<ol><li>Biryani is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_rice_dish">mixed rice dish</a> originating among the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_South_Asia">Muslims of the Indian subcontinent</a>.It is made with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_spices">Indian spices</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice">rice</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meat">meat</a> usually that of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken">chicken</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goat">goat</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamb_(food)">lamb</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prawn">prawn</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish">fish</a>, and sometimes, in addition, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_as_food">eggs</a> or vegetables such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato">potatoes</a> in certain regional varieties.</li><li>Its name is derived from a Persian word 'beriyan" meaning to fry or roast.</li></ol>

Biryani - a bowl of happiness

<ul><li>According to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historian">historian</a> Lizzie Collingham, the modern biryani developed in the royal kitchens of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empire">Mughal Empire</a> and is a mix of the native spicy rice dishes of India and the Persian <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilaf">pilaf</a>. </li><li>Another theory claims that the dish was prepared in India before the first Mughal emperor <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babur">Babur</a> conquered India</li><li>According to Pratibha Karan, who wrote the book Biryani, biryani is of South Indian origin, derived from pilaf varieties brought to the Indian subcontinent by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_people">Arab</a> traders. She speculates that the pulao was an army dish in medieval India.</li></ul>

The origin of Biryani

<ol><li>Developed under the rule of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamar-ud-din_Khan,_Asif_Jah_I">Asaf Jah I</a>, HYDERABADI BIRYANI is India's most famous , made with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basmati">basmati</a> rice, spices and goat meat.</li><li>Calcutta or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata">Kolkata</a> biryani evolved from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucknow">Lucknow</a> style, when Awadh's last <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawab">Nawab</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wajid_Ali_Shah">Wajid Ali Shah</a> was exiled in 1856 to the Kolkata suburb of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metiabruz">Metiabruz</a> and brought his personal chef with him , it is characterized by the unique presence of potato in it, along with meat. It is said that the Nawab, having is lost his kingdom, could not afford meat, so his chefs tried to compensate by adding potato.</li></ol>

Some renowned biryanis of India

So when are you ordering your plate of happiness?

Ending on a sweet note:)

THE CULTURE OF INDIA

Biryani - Wikipedia

<ul><li>Amritsar, historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is the second <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Punjab_and_Chandigarh_by_population" target="_self">largest city</a> in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" target="_self">Indian</a> state of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjab,_India" target="_self">Punjab</a>.&nbsp;</li><li>It is a major cultural and economic centre located in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majha" target="_self">Majha</a> region of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjab" target="_self">Punjab</a>.</li><li>Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritage_City_Development_and_Augmentation_Yojana" target="_self">HRIDAY</a> scheme of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_India" target="_self">Government of India</a>.</li></ul>

Amritsar - the tale following Ambarsar

<ul><li>Amritsar is home to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Temple" target="_self">Harmandir Sahib</a>, popularly known as "the Golden Temple," one of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism" target="_self">Sikhism</a>'s most spiritually significant and most-visited <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurudwara" target="_self">gurudwaras</a>.</li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Ram_Das" target="_self">Guru Ram Das</a>, the fourth Sikh guru is credited with founding the holy city of Amritsar in the Sikh tradition</li><li>According to the historical Sikh records, the site was chosen by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Amar_Das" target="_self">Guru Amar Das</a> and called Guru Da Chakk, after he had asked Ram Das to find land to start a new town with a man-made pool as its central point</li></ul>

Amritsar and Sikhism

<ul><li>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jallianwala_Bagh" target="_self">Jallianwala Bagh</a> massacre, involving the killings of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of a senior British military officer, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reginald_Dyer" target="_self">Reginald Edward Harry Dyer</a>, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar</li><li>on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of people gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of soldiers. Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd.</li></ul>

