Author: umedesi

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Indian culture Uncategorized

Holy Cow! Where’s the Beef?

In India, cows are revered and sacred because they were both family and wealth. Unlike the West, where cattle were valued as meat, in India they were renewable prosperity—milk, dung, farming power, and calves sustained households for centuries. Combined with emotional bonds and spiritual reverence, this made beef not just unpopular but unimaginable. Discover why cows are India’s eternal givers of life.

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Things Desis Do

Why Do Indians Eat with Their Hands? Flavor, Culture & Tradition

Indian lady eating a traditional south indian meal with her hand
Indian lady eating a traditional south indian meal with her hand

Eating with hands isn’t primitive—it’s practical, flavorful, and cultural. Discover the history, etiquette, and pride behind this Indian dining tradition.

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Angkor Wat Travel

Visiting Angkor Wat: Practical Advice and Personal Tips

Bayon Temple with its serene reflection in a pond, framed by lush greenery and a clear blue sky.
Bayon Temple stands as a serene masterpiece of Khmer architecture, with its reflection adding to its tranquil beauty.

Below is something which was written up as a guide for some friends to help with their visit but it’s mostly relevant for anyone. Visas, etc. This applies for US citizens. Please check this site. You will need exact change on arrival at Siem Reap International Airport for visa application + 2 passport size photos. […]

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Historical Places Southern India Temples Travel

Airavatesvara Temple: The Musical Marvel of Chola Architecture

The towering vimana of the Airavateswara Temple, with its intricate carvings against a dramatic sky.
The towering vimana of the Airavateswara Temple, showcasing the artistic brilliance of Chola temple architecture. (Source - https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/airavatesvara-temple)

The Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram, built by Rajaraja Chola II, is famous for its musical steps, exquisite sculptures, and unique chariot-shaped mandapa. Explore its history and architectural wonders.

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History Southern India

The Rise of the Cholas – 3

Golden kalasha atop Brihadeeswara Temple’s vimana, symbolizing spiritual and architectural significance.
The golden kalasha atop Brihadeeswara Temple’s vimana symbolizes the spiritual and architectural pinnacle of the Chola dynasty.

The Chola Empire wasn’t just about conquest—it was a golden age of art, architecture, and literature. Explore their breathtaking temples, iconic bronze sculptures, and the cultural influence that still shapes South India and beyond.

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Historical Places History Southern India Temples

Chola Dynasty Temples : Timeless Marvels

Aerial view of the Airavateswara Temple complex, surrounded by lush greenery and ancient walls.
A bird’s eye view of the Airavateswara Temple, showcasing its grand layout and architectural symmetry. (Source - https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/airavatesvara-temple)

The Cholas built some of the most incredible temples in history. From the towering Brihadeeswara to the musical steps of Airavatesvara, these structures continue to amaze the world.

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History Southern India Temples Travel

Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Front view of the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple’s vimana with intricate carvings and a lush green landscape.
The towering vimana of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, a stunning example of Chola temple architecture. Attribution: Image sourced from Tamil Nadu Tourism.

Rajendra Chola I built Gangaikonda Cholapuram to rival Thanjavur. Though the city faded, its temple remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a reminder of Chola power.

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History Southern India Temples Travel

The Engineering Marvels of Brihadeeswara Temple

A breathtaking aerial view of the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, surrounded by greenery and the cityscape.
An aerial perspective of the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur, showcasing its architectural grandeur and surrounding landscape. Image sourced from Tamil Nadu Tourism.

Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur is an engineering wonder built over 1,000 years ago. Discover how the Cholas mastered science, geometry, and teamwork to create this iconic structure.

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Southern India Temples Travel

Nandi: The Sacred Bull of Shiva Temples

Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, intricately sculpted at Hoysaleswara Temple.
A close view of the elaborately sculpted Nandi statue at Hoysaleswara Temple, representing devotion and artistic excellence.

Every Shiva temple has a guardian—Nandi, the sacred bull. Learn why Nandi always faces Lord Shiva, explore India’s largest Nandi statues, and see how this tradition even reached Cambodia.

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History Southern India

The Rise of the Cholas – 2

A digital portrait in a 16 9 aspect ratio, featuring a regal depiction of the historic Tamil king, Rajendra Chola, against a backdrop of temples
Rajendra Chola

Rajendra Chola took the Chola Empire beyond India, launching the first full-scale overseas invasion by an Indian ruler. Explore his naval conquests, the attack on Srivijaya, and how the Cholas controlled the Indian Ocean.