64th Republic Day of India - 2013

On the 64th Republic Day of India January 26, 2013 in Delhi enjoy the Flat hosting, Parade, Speech and Jhanki.

Republic-Day-Flag-2013

The King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck is the chief guest at Republic Day parade New Delhi.The 64th Republic Day Celebrations Bhutan’s King becoming the third emperor from the tiny kingdom to grace the event.

Bhutan-King-Republic-Day-chief-guest-2013

Soldiers march during the Republic Day Parade 2013 in New Delhi.

India-Republic-Day-Parade-2013

Indian army soldier in the annual Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

Republic-Day-Parade-2013

March of Border Security Force,BSF is most famous Indian troop in the world for its camel music band.The camel-mounted band of the Border Security Force is the musical scene-stealer at the Republic Day.

BSF-Republic-Day-Parade-2013

DRDO has shown first time Agni 5 in Republic Day parade of 2013 in Delhi,Agni-5 is a Long Range Ballistic Missile and Airborne Early Warning and Control System is one of the major attractions of the parade.

Agni-5-Display-Delhi-Republic-Day-2013

Jhanki on Republic Day celebration is the major attraction, all the Indian states display its tradition and culture through the Jhankis.

Jammu-Kashmir-Republic-Day-Jhanki-2013

School children perform a folk dance during the annual Republic Day parade 2013 in New Delhi.

Republic-day-dance-2013

Commandoes stand guard during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

2013-Republic-day-Tornadoes-Performance

Air show by the India Air Force is the main attraction of republic day by displaying the all major planes and fighter jets such as Sukhoi Su-30,Jaguar fighter aircraft and Dhruv helicopters.

2013-Republic-day-air-show

Punjab Tourism: Things to do in Hoshiarpur

Hoshiarpur might not be the first place to come to mind when thinking about travel in India, but it is certainly one of the hidden gems of the state of Punjab.

With history dating back to 1809, the ‘city of mangoes’ is situated in the North East part of the state. Hoshiarpur is known to hoard ample Sikh history with notable Gurus and eminent people hailing from here. For Sikhs, some places are of historical relevance, but for most visitors, the luscious mangoes are the prime reason to visit. The summer months may be a little harsh for first time travellers to the North of India, but the warm hospitality and unassuming nature of the people here make this a lot easier. It’s important to note that the destination does not get too many foreign visitors, so it’s possible that they might be looked upon with singular fascination.

Here are some of the things to do in Hoshiarpur:

Meditate

Hoshiarpur is known for housing one of the famous ‘Vipassana’ centres in India. Many people travel here to attend the ten or more days’ courses of meditation and way of living run by the Goenka Foundation. The lodging and boarding is very basic here. The idea is to abstain from any communication from the outside world and submerge in meditation. Come here for a cathartic holiday to Hoshiarpur!

Meditation-in-Hoshiarpur

Mango Mania 

The summers are the most difficult yet the most sumptuous time to visit Hoshiarpur. It is after all called the ‘city of mangoes’. Make a trip to one of the farm houses and enjoy the mango season thoroughly. Go with the locals to pick the fruit and see the process of selling or making some delicious products of the produce. Get your hands dirty to enjoy the reward after sweating out in the farms. The natural way of consuming the King of fruits is going to have you reaching out for water or wipes to clean the juices of your face! Visit the local market to see the bustling crowds busy themselves in the season.

Mango-in-Hoshiarpur

Punjabi Food

The Punjabi food is known to be sinfully heavy but equally delicious. Go on a gastronomic journey trying all the local food – fried breads (parathas), enormous glasses of Lassi (a yogurt based drink) and sweets. Try the Maharaja Restaurant for some good vegetarian and non vegetarian food.

Punjab-da-Food

Visit Local Sights

Sight-seeing options are limited in Hoshiarpur. There is a fort by the name of ‘Kila Baroon’ and is situated at the Bajwara village. The fort was built by the King, Sher Shah Suri and was called Beju Babra Village when legendary king Akbar came to power. The main charm is exploring this small town and it’s friendly people.

