Categories
About... Cooking Desi Food

Garam Masala

What is Masala? The word “masala” comes from Hindi, and it typically refers to a mix of spices that can include cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and other spices. Are there different styles of garam masala in Indian subcontinent? can you tell me about the general variations separated by the regions where it’s generally used? […]

Categories
About... Cooking Desi Food

Curry Powder

What is Curry Powder? Curry powder is a blend of spices that is commonly used in Indian, South Asian, and Southeast Asian cuisines. It typically includes a mixture of spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, and chili peppers. The specific combination of spices can vary depending on the region and the brand. Is Curry […]

Categories
About... Cooking Desi Food Not Just Veggies Recipes

What are dal, tadka, ghee and hing?

New words, new things to add to food. All will add more flavor to what we cook! Let’s check these out one by one. (Image source for top image – Photo by riki lifestyle on Unsplash Ghee What is ghee? Ghee is a type of clarified butter that is commonly used in Indian, Middle Eastern, […]

Categories
Historical Places Southern India Temples Travel

Meenakshi Temple

The Meenakshi Temple is one of the most significant and revered temples in Tamil Nadu, India. Top Image Credit எஸ்ஸார், CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Where is the Meenakshi Amman Temple? The Meenakshi Amman (Amman – Mother) It is located in the city of Madurai, and is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, an incarnation […]

Categories
About... Festivals

What is Ugadi?

What is Ugadi? Ugadi is a popular festival celebrated in the South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. The word “Ugadi” is derived from two Sanskrit words “Yuga” meaning era or age, and “Adi” meaning beginning. Ugadi marks the beginning of a new era or a new year, and it is celebrated with […]

Categories
About... Holi

What is Holi?

What is Holi? When is it? Holi is a festival in India – the festival of colors (or colours). Holi is a popular festival celebrated in India and Nepal, which is also known as the “Festival of Colors.” The festival is typically celebrated on the full moon day in the Indian calendar month of Phalguna, […]

Categories
About... Desi Languages

Languages!

India is a linguistically diverse country with over 1.3 billion people speaking more than 19,500 languages and dialects. However, according to the 2011 Census of India, the total number of mother tongues spoken in the country is 1,369. Out of these, the top 10 most widely spoken languages in India are: (Image Source for the […]

Categories
Historical Places Southern India Temples Travel

Sarangapani Temple Kumbhakonam

The name Sarangapani (“one who has the bow in his hand”) derives from the Sanskrit word Sarangam meaning bow of Vishnu and pani meaning hand. (Source Wikipedia) For more information check the temple website or Wikipedia The Sarangapani Temple is a famous temple located in the town of Kumbakonam in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to […]

Categories
Historical Places Southern India Temples Travel

Sreerangam temple – Trichy

The Ranganathaswamy temple in Sreerangam, Trichy (Tiruchirappalli, TN) is an ancient temple is about 200 miles south of Chennai. (Read more here) The Place Srirangpatna had the name of the Srirangapuri in the early ages later it got the name of the Srirangapatna. The town is an island being surrounded by the river Cauvery. In […]

Categories
About...

What about…?

Yes, a lot of things are different. And done differently. Why do you… or What about…type of questions come up all the time. Here is an attempt to address some of them. If you know differently and would like to add to these please add to the comments. Or if you have more questions, we […]