One Horned Rhinos
Sikkim Trekking
Nagaland Tribes
Kaziranga National park
Mt Kachenjunga
Tawang Monastery
Bihu Dance
Cuisines and Momos
Assam Tea Garden
One Horned Rhinos of Kaziranga National park
Kaziranga Park Speciality -One Horned Rhinos Kaziranga National Park is the only national park reserve in India where the rhinoceros can be seen in its natural habitat for Rhinos. One Horned Rhinos Internationally known as Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros is heavily built beast of mammoth proportions, next to the Indian Elephant. It is the largest of the three Asian rhinos. It has single distinctive black horn about 50 cm long and grey brown hide with skin folds, which give it an armor-plated image. Male are distinguish from female for their enormous development of the neck folds and semi-prehensile upper lips. These rhinos basically prefers living in tall grassland and riverine forests but now a days they are forced to live in a cultivated land. Unlike elephants who always move in a herd, rhinos are ascetic animal with the exception on the breeding session. Although they sometimes get together at bathing areas. Rhinos are herbivores and grazes on grasses, leaves, aquatic plants and fruits. They generally eat during dawn and evening with help of their prehensile lip to grip grass stems. Interestingly, rhinos are "landscape architects" of their habitat. It take rhino more than three days to digest a meal therefore, whatever seed they eat, it can be transported to significant distance before they are deposited in droppings. Conservation of rhinos is a success story but they are in demand for the mythical aphrodisiac properties of its horn. After the successful effort of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), the waning population of rhino began to gradually increase. Also WWF(World Wide Fund) is working both in India and Nepal to conserve this species. Translocation Projects are under operation, and the survival of the rhinos at all odds is the final goal. The Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros can be found in the national reserves of Kaziranga, Manas and Jaldapara.
Sikkim Trekking
State : Sikkim, in north east India.
Best Time to Travel : Mid- February To May end & Mid - September To December
Weather Conditions : Too cold in Winters but pleasant in summers.
Location : Sikkim Trekking is about 133 km away from Siliguri (West Bengal) and 125 km from Gangtok in Sikkim.
Know Sikkim Trekking in Sikkim
Sikkim Trekking in Sikkim is placid travel destination, situated at an altitude of 6,800 ft from the sea level. Sikkim Trekking Sikkim attracts most of the visitors for its glorious history, nature and culture of the state. Sikkim Sikkim Trekking, the laid back, scenic, but rapidly swelling hamlet is famous for the magnificent view of the snow-capped mountains of Khangchendzonga.
Sikkim Trekking in Sikkim is an ideal getaway for tourists as its vicinity has numerous waterfalls, soft trek routes, villages and soothing atmosphere for all discerning. High above the forest covered hills, in an amphitheater of cloud, snow and rock.
NOTE : Foreigners need a permit to enter Sikkim (available at Siliguri).
Sightseeing in Sikkim Trekking (Sikkim)
Sikkim Trekking in Sikkim is an ideal getaway for tourists as its vicinity has numerous waterfalls, soft trek routes, villages and soothing atmosphere for all discerning. High above the forest covered hills, in an amphitheater of cloud, snow and rock.
NOTE : Foreigners need a permit to enter Sikkim (available at Siliguri).
Sightseeing in Sikkim Trekking (Sikkim)
Pemayangste Monastery
Pemayantse monastery is special because it is meant only for ‘ta-sang’ lamas (pure monks). Believed to have been conceptualised and designed by the pioneer of Buddhism in Sikkim, Lhatsun Chhembo, Pemayangste soon became the nuclei of monasteries in Sikkim. Today, it is considered as the "premier monastery" of the State.
Sangacholing Monastery
This monastery is located on a ridge above Sikkim Trekking and the famous Pemayangtse Monastery. To reach the Monastery one has to walk on steep hilly slope which lead through rich forests area.
Khecheolapri Lake
Khecheopalri Lake is considered as one of the sacred lakes of Sikkim by the Hindus and Buddhists. The lake remains hidden in the forests. It is believed that birds do not permit even a single leaf to float on the lake surface.
Nagaland Tribes
Time : February.
Celebrated By : Pochury Tribes.