Visit the city of Hoshiarpur for a taste of a small Indian town and some heart warming indulgence in food!

Hoshiarpur-station

Indian Festivals: Makar Sankranti

Unlike most of the other Indian Hindu Festivals, the date of Makar Sankranti is fixed. Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti is transition. There is a sankranti every month when the sun passes from one sign of the zodiac to the next. The popular Indian festival “Makar Sankranti” is the first Indian festival falls in New Year. It is one of the major Indian harvest festival celebrated on 14th of January of every year. It’s an important festival of the Hindus and celebrated almost everywhere in the country in myriad cultural forms and different names. Every region celebrate it in innumerable ways, according to the localization, culture and traditions.

Festival of Kites: 

Makar Sankranti is also known as Uttarayan or Festival of Kites in Gujarat and Rajasthan. This is a full kite-flying day, colorful kites in the sky convert Sankranti into the beautiful colors of kites. The International Kite festival is held at Ahmedabad on January 14 of every year. Kite festival is one of the most popular festivals of Jaipur “The Pink City” Rajasthan.

Patang-Uddi-Re-Patang

Fairs and Festivals:

During the Makar Sankranti festival, so many mela or fairs held’s in different region’s of India. A biggest fair held at Ganga Sagar  in west Bengal, where the most scared river “Ganga” enters the sea, thousands of pilgrims and Sadhu the holy men come here for the holy bath on the day of Makar Sankranti. The bullock festival, cattle fair held on Makar Sankranti at different places, where many camels, bullocks and horses are sold and purchased by animal lover people. One of the famous and unique fair is held at Rajgir, Bihar.

Ganga Sagar Festival Mela in West Bengal

The famous Makar Sankranti festival is related to harvesting the food grains. Its called Lohri in Punjab, In south India it’s known as Pongal “The National festival of India”, in Karnataka it’s called Sankranti and in Kerala it’s called Makara Vilakku. In Bengal, Makar Sankranti is celebrated at the last day of the Bengali month of Poush. This festival goes on for ten days, feasting, boat races, songs and dance are the major parts of attraction of this important Indian festival. It is celebrated with the til (sesame seeds) ke laddoo, gajak, Ellu Bella and sarson ka saag-makka ki roti.

White-Til-Laddu

Indian Cuisine: Wazwan from Kashmir

Kashmiri cuisine tends to be very meat dominated, in particular mutton is used in a wide variety of dishes such as the well known Rogan Josh which can be found on Indian menus throughout the world.

Wazwan

Wazwan is a traditional Kashmir multi-course meal. The word Wazwan comes from waz which means a chef with rare culinary skills that have been passed on through generations, and wan which denotes a shop with abundant supply of meats and delicacies.

Preparation-of-Wazwan

Hours of cooking and days of planning go into the making and serving of a wazwan and the preparation is considered an art. The pride of Kashmiri cuisine Wazwan is a 36 course weddings banquet is now also served on other special and important occasions. Traditionally 15 to 30 dishes of Wazwan are comprised of meat. Many of the delicacies are cooked all through the night and under the expert supervision of a Vasta Waza or head chef, assisted by an entourage of wazas under him.

Meat-balls-for-Wazwan

Wazwaan is a beautiful blend of the Mughal style with that of the Kashmiri Panditsr. The basic difference between the two schools is the abundant use of heeng (asafetida) and curd amongst the Pandits, and the use of onions and garlic amongst the Mughals. It is interesting to note that the meat for some of the Wazwan items requires being really fresh. Timing is very crucial! More than half an hour cannot elapse between the slaughtering of the goat and the pounding of the meat.

