Hyderabad Delicacies

A Real Taste of Hyderabad

Hyderabad, the city of Nizams, comes alive in the month of Ramadan. This year that is 2012, Ramadan will start from July 20^th, which will continue for a month. 

In this month of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world fast for the whole day. Before the break of dawn, they have their food and then for the whole day they do not consume anything. They break their day long fast in the evening at sunset mostly with fruits which is followed by dinner known as Iftar, comprising of region’s delicacies.  

                     Charminar                      

Hyderabad is well known for its heritage, hospitality and different delicacies and in the month of Ramadan during iftar, every day these delicacies can be bought from different outlets in the twin city. Or if you become the part of any iftar in the city, you get to taste different dishes free of cost. 

Being in Hyderabad for last 3 years I get to taste these dishes quite often, but these delicacies taste much better during Ramadan. The secret behind this I too don’t know.  So the best time to visit Hyderabad is in the month of Ramadan, when you will get the real flavor of Hyderabad.

Hyderabad is a place of non-vegetarians delight, where you can try different dishes which must not be missed by anyone who visits the city. They are:

1.      Hyderabadi Biryani

2.      Nahari

3.      Haleem

4.      Pathar – Ka – Gosht

5.      Double -  Ka - Meetha

6.      Khubani – Ka – Meetha

7.      Seviyon – Ka – Meetha

8.      Kheer

The most popular and awesome dish of Hyderabad is Hyderabadi Biryani, which is eaten and even taken as a parcel for their dear ones in different parts of India. Cooked in a unique manner, this biryani is a blend of Mughals with a special cooking style of Nizams, which has a very different aroma.

There are many variants of biryani such as Mutton Biryani, Chicken Biryani, Biryani Kham, Biryani Zard and the most exotic one is Joban Malti Biryani, which is made of mutton, partridges and quails with rice.

These biryanis are decoratively garnished with mint leaves, fried onions and boiled eggs. The aroma and appearance of these biryanis will certainly make your mouth water. These are served hot with kuchambar or onion raita( made of curd and onion) and mirchi – ka – salan.

   Hyderabadi Biryani

Another delicacy to be tried is Pathar – Ka – Gosht, which is marinated meat cubes cooked on a hot stone. 

                     Pathar - Ka - Gosht

The most popular and delicious dish of Hyderabad in the month of Ramadan is Haleem, which is a dish made of minced meat cooked with butter and ground wheat. Muslims break their fast with this nutritious and tasty dish. Haleem is so yummy in Hyderabad during Ramadan, that nothing can beat the taste and flavor of this dish.

                    Haleem

Another traditional authentic dish of Hyderabad is Nahari also called as Paya. This is a dish made with goat’s foot, which is cooked in a spicy soupy shorba. This is mostly taken with hot parathas or naan in breakfast. Traditionally this dish is served with goat’s tongue and tender part of the head.

                    Nahari

After enjoying these hot and tasty delights of Hyderabad, how come one leave the dining space without any desert treat, for which too Hyderabad has got the fame. The deserts like double – ka – meetha, khubani – ka –meetha, seviyan – ka – meetha, and kheer are so deliciously made that without which the Hyderabadi food is incomplete.

Double – Ka – Meetha is prepared with bread, milk, sugar, ghee and nuts.

             Double – Ka - Meetha

Another desert is khubani – ka – meetha, which is made of apricot, sugar and lemon juice. This is garnished with almond and served hot or cold with ice cream or fresh cream.

                     Khubani – Ka – Meetha

The next and very important desert of Muslims, without which no Id is complete, is seviyan – ka – meetha or seviyan. This sweet dish is prepared of fine fried vermicelli, boiled in milk with sugar and garnished with dry fruits.

                   Seviyan

Being in India, how can I forget to mention about the desert named Kheer, which is considered to be very auspicious in most of the Indian occasions. This dish is prepared with rice, milk, and sugar, flavored with cardamom and garnished with dry fruits.

                    Kheer

Feeling hungry? I am sorry I cannot parcel these dishes to you immediately as there is no home delivery facility for the out station people.

But you are missing something which I am enjoying, sitting in one of the restaurants of Hyderabad ….this is so delicious …. yummy yummy.

 For tasting all these delicacies you need to visit Hyderabad, where Nawabi dishes are waiting eagerly for your admiration.

So if you are having little free time, why don’t you join me, to get the real flavor of Hyderabad in this auspicious month of Ramadan?

Bye – Bye!

See you in Hyderabad soon…

 If you want to treat some dear ones with these delicious dishes in Hyderabad, then for more details visit the website   @ Hop Around India

Rhino Tourism in India.

Whoever started the rumour that Rhino horns have medicinal properties needs to be run down by a Rhino-stampede! How dare he float such a supposition without scientific proof? Look what he’s done. Even though science clearly says a Rhino-horn is not medicinal, people in this day and age are still hunting and killing Rhinos for their horns – simply based on a rumour and nowadays – a superstition. The outcome?

World Rhino Population in 1970 – 85,000.

World Rhino Population in 2012 – 11,000.

90% reduction in just 40 years!

Do the math. How long would it take us to completely wipe out this species? And any guesses as to how long the Rhinos have been on this planet?

So before the humans do away with this species on this planet, you may want to visit the Rhino in its natural habitat. Here are the best options in India:

·         Kaziranga National Park in Assam – 430 square kms – home to the largest population of Rhinos in India - 86% of India’s Rhinos – about 1900 Rhinos found here. This population of Rhinos is also two-thirds of World population of Rhinos!