The Jallianwala Bagh mascare - a long raged wound of the city

<ul><li>The city is known for its wooden chessboards and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_pieces" target="_self">chess pieces</a> manufacturing industry</li><li>In the mid 1980s the city was famous for its textile industry.</li><li>It is famous for its Pashmina Shawls, Woolen Clothes, Blankets, etc. Among handicrafts, the craft of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thathera" target="_self">Thatheras</a> of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jandiala_Guru" target="_self">Jandiala Guru</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amritsar_district" target="_self">Amritsar district</a> got enlisted on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO" target="_self">UNESCO</a>'s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO_Intangible_Cultural_Heritage_Lists" target="_self">List of Intangible Cultural Heritage</a> in 2014,and the effort to revive this craft under the umbrella of Project Virasat is among India's biggest government-sponsored craft revival programs.</li></ul>

The economy of  Amritsar

Amritsar - Wikipedia

The Vedas are a large body of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_texts">religious texts</a> originating in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_India">ancient India</a>. Composed in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_Sanskrit">Vedic Sanskrit</a>, the texts constitute the oldest layer of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit_literature">Sanskrit literature</a> and the oldest <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_texts">scriptures</a> of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism">Hinduism</a>. Vedas are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Aruti">śruti</a> distinguishing them from other religious texts, which are called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sm%E1%B9%9Bti">smṛti</a> ("what is remembered"). Hindus consider the Vedas to be <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apauru%E1%B9%A3eya">apauruṣeya</a>, which means "not of a man, superhuman" and "impersonal, authorless, of sacred sounds and texts heard by ancient <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sage_(philosophy)">sages</a> after intense meditationThere are four Vedas: the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigveda">Rigveda</a>, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yajurveda">Yajurveda</a>, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaveda">Samaveda</a> and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atharvaveda">Atharvaveda</a>.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedas#cite_note-gflood-9">[</a>

The Veda - essence of ancient India

<ul><li>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigveda">Rigveda Samhita</a> is the oldest extant <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Aryan_languages">Indic</a> text.It is a collection of 1,028 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_Sanskrit">Vedic Sanskrit</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymn">hymns</a> and 10,600 verses in all, organized into ten books</li><li>The Rigveda is structured based on clear principles. The Veda begins with a small book addressed to Agni, Indra, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soma_(deity)">Soma</a> and other gods,</li><li>The books were composed by poets from different priestly groups over a period of several centuries between c. 1500 and 1200 BC.</li></ul>

Rigveda

<ul><li>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaveda">Samaveda Samhita</a> consists of 1549 stanzas, taken almost entirely (except for 75 mantras) from the Rigveda.While its earliest parts are believed to date from as early as the Rigvedic period, the existing compilation dates from the post-Rigvedic Mantra period of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_Sanskrit">Vedic Sanskrit</a>, between c. 1200 and 1000 BCE or "slightly later," roughly contemporary with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atharvaveda">Atharvaveda</a> and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yajurveda">Yajurveda</a></li><li>The Samaveda samhita has two major parts. The first part includes four melody collections (gāna, गान) and the second part three verse “books”</li></ul>

Samaveda

<ul><li>It is a compilation of ritual offering formulas that were said by a priest while an individual performed ritual actions.</li><li>There are two major groups of texts in this Veda: the "Black" (Krishna) and the "White" (Shukla). The term "black" implies "the un-arranged, motley collection" of verses in Yajurveda, in contrast to the "white" (well arranged) Yajurveda The White Yajurveda separates the Samhita from its Brahmana . Of the Black Yajurveda, texts from four major schools have survived (Maitrayani, Katha, Kapisthala-Katha, Taittiriya), while of the White Yajurveda, two (Kanva and Madhyandina)</li></ul>

Yajurveda

<ul><li>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atharvaveda">Artharvaveda Samhita</a> is the text 'belonging to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atharvan">Atharvan</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angiras_(sage)">Angirasa</a> poets</li><li>The Atharvaveda is sometimes called the "Veda of magical formulas", The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhita">Samhita</a> layer of the text likely represents a developing 2nd millennium BCE tradition of magico-religious rites to address superstitious anxiety, spells to remove maladies believed to be caused by demons, and herbs- and nature-derived potions as medicine</li><li>The text states Kenneth Zysk, is one of oldest surviving record of the evolutionary practices in religious medicine and reveals the "earliest forms of folk healing of Indo-European antiquity"</li></ul>

