Mahindra Homestays » Culture

The India Coffee House; How India likes its coffee

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:00:54 +0000

The quick in and out espresso bar of Europe has yet to make its way to India, where people still like to spend hours over a cup of coffee. Chains of coffee shops have mushroomed all over the country. In fact, an urban neighbourhood is likely to have more than a dozen of such swanky outlets. The oldest name in the business, however, is a far cry from the modern-day cappuccino-selling shops.

The India Coffee House chain, founded more than 70 years ago, has a presence in all major cities and many small towns. There are close to 400 such outlets, with Kerala notching up the highest number with more than 50. Orderlies with cummerbunds and pointed turbans can be found in many of the Coffee House branches. The coffee menu is usually restricted to hot coffee (black or with milk), cold coffee (without ice-cream), tea, milk and a handful of sherbets and milk shakes. The accompaniments are what contribute to the high footfall, despite the fact that some of the outlets are in need of a makeover. Plates of mutton samosas, biryani, cutlets, omelettes, paranthas, dosas and pakoras fly off the counter as quickly as the coffee served in modest white cups and saucers.

The most legendary India Coffee House branch is the one opposite Presidency College in Kolkata. This is where film-makers, politicians, poets, writers and statesmen spend hours over coffee, making it the hotbed of intellectualism. They say that many a revolution was born, many a script written, many a deal struck and many a love affair blossomed over a cup at the ‘Coffee House on College Street’.

Breakfast in the south of India,usually idlis, upma, idiappam and suchlike, is incomplete without the signature filter coffee, served in stainless tumblers. Be it the legendary MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Room) chain in Bangalore or the popular Murugan’s Idli Shop in Chennai’s T. Nagar, the filter coffee served is a mix of dark roasted coffee beans and chicory. Filter coffee mixes as well as the coffee maker, a set of two tumblers,are good souvenirs from a holiday in the south.

The moment a train enters the south, you will see vendors selling tea are far outnumbered from those with coffee. The coffee available on railway platforms is usually served in a small paper cup. The vendor almost always sprinkles coffee powder on the top, giving you as authentic a taste you can ask for Rs. 10 or even less. In some cases, you will find a vendor selling ‘chaffee’ a mix of coffee and tea.

WHILE ON THE MOVE….
Here’s a pick of good places to go for coffee, conversation and more:

India Coffee House on Shimla’s Mall. Also try the mutton dosa.
Devraj Coffee Corner, the only German bakery in Rishikesh. Have coffee with the brown bread and yak cheese.
Brown Bread Bakery in Varanasi, which is a great place to catch up with fellow travellers.
Matteo, Bangalore’s hottest new cafe.
Auroville Bakery in Pondicherry, which is also much known for its cakes and croissants.
Lila Cafe on Baga beach in Goa, also famous for the pumpernickel bread and apple pie.

COFFEE CARDAMOM KULFI RECIPE
Try this delicious coffee based recipe for an alternative but very popular way to get your coffee fix!

Ingredients:
Servings: 5

8 cups milk
3 tbsp sugar
12 cardamom pods
6 tbsp brewed espresso

Method
Heat the milk in a heavy-bottomed pan. When it reached boiling point, reduce to low heat and stir occasionally for 20 minutes.

Crush the cardamom and add to the milk. Simmer for 60 minutes (or untill the time the milk reduces to two cups). Pour the milk into a bowl, add espresso and sugar, and stir. Leave it to cool down.

Churn the mixture in an ice-cream maker until thick. Put the mixture into five kulfi moulds and refrigerate.

Add slivered almonds and a few strands of saffron before serving.

Martial Arts in India

Mahindra Homestays — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:00:13 +0000

India has a long tradition associated with martial arts.. In fact, ancient martial art forms existed to guide communities through warfare. Battles and weaponry could only subsist in the knowledge of classified science and technique of such fighting styles.

Now martial art displays are popular with visitors, with different regions offering different performances and traditions.

Some of the martial art forms from various periods are regions are listed below.

1. Kalaripayatu

The most popular martial art form that India is associated with is the Kerala grown Kalaripayatu. This fighting style is replete with intense training and challenging the body with graceful, yet lethal, kicks and use of weapons.