Dishes included in a Wazwan feast

At a typical Wazwan it is observed that guests are grouped into fours for the serving. The meal begins with ritual washing of hands, as a jug and basin are passed among the guests. A large serving dish piled high with heaps of rice, decorated and quartered by four seekh kababs, four pieces of meth maaz, two tabak maaz, (ribs of lamb simmered in yoghurt till tender, then fried,sides of barbecued ribs), and one safed kokur (white chicken), one zafrani kokur (masala chicken), along with other dishes is brought out for the diners. The meal is usually garnished with Kashmiri saffron, salads, Kashmiri pickles and dips.

Ready-to-serve-Wazwan

Some of the most popular dishes served at a typical Wazwan are:

• Rista which are meatballs in fiery red gravy
• Lahabi Kabab which are flattened mutton kababs cooked in yogurt
• Waza Kokur two halves or two full chicken cooked whole
• Rogan Josh, tender lamb cooked with Kashmiri spices
• Yakhni, delicately spiced yogurt curry
• Dum Aloo, potatoes cooked in yogurt gravy

The man meal concludes with the very exclusive Gushtaba which is a velvety textured meatball in white yogurt gravy, a speciality, and one that is never refused. Then finally comes the Phirni a dessert of semolina thickened in milk set in earthenware topped with nuts and silver leaf. Served at the very end is a cup of Kahwa, the green tea flavoured with saffron, cardamom and almonds.

It can be safely concluded that Wazwan is not simply a meal; it is in fact an art that must be experienced at least once to understand and appreciate all the effort that goes into this centuries old tradition.

It is possible to take a Kashmir cooking lesson if you are staying in the region where you can learn some of the component dishes of a typical Wazwan.

Kashmiri Pulao

Try some simple Kashmir cuisine at home with this easy recipe of Kashmiri Pulao, a popular rice dish in the region.

Kashmiri-Pulao

Ingredients

• 2 cups – Long grain rice (basmati)
• 2 cups – Milk
• 1/2 cup – Cream
• 1 tsp – Sugar
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp – Cumin seeds
• 3 nos – Cloves
• 1 inch – Cinnamon Stick
• 3 – Cardamoms
• 1 No – Bay leaf
• 2 tbsp – Ghee
• 1 cup – Canned chopped mixed fruit (drained)
• 2 nos – Rose petals

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and soak rice for 15-20 minutes.
2. Mix milk, cream, sugar, salt. Drain rice, keep aside.
3. Heat ghee in a heavy pan, add cumin seeds, cinnamon, bayleaf, cardamoms, cloves.
4. Allow to splutter, add rice and fry in ghee for 2 minutes.
5. Add milk, cream, mixture.
6. Add 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer till cooked.
7. Mix in drained fruit very gently, garnish by sprinkling finely broken rose petals.
8. Serve hot with a curry or tadka dal.

Swaad with Sharmaji

Indian Cuisine: Popular spices in Indian cuisine

Spices in an Indian kitchen may very well be referred to as the heart of Indian cuisine. Each spice has its own distinct taste and flavour. However, when combined in the preparation of a dish they come together to create a unique flavour.

Indian-Spices

We take a look at the use of spices in Indian food.

Most Popular spices

Turmeric is usually used in powder form and adds a strong yellow colour to the food. Although it is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, it is still recommended to use sparingly, as even a little of it goes a long way!

Cumin Seeds are used in both forms; whole as well as powder. It has a distinct aroma and is used quite extensively.

Indian-Masala-Daani aka Masaal Dani

Black pepper is the fruit of the black pepper plant and is used whole as well as split. Rich in a number of vitamins, it is also a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Pepper is indigenous to India.

Mustard and Coriander Seeds are both used to garnish dishes and are extremely popular in an Indian kitchen.

Red Chilli is a very important spice and is mainly used in the dry form. When grounded into a fine powder and sautéed in oil, it adds a fiery element to a dish. The degree of hotness depends on which part of India the spice originates. The Kashmiri red chilli is the most popular one that used in Indian cuisine followed by the Andhra red chillies.

Cardamom is a sweet spice having a very distinct aroma and is used in many North Indian as well as South Indian desserts.