·         Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary – 39 square kms – home to the second largest population of Rhinos in India. Rhino-breeding is also in progress at this Sanctuary.

·         Orang National Park in Assam – 79 square kilometres – home to the third largest population in India.

·         Manas National Park in Assam - 2837 square kilometres – home to the fourth largest Rhino population in India.

And here’s a teaser to get you going….

·         The Indian Rhinoceros can weigh between 1600 – 4000 kgs and is the 4^th largest land animal which can grow up to a height of 6 feet.      

·         It is strictly herbivorous.

·         He can race upto a speed of 48 kms per hour.

·         The Indian Rhino has a single horn made of keratin – same substance that makes our hair and nails. The Rhino’s horn is mistaken for being medicinal and is sold in the Asian black market. This misunderstanding cost the lives of over 70,000 Rhinos in 40 years.

And the following is the best reason why we ought to let the Rhinos live longer on this planet.

·         While the humans (Homo-sapiens) can take trace their origins back to about 3 million years, the Rhinos have walked this planet for 50 million years!

What you can do to help?

·         Contribute money towards the efforts of saving the Rhino. Check online for the sites.

·         Spread the word about saving Rhinos. Blog about Rhinos.

·         Educate people about the misconception about Rhino Horns.

Rhino horns sold in black market for which rhinos are hunted and killed.

Pix courtesy: thehindu; sahealthblog; bengalnewz;

Waterfall Tourism in the Monsoons in India.

August to November are the best months of the year to watch the waterfalls in India. That's when the gently cascading waters would transform into gushing, plunging, voluminous, outstanding, powerful and intimidating water bodies - adding magnetism to an already attractive mountain landscape.

While some have the luxury of being perennial, some aren’t!

Meaning – no rainfall….no waterfall. So now you know why you need to visit the nearest waterfalls this monsoon.

The three waterfalls of India which have topped the lists are:

Kunchikal Falls – 1493 feet drop - the highest waterfalls in India and the second highest waterfalls in Asia. It is located in the Western Ghats and is caused by the River Varahi in Shimoga District of Karnataka State. While Rivers Tunga and Bhadra flow through the Shimoga District, Rivers, Sharavathi, Gangavathi, Tadadi and Kali originate in this District. But that’s not the cause for the highest waterfalls in India. It is being on the Western Ghat slopes and receiving one of the highest degrees of rainfall in the country that is causing it. The popular ‘Jog Waterfalls’ and ‘Barkana Falls’ which draw thousands of tourists are also in Shimoga District.

 Barehipani Falls – 1309 feet drop – a two-tiered waterfall which is the second highest waterfalls in India and is formed by River Budhabalanga in in Mayurbhanj District of Orissa State. The falls are situated in the Simlipal National Park which is home to 100 Royal Bengal Tigers and 432 Asian Elephants among other wildlife.

 Langshiang Falls – 1106 feet drop – the third highest waterfalls in India which is formed by River Kynshi in West Khasi Hills District in Meghalaya State. These falls are just 10kms away from the biggest River Island of Meghalaya State – ‘Nongkhnum Island’.

And my personal favourites are:

 Jog Falls – 829 feet drop – the second highest ‘plunge-waterfall’ in India – formed by Sharavathi River in Shimoga District in Karnataka. 1500 steps lead downhill from the view point to the bottom of the hill - opposite the falls giving you the complete full-frontal view of the falls which is a rarity considering that most natural landscape surrounding natural waterfalls do not permit the fully frontal up-close view. It’s the monsoon water that turns this stringy drop to a full-blown avalanche of white frothy water causing misty surrounding.

Hogenakkal Falls – 66 feet drop – formed by River Kaveri in Dharmapuri District of Tamil Nadu State. Its claim to fame is its resemblance to the Great Niagara Falls because of which it is also called the ‘Niagara of India’. Boat rides are major tourist attraction here.

Dudhsagar Falls – 1017 feet drop – formed by River Mandovi on the Goa-Karnataka border in Goa State. It is a multi-tiered waterfall located in Bhagwan Mahavir Wild Life Sanctuary on the Western Ghats. During the monsoons, the Dudhsagar Falls swell up to a width of 100 feet making it one of the most powerful falls in India. Riding the train over the Falls is a major tourist attraction. Trekking around these Falls is another major tourist attraction. Tourists are allowed in this area only from October.

Dhuandhar Falls – 98 feet drop – formed by River Narmada in Jabalpur District of Madhya Pradesh State. This is a large roaring waterfalls which is heard from a distance. In peak monsoon, these Falls look like there are taking the Earth with them. The cable-car ride over these Falls is a uniquely thrilling experience.

Kiliyur Falls – 300 feet drop – formed by overflow of Yercaud Lake in the Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu. It is a picturesque multi-tiered waterfall which falls down a stone slope. The monsoon-volume of the water in the Falls causes several mini umbrella falls on the slopes – increasing its visual appeal.

Meenmutty Falls – 984 feet drop – the highest waterfalls of Kerala State in Wayanad District. Scores points on visual eye-appeal of a thundering waterfall in dense virgin forests of the Western Ghats.

Pix courtesy: Wikipedia, mytraveltalk, odiya, walkthroughindia, kingnutin.flickr, thinkingparticle.