One of the oldest and richest art forms, the form is said to have been developed by Sage Parasurama about 3000 years ago. While many local Kalari schools are spread across Kerala, you can see a comprehensive performance in Fort Kochi and Cochin.

If you are interested, you can also travel to places like Kottayam and Mahe for an up close performance. In Fort Kochi, catch the performance in Greenix Village.

2. Wrestling or Kushti

The art of wresting was fast replaced by modern day gyms. Largely popular in north India, places like Varanasi and even Delhi had wresting rinks, known as ‘akharas’. Even though the population of these is dwindling, there are some passionate wrestlers who are still striving to popularise the sport. You can see a few small akharas along the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi. In fact Varanasi has 41 akharas in the old city.

3. Silambam

The Tamil Nadu bred form of weapon based martial art Silambam is an interesting one. In this, the performers emulate the movements of animals like that of a snake, tiger or eagle, learning from their nimble and athletic movements. Largely fought with staff fences, Silambam is said to be 5000 years old. Though largely this involves the use of weapons, there is another part of it which is based on unarmed fighting form.

One can see and learn Silambam performance in Pondicherry at the Mohanam School.

4. Gatka

The Sikhs of the country are known for their valour. The strapping young men of Punjab took to Gatka from the early 1800s. Gatka literally means stick in Punjabi and the use of swords, sticks, kirpans and kataars are still seen in this fighting style. The martial art form requires high agility and has a high aggressive tone to it. Though Gatka is not practiced regularly, you can see it in fairs and festivals in rural Punjab. The Harvest festival, Baisakhi, in April is a good time to catch a display.

5. Thang Ta

Developed in the North eastern state of Manipur, Thang Ta is the deadly martial art form which is also known as Huyen Lallong. The weapon based art form was developed by Meitei and dates back to 17th century. It was first used to fight the European colonists in Manipur and bears resemblance to Myanmar’s banshay. To see one of the performances, visit local festivals where the art form is showcased.

Related articles and links
Best places to see traditional Indian dance

If you would like to include a visit to some Indian martial arts performances on your next trip get in touch and we can help you plan a fantastic itinerary.

No related posts.

Sport in India

Mahindra Homestays — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 20:00:11 +0000

Sport is taken very seriously in India. From age-old indigenous sports like kabaddi to internationally organised sports on the professional circuit, you will be spoilt for choice as a spectator or a player.

Attending a sports match or joining in with a game is a great way to dive into the local culture. So go ahead, take part in a game of kabaddi in Punjab, get down and dirty with kushti in Delhi, sidestep the traffic in a gully cricket match with kids, or celebrate Indian style scoring in a football game in Sikkim, Goa or Kolkata.

Here’s a guide to the top sport in India:

Kabaddi

Kabaddi is a team sport you start playing as a child in India. If you are staying in Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh or Maharashtra make sure you try and witness or even play a game of kabaddi. But be warned – it requires the strength of an NFL linebacker and immense lungpower. It is an age-old game of tag and escape, with a unique touch; the person tagging has to hold his or her breath. Find out more about Kabaddi.

Kushti

Kushti is a form of Indian wrestling very popular in villages. Pehelwans (kushti players) train at the hundreds of akharas (much like gyms) throughout India. Wrestlers from India’s akharas have won medals in international tournaments.

Kushti is popular in most places – but Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Cochin, Varanasi, Kolkata and Jammu have some great akharas. Organise a visit to an akhara to see wrestlers battling it out in a mud pit.

Cricket

Cricket is more than just a sport, it is a religion in India! It is a national past time and an industry that generates billions of dollars. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest cricket board in the world.

Most kids dream of becoming Indian cricket stars, wishing to be become the next Sachin Tendulkar, India’s great cricket icon. All through the year, and especially during cricket season, kids come out on streets to play ‘gully’ or ‘paara’ (‘street’) cricket, dodging traffic.