Venue : Phek, Nagaland in India.
Duration : 10 Days.
The Festival
The Nazu festival is one of the most merrymaking festivals of the Pochury tribe of Nagaland. This gala event is celebrated for 10 days in the month February prior to the sowing of seeds for the year. The festival is celebrated with must glitter and gaiety. Songs and dances are performed by the Pochury tribe during this occasion. Khupielilie dance is one of them performed by the women folk of the Pochury tribe. It is more entertaining and competitive than ritualistic.
The Dress Worn by the Dancers
The dancers wear Ascunyi (Ribbon like head dress), Kiileniinyi (Long mekhala worn from the chest down to the calf), Achulhre (Necklace like ornament worn round the waist over the Killeniinyi), Akhi (Armlet), Akhusa (Bangle for forearm) and beautiful necklaces called Asker. This dance is noted for the harmonious movements of hands and legs along with the songs of different tunes and beats.
Kaziranga National park
State : Assam in India.
Best time to Travel :Best to visit kaziranga park is from November to April.
Weather Conditions : Climate Temp. Summer Max 35 C Min. 18 C. Winter Max 24 C Min 7 C. Annual rainfall 2300 mm, heavy in summer.
Location : The National Highway 37 runs through the park. Kaziranga (Kohora) is at a distance of 217 km from Guwahati, 96 km from Jorhat, and 75 km from Furkating via road.
Know The Kaziranga National Park
Located in the heart of Assam on the bank of the majestic Brahmaputra is the Kaziranga National Park. Kaziranga National Prak in Assam is inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds.
Assam Kaziranga National Park covers an area of approximately 430-sq-kms with its swamps and tall thickets of elephant grass making it the most ideal habitat for the one-horned Indian Rhino. Due to countless poaching of this prehistoric survivor, the Kaziranga National Park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1940.
The Ecosystem of Kaziranga Wildlife sanctuary
The Landscape
The land is quite level all over Kaziranga Wildlife sanctuary, which is mostly covered by dense and tall elephant grass. These large stretches of elephant grass are intermixed by small wetlands left behind by the receding floodwaters of the river Brahmaputra. The park, although quite flat in nature, is set against a backdrop of hills like the Mikir and Karbi Anglong.
The Flora
These picturesque wetlands have an abundant cover of water lilies, water hyacinth and lotus. The vegetation that breaks the monotony of these grasslands are large clumps of semi-evergreen forest. The Kaziranga park is mostly covered with elephant size grass, making it a perfect habitation for the one-horned rhinos.
The Fauna
Indian One-horned Rhinos (900), tigers (50), leopards (20), elephants (700), barasingha or swamp deer (700), barking deer (300), wild boar (700), para or hog deer (7000), Bison (22), Sambar (400), leopard cats, otters(300), Hoolock Gibbons, golden Langurs, Wild Buffaloes (600), Slow Loris, pygmy hog, capped langur and bears (50).
NOTE : The numbers provided here are approximate figures taken from the park's census findings in the 1990s.
The Birds
Grey headed fishing eagle, Pallas' fishing eagle, Crested serpent eagle, Swamp partridge, Red jungle fowl, Bengal floricab, Bar headed goose, Whistling Teal, Pelicans, Rose breasted Parakeets, Black necked Storks, Adjutant Storks, Open Billed Storks, Egrets, Herons and White wired wood ducks are among the major number of bird varieties visible in the parks.
The Reptiles
Trip within the Kaziranga National ParkAssam Kaziranga National Park covers an area of approximately 430-sq-kms with its swamps and tall thickets of elephant grass making it the most ideal habitat for the one-horned Indian Rhino. Due to countless poaching of this prehistoric survivor, the Kaziranga National Park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1940.
The Ecosystem of Kaziranga Wildlife sanctuary
The Landscape
The land is quite level all over Kaziranga Wildlife sanctuary, which is mostly covered by dense and tall elephant grass. These large stretches of elephant grass are intermixed by small wetlands left behind by the receding floodwaters of the river Brahmaputra. The park, although quite flat in nature, is set against a backdrop of hills like the Mikir and Karbi Anglong.