Spices-on-wholesale-Market

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices. It is produced in very few regions of the world, Kashmir in India being one of them. Not only is saffron aromatic and delicious but it also adds a beautiful rich colour to the food.

Nutmeg and Mace are mainly used in desserts. Keeping in mind how strong and potent they are, it is strongly recommended to use them both sparingly!

Cloves are dried up flower buds and are a strong and heady spice. It is mainly used in North Indian dishes such as biryani and curry. They are barely used in South Indian delicacies.

Cinnamon is actually the dried bark of a tree. It is added to oil as its getting heated, in this manner the oil gets flavoured and the food gets cooked in this fragrant oil.

Fresh-picked-Pepper

Swaad with Sharmaji

Indian Cuisine: Best cuisine of east India

We look at the best cuisine of east India and the delicious dishes you should sample in Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal and Sikkim.

Three common threads connect the cuisine of the eastern states of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. The first is the use of opium, or rather poppy seeds. The seeds are considered highly nutritious, and the paste of white poppy seeds is added for thickness, texture and a unique flavour.

East-Indian-Food-Thali

Bengal makes the alu posto made with potatoes and gourd. A paste of posto made with ground seeds seasoned with mustard oil, green chili and salt is also had with hot steamed rice. Orissa has jahni alu posta (a potato and gourd dish), and Bihar loves postaa-dana kaa halwa, a sweet pudding made of poppy seeds.

The second common thread is the use of the strong and pungent mustard oil as a cooking medium.

The third is the use of paanch phoron (literally ‘five seeds’ – aniseed, mustard seed, fenugreek, carrom, and nigella seeds). Beyond this, the cuisine of Orissa and Bengal overlap quite a bit with both states laying claim to inventing several famous foods (like the rosogolla, a famous sweet made of cheese).

Bihar

The cuisine of Bihar is a mixture of North and Eastern Indian cuisine. Chickpea flour is used in a variety of ways including the popular litti (baked and stuffed bread made of roasted chickpea flour, pictured below) served with chokha (potato, tomato and brinjal mash), sattu parathas stuffed with chickpea flour and the sattu drink, used in summers to cool down and get quick energy. The sattu along with Bihari kebabs are two signature dishes of Bihar that are popular outside the state as well.

Litti-From-Bihar

Orissa

Orissa, though famous for its food, often gets overshadowed by Bengal. It is believed that most of Bengal’s famous cooks came from Orissa, and quite a few Bengali dishes are derivatives of Oriya cuisine. Dalma is a unique and famous dish prepared in Orissa with vegetables and dal. All meals have a khatta – a sweet and sour dish. The famous khattas are dahi baingan, tomatoes khatta and amba khatta. During scorching summers, the cooling pakhal (pictured below),  made of rice, water, and yogurt fermented overnight, prevents heat strokes.

Pakhala from Orissa

Bengal

Bengal loves fish and no meal is complete without ‘maachher jhol and bhaat’ (fish curry and rice). If you have a sweet tooth, you will be spoilt for choice here as Bengalis are famous for their sweet concoctions (pictured below) – fried, steamed and baked.

Mishti doi, rosogolla and sandesh from Bengal

Try the mishti doi (sweet curd), rosogolla and sandesh (both made from cottage cheese).

The city of Kolkata has its own special cuisine, different from the rest of Bengal. It is influenced by the passage of conquerors and immigrants the city has witnessed over centuries. Street food like kathi kebabs and rolls are influenced by the Mughals. The footprint of the Brits can be seen in the varieties of cutlets including the kabiraji cutlet, the Jews gave alu makallah, the khaw suey came from the Burmese, and the Chinese contributed chowmein and noodles. A signature dish of Kolkata, the Chingri Malai Curry, has Malaysian roots.

Sikkim

Further up from Bengal, towards the Himalayas is the state of Sikkim, which has its own distinctive culinary style influenced by neighbouring Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal. A popular food is the momo (pictured below) – a dumpling stuffed with chicken, pork, beef or vegetables.