If you want to watch a pro match, try the legendary Eden Gardens in Kolkata or Wankhede in Mumbai or the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium (in the Himalayas ); the highest cricket stadium in the world and the most beautiful. Several domestic and international tournaments are held in India. Check to see if anything is on when you visit – the Irani Trophy, the Ranji Trophy or the king of them all – the recently launched Twenty20 series with top international players drafted into its teams which are owned by India’s biggest film stars and richest tycoons. Visit the Indian Premier League site to find out about fixtures or learn more about the teams and players.

Hockey
Cricket may be the national obsession but field hockey is the national sport of India. It is the country’s most decorated international sport; the men’s team has won the most Olympic medals for India, 11 including eight gold. The women’s team has won gold for three consecutive years at the Commonwealth Games, 2003 Afro-Asian Games, and the 2004 Hockey Asia Cup. Yet, hockey receives meagre coverage and money from the government, losing out heavily to cricket.

In the 2007 hit film Chak de! India, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan played the coach of a women’s hockey team which is pitted against the Aussies.

There are a number of hockey stadiums around the country where you can watch a game. The Dhyan Chand National Stadium, sometimes called “the temple of Indian Hockey” hosts major hockey events.

Football

Indians have an incredible passion for football, almost at par with its craze for cricket. Consider this: The 2010 FIFA World Cup was watched by 63 million. There are 83 million football viewers and 55 per cent watch domestic leagues. International football clubs have begun to take notice. Manchester and Liverpool have opened football academies and Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid are following suit.

Football is played in most states but generates mass hysteria in Goa, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Sikkim. In Kolkata, footballers like Pele and Maradona have cult status. Just mention Mohun Bagan and East Bengal and watch a heated debate unfold on the merits of the two clubs. The neighbouring state of Sikkim has Bhaichung Bhutia, a torchbearer in the international arena. In Goa, football is a way of life.

There are often impromptu matches held in parks or on the beach and additional participants are normally more than welcome!

Tennis
Unlike other sports, tennis has a ‘privileged class’ label in India. The people who play or watch tennis tend to come from upper economic strata. The most well-known players are Ramanathan Krishnan who put India on the international tennis map in 1962 when he came 4th at Wimbledon, and more recently, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi – the world no 1 doubles pair for ages, and Sania Mirza.

Other sports
Other popular sports include boxing, badminton, table tennis, golf, shooting, archery, equestrian sports and lately motor car racing. There are always plenty of sporting activities to get involved in so ask around locally what events are taking place and immerse yourself in the enthusiastic cheering on of local sporting heroes.

Want to get involved? If you are a sports fanatic then get in touch with our reservations team who can help you plan a trip that coincides with sporting events or find out what is going on and help you get tickets.

Onam Festival in Kerala

Mahindra Homestays — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 22:57:21 +0000

Being primarily an agricultural country for decades, the harvest festivals of India are celebrated with much vigour. Regional variations make the festivals of South and North very distinct, giving a traveller good reason to visit both parts of the country and see the cultural differences.

One of the most popular festivals of South India, Onam, is celebrated in the state of Kerala. It is one of the major Hindu festivals and is celebrated all over the state with tremendous zeal.

History
The story goes that during the reign of demon King Mahabali, Kerala was its peak of a golden era. The region was prosperous and people were happy. The King, though very generous, had a debilitating shortcoming of being over egoistical. The knowledge of his weakness made the Gods end his rule on earth. Given his popularity with his subjects, the Gods allowed him to return annually for a visit to the region. The festival celebrates the homecoming of the beloved King each year and allows people to wish him well.

When is it celebrated?
The Malayam month of Chingam is auspicious for celebrating Onam. This falls in August or September each year, during the monsoon season.

How is it celebrated?
Elaborate preparations are made before the festival starts. Houses are given a thorough cleaning, kollams are made outside homes and the grand feast Onasadya is made. The nine course meal entails 11-13 essential dishes which are laid out on banana leaves.

Another important way to mark the month of Onam is by the season of boat races. Starting from Champakulum to the Nehru Boat Race trophy, the serene backwaters go through a turbulent battle between the villages with strains of ‘Vallamkali’ songs in the background, as over 100 oarsmen row long snake boat races.

