Shetty has also disappeared. When Kishen is going to his business place one ghost see him going and decides to come Kishen's home in place of him. The very next day, that ghost comes. The ghost takes Kishen's shape and also his voice. Lachchi becomes happy and starts living a happy life with that ghost. She experiences her husband in a new way. The ghost says Kishen's father that someone will give a gold coin everyday and thus Bhanwarlal becomes happy and does not say a single word. The time goes on and after four years Lachchi becomes pregnant. Everyone is happy. On the other hand the real Kishen realizes that he needs to go to his house as because he misses his wife. He returns bak to his home. Kishen's family becomes confused and cannot identify the real Kishen as the ghost refuses to agree with the allegation. All the villagers decide to visit the king in order to find out the real Kishen. To know more read:

http://www.indianetzone.com/21/paheli_indian_film.htm

Playing Card in India

Playing card in India is a popular sport. The history of playing cards dates back to 9th century China after the invention of paper although the exact origin is still not clear. According to some scholars its origin can be traced to the Middle East. Playing Cards came into India from Persia also. It is also known as "Ganjifa" Playing Cards was not known when the game arrived from Persia. They may have been acquired through trade in the Silk Road or brought by the Mongol conquerors in the 13th century. 

Origin of Playing Cards
The Indian origin of playing cards is traced from the resemblance of symbols on some early European cards like ring, sword, cup and baton depicted in the four hands of Indian statues. There is also conventional saying that the cards are being played in India since time immemorial and the Brahmins invented them. According to some historians, playing card in India was derived from the game chess.

The earlier days playing cards had a similarity to our modern cards. There were total 52 cards of four suits, which had swords, cups, coins and polo-sticks. It also had numerics from one to ten. It is near about in 1480, the modern day cards of spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs appeared first. 

Ganjifa and Playing Cards
Persian cards, known as "Ganjafa", have eight suits. The Mughal conquerors brought these cards to India in the early 16th century where they are called "Ganjifa". In India, current packs used for play have eight, ten, or twelve suits though as many as 32 suits once existed. The Indians also converted the original rectangular cards to circular ones. A card game is played by using playing cards which can be a piece of specifically designed heavy paper or thin card, decorated with particular motifs. To know more read:

http://www.indianetzone.com/19/playing_card_india.htm

West Indian Dances

West Indian Dances are detailed and rich in style and its appearance is set in the traditional pattern. The folk dances of the western region, however, have their beginning in the rural village and at present, they are equal to the culture of the Indian masses. These regional dances of western India reflect a vast cultural diversity of the region and are considered to be the higher form of art.

The music, as well as dance of this region, is loaded with a field of various influences. The states lying in the western part of the country boasts of innumerable dance forms which have a mixture of the expressions of folk and tribal dance forms. Each dance form has a specialty of its particular region. Furthermore, the dance forms of the western region are lively and colourful.

Following are the Different West Indian Dances:

Dandiya Dance: Among the vibrant West Indian Dances, ‘Dandiya’ is one of the mesmerizing folk dances of Gujarat which has earned recognition from all over the country as well as abroad for its rhythmic tunes and captivating movements. The dance is known for its exciting flow of colours and brightness whereas the enriching illustration of the dance crowns it as one of the renowned dances of India.

Garba Dance: The Garba Dance is immensely popular in Gujarat. It is performed as an honour of Mother Divine, the goddess ‘Kali’ or ‘Durga’ who is sacred in Gujarat as ‘Amba Mata’ or ‘Mataji’. Garba Dance is basically a women’s dance but it is common in men also. It is performed at numerous favourable occasions and social events. 

Lezim Dance: ‘Lezim’ dance is presented during the ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ festival. The activities of ‘Lezim’ dance look like movements of martial art in source. A variety of formations are created in the dance. Sometimes this dance is accompanied by a ‘dhol’ (drum). To know more read:

http://www.indianetzone.com/40/west_indian_dances.htm

Basketball in India

Basketball in India began its journey during the first half of the twentieth century and is considered as one of the widely played sports in the country. 

Concept of Basketball
The term "Basketball" actually refers to the large round ball and the basket, used in this game. Basketball in India is played in most of the high schools, colleges and universities and especially the younger generation like to lay this game. India is one of those first few countries in the history of Basketball that adopted the game, within a few years of its inception. This is actually a ball game where two teams consisting of five players each, play against each other. This fast-paced game requires a great quality of fitness and athleticism on behalf of the players. Invested by the famous Athletic Director from Canada, Dr. James Naismith, Basketball is played on a court with standard dimensions. The teams can earn points only by shooting a round inflated ball through a raised metal hoop and net at the opponent's end of the court. 

History of Basket Ball
Basketball in India started its journey in 1930 when it was played for the first time. The first Indian National Championship for men was conducted in the year 1934 in New Delhi. The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) controls the game in India and was formed in the year 1950. Throughout history, Indians learned to appreciate the game because of its fast scoring and intense activity from the beginning until the end. Nowadays, it is considered as one of the widely played sports in India. India is one those first few countries in the history of basketball that adopted the game within a few years of its inception and its teams actually consisted of five players on the court. To know more read:

http://www.indianetzone.com/5/basketball.htm