Sikkimese people love noodle-based soups with or without meat to keep the chill out. Thukpa, thanthu, gyathuk, and fakthu are one-pot soup meals.

Sha-phaleys are fried patties filled with minced meat had as a snack. Chhurpi is a local cheese made from cow or yak’s milk, commonly used by mountaineers who chew it to maintain salivation.

Momo from Sikkim

Sikkimese use a lot of fermented foods – like kinema, a fermented soybean with a high protein content, and the sel roti made with fermented rice. Gundruk soup (prepared using leaves of mustard, radish and cauliflower) is a great option for vegetarians. So is Sinki made from roots of the radish.

Rice isn’t the only grain, Sikkim uses a wide variety – finger millet, wheat, buckwheat and barley. When the Himalayan chill gets to you, try the local drink chhang, a millet beer served in bamboo tankards, sure to warm you up.

No matter where you travel you’ll find the cuisine of east India offers plenty of variety to get the mouth watering and taste buds tingling!

Swaad with Sharmaji

Karnataka Tourism: Weekend getaway From Bangalore

If you are in Bangalore and want to escape the city for the weekend there are plenty of easily accessible options. Here is a list of our favourite hill station breaks for getting away from it all.

Coorg

Nestled in south-west Karnataka lies Coorg, a small hillstation that’s often called ‘The Scotland of the East’. In Mercara or Madikeri, one finds the proud Madikeri Fort, which was built in 17th century. Here, the Raja’s Seat overlooks a deep valley and from here you can enjoy spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset. At the Abbey Falls water cascades to a depth of 70 feet into a rocky valley offering an unforgettable sight to visitors.

Tadiandamol_Pan_of_Coorg

Tadiyendamol is the loftiest peak in Coorg challenging people to climb it. Located on the banks of the river Cauvery is the Valnoor Fishing Camp where avid fishing enthusiasts can indulge in the luxury of angling for the huge game fish mahseer. Over 5000 monks reside at the Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppe and it is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in the country.

Wayanad

This hill station is located in the northern part of Kerala. Its natural beauty has been left intact as it hasn’t been overrun by tourism. Wayanad is largely covered by spice plantations, paddy fields and forests. The region’s landscape is speckled with beautiful trekking trails. One important trail is the 10 hour climb to the top of the 2100m Chembra Peak, the highest point in Wayanad.

Wayanad-weekend-gateway-from-Bangalore

One of the main attractions is the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary where it is possible to see deer, bears, macaques, elephants and even tigers. Other attractions include the ancient Sree Thirunelli and Valliyurkava Bhagavathi temples and the 5000 year old prehistoric rock-art in the Edakkal Caves.

Ooty

Ooty is known as ‘the queen of the Blue Mountains’ and is a beautiful hill station located in the Nilgiris. It is known for beautiful gardens, wooded rolling hills, pine and eucalyptus forests, coffee and tea plantations, ancient tribes and monuments. Ooty’s Botanical Gardens has developed over the last 150 years, and offers over 2,000 species of flowering plants.

A popular spot amongst families is the Ooty lake. This is an artificial lake, which was constructed in the early 1800’s.

Ooty-Hill-Station

Doddabetta is the highest peak in the Western Ghats and it stands at a height of 8,640 ft above sea level. It is accessible by road and the drive offers panoramic views of the surrounding ranges and valleys. Ten minutes from the Ooty Market is a Toda Village. The Todas are one of the oldest tribes to inhabit this region and you will find beautiful Toda temples in the area. For those who want to shop, handicrafts can be purchased right from the village at great prices.

Coonoor

Coonoor is the second highest hillstation in Nilgiris and it is perched at a height of 1,856 meters above sea level. Sim’s Park in Coonoor is located at an altitude of 1798 meters and is nestled in a deep ravine. The park is famous for great views to many of Coonoor’s popular tourist spots such as Lamb’s Rock, Dolphin’s Nose and Lady Canning’s Seat.