People also participate in sports like Talappanthukali (ball), Ambeyyal (archery), Kutukutu and combat forms like Kayyankali and Attakalam.

Pookalam or flower mats are put outside houses to welcome King Mahabali.

Cultural activities in the form of dance and music fill the air. Women, especially perform Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal, two local dances.

Highlights
If you want to arrive only for the highlights, don’t miss:

Nehru Snake Boat Race – Amongst 8 other races, this one is the most popular and held on a grand scale.
Onasadya – This food is prepared only once a year, if you can get an invitation into a home where it is being prepared you will be be able to enjoy the feast at its best.
Attend a folk performance like Kummatti kali and Pulikali to feel the cultural vibe of the festival.

Many thanks to the photographers who share their images under the Creative Commons licence. All images link back to the original source.

The meaning of namaste: Indian Greetings

Mahindra Homestays — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 23:04:34 +0000

India is one of the most diverse countries in the world. It has a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural society. Many different religions are followed here; Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Judaism. The diversity of religion has resulted in an assortment of different customs and traditions, including forms of social greeting.

Say hello; the meaning of namaste
The traditional and customary way to greet people in India is the word ‘namaste’ (pronounced na, ma, stay). Indians generally prefer this non-contact form of greeting to a handshake or an embrace. It can be used for everyone regardless of gender, age or social background.

In some parts of India, like the south, people use ‘namaskar’ or ‘namaskaram’. Namaste is derived from Sanskrit and is a combination of two words, ‘namaḥ’ – meaning bow or salutation – and ‘te’ – meaning ‘to you’. Namaste therefore means “I bow to you” or “I bow to the soul in you” or “I respect the divinity in you that is also within me”. It says that the life force, the divinity, is the same in all.

The word namaste is accompanied by a graceful gesture which involves pressing both palms together and placing them at chest level, fingers pointed upwards. Usually people do a quick bow of their heads along with the gesture. When greeting an elder, or at places of worship, the head is bowed down completely. The position of hands also plays an important part – when folded hands are placed on the forehead or above the head, it indicates deep respect. This gesture is used mostly at places of worship. When greeting someone, you can choose to use just the gesture, and drop the word. It is understood that the gesture itself signifies namaste.

Namaste is generally used as a greeting or salutation by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.

Other traditional greetings
Other communities such as Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Parsis etc have their individual tradition of greeting. Sikhs use the phrase ‘Sat Sri Akal’ which roughly translates into ‘God is the ultimate truth’. Or the phrase ‘Vaheguru ji ka khalsa / Vaheguru ji ki fateh.’

Muslims use ‘Salaam’ or the full ‘Assalaam Aleikum’ (‘Peace be upon you’), accompanied by a gesture – sweeping your right hand up and placing it on your heart. Tibetans use ‘Tashi Delek’ which means something like, “May everything be well”. In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, people use ‘vanakkam’. Khasis of Meghalaya will greet you with ‘khublei’ or ‘may God bless you’.

Embracing as a means of greeting
Hugging, embracing or kissing is not a very common way of greeting in India unless it is in urban cities or with close friends and family. Indians as a rule do not like physical contact when they greet each other. Among Indian Christians, a greeting can involve a hug and a kiss within family and close friends. However, some religious occasions have a tradition of greeting by hugging.

For instance, during the Muslim festival of Eid, men hug each other as a way of greeting or celebration. It’s a special hug – as per tradition, they hug once, then move heads to the opposite shoulder, then back to original shoulder again. Similarly, in the eastern state of West Bengal, during some festivals (like Durga Puja) and occasions like Nobo Borsho (Bengali New Year), it is common to see men embracing each other with the traditional embrace of ‘kolakuli’ (again done three times). The ‘kolakuli’ is a male-only thing and is done between those of the same age. In case of elders, the way of greeting becomes a ‘pranaam’ – touching the feet with hands.

Pranaam
The ‘pranaam’ is one of the very few instances of an Indian greeting when one gets physical. It is a form of salutation that involves a younger person taking the blessing of an elder. It is also done with gurus, and icons/images/idols of gods. In response, the elder places a hand over the head of the person as a way of blessing.