Atharvaveda

Vedas - Wikipedia

<ul><li>Ayodhya is a city in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh.</li><li>It is the brithplace of Lord Rama , and the place where the great Indian Ramayan began. Thus The word "Ayodhya" is a regularly formed derivation of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit" target="_self">Sanskrit</a> verb yudh, "to fight, to wage war"</li><li>It has been regarded as one of the seven most important pilgrimage sites (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapta_Puri" target="_self">Saptapuri</a>) for Hindus.</li><li>Ayodhya was stated to be the capital of the ancient <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosala" target="_self">Kosala</a> kingdom in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramayana" target="_self">Ramayana</a>. Hence it was also referred to as "Kosala"</li></ul>In the followed stashes , you'll get to know this pious land of lord RAM closely.

Ayodhya: the land of "RAM"

<ul><li>It is believed that the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_Janmabhoomi" target="_self">birth spot of Rama</a> was marked by a temple, which is said to have been demolished by the orders of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empire" target="_self">Mughal</a> emperor <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babur" target="_self">Babur</a> and a disputed mosque erected in its place</li><li>In 1992, it lead to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demolition_of_the_Babri_Masjid" target="_self">demolition</a> of Babri mosque by Hindu mobs with the aim to replace it with a temple of Rama. The Ayodhya dispute concerned activism by Hindu groups to rebuild a grand temple of Rama at the site of Janmabhoomi</li><li>On 9 November 2019, the Supreme Court solved the dispute going since almost a decade , forever , hence redirecting to build the temple at that place thus giving the land to Hindus</li></ul>

The Ayodhya Babri dispute

The present-day city is identified as the location of Saketa, which was an important city of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosala" target="_self">Kosala</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahajanapada" target="_self">mahajanapada</a> in the first millennium BC, and later served as its capital.[<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" target="_self">citation needed</a>] The early Buddhist and Jain canonical texts mention that the religious leaders <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha" target="_self">Gautama Buddha</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavira" target="_self">Mahavira</a> visited and lived in the city. The Jain texts also describe it as the birthplace of five <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirthankara" target="_self">tirthankaras</a> namely, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishabhanatha" target="_self">Rishabhanatha</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajitanatha" target="_self">Ajitanatha</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhinandananatha" target="_self">Abhinandananatha</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumatinath" target="_self">Sumatinath</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anantnath" target="_self">Anantnath</a>, and associate it with the legendary <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakravarti_(Sanskrit_term)#Jain_tradition" target="_self">chakravartins</a>.

Ayodhya and Jainism

<ul><li>Ram Mandir : the ptemple is built on a spot on which lord Ram was born.</li><li>Hanumangarhi fort : <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanumangarhi" target="_self">Hanuman Garhi</a>, a massive four-sided fort with circular bastions at each corner and a temple of Hanuman inside, is the most popular shrine in Ayodhya.The faithful believe wishes are granted with a visit to the shrine.</li><li>Nageshwarnath temple : The temple of Nageshwarnath was established by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kusha_(Ramayana)" target="_self">Kush</a>, son of Rama. Legend has it that Kush lost his armlet while bathing in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarayu" target="_self">Sarayu</a>, and it was retrieved by a Nag-Kanya who fell in love with him. As she was a devotee of Shiva, Kush built her this temple.</li></ul>

Some important sites  at Ayodhya

So next ime when you are feeling a little low , try to visit this beautiful city full of spirituality , mindfulness and enthusiasm.

ending on a sweet note:)

Ayodhya - Wikipedia

Situated in the Indian State of Rajasthan , The town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone and is crowned by the ancient <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaisalmer_Fort" target="_self">Jaisalmer Fort</a>. This fort contains a royal palace and several ornate <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism" target="_self">Jain</a> temples. The town lies in the heart of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thar_Desert" target="_self">Thar Desert</a> (the Great Indian Desert)

Jaisalmer - the Golden city of India

There are seven Jain temples in total which are situated within the Jaisalmer fort built during the 12th and 15th centuries. Among these temples, the biggest is the Paraswanath Temple; the others are Chandraprabhu temple, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishabhdeo" target="_self">Rishabdev temple</a>,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrinathji" target="_self">Shitalnath Temple</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunthunatha" target="_self">Kunthunath Temple</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shantinatha" target="_self">Shantinath Temple</a>. Known for their exquisite work of art and architecture that was predominant in the medieval era the temples are built out of yellow sandstone and have intricate engravings on them.Jaisalmer has some of the oldest libraries of India containing rarest of the manuscripts and artefacts of Jain tradition.

