Punjabi Treats

Rangla Punjab, Jalandhar- Phugwara Highway

A bullock cart at the entrance, a haystack in one corner and a pile of dried cowdung cakes in another - this restaurant spread over 2 acres obviously believes in authencity. Here you will find authentic Kullu Tailor, a stout bull running the kolhu, a munimji keeping track of all that goes out of the kitchen, and of course a count of the money. You will definetely enjoy the food here, but here its more about the experience, something you will cherish.

Kesar Da Dhaba,Amritsar
Just ask anyone and they will guide you to the dusty bylanes where this icon stands rather smugly. No itineary is complete without the phirni cooked in this 100 yr old kitchen. Sold for Rs 6 per earthen bowl, about 700 people walk away with this wonder daily. Made of rice flour, suagr and milk, phirni is cooked on a slow fire for hours before it is chilled in earthen bowls and served fresh. You can also try the Punjabi Thali that consists of parantha,dal and vegetables - all delectable.

Bhog and The Langar at The Golden Temple
The Bhog (better known as Karha Prasad) at the Golden Temple is special not just because it is sanctified for but also because it tastes heavenly. The same goes for the Gurudwara's Langar, a community meal, where hundreds of people eat wholesome vegeterian food cooked by thousands of volunteers everyday. A must try is the kheer served on Sundays.

Haveli Dhaba,Jalandhar
People drive miles to eat at Haveli, a dhaba at the Heritage Village on the outskirts of Jalandhar. With close to three star amenities and heavenly food that's mostly cooked in desi ghee, this one is another great joint for delicious local food.

Tel 098 142 50000

Kanha Sweets,Amritsar
If you wish to enjoy a traditional Punjabi breakfst in Amritsar, just walk into Kanha Sweets on Lawrence Road and stuff yourself silly with their aloo puri. Round off with a glass of lassi at Gyan ji Ki Lassi nearby.

Til Ka Bugga and Gur Ka Halwa
These two are without doubt, Punjab's best winter desserts, easily availabe in most cities. Til ka Bugga is a dry sweet made from sesame seeds, while gur ka halwa is simply jaggery simmered till it reaches the consistency of halwa.

Butter Chicken
Punjabis have made both butter chicken and chicken tikka popular all over the world. You can't be in Punjab and not have these chicken delicacies. Small time dhabas often do a better job of butter chicken than fancy restaurants. For the best ,try the dhabas lining GT Road.

Jaggi Sweets,Patiala
If you possess a sweet tooth, head straight here for nearly 90 different varieties of sweets. Over 50 years old, it has recently introduced sugar free mithais for the health conscious.

www.jaggisweets.com

Himachal Pradesh Reckoner

Places to Stay

The Chalets,Naldhera
This scenically located resort consists of Scandinavian Style Log Huts right next to the famous nine hole golf course. Tee off on a sunny wintery afternoon and warm yourself by the log fire in the evening. Rooms are clean and cheerful with all the modern comforts. Popular with families with kids, the resort offers a variety of activities such as fishing,trekking, riding and of course golf.

Naldhera is 22 kms from Shimla

Tel (01772) 747 715

Chonor House,Dharamshala
The Charm of this small 11 room resort in Mcleodganj lies in its authentic Tibetan Decor and food. Striking wall paintings by Norbulingka artists are complemented by hand carved carpets and carved wooden furniture. Its open air restaurant is known for its small but delectable range of food. The good effect is further enhanced by the fact that your money goes to charity that runs the place.

60 Kms from Shimla.

Tel(01892) 221 006/648

Nalagarh Heritage Resort
This Mughal style fort has been built on five levels with many staircases and terraces. Set in 20 acres of orchard and forest, it offers sweeping views of the Shivaliks. With large spacious suites, some with large balconies, Nalagarh is a great romantic getway and offers a refreshing escape from Delhi's raging heat.