Here’s how the ‘pranaam’ is commonly done – dip down and touch the feet of the elder with the right hand, then touch the hand to your chest. However, there are other, more intricate ‘pranaam’ styles – the ‘ashtangana’ which is a full prostration when you touch the ground with your knees, belly, chest, hands, elbows, chin, nose, and forehead; the ‘shastanga’ (touching the ground with toes, knees, hands, chin, nose); ‘panchanga’ (touching the ground with knees, chest, chin, temple, forehead); and the ‘dandavata’ (bowing forehead down and touching the ground).

Say goodbye
Namaste can be used to end conversations too. In India, several communities use different versions of the phrase ‘See you soon’ or “We’ll meet soon’ when bidding farewell.

There’s ‘phir milenge’ – a Hindi phrase meaning ‘we shall meet again’, used when bidding farewell. In Bengal, people prefer the word ‘aashchhi’, which roughly translates to ‘I’ll be back’. Muslims use ‘alvida’ (‘goodbye’) or ‘khuda haafiz’ (may god keep you safe). ‘Rab rakha’ is used by the Sikh community and has a similar meaning. In Kerala, it’s ‘sukhaayiriku’ or ‘take care’.

Experience the warm welcome of Indian homestay hospitality! Find out about the homestay experience or browse the collection.

No related posts.

Eid Ul Fitr in India

Mahindra Homestays — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 22:49:46 +0000

Eid-ul-Fitr (breaking of the fast) is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. It is a time of quiet reflection and worship. It is believed that more than 1,300 years ago, in the month of Ramadan, the prophet Muhammad received the Qur’an, the holy book of Muslims. Hence Ramadan is also knows as the ‘month of the Qur’an’.

Breaking the fast
A few dates and a glass of water is used to break the fast every day. Other foods consumed may vary from platters of fresh fruits, salads, nuts, legumes to fried savouries and kebabs. The meal with which the fast is broken every day is known as ‘iftar’. Iftars are often community gatherings, with people gathering to break their fast together. The meal is shared with family and friends, and it’s common for Muslims to invite non-Muslims over. Iftars in India have grown into mega banquets with politicians and celebrities throwing iftar parties all through the month.

New moon
At the end of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr is heralded in with the sighting of the new moon. Most countries rely on news of an official sighting and it is common to see newspaper reports like this one: “Eid to be celebrated on Wednesday, moon spotted”. Since the time of the moon sighting varies according to which part of the world one is in, Eid celebrations can begin on different dates.

The festivities
On Eid day, Muslims gather early morning in mosques or outdoor locations to perform the Eid prayer. After the prayer, new clothes are taken out and visits are made to relatives and friends. Colourful bazaars and malls are full of families doing their last-minute Eid shopping; women apply mehndi (henna) and wear colourful bangles. Children look forward to getting ‘eidi’ (money given by elders to children).

It is common for non-Muslims to visit their Muslim friends and neighbours on Eid to convey their good wishes. It’s also time for feasting on special Eid delicacies like sheer khurma – a sweet dish prepared with milk, roasted vermicelli and garnished with dry fruits. After a month of fasting, sheer khurma comes like a warm bowl of comfort.

Other mouthwatering items on the menu include biryani, kebabs and korma and the delicious haleem – a meat stew made with lentils. The nihari is another popular dish during Ramadan – a rich stew of goat meat or beef, it is cooked overnight for six to eight hours and served hot early morning. In south India, Muslims break their fast with nonbu kanji, a rich, filling rice dish of porridge consistency, cooked for hours with meat and vegetables.

Eid Hot Spots: Where to celebrate
Eid-ul-Fitr is a public holiday in India and government offices, businesses and schools remain closed. While Eid is celebrated all over India, there are some cities that are well-known for the scale and range of festivities. If you want to get a taste of the real thing, it is best to get an invite to a Muslim household. Here’s a list of places where you can get get a ringside view of Eid celebrations.

