Tezpur: The city
Tezpur: A picture tour
Chhath Puja: Everything you need to know about this festival
Chhath is a Hindu Vedic festival, popular in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh states of India. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God and his wife Usha to thank them for bestowing life on the earth and praying for healthier and happier life.
How is Chhath Puja celebrated?
Chhath is a three days festival, the third day being the main and grand. It is an epic festival, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm even today.
Dressing
On the day of Chhath, people wear traditional dress preferably in saffron color. Women wear saree and men wear Kurta and Dhoti and avoid using leather in any form in their clothing. Women also carry a deep streak of vermilion from nose to the end of hair split.
Fasting
Women keep fast on this day and don’t eat anything until the prayer is done and the Prasad is distributed.
Praying
Chhath is one of the few festivals in India that do not involve worshipping an idol. People gather around a river or any other natural water source before sunrise. A hand full of water from the river is offered to the Sun God called as Tarpan.
People then take a dip in the river and chant holy slogans. Some people also perform a prostration march along the riverside.
When is Chhath Puja celebrated?
This festival is celebrated on the sixth day of Kartik month according to the Hindu calendar. That is why it is also called as Kartika Shukla Shashthi. According to the English calendar, this festival falls in the month of October or November.
What are the special dishes prepared during Chhath?
The special dishes prepared for this festival are thekua, kheer, and rice-ladoo.
Chhath is the most important festival of the natives of Bihar and no matter where they are, they always celebrate this festival. It is also the most eco-friendly festival as no synthetic colors or fire-crackers are used in celebration. If you are willing to participate in Chhath Puja- the traditional way, you can easily take a tour to Patna in a private cab.
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Kollam: Food tour
Kerala is known as the “Land of Spices.” Since 3000 BC, Kerala has been trading spices with European and Sumerian nations. The traditional cuisine of Kerala includes a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.
In the vegetarian platter, rice and tamarind are integral. The non-vegetarian menu of Kollam includes a wide variety of seafood.
Following are some of the amazing traditional dishes of Kollam.
Kappa and Meen Curry
Kappa and Meen curry is a signature dish in Kollam and entire Kerala. It is prepared with tapioca and fish and is spicy by nature. To balance the spiciness, locals serve this dish with plain steamed rice.
Meen peera
Meen peera is also known as meen pattichathu. It is an everyday fish curry cooked with fresh coconut scrapings, fish, and tamarind. While serving, it is lightly drizzled with fresh coconut oil.
Appam
Appam is the traditional breakfast in the region. It is quick and easy to make dish as well as is nutritious. The rice is soaked overnight, then finely ground with local additives and is allowed to ferment. The final batter is steamed into shapes or made in the form of pancakes. You can find a wide variety of appam in Kollam.
Fish Moilee
Fish Molee is a popular dish in Kollam having coconut milk as the main ingredient. Unlike the traditional Kerala Style Fish curries, this recipe doesn’t use Tamarind and is least spicy. It is served as a side dish with Appam.
Here is the recipe of this awesome dish.
Karimeen Pollichathu
Karimeen Pollichathu is a popular fish dish of the region. The pearl spot fish is marinated in sea salt and local spices. It is then wrapped in banana leaf and broiled. The dish incorporates a mild flavor of the fish and balances the taste with the spices.
In the local cuisine, the influence of Dutch and Portuguese food habits can also be seen because of their long-term reign in the region. Kollam is no exception to this food culture.
To indulge in the food culture and also enjoy sightseeing in this beautiful city, you can hire a cab on day rental.
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