135 Kms from Shimla

Tel (01795) 23 0091/1795

Banjara Camps and Retreats,Sangla Valley
You would be hard pressed to find a more scenic place for camping than this stretch along the Baspa river. With towering mountains and apple orchards for company, it makes a great hideaway. The best part is that you don't have to compromise on your creature comforts to enjoy this holiday.

230 KMS from Shimla

Tel(01782) 242 536.

Chandigarh Explored

Places to Stay

The Kaptan's Retreat, Sector 35 B
The fact that this hotel with 10 rooms is partly owned by the city's best known resident, Kapil Dev is reason enough for some people to stay here. With cricketing memorabilia strewn all over the place, this one will be of special interest to those who love the game. You have the chance to sleep in rooms named after Kapil's individual cricketing achievements such as 432(His test Wickets, once a world record). At the smart multi-cuisine restaurant called Elevens, neighbours and arch rivals in the game India and Pakistan try to outdo each other even here, in the kebabs and meat varieites. The Lahori Boti Kebabs, nawabi shola and dahi kebabs take the match away ...

The Kaptan's Retreat,SCO 304 & 305

Tel (0172) 500 5599.

North Park,Panchkula
You may have not heard of this one, and the reason is that few people who frequent this hotel keep it a well guarded secret. Situated in a idyllic location, removed from the bustle of the city, North Park is a charming and quite getway. A great favourite with those who know its somewhat out of the way location, peace and tranquilty is very much a part of the package,as nothing but the birdsong and the gush of Ghaggar river flowing by disturbs the calm. Rooms are basic but offer all amenities ; and the service is as good as it gets.

Near Ghaggar Bridge,Panchkula
Tel(0172) 256 0205.

Food and Beverage Options

Hot Millions, Sector 17
One of the most popular restaurants in the city, this place has defined food dining in Chandigarh for decades. The food and service are both excellent and their pub Down Under captures some of the changes as a younger generation seeks to shed the city's image as a home for pensioners.

Tel (0172) 272 3333

Khyber, Sector 35
One of the best restaurants in the city, Khyber serves finger-licking good indian cuisine. The ambience is rustic, keeping with the ruggedness of the terrain it is named after, and the food is straight off the fire,without fancy garnishes. A variety of kebabs and innovative non veg dishes spice up the menu. The malai tangri kebab and palak paneer are highly recommended.

Tel( 0172) 260 7728.

Punjabi Dhabas
Pal and Swaran Dhabas top the list for some great non veg fare,especially the mutton apart from the standard dhaba dishes such as dal makhani. Another must try out is the Tehsil Singh Ka Dhaba, a favourite with the locals.

Pal Dhaba Sector 27.

Noodle Bar, Sector 26
This new restaurant is soon becoming everyone's favourite for Oriental food. Try out the many different types of noodles they can make, or simply order the plain old chilly chicken, its all guaranteed to be delicious. Watch out for the special food festivals.

SCO 47,Sector 26.

Calcutta Delights

Calcutta Eats and Treats

Bhajahari Manna

Try the aar dakbangla( fish in a spicy gravy), the ever popular bhaapa chingri( prawns steamed in a coconut paste), and the ilish paturi ( hilsa wrapped in banana leaves and steamed with mustard).

Ekdalia Road

Tel (033) 2440 1993

FLurys/T3

If you have a colonial hangover and love your toast with scrambled eggs and crispy bacon strips, drop into Kolkata’s famous Flury’s. It has the best English breakfast in town, and is a great place to sip your tea and nibble on meringues with cream. Recently renovated , but the old staff and furniture was sent across the street to T3, a no- frills restaurant that continue’s to serve the old Flury’s fare and breakfast. The sorbets, ham sandwiches, chicken and cheese omlettes and fried eggs with bacon are yummy. True Kolkatans prefer the T3 to the renovated Flury’s.

Located at Park Street.

Coffee House

Once the favoured watering hole of Bengal’s intelligentsia, this place has seen the likes of Satyajit Ray,Mrinal Sen and even Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. Factor in a waiting time of at least half an hour( spend your time browsing at the excellent second hand book stalls outside). Once you grab a chair, make sure you don’t get up before you have sampled the kabiraji cutlets and the Mughlai paratha washed down with cold coffee .

