New Year Traditions around the World

We have reached the end of another eventful year! 2014 has seen a great many things, some good and some not so much. Nevertheless, all of us have learnt something or the other this year and we’ll forget our worries and carry our hopes into the New Year. However, today is not for worrying or deep thinking; it’s the day to let your hair down, forget your worries and dance the night away!

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And that’s exactly what most of the people on the planet will be doing, albeit in their own different ways. If you’re wondering how people in different countries celebrate New Year’s Eve, you’re in the right place – here is a look at some unique New Year traditions around the world.

1. Australia

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Australia is among the first countries to usher in the New Year. Australians make the most of this fact with large scale fireworks, with the main ones happening around the Sydney Harbor Bridge. But a more interesting tradition is where people go around banging pots and pans on New Years Eve, in an attempt to chase away evil spirits. This is usually accompanied by knocking on doors to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

2. Japan

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New Year parties are common everywhere, but in Japan, they take on a different meaning. These parties are called Bonenkai, literally translated as ‘Forget the Year Party’. The party is supposed to be an occasion where everyone lets their hair down and forgets about the past year. Chiefly a drinking party, it is usually held among friends or colleagues, rather than family. 

3. Russia

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While Christmas trees are pretty popular the world over, Russia does it with a twist – they have New Year trees! While Christmas trees are usually put up before Christmas and left till New Years, in Russia, these trees are kept for the holiday period that lasts till nearly mid January. Huge trees are put up in public places and beautifully decorated. New Year trees are also a popular tradition in Turkey.

4. Spain

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Most of us countdown to the strike of twelve by literally counting, but that’s now how they do it in Spain! The Spanish tradition of ‘The Twelve Grapes of Luck’ requires eating 12 grapes, one at each stroke of the clock at midnight. This is said to bring prosperity in the coming year. At parties, guests are usually served a stick or bowl of exactly 12 grapes along with their food or drink.

         

5. Scotland

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The Scottish celebration of the New Year is called Hogamanay, which means ‘The Last Day of the Year’. This is a grand celebration with fireworks and unique traditions like the first foot or fire ball swinging. In the former, people visit their friends and neighbors bearing gifts, when they first ‘set foot’ in their homes in the New Year. In the latter, balls of wire are filled with flammable materials like rags and set on fire. The balls are then swung round and round. Balls that are still flaming are then tossed into the harbor.

6. Venice

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Venice is popular for being a romantic city, and many a romantic song has been sung on Venetian canals. This spirit is carried into on New Year’s Eve, when thousands of people gather at St. Marks Square to kiss as the clock strikes twelve. This is supposed to cement relationships and bring lots of love in the New Year!

7. South Africa

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A New Year is a time for ‘out with the old, in with the new’. South Africans take this literally by throwing out old furniture before the New Year starts! Needless to say, this has resulted in quite a few injuries and police have started keeping a check on furniture throwing.

8. New York

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Last but not least, is probably the most iconic New Year’s Eve celebration of all – the Ball Drop at Times Square in New York City. The ball is on the roof of Times Square and begins a descent of 43 meters at 11:59 at stopping at midnight. The event is extremely popular with celebrities coming as guests and is televised globally.

Wherever you are, and whatever tradition you follow, uIndia wishes you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!! Have a great 2015!!!

Top 5 Indian Destinations to Celebrate New Year

From Las Vegas to Paris, London to Sydney, there are a few cities in the world that ring in the New Year in style and with spectacular fireworks. But how about welcoming the first day of the new calendar in our very own desi way? India has several beautiful destinations, where this special occasion is celebrated with all pomp and fervour. So, pack your bags and get ready to revel in the New Year festivities at these 5 places in India.

Goa

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Who doesn’t look forward to spending the New Year’s eve in this exotic beach destination of India? And you can’t blame them, as there are several reasons to head to Goa in the concluding week of the year. The Sunburn festival, a three day electronic dance music festival, held on the Vagator beach is among its main attractions. The Supersonic Festival initiated by VJ Nikhil Chinapa is another popular music festival held here that is worth a watch. The night markets of Goa are decked up during the New Year and add to the overall enthusiasm. You would love to shop, eat and hang out here until the wee hours of the morning. Visit the casinos here during this season and you will know why the place is referred to as the Las Vegas of India. While on you way back to home, don’t forget to grab the sweet, crunchy Goan cashewnuts!

Kerala

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What can be a better place to welcome the New Year than the God’s own country? The Cochin Carnival held here during the last week of December pulls a huge crowd each year. The loud drum beats, music, folk dance performances, fun filled games and the massive procession that form a part of this carnival make it an event to remember. Besides, New Year parties held in Varkala and Kovalam are also worth visiting. You may even book a houseboat, go canoeing, trekking or river rafting. Unlike, most other parts of the country, the weather in Kerela is quite favourable around this time of the year.

Mumbai

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If you are a wild party animal looking for glitzy parties, night clubs and discos, then Mumbai is your destination. Special events are organized on the beach sides and at various lounges and hotels throughout the city.