Jain Heritage of Jaisalmer

Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is the most awaited and famous cultural and colourful event of Rajasthan. Camel races, Turban-tying and Mr. Desert competitions are organised. It is held in the month of February every year. The festival showcases Rajasthani folk songs and dance and it is very attractive to foreign tourists. Gair and Fire dancers which are the major attraction of the Jaisalmer desert festival celebrations. This is the best time to visit Jaisalmer to witness performing arts like Kalbelia dances and folk songs and music.

The Desert Festival of Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer - Wikipedia

The Char Dham (meaning: four abodes) is a set of four pilgrimage sites in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" target="_self">India</a>.It is believed that visiting these sites helps achieve <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha" target="_self">moksha</a> (salvation). The four Dhams are, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badrinath" target="_self">Badrinath</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dv%C4%81rak%C4%81" target="_self">Dwaraka</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puri" target="_self">Puri</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rameswaram" target="_self">Rameswaram</a>. It is believed that every Hindu should visit the Char Dhams during one's lifetime. Lets know a little more about each of the char dhams in the followed stashes.

Char Dham - the road to Moksha or Salvation

According to Hindu belief, Badrinath became prominent when Nar-Narayan, an avatar of Vishnu, did <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapasya" target="_self">Tapasya</a> there. At that time that place was filled with berry trees. In the Sanskrit language, berries are called "badri", so the place was named Badrika-Van, i.e. the forest of berries. The particular spot where the Nar-Narayan did Tapasya, a large berry tree formed covering Him to save Him from the rain and the sun. Local people believe that Mata Lakshmi became the berry tree to save Lord Narayan. This all happened in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satya_Yuga" target="_self">Satya Yuga</a>. So Badrinath came to be known as the first Dham.

Badrinath- the first dham and its history

<ul><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badrinath" target="_self">Badrinath</a> is located in the state of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uttarakhand" target="_self">Uttarakhand</a>. It is in the Garhwal hills, on the banks of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaknanda_River" target="_self">Alaknanda River</a>.</li><li>Of the four Maths established by Adi Shankaracharya, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshimath" target="_self">Joshimath</a> is the winter seat of Chardham.</li><li>While the three other Dhams remain open throughout the year, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badrinath_Temple" target="_self">Badrinath Dham</a> only remains open for pilgrims' darshan from April to October each year.</li></ul>

Badrinath- the first of four dhams

<ul><li>The second place Rameswaram got its importance in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treta_Yuga" target="_self">Treta Yuga</a> when Lord <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama" target="_self">Rama</a> built a Shiva-Lingam here and worshiped it to get the blessings of Lord <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva" target="_self">Shiva</a>. The name Rameswaram means 'God of Ram'.</li><li>Located in the South Indian state of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Nadu" target="_self">Tamil Nadu</a>. It is situated in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Mannar" target="_self">Gulf of Mannar</a> at the tip of the Indian peninsula. According to legends this is the place where <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Ram" target="_self">Lord Ram</a> along with his brother Laxman and devotee Hanuman built a bridge(Rama Setu)to reach Sri Lanka to rescue his wife Sita who had been abducted earlier by Ravan the ruler of Sri Lanka</li><li>Ramanatha Swamy Temple occupies major space.</li></ul>

Rameswaram - the second dham

<ul><li>The third, Dhaam Dwarka, got its importance in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvapara_Yuga" target="_self">Dvapara Yuga</a> when Lord Krishna made Dwarka His residence</li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarka" target="_self">Dwarka</a> located in the west is in the state of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujarat" target="_self">Gujarat</a>, country India. The city derives its name from the word "dvar" meaning <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Door" target="_self">door</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gate" target="_self">gate</a> in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit" target="_self">Sanskrit</a> language.</li><li>It is generally believed that due to damage and destruction by the sea, Dvaraka had submerged six times and modern day Dwarka is the 7th such city to be built in the area.</li></ul>