On College Street, Opposite Presidency College.

Dacres Lane

A dingy, dirty lane in Central Kolkata which is lined with nothing but food stalls. Dacres Lane is a mélange of tastes and smells.
From hot jalebis, samosas, batter fry fish, mutton cutlets, rolls, fish kabiraji( fish fillets fried with an egg coating) as well as Bengali thalis, you wont know when to stop eating. While most places do not even have chairs to offer, some like Chittoda’s Hotel will have a row of chairs and tables crammed into a space the size of a phone booth. But a mouthful is enough to make you forget all the discomfort.

Best of Bengali Sweets

Rosogolla

Ask anyone with a sweet tooth what he likes most in Kolkata and he’ll invariably say – rosogolla, the melt in the mouth spongy balls of cottage cheese dipped in sugar syrup.

Buy the best from KC Das.

Mihidana

May look like a laddoo, but any Bengali will insist that it’s mihidana. A favourite dessert in many households, mihidana is made of besan passed through a sieve into boiling oil, where it is fried before being dipped in sugar syrup.

Sweet Shops in Burdhwan District are known for their Mihidana.

Shorpuria, Shorbhuja

Shorpuria is a little like sandesh but not quite as soft, while shorbhaja is made of layers of compacted cream dipped in sugar syrup, and is very, very delicious.

Krishnanagar is famous for these sweets.

Sandesh

No Bengali worth his sandesh will let a say pass without this sweet. Made of cottage cheese with either jaggery or sugar – some come with a drop of liquid jaggery as a filling.

Try Nakur Chandra Nandi near Girish Park Metro Station in Kolkata.

Misti Doi

Simply put, this is sweet yogurt, but here, misti doi is an art. The yogurt is usually set in earthen pots for the special flavor that Bengalis love.

Bhim Nag in Kolkata’s Bow Bazaar makes excellent Misti Doi.

Ledikeni and Chamcham

A Bengali version of the gulabjamun( but sweeter and a burs of cardamom in the middle), Ledikeni is named after Lady Canning, who is said to have loved the sweet. Chamcham comes in many varieties, but the soft and squishy sponge laced with sweet syrup is always irresistible.

Try Banchharam near Garihat and Mouchak in Golpark for the best.

Orissa Delights

Places to Stay

Toshali Sands, Puri

One of the very few resort style hotels in the state, spread across 30 acres of beautiful greenery and its own private beach. In one of its 50 cottages, you can sit on your private verandah and smell the roses in your exclusive garden.

By the Sea, Puri

Tel (06752) 250 571 -3

Z Hotel, Puri

The only hotel from Orissa to be featured in the Lonely Planet’s list of top Indian Hotels. With ornate décor, arched corridors and green lawns, this hotel is full of old world charm, and famous for its personalized service and superb food.

On Chakrateertha Road,

Tel (06572) 222 554

Forest Resthouse, Simlipal

In the deep recesses of the Simlipal forests this rest hosue may not offer five star luxuries, but its location more than makes up for it. Nestling amidst tall trees, the wonders of the Simlipal forest is at your doorstep here.

Contact the Field Director, Simlipal Tiger Reserve, Baripada.

Tel (06792) 252 593

Must Try Eats in Orissa

Dalma

Made out of pulses, various kinds of vegetables such as pumpkins, egg plant and cauliflower and spiced with ginger and panch phoron( special spice powder that is mix of aniseed, fenugreek, two types of cumin and mustard). Dalma is regularly eaten at typical Oriya households.

Try Dalma at Dalma, asimple small eatery in Old Bhubaneshwar.

Desserts

If you are the one with a sweet tooth, don’t miss these: Chhennapoda , a caramelized custard like preparation; Rasaballi made of milk.; Pithas, Pancakes made of coconuts, lentils and jaggery; Kalakand a grainy sweet made of condensed milk; the ubiquitous Rasagulla.