The Flora
These picturesque wetlands have an abundant cover of water lilies, water hyacinth and lotus. The vegetation that breaks the monotony of these grasslands are large clumps of semi-evergreen forest. The Kaziranga park is mostly covered with elephant size grass, making it a perfect habitation for the one-horned rhinos.
The Fauna
Indian One-horned Rhinos (900), tigers (50), leopards (20), elephants (700), barasingha or swamp deer (700), barking deer (300), wild boar (700), para or hog deer (7000), Bison (22), Sambar (400), leopard cats, otters(300), Hoolock Gibbons, golden Langurs, Wild Buffaloes (600), Slow Loris, pygmy hog, capped langur and bears (50).
NOTE : The numbers provided here are approximate figures taken from the park's census findings in the 1990s.
The Birds
Grey headed fishing eagle, Pallas' fishing eagle, Crested serpent eagle, Swamp partridge, Red jungle fowl, Bengal floricab, Bar headed goose, Whistling Teal, Pelicans, Rose breasted Parakeets, Black necked Storks, Adjutant Storks, Open Billed Storks, Egrets, Herons and White wired wood ducks are among the major number of bird varieties visible in the parks.
The Reptiles
Rock Pythons and many more varieties of snakes, Monitor Lizards and Turtles are abundant in the park.
Kaziranga tourism is possible in the interiors on the back of one of two available modes of transport. The modes - Elephant and Jeep.
Elephant Rides
The first and more preferred mode is on elephant's back. Elephant rides allow you to get up very close to the wild animals and make you feel totally one with nature due to the lack of any sound of an engine. These rides are taken out thrice in a day from Mihimukh, which is located 3 km from Kohora. There are only around 5 elephants available for touring purposes and it is definitely advisable to book your ride well in advance. These advance bookings can be made at the Bonani Lodge at Kohora.
Jeep Safaris
Jeep Safaris are also available and can be booked at the various lodges and through local operators.
Mt Kachenjunga
The colossal third highest mountain in the world derived its name from the Tibetan words ' Kanchen' and 'Dzonga' mean " five treasuries of the great snow." Kanchenjunga is the also known as queen of mountains and it is at best seen from the hill of Darjeeling. It is like a white wall hanging from the sky. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best scenario one could have experienced in life. Kanchenjunga is considered as a mysterious mountain because it is less explored by foreign visitors.
| Location | Far-east Nepal |
| Altitude | 8,586 metes (28,169 feet) |
| Significance | 3rd Highest Peak in the World |
| Season | September to December, early February to late June |
* Kanchenjunga West (Yalung Kang) (8505 m/27,904 ft)
* Kanchenjunga Central (Middle) (8482 m/ 27,828 ft)
* Kanchenjunga South (8494 m/ 27,867 ft)
* Kangbachen (7903 m/ 25,925 ft)
Climate
The climate is everchanging but most of the time temperature is hovering between minuses also it depends on the elevation. Monsoon is irregular but lengthy. During monsoon some district of where the Kanchenjunga west and Kangbachen are situated has humid summer condition.
Demographic feature
The area is thinly populated but there are some age old ethnic groups are the Limbu, Bhotia and Sherpa. Mainly population is that concentrate in the lower parts of the district.
People and Lifestyle
People living on the high altitude have been encountering challenges as the place is not at all congenial for human being. There are problems water, communication and other basic facilities. Also the climate vacillate so much that it very tough to survive. Still the place is inhabited by different ethnic groups and speak in different languages and dialects. They are mainly Tibeto-Burman ethnic groups such as Rai, Limbu, Tamang, Jirel, Thakali, Magar, Gurung and Sherpa. Of these, the Sherpa communities generally live in the highest areas, beyond which there is no possibility of human settlement. Main occupation of people is agriculture, Settled, mixed farming; swidden agriculture; middle-altitude agropastoralism; high-altitude agropastoralism, these are the five methods of agricultural practice adopted to sustain in a harsh condition. Mainly farmers cultivate rice, wheat, maize, millet, mustards and vegetables. Pastoralism revolves around cattle, water buffalo, sheep, and goats, There are another occupation where people exchange grains from middle-altitude groups for high altitude resources such as Tibetan salt and wool. People in this group are almost exclusively Buddhist, with a culture and lifestyle closely resembling that of the Tibetan people.