Dwarka- the third dham

<ul><li>At the fourth, Puri Dhaam, Lord Vishnu is worshiped as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannath" target="_self">Jagannath</a>, his <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avtar" target="_self">Avtar</a> for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali_Yuga" target="_self">Kali Yuga</a>.</li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puri" target="_self">Puri</a> located at the east, is located in the state of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odisha" target="_self">Odisha</a>, India. Puri is one of the oldest cities in the eastern part of the country.</li><li>It is the only shrine in India, where goddess, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subhadra" target="_self">Subhadra</a>, sister of Lord Krishna is worshipped along with her brothers, Lord Jagannatha and Lord <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balabhadra" target="_self">Balabhadra</a>.</li><li>Puri is the site of the Govardhana Matha, one of the four cardinal institutions or Mathas converted by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankaracharya" target="_self">Adi Shankaracharya</a>.</li></ul>

Puri - the fourth dham

Char Dham - Wikipedia

<ul><li>"if you keep falling there again and again , it means you're not meant to be there".</li><li>"With great power comes great responsibilty"</li><li>"Despite of everything you've done for them, eventuelly they will hate you"</li><li>"Whatever comes our way, whatever battle we have raging inside us, we always have a choice. My friend Harry taught me that. He chose to be the best of himself. It's the choices that make us who we are, and we can always choose to do what's right."</li></ul>

My favorite quotes from Spider Man

Takeaways from good reads

Spider-Man - Wikipedia

If you are an Indian or a fan of Indian culture , you must have surely brought or at least heard of the renowned kanchipuram sarees , but can you beleive that the town of kanchipuram where these sareesx are made is even more majestic!Lets take a dig into the town today!<ul><li>It is located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu</li><li>Kanchipuram is a Tamil word formed by combining two words "Kanchi" and "-puram" meaning "Brahma" and "residential place" respectively and located on the banks of the Vegavathy river</li></ul>

Kanchipuram - the temple city

<ul><li>Historically, Kanchipuram was a centre of education <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanchipuram#cite_note-FOOTNOTERao2008xviii-4" target="_self">[4]</a> and was known as the ghatikasthanam, or "place of learning". The city was also a religious centre of advanced education for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism" target="_self">Jainism</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism" target="_self">Buddhism</a> between the 1st and 5th centuries</li><li>Kanchipuram has been ruled by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pallavas" target="_self">Pallavas</a>, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_Cholas" target="_self">Medieval Cholas</a>,the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Later_Cholas" target="_self">Later Cholas</a>, the Later Pandyas, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijayanagar_Empire" target="_self">Vijayanagara Empire</a>, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawab_of_the_Carnatic" target="_self">Carnatic kingdom</a>, and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Raj" target="_self">British</a>, who called the city "Conjeeveram"</li><li>The city is believed to have been part of the mythical <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dravida_Kingdom" target="_self">Dravida Kingdom</a> of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata" target="_self">Mahabharata</a> and was described as "the best among cities"</li></ul>

The majestic history of the great town of Kanchipuram

<ul><li>In <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnavism" target="_self">Vaishnavism</a> Hindu theology, Kanchipuram is one of the seven <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirtha_(Hinduism)" target="_self">Tirtha</a> or Sapta Puri (pilgrimage) sites, for spiritual release. The city houses <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varadharaja_Perumal_Temple,_Kanchipuram" target="_self">Varadharaja Perumal Temple</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamakshi_Amman_Temple" target="_self">Kamakshi , Ekambareshwar temple ( the largest) Amman Temple</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumarakottam_Temple" target="_self">Kumarakottam Temple</a> which are some of major Hindu temples in the state. Of the 108 holy temples of the Hindu god <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishnu" target="_self">Vishnu</a>, 15 are located in Kanchipuram.</li><li>The city is important to both <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaivism" target="_self">Shaivism</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Vaishnavism" target="_self">Sri Vaishnavism</a>.</li><li>It is the headquarters of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanchi_matha" target="_self">Kanchi matha</a> a Hindu monastic institution believed to have been founded by the Hindu saint and commentator <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Sankaracharya" target="_self">Adi Sankaracharya</a></li></ul>