Widely available in Restaurants in the bigger cities.

Must Visit Places in Orrisa

Chandipur Beach

The only place that one can literally walk out to the sea and remain alive. Twice everyday, when the tide ebbs, it takes the sea away with it. The waters recede almost 5 kms from the beach, leaving behind a trail of shells, red starfish, driftwood and other small treasures… A Beachcomber’s Paradise.

16 Kms from Balasore in North Orissa.

Bhitar Kanitka

Of the many wildlife sanctuaries and botanical gardens in Orissa, perhaps the most scenic and interesting is Bhitar Kanitka, the second largest compact mangrove ecosystem in India. Actually a group of tiny islands formed by meandering creeks, this National Park extends over 600 Sq Kms. Known for its bio diversity in flora and fauna, it has more than 60 varieties of mangrove plants as well as wide variety of rare and endangered species which make for a stunning sight.

175 Kms from Bhubaneshwar via Bhadrak.

Magical Meghalaya

Special Places to Stay

Orchid Lake Resort, Umiam

Designed by Charles Correa, this resort offers both accommodation and water sports facilities. Set in peaceful surroundings and the Lam Nehru Park known for its aviary and orchid centre is right next door.

17 Kms from Shillong.

Tel (0364) 257 0258/0296

Tripura Castle Royal Heritage

Treat yourself to the first heritage hotel in the North east, situated over 9 acres of sprawling forest. Each room has wood interiors, a brass fireplace. Along with the regular 5 star amenities, check out the renowned Therapy Centre offering holistic and indigenous herbal treatments.

Cleve Colony, Shillong

Tel (0364) 250 1111/ 1149

Hotel Pinewood, Shillong

For the budget traveler, the state run Hotel Pinewood is a great choice. Wake up in the morning to the sound of gentle temple bells next door ; and take a short walk down the street to find yourself in the midst of a bustling bazaar that sells just about everything.

Rita Road, Shillong

Tel (0364) 222 3146/3116

Must Visits in Meghalaya

Krem Kotasati Umalawan Cave

Dark, spooky, damp but full of adventure. Ualawan in Lumshnong village is the largest of the state’s 1000 identified and recorded caves. It is also the largest cave in the entire sub-continent with a surveyed length of 21.5 Kms, which would keep any enthusiastic caver busy. It has 24 horizontal and vertical entrances, there are several dangerous and intresting passages, clausterphoia inducing crawls, tricky climb and even an 11 metre waterfall. Watch your steps.

60 Kms from Jowal.

Living Root Bridges

Nowhere else in the world will you see living tree roots pulled across rivers and streams to make bridges that are surprisingly strong. The Living Root Bridge at Tyrna Village near Laitkynsew is actually a whooping Double Decker bridge measuring 59 ft and 84 ft in length. To see it, you will need to go on a tough trek for about 90 minutes, but it will be worth the aching muscles you nurse later, for it is a wondrous sight. There are other such bridges in the area as well, some of which have taken more than a century to grow.

Slight Diversion form the Shillong- Cherrapunjee Route

Sikkim the Shangri-La

Places to Stay

Martam Village Resort

Fringed by a colorful tangle of flowering plants, the 14 thatched cottages in east Sikkim’s Martam Village Resort feature large picture windows that overlook the terraced valley and the sweep of the forested mountains. Rooms are airy with bamboo furnishings and tiled floors. Cosy restaurant and bar.

Martam is 5 Kms from Rumtek; about an hour’s drive from Gangtok.