Flora and Fauna
On the lower plain wide varieties of natural vegetation and agricultural land can be seen. On the higher plain more than 2000 varieties of flowering plants can be witnessed. Kanchenjunga has abundant wildlife ranging from musk deer, red panda, snow leopard,binturong to yeti! (for the believers) Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is that home to 252 species of birds, 22 species of mammals, 82 species of insects, 5 species of fish and 6 species of amphibians.
Tawang Monastery
State : Arunachal Pradesh, the north eastern state of India.
Best Time to Travel : October to April.
Significance : Tawang Monastery is the Largest In India and 2nd Largest In Asia.
Location: 180-km From Bomdila, Tawang District, Arunachal Prdesh
Know The Tawang Monastery
The Tawang Monastery also known as "Galden Namgyal Lhatse" was founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyamtso in the year 1860-61 AD. The Tawang Monastery stands on the start of a hill, about 10,000 ft above sea level and has ravines in the south and west, narrow ridge on the north and a gradual slope on the east.
It offers an imposing and picturesque view of the Tawang -Chu valley. The monastery appears like a fort from a distance, as if guarding the admirers in the wide valley below. Tawang monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is the largest of its kind in the country and 2nd largest in Asia. The Tawang Moanstery has the capacity for housing about 700 monks, but, the actual number of resident Lamas (Monks) at present is a little more than 300. This monastery of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is the source of the spiritual life of the people of this region.
The Structure of The Tawang Monastery
Dukhang - The Assembly Hall
The most imposing building of the monastery is the assembly hall known as "Dukhang". It is a three-storied building standing on the northern side of the court and houses the temple and the "Labrang" (The establishment of the Abbot).
The inside walls of the Dukhang are painted with murals of various divinities and saints. The altar covers the entire northern wall of the hall. To the left of the altar is the silver casket veiled in silk, holding the Thankas (also spelt as Tankas or Thangkas). These are the Thankas of Goddess Sri Devi ("Palden Lhamo") the main deity of the monastery, which was given to Merak Lama by the 5th Dalai Lama. The Thankas was painted with blood drawn from the nose of the 5th Dalai Lama. The painting came to be known as "Ja-Droi-ma", means, it had warmth of a bird, which symbolised that the Thanka was of a living type.
A massive richly adorned statue of Lord Buddha stands in the middle of the northern side. The statue is seated on a platform and its body, rising up, ends up in a huge head above the first floor. It is the largest image of the monastery and is about 26 ft high.
The Entrance of the Monastery
The entrance to the monastery is from the north along the ridge. Just near the entrance to the monastery there is a building housing the "Dung-Gyur Mani" from where the water is fetched for use in the monastery. To the south of it is the 'Kakaling', the entrance gate. The Kakaling is a hut-like structure with its two lateral walls made of stone. It serves as a gate. The ceiling the Kakaling is painted with Kying-khors (Mandalas). The inside walls are painted with mural of divinities and saints. After passing through the Kakaling there is a big gate further south which is without any door.
Further south stands the main gate of the monastery, which is fitted with huge doors and is set in the northern wall of the monastery. The eastern wall starts from the open outer gate and encloses the entire eastern side of the monastery. It is about 925 feet long and the height varies from about ten to twenty feet. There is another gate near the southern and of this wall. It is fitted with a huge door. Near it there are two slits in the wall to see out through and for placing muzzle-loaded gun to fire upon the approaching enemy. A narrow path runs all along the outer side of the eastern wall connecting this gate with the Kakaling. It is said that the yarn given by the Vth Dalai Lama to Merak Lama enclosed the area bounded by the four walls.
The Court of the Monastery
A paved path runs from the main gate toward rear of the monastery and leads to a stone slabs court. Religious dances and outdoor ceremonies are held in this court. The entire eastern half of the monastery is covered with sixty residential quarters called "Sha"(hut) for housing the resident monks. Each of these dormitories has been constructed by a group of villagers on voluntary basis. They also carry out the repairs and are responsible for its maintenance.