Enjoy-Weekend-in-Coonoor

Nilgiri’s famous Toy Train is a great way to reach Coonoor. The charming train started operating over a century ago and maneuvers the rocky terrain with ease. Many songbirds like nightingales, babblers, larks and robins, whoare found in Coonoor. The Pomological Station is a feast for those interested in horticulture. Many varieties of fruits are grown here for research purposes. The Law Falls are located 7 kilometers from Coonoor and water here drops from a height of almost 200 feet.

Yercaud

Located near Salem in Tamil Nadu’s Servarayan range at an altitude of 1,500 meters is Yercaud. Yercaud’s highest point is the Servarayan temple, which is perched at a height of 5326 feet. The hills here are rich with fauna and flora, which includes bison, deer, rabbits, hares, and many other native species. The Yercaud Lake is surrounded by well-groomed gardens and thick trees. One of the best views that Yercaud can offer is at the Lady’s Seat. Panoramic view of the ghats and beyond can be seen from here. Stargazing is a lovely experience at the Lady’s Seat.

Spend-weekend-boating-in-Yercaud

The Kiliyur Falls in Yercaus fall from a majestic height of 90 feet andare popular amongst visitors.

Swaad with Sharmaji

Rajasthan Tourism: Marwar festival in Jodhpur

Fairs and Festivals in Rajasthan are colourful and lively affairs. Normally mythological in nature the celebrations relate to Gods and Goddesses, while others are celebrated to commemorate the brave deeds of medieval heroes. The Marwar Festival, held in memory of the heroes of Rajasthan is one such example.

History of the Marwar Festival

The Marwar Festival Jodhour is one of the most awaited festivals of Rajasthan. The festival was originally known as “Maand” Festival. Reflecting the rich culture of the place, the festival is celebrated with a lot of excitement and zeal.The Marwar Festival in Jodhpur actually acts as remembrance to the heroes of Rajasthan. The festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashwin (Sept-Oct) in Jodhpur, the former capital of Marwar Province. The festival has on display the music and dance of the Marwar region. The spirited folk dancers assembled here, perform with gusto and entertain the audience with Rajasthani folklore.These folk artists bring to life the myth and legends of the area and sing songs inmemory of the brave heroes. Other attractions of the festival include horse riding and horse polo. Various other competitions are also held during the festival.This festival also attracts a large number of foreign tourists. By visiting Rajasthan during the festival, they also gain a lot of knowledge about the heroes of the bygone era of Rajasthan. The festival is also embedded with a number of cultural events. Music and dance makes the festival more attractive. These cultural events not only add entertainment options for the visitors. They also reflect he rich culture of the place.

Marwar-festival

The festival also holds further value for the tourists. They provide a deep insight into the rural life of the people of Rajasthan. The dance postures which involve folk dancer carrying pots on their heads are a treat to the eye. These performances are usually held at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Mandore and Mehrangarh Fort. The festival also has further attractions like camel tattoo show and polo.This is festive time and the performances take on a romantic and ethereal hue as it is full moon on those days. Besides the song and dances that are the hallmarks of the Marwar Festival, the audience is regaled with Rajasthani folklore that keep the myths and beliefs of yester years alive. Competitions and activities like horse riding and polo complete the scintillating event.

Why Jodhpur is the best location for the Festival

Jodhpur celebrates the die-hard courage of the heroes of the land, the Rajputs, who are the sons of royal houses. The massive Meharangarh fort and the impressive Umaid Bhawan Palace which are symbols of might and valour of the Rajputs, make Jodhpur an ideal location for the festival. The humongous fort is an apt place to enjoy the beauty of the beautiful blue city.

View-of-Jodhpur-City

What to expect at the Festival

Bringing to life the legendary folklores of the area, the folk artists do complete justice to it. Listening to the folk musicians singing praises of the bygone heroes may not be completely understood by all but the fierce intensity can be strongly felt in these songs  whatever language you speak. Being in the audience to the buoyant and spirited performers of the folk dances is an immerse experience. Watching the folk dancers, who accurately balance the earthen pots on their heads and dance to the rhythm of the songs sung by the singers, leaves the spectators in awe.