Tel (03592) 203 314

Sonam Palgey

The best hotel in Lachung valley, primarily because of its dramatic location by a waterfall overlooking the valley. It offers 10 basic but pleasant and comfortable rooms, and the restaurant serves tasty local food.

www.Sonampalgey.com

Bamboo Resort

Set on 3 acres of paddy fields in the farming village of Sajong, just half hour from Gangtok. All 10 rooms are color themed according to the Feng Shui principles. And afford panoramic views of the Himalayas. The resort prides itself on its eco friendly policies, and the restaurant serves organic vegetables (including preparations containing orchids, ferns and nettles ). Or you coul tuck into ppizza from a wood –fired oven. Relax in the meditation room, rejuvenate yourself with a herbal bath or go biking or hiking.

www.bambooresort.com

Eats and Drinks

Chhang

No visit is complete without a tumbler of chhang, the popular local eer made of fermented millet. The potent brew is traditionally sipped through a bamboo pipe from a long bamboo container called TONGBA. Although chhang is the unofficial national drink, it is not “officially available”. Ask around discretely though, and you will find that every second stall stocks it.

Ningro

A fern that grows in the mountains, its tendrils are delicious when sautéed with chhurpi. A household staple, ningro chhurpi is not widely available in restaurants, but if you choose a home stay you can usually sample it.

Liqueurs

The liqueurs produced by the Sikkim Distilleries are delicious and make great gifts. Go for old favourites like Crème De Menthe, or try spicy innovations like Ginger and Cardamom.

Available at most large Liquor Stores.

Flower and Nettle Specialities

When spring comes to the hills and the flowers are in full bloom, Sikkimese cooks throw then in soup pots, stir fry them in woks or preserve them in pickle jars. Try the soup made of nettles, bamboo shoots and mushrooms, or go for soucha, a nettle dish, in which the leaves are minced with meat. To experience a bouquet of flowers, ask for barhey, a concoction of rice and pickled rhododendrons or orchids. For such dishes, best look at the small stalls in rural areas, such as the ones near Khecheolpari Lake in Yuksom. In Gangtok, the restaurant at the family run Hotel Netuk House is a good bet.

Hotel Netuk House, Tibet Road, Gangtok.

Tel (03592) 22374.

Blue Sheep Restaurant

MG Marg has a bunch of restaurants serving popular Sikkimese dishes. One of the best eateries here is the Blue Sheep, which serves Chinese style Sikkimese specialties. Start with the GYAKHO, a nutritious soup that, at its most royal can use up to 108 ingredients. Follow up with some crisp chili beef fry.

On MG Marg, above the Sikkim Tourist Information Centre.

Tel (03592) 229 028

Momos and Noodles

Of the countless places all over; the steaming momos and the convenient one dish meal thupka are irresistible and yummy.

Must Do Activities

Sikkim from the Air

Rise above the snowy peaks and find a vantage point in the sky. Thanks to Sikkim’s helicopter service, you can enjoy the spectacle of clouds floating in and out of trails, waterfalls plunging into bottomless valleys and close up views of the tallest mountains. Choose from circuits such as the 20 minutes flight over Gangtok, the 90 minute K2 Special and an hour long sweep over Western Sikkim.

Book thorugh the Sikkim Tourist Information Centre, Gangtok.

Tel (03592) 221 634.

Darjeeling the Dame

Places to Stay

Windamere Hotel

The grand dame of Darjeeling started out as a Boarding house for English Bachelors. Just before the WW II , it was turned into a hotel with large rooms, deep fireplaces and baize billiard tables. Today it has been re-invented as a Heritage Hotel, pricey and exclusive. Perched on the Observatory Hill, it offers spectacular views; watch the winding roads of Darjeeling, or glimpse the Kanchenjunga from your bathtub. You can also treat yourself to an impressive afternoon tea accompanied by a string quartet or pianist.

TEL (0354) 225 4041-2

The Planter’s Club

Authentic right down to the creaking floorboards, the Club offers you a charming glimpse into tea garden luxury. The cannon on the front porch looks out to the Mall, while stuffed antler heads stare down at visitors from wooden plaques. The club takes in guests from all over the country as temporary members, so do not miss out.