Kanchipuram and its religious significance

<ol><li>Kanchipuram has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HRIDAY_-_Heritage_City_Development_and_Augmentation_Yojana" target="_self">HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana</a> scheme of Government of India</li><li>&nbsp;The city is well known for its hand woven silk <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sari" target="_self">sarees</a> and most of the city's workforce is involved in the weaving industry</li></ol>

Kanchipuram and its economy

So next time if you want to visit an Indian town which gives a breath of divinity as well as ecological beauty , do visit Kanchipuram.

INDIA IS A VERSATILE COUNTRY&nbsp;

Kanchipuram - Wikipedia

<ul><li>Hyderabad is the largest city of the Indian state of Telangana as well as Andhra Pradesh , it is shared as a capital city between the two</li><li>Hyderabad is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_India_by_population" target="_self">fourth-most populous city in India</a> with a population of 6.9 million residents within the city limits</li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Quli_Qutb_Shah" target="_self">Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah</a> established Hyderabad in 1591 to extend the capital beyond the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golconda_Fort" target="_self">fortified Golconda</a>.</li><li>With an output of US$74 billion, Hyderabad has the fifth-largest urban economy in India.</li></ul>

Hyderabad - fact check


<ul><li>Until the 19th century Hyderabad was known for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabad_pearl" target="_self">pearl industry</a> and was nicknamed the "City of Pearls", and was the only <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golconda_Diamonds" target="_self">Golconda Diamonds</a> trading centre in the world.</li><li>Hyderabad's central location and industrialisation throughout the 20th century attracted major Indian research, manufacturing, educational and financial institutions. Since the 1990s, the city has emerged as an Indian hub of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genome_Valley" target="_self">pharmaceuticals and biotechnology</a>. The formation of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardware_Park,_Hyderabad" target="_self">special economic zones</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HITEC_City" target="_self">HITEC City</a> dedicated to information technology has encouraged <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Four_tech_companies" target="_self">leading multinationals</a> to set up operations in Hyderabad.</li></ul>

Hyderabad - "the city of pearls" and other economic importance

The name Hyderabad means "Haydar's city" or "lion city", from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haydar" target="_self">haydar</a> 'lion' and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/-abad" target="_self">ābād</a> 'city', after <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliph" target="_self">Caliph</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Ibn_Abi_Talib" target="_self">Ali Ibn Abi Talib</a>, also known as Haydar because of his lion-like valour in battle.The city was originally called Baghnagar "city of gardens", and later acquired the name Hyderabad.One popular legend suggests that the founder of the city, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Quli_Qutb_Shah" target="_self">Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah</a>, named it Bhagya-nagar after <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagmati" target="_self">Bhagmati</a>, a local <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nautch" target="_self">nautch</a> (dancing) girl whom he married. She converted to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam" target="_self">Islam</a> and adopted the title Hyder Mahal. The city would have been named Hyderabad in her honou

How Hyderabad got its name

Hyderabadi cuisine comprises a broad repertoire of rice, wheat and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamb_and_mutton" target="_self">meat</a> dishes and the skilled use of various spices .Hyderabad is listed by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO" target="_self">UNESCO</a> as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Gastronomy" target="_self">creative city of gastronomy</a>.The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabadi_biryani" target="_self">Hyderabadi biryani</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabadi_haleem" target="_self">Hyderabadi haleem</a> with their blend of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughlai_cuisine" target="_self">Mughlai</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_cuisine" target="_self">Arab cuisines</a> carry the national <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographical_Indication_Registry_(India)" target="_self">Geographical Indications tag</a>. Hyderabadi cuisine is influenced to some extent by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_cuisine" target="_self">French</a> but more by Arabic, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_cuisine" target="_self">Turkish</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_cuisine" target="_self">Iranian</a> and native <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telugu_cuisine" target="_self">Telugu</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathwada" target="_self">Marathwada</a> cuisines. Popular native dishes include <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihari" target="_self">nihari</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakna" target="_self">chakna</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghara_baingan" target="_self">baghara baingan</a> and the desserts <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qubani_ka_meetha" target="_self">qubani ka meetha</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_ka_meetha" target="_self">double ka meetha</a> and kaddu ki kheer.