Dance-in-Marwar-Festival

The typical Kalbeliya dance has made a mark internationally and you can witness it here in its own land with the true Indian spirit.

Bringing alive the competitive spirit of Rajasthan

Other attractions of the festival include horse riding and horse polo. Various other competitions are also organized during the festival. Women participate in henna competition, which involves the art of making intricate designs on palms with henna. Rajasthani men take immense pride in their moustache. A turban-tying and moustache competition for men is one of the highlights of the day.

Marwar-Music

The concept of valour and courage is woven intricately in almost every historical epic of a country. The harshness of the so called fighters is part of their personality. Their stamina to endure any given situation is remarkable. The Rajputs have set a milestone and created a rich history and celebrating these heroic tales allows participants to recognise the toughness of these fighters and the richness of the past.

Souvenirs to bring back home

A small fete is organized by the state tourism and cultural board wherein a number of craftsmen display their skills, you can buy numerous craft items and souvenirs displayed at the stalls set up here, known as “Haats”.

Dates for the Festival

For 2012 the festival is being held on the 28th and 29th of October.In 2013 the festival will take place on the 17th and 18th October

It is only by witnessing a festival such as the Marwar  that you can really appreciate the magnificent historical past of Rajasthan!

Swaad with Sharmaji

The tea culture in India

There are many stories that unfold and friendships forged over a cup of tea. The tea culture in India provides a strong foundation for casual chats with complete strangers on your travels.

Local-Chai-ki-Thaddi

The Indian landscape is dotted with small tea shops across the nation – this one peculiarly does not have a regional flavour to it. It’s amazing how inhibitions are lost when you are offered a cup of tea by a local and how people in India take it upon themselves to guide and suggest you the ‘appropriate’ thing to do when you are passing through their city. So enjoy the warm hospitality mixed in a piping hot cup of tea while in India.

Very-Hot-Tea

While social nuances are built on this affable beverage, surely the culture must have started with the widespread cultivation of the same. The neat rows of tea plants are spread across the country from Assam in the North East and the mild hills of Nilgiris. Many tea plantations are rapidly becoming travelling hubs due with great places to stay and charming landscapes attached to these. New favourites for travellers include Munnar, Nilgiris, Assam, parts of Nagaland, Siliguri, Darjeeling and Wayanad. You can also have tea tasting sessions with experts in these plantation factories.

Chai-Ke-Baagan

Try a cup of tea from any of these places to understand the cultural diversity in India:

The mud ‘kulhads’

Mud cups or ‘kulhads’ in the Indian trains used to be very famous. Bio degradable and clean, the taste of tea from these was truly inimitable. These cups are fast fading in the progress and advent of plastic, but still hold a heart warming charm to them.

Kulhad-wali-Chai

Tea Lounges

The concept of tea lounges is not new in India. Many plantations had a section for tea tasting which have been expanded as lounges these days. Some of the better tea lounges can be found in the Nilgiris and even in cities. Try Tranquilitea and Infinitea both based out of Coonoor and Bangalore respectively.

The Narrow Streets of Varanasi

As much is the place famous for its ghats and spiritual connections, the tea shops of Varanasi make a common ground of hundreds of travellers meeting over a warm cup. Tea shop owners busy themselves with meter long pouring techniques as shops fill up with visitors in the mornings and evenings. This scenario can be found throughout India.

Chai-in-Narrow Streets of Varanasi

Cycle Walahs

If you head out in a city early in the morning, you can find tea cups being doled out in plenty by cycle vendors precariously balancing a huge container of tea and coffee by the side of the road.

Kadak-Chai-Dena

Enjoy the variety of settings , tastes and company with each cup of tea that you encounter in India.

Swaad with Sharmaji