Tel : (0354) 225 4341

The Glenburn Tea Estate

The path to this tea estate might challenge a mountain goat, but no one’s complaining here. Glenburn is one of the few tea gardens in Darjeeling to take in guests. The rooms are named and themed to match- the Rose has sheets and pillowcases embroidered with roses and have splendid mountain views and cane furniture. Traipse through the garden, go fishing or boating in the river, and take along a picnic basket. Don’t forget to try the brownies for a treat.

www.glenburnteaestate.cm

Must Eats

Glenarys

The master baker’s place is where everyone heads for tea or coffee and pastries all day. Extremely popular and always crowded. The restaurant upstairs is famed for its Tandoori fare, while the basement holds jam sessions.

Tel (0354) 225 4315

Kunga

It may have a simple décor, but you will find the best Tibetan Food in town at Kunga. Its delicious momos and gyathuk, thentuk and bhagtuk soups are legendary. Around breakfast drop in for some yummy muesli and fruit yoghurt.

Tel (0354) 225 3971

Keventer’s

Treat yourself to a breakfast of bacon and sausages, accompanied by lemon tea, on the rooftop at Keventer’s. If you are lucky, the Kanchenjunga might reveal herself under a veil of clouds. The deli below stocks local cheeses and pork.

Tel (0354) 225 4026/6542

Chattisgarh Secrets

Chattisgarh Undiscovered

Places to Stay

Chitrakote Falls Campsite, Bastar

Perched above the Falls, 40 Kms from Jagdalpur are luxury tents and log huts with spectacular views of the torrential waters. Run by the State Tourism Board, each tent is spacious enough for a double bedroom, with an attached bathroom and a verandah where you will be close enough to listen to hear the waterfall roaring and hissing as it plunges down.

Chattisgarh Tourism Board, Paryatan Bhavan, Raipur. Tel (0771) 506 6415

Palace Kawardha, Kawardha

Set against the scenic paddy fields and the Maikal foothills, and surrounded by beautiful lawns, the Italian Marble and stone palace boasts of grand staircases, large high ceiling room and sweeping verandahs. The royal family still lives on the top floor, you can stay in one of the six ornately decorated rooms. Enjoy a drink in the bar or relax in the Durbar Hall.

www.palacekawardha.com

Place to Eat

Makri Dhaba, Kawardha

On your way from Kawardha to Chitrakote Falls near Jagdalpur, the paranthas and omlettes will see you a long way through the jungle. Try the kheer as well. Not too many other options along the way.

Sahu Jalebi Bhandar, Raipur

Setup about 30 years ago to cater to hungry commuters using the old Raipur Bus Stand, this place has become a landmark in town. Although the bus stand has shifted since, people still flock here for an early morning hearty breakfast- a mix of poha(rice flakes soaked in water and then dried) spiced with fired onions, sev(deep fried and spiced gram flour) and coriander leaves, finished with hot jalebis, (swirls of syrup doused concotions fried in sinful quantities of ghee).

Must Shop

Tussar Silk

One the most amazing sights that you will come across in the depths of the forests are long cocoons hung from the tree branches to dry. Ensconced in them are the tussar silk caterpillars which are fed on saja and arjuna trees and then taken to Kosa Silk Farm in Jagdlapur, where the silken cocoon threads are spun into gorgeous and famous Bastar Kosa Sarees.

Must visit the Silk Farm in Jagdalpur and Chuhuri Village on the Korba- Ambikapur Highway. Raigarh 134 Kms from Bilaspur is famous for its Tussar Sarees.

Wrought Iron

Stark, black and ingeniously crafted into unlikely shapes, the world famous wrought irom artifacts of Bastar possess a strange,primitive beauty that you will never see elsewhere. Wether it’s a figurine of a hunter in frozen motion or something as mundane as a garden chair, you will want to take home these creations.

Buy from the Saathi Centre in Kumharpura near Kodagaon, 50 Kms north of Jagdalpur or Naryanpur, 80 Kms from Kumharpura.

Bell Metal

Arrestingly fashioned inot elephants,horses,deer, masks and human figures by the hot wax casting technique known as Dhokra, the bell metal artifacts of Bastar are recognized the world over. With their elongated forms, they are reminiscent of Indus Valley Civilization Artefacts.

