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Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic poem that tells the story of Prince Rama. Ramayana is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Mahabharata. Once upon a time, in the land of Bharata (modern day Indian Subcontinent), there was a great kingdom called Ayodhya. Rama was born as […]
What is Sree Rama Navami? Sree Rama Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, who is believed to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is observed on the ninth day (navami) of the Chaitra month of the Hindu lunar calendar, which typically falls in March or April of […]
What’s gunpowder? It’s really nothing to do with real gunpowder – but some spice mixes from southern India are referred to gunpowder by folks from other regions (in jest of course) – because of the spicy nature of these spicy mixes. Let us look at some of these – what they are and how and […]
Let’s check out some spices. Now most of the spices you saw in the video seem familiar – but did you know that some of the spices used did not even originate in the Indian Subcontinent? Did you know – potato – known as aaloo or batata or whatever it’s called where you are from […]
What about Southern Masalas? South Indian cuisine also uses a variety of spice blends or masalas, but they are different from the garam masala used in Northern Indian cuisine. Here are some examples of South Indian masalas or spice blends used – and their usage varies and can be quite different than how 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? […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]