A sneek peek into Hyderabadi zaayka (cuisine)

The region is well known for its Golconda and Hyderabad painting styles which are branches of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deccan_painting" target="_self">Deccan painting</a>A significant use of luminous gold and white colours is generally found in the Golconda style.The Hyderabad style originated in the 17th century under the Nizams. Highly influenced by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_painting" target="_self">Mughal painting</a>, this style makes use of bright colours and mostly depicts regional landscape, culture, costumes and jewellery.Another example of a handicraft drawn to Hyderabad is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalamkari" target="_self">Kalamkari</a>, a hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile that comes from cities in Andhra Pradesh.

The art culture of Hyderabad

So next time you are planning to spend your holidays at a place loaded wth mixed cultures , beautiful handicrafts to buy , ample of historical monuments to visit and exotic mughal era cuisine , do ponder over Hyderabad.

Hyderabad - Wikipedia

<ul><li>The Maharajas' Express is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxury_train" target="_self">luxury tourist train</a> owned and operated by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Railway_Catering_and_Tourism_Corporation" target="_self">Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation</a>(IRCTC). It runs on 4 routes covering more than 12 destinations across North-West and Central India, mainly centered on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajasthan" target="_self">Rajasthan</a> between the months of October and April.</li><li>The Maharajas' Express was voted "The World's Leading Luxury Train" Seven times in a row at The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=World_Travel_Awards&action=edit&redlink=1" target="_self">World Travel Awards</a></li></ul>

Maharaja Express - World's leading luxury train

<ul><li>The Maharajas' Express train has amenities such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi" target="_self">Wi-Fi</a>, attached bathroom, dining cars, bar, and souvenir shop. Larger cabins have roll-top baths and spacious sitting rooms.</li><li>The train comprises 23 carriages which include accommodation, dining, bar, lounge, generator and store cars. Accommodation is available in 14 guest carriages with total passenger capacity of 84. The train also has a lounge called the Rajah Club with a private bar, two dining cars and a dedicated bar car. An on-board souvenir boutique offers tat for passengers. The train is also equipped with a water filtration plant</li></ul>

Facilities offered at in Maharaja express

<h3>Heritage of India</h3>Duration: 6 Nights / 7 DaysDestinations Covered: Mumbai – Ajanta – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Agra - New Delhi<h3>Treasures of India</h3>Duration: 3 nights / 4 days&nbsp;Destinations Covered: Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi<h3>Indian Panorama</h3>Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days&nbsp;Destinations Covered: Delhi – Jaipur – Jodhpur - Ranthambore – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi Lucknow – Delhi<h3>The Indian Splendour</h3>Duration: 6 Nights / 7 DaysDestinations Covered: Delhi Agra –Ranthambore – Jaipur Bikaner –Jodhpur –Udaipur Balasinor Mumbai

Routes and packages

The train has two dining cars designed for fine dining service with a seating capacity of 42 guests at a time .The train has a state of the art kitchen car designed to provide a range of cuisines. The restaurants named Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal (has peacock feather theme in its décor).Restaurant menus include traditional Indian cuisines along with Continental, Chinese and International cuisines.A dedicated bar carriage, the Rajah Club, offers wines, liqueurs, spirits and beers along with snacks and starters and a lounge cum bar called the Safari bar equipped with a multilingual library.

Bite-sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career

Navya Verma
@navyaverma

Biryani - Wikipedia

Amritsar - Wikipedia

Vedas - Wikipedia

Ayodhya - Wikipedia

Jaisalmer - Wikipedia

Bite-sized knowledgeto upgradeyour career

Navya Verma@navyaverma

Biryani - Wikipedia

Amritsar - Wikipedia

Vedas - Wikipedia

Ayodhya - Wikipedia

Jaisalmer - Wikipedia

Bite-sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career

Navya Verma
@navyaverma