A three storied building stands on the western side of the court. It is the "Par-khang" (Library). All the Holy Scriptures including a long two-storied building flanks the southern side of the court. A part of this building is used as store for the provisions of the monks. The Dra-tsang buk and his entourage occupy the other part. A two storied building, on the eastern side of the court is called "Rhum-khang", which is used for cooking the food-offerings for the rituals as well as refreshments for the monks on ritual days.
The Centre for Buddhist Cultural Studies
The monastery also has a Centre for Buddhist Cultural Studies, the place, where young monks are taught Arithmetic, English, and Hindi besides traditional monastic education.
In brief, this monastery is simply amazing and majestic in its appearance and splendour. Visiting the Tawang Monastery Arunachal Pradesh is most spiritually a reviving experience.
Journey to The Tawang Monastery
There is no airport or railhead in Tawang. Tezpur is the closest place, which offers an airport.
Road Transport : The only way out of the Tawang leads back over the Sela Pass and down to Bomdila. Arunachal State Transport runs buses to Bomdila on Wednesday. Friday And Saturday (8hr). Private buses also run daily via Bomdila to Tezpur, departing round about noontime and arriving Tawang early in the morning of the following day. Jeeps also leave daily for early in the morning from Tawang City Gate, 200m downhill from the bus stand.
Staying near the Tawang Monastery
Some accommodations are available at Tawang for the tourists. you may not come across luxury accommodations.
It offers an imposing and picturesque view of the Tawang -Chu valley. The monastery appears like a fort from a distance, as if guarding the admirers in the wide valley below. Tawang monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is the largest of its kind in the country and 2nd largest in Asia. The Tawang Moanstery has the capacity for housing about 700 monks, but, the actual number of resident Lamas (Monks) at present is a little more than 300. This monastery of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is the source of the spiritual life of the people of this region.
The Structure of The Tawang Monastery
Dukhang - The Assembly Hall
The most imposing building of the monastery is the assembly hall known as "Dukhang". It is a three-storied building standing on the northern side of the court and houses the temple and the "Labrang" (The establishment of the Abbot).
The inside walls of the Dukhang are painted with murals of various divinities and saints. The altar covers the entire northern wall of the hall. To the left of the altar is the silver casket veiled in silk, holding the Thankas (also spelt as Tankas or Thangkas). These are the Thankas of Goddess Sri Devi ("Palden Lhamo") the main deity of the monastery, which was given to Merak Lama by the 5th Dalai Lama. The Thankas was painted with blood drawn from the nose of the 5th Dalai Lama. The painting came to be known as "Ja-Droi-ma", means, it had warmth of a bird, which symbolised that the Thanka was of a living type.
A massive richly adorned statue of Lord Buddha stands in the middle of the northern side. The statue is seated on a platform and its body, rising up, ends up in a huge head above the first floor. It is the largest image of the monastery and is about 26 ft high.
The Entrance of the Monastery
The entrance to the monastery is from the north along the ridge. Just near the entrance to the monastery there is a building housing the "Dung-Gyur Mani" from where the water is fetched for use in the monastery. To the south of it is the 'Kakaling', the entrance gate. The Kakaling is a hut-like structure with its two lateral walls made of stone. It serves as a gate. The ceiling the Kakaling is painted with Kying-khors (Mandalas). The inside walls are painted with mural of divinities and saints. After passing through the Kakaling there is a big gate further south which is without any door.
Further south stands the main gate of the monastery, which is fitted with huge doors and is set in the northern wall of the monastery. The eastern wall starts from the open outer gate and encloses the entire eastern side of the monastery. It is about 925 feet long and the height varies from about ten to twenty feet. There is another gate near the southern and of this wall. It is fitted with a huge door. Near it there are two slits in the wall to see out through and for placing muzzle-loaded gun to fire upon the approaching enemy. A narrow path runs all along the outer side of the eastern wall connecting this gate with the Kakaling. It is said that the yarn given by the Vth Dalai Lama to Merak Lama enclosed the area bounded by the four walls.
The Court of the Monastery
A paved path runs from the main gate toward rear of the monastery and leads to a stone slabs court. Religious dances and outdoor ceremonies are held in this court. The entire eastern half of the monastery is covered with sixty residential quarters called "Sha"(hut) for housing the resident monks. Each of these dormitories has been constructed by a group of villagers on voluntary basis. They also carry out the repairs and are responsible for its maintenance.