Jama Masjid in New Delhi where huge crowds gather to pray
Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, another location where people come together for prayer
Aishbagh Idgah (the biggest prayer ground in the city) in Lucknow
Dargah Sharif in Ajmer
The Red Road in Kolkata where thousands of Muslims gather for a community prayer on Eid – it is a sight to behold.
Agra is another great place to witness Eid festivities. In 2011, the Taj Mahal was opened to all for free for three hours on the occasion of Eid.
In, Mumbai, the place to be seen at is Mohammad Ali Road. The place comes alive after sunset every day during Ramadan when restaurants in the area stay open all night serving up sumptuous dishes like tikkas, kebabs, hot paya, deep-fried parathas, kheeri and kaleji and stuffed baida rotis.

If you would like to join in with some Indian festivals yourself contact our reservations team who will be happy to help you plan a trip.

Homestays offer the perfect opportunity to get a local insight into festivals and your host family will be happy to provide guidance on the best way to experience the celebrations. Check out our Indian homestay collection.

Spring and summer festivals in India

Types of Sari in India

Mahindra Homestays — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 02:48:18 +0000

Indian clothing is often the object of desire for many visitors to the country and a great souvenir with a wide variety of colours and fabrics to choose from.

Indian clothing has been conservative from the beginning. You will find women dressed in saris or salwar kameez, while men are comfortable in Kurta Pajamas or mundus (dhoti/ waishtis; pictured below). Modern influence has now made dressing in India very western like and you will see a number of people wearing western styles, although often with an Indian twist.

Adding to the plethora of choice, the clothing often has regional characteristics, especially the saris worn by women. Many travellers are fascinated by the vast choice and carry these back as souvenirs, not necessarily to use as clothing: saris often double up as drapes or wall hangings.

Amongst many Indian styles of clothing, the sari is most distinguishable and has an international appeal with its fabric varieties and colours. More so, it appeals to the women for its elegant draping. No matter which state you visit in India, you are bound to find a distinct style for the sari. Here are some of the few favourites types of sari for travellers:

1. Bandhani – This type of sari is found the western part of the country, namely, Gujarat and Rajasthan. It’s made of the hand dyed tie and dye and is available in cotton and silks. These saris are mostly multi coloured and festive looking. The light fabrics make it easy to drape and youthful to look at.

2. Chanderi – While the Bandhani saris are playful, the Chanderi has an air of sophistication to it. These are made in Madhya Pradesh in central India. A soft lightness and subtle colours are the main characteristic of these saris. Very muted colour contrasts and embroidery are the only embellishment that you will find on a Chanderi sari.

3. Benares Brocade – The Benares brocade is famous for its heavy weaves and opulent look. Mostly bought for grand occasions and weddings, these saris are rich in design and texture. They are woven for days on fine silk and also use heavy embellishments to make it look even more lavish.

4. Jamdani Handloom – The Jamdani work on saris is a wonder woven in thread. Near transparent cloth is jammed with thread on the weft while weaving. The designs are often symmetric and inspired from tribal prints. Peacocks, cursive vines and flowers are common themes. A lot of Jamdani work is done in West Bengal.

5. Kantha –Again a Bengali special, the Kantha work on saris is intricate and almost a form of story-telling. Elaborate tales unfold in the embroideries. Complex decorative motifs are used on cotton and silk. These saris look very rich and cultured.

Buying Saris
Government run co-operatives and showrooms are always present in large cities. For example, in Delhi, the state emporiums near Connought Place have the traditional saris in store. Since each state has its own specific style of embroidery or weaving, this is one place you will be spoilt for choice. If you are visiting a specific destination, ask for guidance on the actual weaving centres from where you can buy directly. Large metros have a vast range if you have less time to go exploring locally.

Coffee in India

Mahindra Homestays — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 23:39:15 +0000

No one knows for sure where it came from; no one even knows how it found its way into the kitchens of India, and almost no one knows how it came to be the rival of the golden brew that had ruled the pots and cups in the country since 750 BC.

For those still looking confused, we are talking about coffee, the much loved beverage that perks up gloomy mornings, adds to long, lazy conversations, helps forge friendships and also keeps you going through long journeys.