Buy from the Saathi Centre in Kumharpura near Kodagaon, 50 Kms north of Jagdalpur or Naryanpur, 80 Kms from Kumharpura.

Terracota Animals and Figurines

Clay from the Indravati River is gathered by the potters to create beautiful horses, tortoises, elephants, bells, decorative pots and urns, ashtrays and penholders.

Watch the potters at work in Shilpagram, a tiny village on the Raipur- Jagdalpur Highway

Assam Secrets

Assam in a Nutshell

Places to Stay

Wild Grass Resort and Tented Camp, Kaziranga

Located outside the National Park,large private rooms look out over the garden on the wild and thick bamboo groves. Enjoy traditional cuisine on the Verandah. Visits into the Park,Nature Treks and Jeep Safaris arranged into the Park.

Bochagaon, Kaziranga. Tel (03776) 262 085, (0361) 254 6827

GL Resort,Kaziranga

Try one of the 18 Luxury Resorts if you are looking for Luxury in the Wild. Mud Huts and Karbi Style Cottages. They have started a new safari route that begins from Ghorakate and winds its way through the less explored areas of the park.

NH 37, Phulagari. Tel (03672) 299 486.

Satras, Majuli

For a slightly out of the way experience head to Majuli, the largest river island in the world. Satras are the Monasteries which Majuli is famous for. These are Vaishnav Monasteries which are treasure houses of art and culture. A Peaceful and rejuvenating stay at one of the monasteries is an experience to be remembered. The Shawls and Blankets of Majuli are colorful and even make great wall hangings.

12 Kms from Jorhat.

Wild Mahaseer, Balipura

A British Assam Heritage Property that is over 100 years old and has spacious bungalows surrounded by tropical forests and tea gardens. Spread over 22 acres, the resort has a lot of character. Make a trip into the Nameri National Park nearby, a great place for fishing enthusiasts who try and catch the rare Golden Mahaseer .

20 Min from Tezpur.

mahaseer@nivalink.com

Thengal Mansion

Set in the village of Jalukonibari, this 72 year old mansion which once belonged to a tea planter has been converted into a Welcomheritage Hotel. It still retains all the accouterments of the colonial way of life; the white porch has beautiful columns, the verandahs are colonnaded , there’s Louis XV furniture in the drawing room .

Village Jalukonibari, 15kms from Jorhat

Tel (03672) 335 919, 304 267

Eats and Treats in Assam

Bilahi Tenga

No foodie ever leaves without his fill of bilahi tenga, a traditional dish made of fried fish and loads of tomatoes. The fish is cut into small pieces and marinated in salt and turmeric; it is then deep fried before being cooked with fenugreek seeds, green chilies and tomatoes. The flavorful tenga goes well with rice.

Sanjeev Kapoor’s Yellow Chilli at the Hub in Guwahati

Rice Payesh

Where else would you get kheer made of oranges? Each orange segment is peeled, deseeded and allowed to soak in sugar; while milk is simmered for hours in a thick bottomed pan till it reduces to half. Once the consistency is reached, the milk is allowed to cool and oranges added. It is served chilled and its velvety texture with its tang of oranges is divine.

Bamboo Shoot Fry

Assam being the land of so many different species of bamboo, is it any surprise that bamboo is a part of the cuisine ?? Bamboo Shoot Fry is a great introduction; the shoots are cut into strips and fried with fenugreek seeds,salt and chillies to make this lip smacking dish.

Also try the KHARISA ; the famous and distinctive bamboo shoot pickle you will find in every meal. The pickle is made of bamboo shoots pickled with paste of mustard sees and soaked in mustard oil.

Found in most Assamese Eateries.

Must See Places in Assam

Sibsagar

Shiavites come to Sibsagar to offer prayers at the Shivadol Temple which is the tallest Shiva Temple in the country. Best visited during the Shivratri Puja.

360 kms from Guwahati.