A three storied building stands on the western side of the court. It is the "Par-khang" (Library). All the Holy Scriptures including a long two-storied building flanks the southern side of the court. A part of this building is used as store for the provisions of the monks. The Dra-tsang buk and his entourage occupy the other part. A two storied building, on the eastern side of the court is called "Rhum-khang", which is used for cooking the food-offerings for the rituals as well as refreshments for the monks on ritual days.
The Centre for Buddhist Cultural Studies
The monastery also has a Centre for Buddhist Cultural Studies, the place, where young monks are taught Arithmetic, English, and Hindi besides traditional monastic education.
In brief, this monastery is simply amazing and majestic in its appearance and splendour. Visiting the Tawang Monastery Arunachal Pradesh is most spiritually a reviving experience.
Journey to The Tawang Monastery
There is no airport or railhead in Tawang. Tezpur is the closest place, which offers an airport.
Road Transport : The only way out of the Tawang leads back over the Sela Pass and down to Bomdila. Arunachal State Transport runs buses to Bomdila on Wednesday. Friday And Saturday (8hr). Private buses also run daily via Bomdila to Tezpur, departing round about noontime and arriving Tawang early in the morning of the following day. Jeeps also leave daily for early in the morning from Tawang City Gate, 200m downhill from the bus stand.
Staying near the Tawang Monastery
Some accommodations are available at Tawang for the tourists. you may not come across luxury accommodations.
Bihu Dance
State : Assam, in the north east of India.
Time : January, April, October.
Venue : Assam in India.
Time : January, April, October.
Venue : Assam in India.
The Festival
The Bihus are the national festivals of Assam. The most important festivals of Assam are the Bihus, celebrated with fun and abundance by all Assamese people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith and belief.
The Three Bihus of Assam
In a year there are three Bihu festivals in Assam - in the months of Bohaag (Baisakh, the middle of April), Maagh (the middle of January), and Kaati (Kartik, the middle of October). The Bihus have been celebrated in Assam since ancient times. Each Bihu coincides with a distinctive phase in the farming calendar. The most important and colourful of the three Bihu festival is the Spring festival "Bohag Bihu" or Rangali Bihu celebrated in the middle of April. This is also the beginning of the agricultural season.
The Bohaag Bihu or the Rongali Bihu
The Bohaag Bihu marks the New Year at the advent of seeding time. Bohaag Bihu is also called the Rongaali Bihu or the Festival of Merriment.
The Magh Bihu or the Bhogali Bihu
The Magh or the Bhogali Bihu, the harvesting festival is celebrated in January by community feast, buffalo fight and such other entertainment. The Maagh Bihu marks the end of the harvesting period. Maagh Bihu is also called Bhogaali Bihu or the Festival of Food.
The Kati Bihu to the Kongaali Bihu
Compared to "Rongali" and Bhogali Bihu, "Kati Bihu" is a tame affair celebrated in the month of Kartika. the Kaati Bihu marks the completion of sowing and transplanting of paddies. Kaati Bihu is also called Kongaali Bihu or the Festival of the Poor.
The Activities
The merriments include dances along with the enthralling beats of Dhol and Pepa (buffalo hornpipe). Songs sung during the Bihu festival are woven around themes of love and most of the time carry erotic overtones. People wear traditional attires like Dhoti, Gamocha and Chadar, Mekhala.
You can relish the Bihu dances, performed by young boys and girls featuring brisk stepping, flinging and flipping of hands and swaying of hips, representing youthful passion, reproductive urge and 'Joie-de-vivre'. Tribal groups like the Misings the Deoris and the Morans celebrate "Bihu" with dances of their own distinctive style.
Cuisines of North East India
Assamese CuisineAssamese food is mainly based on rice and fish. For dessert, or for those with a sweet tooth, there is a wide range in "pithas" (cakes).