Origin of coffee in India
Baba Budan, a pilgrim travelling to holy places of Islam in 17th century AD, is said to be the man who sowed the seeds of coffee in India. He brought with him seven coffee seeds from Yemen and chose Chandragiri hills, now in Karnataka’s Chikmagalur district (pictured below), to plant them.

Baba Budan’s name has been immortalised by rechristening the same hills after him. For more than a century after it was introduced in India, coffee cultivation remained restricted to the area where it was first planted. It was rated low, being grown and consumed by Malnad farmers of the region. The journey of the coffee bean beyond the hills of Chandragiri began only after the arrival of a visionary by the name of JH Jolly, a Britisher.

JH Jolly was an enterprising manager with Parry’s, a trading company based at the Madras estate. His decision to petition the Mysore kingdom for at least 40 acres of land for cultivation became the turning point for the coffee industry in India. Very soon, more and more people, mainly British officers, became involved in coffee cultivation. This led to the merger of small holdings to form large coffee estates, most of them in Coorg, again a district in Karnataka.

The very mention of coffee plantations conjures up images of sprawling acres of rolling greens, colonial-style bungalows complete with fireplace, smiling workers plucking the coffee cherry from the plant, estate managers testing the beans for aroma, and of course, people enjoying endless cups of the fragrant brew.

Staying on a plantation
Thanks to homestays that have come up in recent years, you can now live the planter’s life for a holiday. The experience is as refreshing as the coffee that comes from these estates. Spread over Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the numerous coffee estates provide you with a unique way of enjoying the hills and their many charms.

It’s a unique experience to wander amongst the coffee plants and even lend a hand picking the fresh coffee beans. It’s a great activity for children who can learn all about what goes on behind the scenes at a plantation while the adults can relax over a fresh cup of coffee made with locally grown beans.

Guests at B B estate is a coffee plantation in Coorg where guests can wake up to the scenic view of misty clouds spread over the expanse of the estate before heading for a walk guided by the hosts as they share information on the coffee plantation.

The aptly named Coffee Vista in Wayanad is set right in the middle of a 140- acre coffee plantation with spectacular views of the coffee bushes, as far as the eye can see. Guests can get a peek into a planter’s life while enjoying the pleasures of staying in a plantation bungalow.

Luxury homestay Glenora, also in Wayanad is the ultimate treat for those wanting a special place to stay. Located on a huge coffee, pepper and betel nut plantation of 90 acres. Beautiful cottages built on platforms high above the ground provide spectacular views deep into the plantations without a sign of habitation for miles around. Your private balcony is the perfect spot to enjoy fresh morning coffee from beans harvested on the plantation while watching and listening to the sounds of the jungle awake.

Plantation homestay video

Mango tasting and mango lassi recipe

Mahindra Homestays — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:47:04 +0000

The mango season is still in full force in India and now is the best time to taste this delicious fruit. The three day 2012 Delhi Mango Festival drew in huge crowds and showcased over 500 varieties of the much loved mango.

Don’t despair if you missed the event though, there are still plenty of mango tasting opportunities. Here is our list of where to find Delhi’s best mangos.

DELHI’S BEST MANGOES ARE AT….
Bengali Market – a market otherwise known for its chaat and chhole bhature stalls also has a decent selection of fruit vendors. Go there for the alphonso.

Azadpur Mandi – one of Asia’s largest fruits and vegetable wholesale markets, this is the typical Indian bazaar; noisy, messy, crowded but the prices are the most reasonable in town.

INA Market - opposite the original Dilli Haat; prices here are on the steeper side, but the variety is one of the best you will find in Delhi.

MANGO FOR ALL SEASONS
Not in Delhi for the Mango Festival? Don’t lose heart… be it any season, you can still enjoy the flavour of the fruit. To experience the diversity of the tasty mango we suggest you buy and taste the following:

Aam papad
Aam ka murabba
Teekha aam ka achaar
Aam ras
Mango mousse
Mango kulfi

If you are staying in a homestay your host will be happy to be your local guide and tell you where you can access the best mango tasting locally!

