Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
Tholu Bommalata, literally “leather puppet show” when translated from Telugu, is a centuries-old shadow puppetry tradition from Andhra Pradesh. Believed to have originated during the Satavahana period and flourishing under the Vijayanagara empire, it served as a powerful medium for…
The Kovil idli served at the Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram is steeped in ritual, flavor, and history. Unlike the soft, fluffy idlis found across South India, this temple version—also known as Kanchipuram idli—is larger, firmer, and richly spiced. It…
Kolhapuri chappals are handcrafted leather sandals known for their intricate design and rich cultural heritage. Originating from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, their history dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when regional rulers such as King Bijjala and his prime minister…
Pulasa, often referred to as hilsa, is a prized seasonal fish found in the Godavari River near Rajahmundry during the monsoon. In Telugu, it is called pulasa, while in Bengali it is known as ilish, and in Odia as ilishii.…
If you’ve ever watched a paanwala at work, you may have noticed a small but significant ritual: the stem of the betel leaf is always snipped off before the leaf is smeared with chuna (lime), and filled with an assortment…
What connects a wild boar, the sun, the moon, and a dagger? These four powerful symbols formed the royal emblem of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the most influential dynasties in South Indian history. Spanning over 300 years from the…
Varahi Ghat in Varanasi is named after Goddess Varahi, one of the Sapta Matrikas or seven mother goddesses in Hindu tradition, often depicted with the face of a boar. The ghat derives its identity from the Sri Varahi Devi Temple…
Adi Keshav Ghat is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu first stepped into Kashi. Located on the northern edge of Varanasi, where the river Varuna meets the Ganga, the name Adi Keshava means “First Vishnu.” Keshava, literally “the…
Panchaganga Ghat in Varanasi holds a unique place among the city’s revered riverfronts. Its name derives from the belief that five holy rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kirana, and Dhutapapa—once converged here, sanctifying it as a spiritual confluence even though only the Ganga flows physically through Varanasi…