Rice is the staple diet in Assam and is eaten in various forms throughout the day. The Assamese eat a huge variety of rice-based breakfast cereals with milk, yoghurt or thick creamakhoi (puffed rice), chira (chura), muri, komal chaul (a specially processed rice which doesn’t require cooking but just an hour’s soak in cold water) and hurum to name but a few. Normally jaggery or sugar is added but for those who prefer savoury items, salt can be added. Also there are the various kinds of pitha that are prepared from rice powder.
Authentic Assamese cuisine is bland and yet very delicious. Very little oil is used and practically no spices. All Assamese people are non-vegetarian. Chicken is taboo in orthodox families and there are some, who may not eat meat. But it’s difficult to find anyone who does not eat fish and duck’s eggs. Mustard oil is used for cooking and occasionally clarified butter or ghee.
Rice is the staple diet in Assam and is eaten in various forms throughout the day. The Assamese eat a huge variety of rice-based breakfast cereals with milk, yoghurt or thick creamakhoi (puffed rice), chira (chura), muri, komal chaul (a specially processed rice which doesn’t require cooking but just an hour’s soak in cold water) and hurum to name but a few. Normally jaggery or sugar is added but for those who prefer savoury items, salt can be added. Also there are the various kinds of pitha that are prepared from rice powder.
Authentic Assamese cuisine is bland and yet very delicious. Very little oil is used and practically no spices. All Assamese people are non-vegetarian. Chicken is taboo in orthodox families and there are some, who may not eat meat. But it’s difficult to find anyone who does not eat fish and duck’s eggs. Mustard oil is used for cooking and occasionally clarified butter or ghee.
Arunachali Cuisine
Traditional north-east delicacies, Chinese food and local food are available here. Poeple here generally take non-vegetarian diets. Most of their cuisines include non-vegetarian meals. Apong (local drinks made from rice or millet) is also take by the people here.
Manipuri Cuisine
The traditional Manipuri fine dining was a literally 'sit-down' affair with banana-leaf plates. Their love for rice can be seen in every household here. Some take rice with meat, and some others prefer a fish delicacy along with the main dish. In fact Kabok, a traditional speciality, is mostly fried rice with a world of vegetables added in. The Iromba, an eclectic combination of fish, vegetables and bamboo shoots is served fermented.
Meghalayan Cuisine
The Meghalayan cuisine is heavily tilted in favour of meat, particularly pork. Jadoh - a spicy dish of rice and pork is eaten almost any time. Besides, the local pork delicacies cooked Khasi-style, Shillong is also the Mecca of authentic Chinese food. Kyat, the local brew made from rice, adds zing to all the local celebrations. You can taste it at any of the bars spread all over Shillong Meghalaya.
Mizoram Cuisine
The people of Mizoram are basically non-vegetarian and love meat. The food is not spicy and is cooked in such a way that the nutritive value is actually retained. The locally made wine is a great favourite. "Zu" (tea) is a popular drink. Both men and women are fond of smoking.
Sikkimese Cuisine
Sikkim has its own unique dietary culture with specific cuisine and food recipes. You can get a variety of food in Sikkim, but specialities like the Tibetan Thupka and Momos are very popular here. A beverage to be sampled is the local 'Tchang', a beer made of millet and served in a bamboo mug. You can find this at small restaurants serving Sikkimese cuisine.
Sikkimese are essentially rice-eaters. Alcoholic drinks are popular both amongst men and women. Various traditional fermented foods and beverages is very common. Beef eating is common amongst the Bhutias. Some of the common traditional cuisine with their food recipes are - Momos, Gya Thuk or Thukpa, Ningro with Churpi, Gundruk, Phagshapa, Sael Roti.
Tripuri Cuisine
The large Bengali community in Tripura makes for a non-vegetarian favoured cuisine, with fish being an integral part of the menu. Most of the household here serves authentic Bengali delicacies.
Sikkim has its own unique dietary culture with specific cuisine and food recipes. You can get a variety of food in Sikkim, but specialities like the Tibetan Thupka and Momos are very popular here. A beverage to be sampled is the local 'Tchang', a beer made of millet and served in a bamboo mug. You can find this at small restaurants serving Sikkimese cuisine.