MANGO LASSI RECIPE
This delicious recipe is a great way to enjoy mangos! It is quick and easy to prepare.
Preparation time: 7-10 minutes
Servings: 5

INGREDIENTS
2 cups plain yogurt
2 cups of mango pulp (use alphonso, Bengal Malda or langda)
2 teaspoons of sugar
A cup of crushed ice (optional)
Dry fruits and nuts for garnishing

METHOD
Combine the ingredients (except the garnish) in a blender and puree until smooth. Cover and refrigerate before serving.
To make it look more authentic, serve in earthen tumblers (the kind you will find in dhabas in Punjab) and add some chopped cashewnuts, almonds, raisins and crushed cardamom seeds on the top.

Best places in India for architecture

Mahindra Homestays — Sun, 27 May 2012 22:17:34 +0000

Indian history dates back to the human civilization itself. It’s no surprise with such history that the country is a treasure for architectural wonders. The length and breadth of the country is sprinkled with architectural accomplishments by various dynasties and rulers. Many of the modern influences in architecture have come from the colonial era of the country, with outsiders influencing architectural styles reflective of their ancestral and adopted homes.. Many of the inlet cities like Pondicherry, Goa and Calcutta were hugely influenced by the colonial rulers in their region. These styles have still lingered on and have been adopted by modern structures as well.

Here are our five favourite destinations in India for architectural delights.

1. Fountainhas – The little known Latin Quarter in Goa, is off the radar for the beach going, sun seeking tribe of travellers, but is a fantastic place to delve into history. The area lies in the capital of Goa, Panaji and still emulates the Portuguese style of buildings. Brightly coloured mansions with balconied windows hanging onto the street are a typical sight here. Take a walk down the memory lane with Goa Heritage Action Group, who is working tirelessly to maintain and safeguard these buildings.

2. Taj Mahal – Though a standalone monument, Indian architecture cannot be spoken about without a mention of the Taj Mahal in Agra. A posthumous tomb built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, by her forlorn husband Shah Jahan, this one crosses all boundaries of architectural splendour. This white marble masterpiece took 20 years to complete and is constructed in Mughal style. An impressive workforce of 22000 people was put to work to finish the structure in 1631. Islamic motifs, dome shaped top, minarets on the side and stone inlays are mesmerising.

Timings:
Every Day from sunrise to sunset (barring Friday)
Night -8:30 PM to 12:30 AM (On Full moon night, two days before and two days after)

Day Fee: Rs 750 (Foreigners)
Rs 510 (Citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC Countries)
Rs 20 (Indian)
Entry Free for children below 15 years of age

Night Fee: Rs 750 (Adult, Foreign)
Rs 510 (Adult, Indian)
Rs 500 (Child 3-15 Years, Indian & Foreign)
Entry free for child below 3 years of age

3. Pondicherry – The unassuming vibe of Pondicherry, with its long simplistic windows, high roofed houses and cobble stoned streets takes you to a ‘France like’ atmosphere immediately. The French set foot here in early 1900s and changed the face of this small Tamil village to reflect the architectural style of their home. To date, the architecture style has been maintained by groups like INTACH who see this as an historic preservation of culture. Take a walk with INTACH to understand the history and the current challenges of this French influenced town.

4. Calcutta and Mumbai – Speaking of colonial, both Calcutta and Mumbai have a strong connection with the British foray into the country which is reflected in the style of buildings. A large part of the administrative buildings and educational institutions have retained the architecture of the pre Independence era. Stone sculptures, pillars and high roofs are seen abundantly in the buildings here. Calcutta Walks and Mumbai Heritage Walks can help you orient yourself well with these buildings if you are visiting.

5. Khajurao – A fleet of medieval Hindu and Jain Temples from the 10th to 12th century period add to the magic of central India in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Built of 200 years, these set of temples had the patronage of Chandel Rajputs who ruled this region then. Though the life of those times is depicted in many sculptures of the temples, it is most popular for the very graphic erotic creations on the walls of the temples. The Khajurao set of temples are made of sandstone without the use of any mortar. A visit is bound to be exciting for photographers who are interested in architecture.

If you are interested in visiting any of these locations, or would like to put together your own tour of the best places for Indian architecture please contact our reservations team who would be happy to help you with your itinerary.