Sikkimese are essentially rice-eaters. Alcoholic drinks are popular both amongst men and women. Various traditional fermented foods and beverages is very common. Beef eating is common amongst the Bhutias. Some of the common traditional cuisine with their food recipes are - Momos, Gya Thuk or Thukpa, Ningro with Churpi, Gundruk, Phagshapa, Sael Roti.
Tripuri Cuisine
The large Bengali community in Tripura makes for a non-vegetarian favoured cuisine, with fish being an integral part of the menu. Most of the household here serves authentic Bengali delicacies.
Assam Tea Garden
Wake up at morning and a sip of tea, perhaps it is one of the most rejuvenating experience one could have imagined and with Assam tea refreshment will be double. Assam is popular around the world for it's refreshing, full bodied malty tea. Assam tea had been cultured long back (about 2000 years ago) when tea was only consumed as a health drink or medicine by the tribes but it was the first time when Bodos, brought tea in the limelight. After the world recognition of this amazing beverage, geographical and economical configuration had been altered dramatically. Vast wild forest metamorphosed into beautiful embracing tea gardens.
First Tea Planter
Dewan Maniram Dutta Borbhandar Barua, on seeing the specimen plant in Robert Bruce’s hands, remarked, “We have the plant growing in our jungles”. He was later appointed by The Assam Tea Company – which he left to run his own garden.
First Tea Company in the World
The Assam Company – the world’s first tea company – came into being on February 12, 1839. Dwarakanath Tagore, grandfather of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, was one of the directors.
Present scenario
Once neglected beverage is now the most prominent drink of world and India is the largest producer. About 400 millions kgs of tea per year comes from Assam. It contribute more than half of total countries tea production. Tea is an integral part of the amiable Assamese people as well as world. People starts their day with a steaming cup of brew and take it in a regular interval for refreshing mood. In India guests are welcomed by offering a cup of tea. In Assam the traditional way to taste the brew is in Bell Matel Bowl called "Banbati".
Tea gardens are good for holiday trip
Exquisite and incredibly silent tea gardens are bliss for eyes. These are mainly located in the upper Assam and southern Barak Valley region. Serene and smiling tea gardens are one of the major tourist attraction. Enjoy the lush greenery of the undulating tea gardens on both sides of the highway while driving to different tea gardens is an exhilarating sightseeing.
Production of Tea
Production of tea is much like wine. Most of tea undergoes fermentation process, green tea is only exception. Shape of leaf, climate, method of production and soil are causes to give its characteristics flavor. Tea is of three types- Black tea, which is most consumed (more than 90% in the world). Unfermented Green tea, which is important beverage of Chinese and now these days researchers find many medicinal values in it and Ooglong tea, which is partially fermented. Assam is number one production center of black tea. Popularly known as "tippy teas", which is black tea with golden tips. Black tea usually of two types a) orthodox, which more export and have a high demand in the International market. b)Indians are mostly consume CTC (crush-tear-curl) tea because it is less bitter and produce a red rich color when they are boiled. Mainly, Assam is popular for black tea and Darjeeling is for CTC.
Life at Tea Garden
Life at tea garden is oblivion to most of the outsiders.Trees are grown in bushes,the tea bushes are about 3 feet in height with an even surface from the top of which the pluckers pluck the tea leaves. The lay of the land in a tea garden is waving so that excess rainwater or irrigation water does not remain standing at the roots but flows away after watering the soil. Unfortunately, life of tea workers is worsening day by day, at least 700 tea workers have died from diseases linked with malnutrition over the past year after closure of tea estates. Daily wages of tea workers are much lower than tea workers in Kerala and other states.
Tea Tourism
The focus of the tea tourism festival would be mainly on experiencing the tea culture of Assam – the famous "Jhumur" dance of the tea community, the lifestyle and work of a tea planter and an exhibition showcasing the growth and development of tea as well as research activities in this connection. On the sidelines would be a seminar at the oldest tea research centre in the world at Tocklai, a tour of a mini automated tea factory, a visit to the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, an ethnic food festival, a fashion show and visits to historical spots as well as the beautiful parks and scenic places of tourist interest in Jorhat district.
In this year, Assam achieved another milestone by starting the first e-auction in April. The Guwahati tea auction centre is the first in the world to go electronic.
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