Manali

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Wish to celebrate the New Year amid snow covered mountains and valleys? Head towards Manali! One of the most popular tourist spots in India, Manali is also among the best places in the country to celebrate New Year. Several hotels and clubs organize parties to celebrate the festival. You also get ample opportunity to enjoy snow sporting activities. In fact, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Devepment Corporation offers special rates on hotels and tour packages around this time.

Udaipur

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Celebrate New Year in a traditional style at Udaipur.  The beauty of the place increases, many folds during the Noel season. Several notable hotels and resorts in and around the city, including the esteemed Rajmahal Bhinder, the Chunda Palace, the Royal Retreat Resort and Spa, Hotel Devi Garh and Ramada Udaipur Resort and Spa are illuminated with lights and grand parties are hosted here to celebrate the occasion.

Where are you heading this year?

Exotic Ratnagiri – Mangoes and More!

“There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature the more.” – Lord Byron

If you’ve ever been to Ratnagiri, you’ll know exactly what Lord Byron is talking about. Ratnagiri, a coastal district tucked in between Raigad and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, is a place of many wonders. With a coastline that stretches along 167 km, it has a large number of beaches and lighthouses. But it’s not just Lord Byron’s lonely shore; the pathless woods also make their presence felt in Ratnagiri’s many forests, which are a wildlife enthusiast’s heaven.

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Just when you think that Ratnagiri is all flat terra, you learn that 85% of the surface of the land is hilly. These hills give you some spectacular views that can take your breath away.

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The rich greenery you see here is a result of Ratnagiri’s very fertile, alluvial soil that is perfect for growing cashews, mangoes and gooseberries, among others. There are around 80,000 hectares dedicated to Alphonso cultivation alone!

Unsurprisingly, the local produce features in some finger licking dishes. Ratnagiri is also a foodie haven, with the finest example of Konkan cuisine available here. Besides sampling authentic Ratnagiri fare, tourists make sure not to leave without Ratnagiri’s famed jumbo cashew nuts and gooseberry candy. These make great gifts to take home to friends and family, more so because they don’t spoil easily.

But if you’re busy and can’t spare the time for a trip to Ratnagiri, don’t worry. You don’t have to take so much effort to sample the best of Ratnagiri, we’ll bring it to you! Yes, uIndia has launched an entire range of Ratnagiri products across various categories. And the best part – they’re organic! Yes, they come to you hygienically packed and free from chemicals, preservatives and artificial colors. This way, you get to sample authentic Ratnagiri treats which won’t do your health any harm. Here’s a quick look at uIndia’s new Ratnagiri range.

1. Organic Cashew Nuts Jumbo – Get these jumbo sized crunchy snacks, full of heart healthy MUFAs.

2. Organic Amla Candy – Sweet and sour candy made of dried amla, this lip smacking treat is a hit with kids!

3. Organic Alphonso Jam – Ratnagiri is home to the king of fruits, the Alphonso mango. Get this jam made of authentic Alphonso pulp.

4. Organic Alphonso Chilly Jam – With the heat of organic red chillies, this jam is a palate pleaser with an unusual flavor.

Do plan a visit to Ratnagiri on your next vacation, and make sure you take lots of pictures and feast on Konkan delicacies. Be sure to visit the various building structures including forts, palaces and temples, a prominent one being the beautiful Thibaw palace, shown in this picture.

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Whenever you visit, don’t forget to bring back lots of mangoes, amla candy and cashew nuts for your loved ones. But till you actually make that trip, you needn’t deprive your taste buds; visit uIndia and we will bring Ratnagiri home to you!

7 Super Healthy Winter Foods!

Aah, winters! These cold months have such a charm – sunshine playing hide and seek, enjoying longer nights, a cozy feeling of snuggling in the warm clothes, relishing seasonal delicacies, drinking a hot cup of tea or coffee and so much more. However, this season also brings along with its share of illnesses, most common being cough and cold. To ensure, that you stay fit and healthy this winter, here are seven super foods you must include in your winter diet.

1.    Turmeric

This wonder spice possesses anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties and is thus especially recommended to consume in the winters. Adding a dash of turmeric powder to 1 glass of lukewarm water mixed with juice of half a lemon will kiss your winter health worries a goodbye. Another option is to drink turmeric milk flavoured with honey, cardamom and ginger.

2.    Nuts & Dry Fruits

Almonds, cashew nuts, walnuts, raisins, apricots, figs and dates must form a part of your winter menu. These nuts and dry fruits are wonderful power snacks and also a healthier alternative to satisfy your sweet tooth. A handful of these  can be eaten in their natural form or crushed to be added to smoothies, milkshakes, fruits salads or halwas. Their antibiotic and antioxidant properties also help in soothing throat and curing common cold and cough.

3.    Whole Spices & Herbs

Winters are also the best time to consume whole spices such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, bay leaves, black peper, poppy seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, sesame seeds and fenugreek seeds. They not only have heat inducing properties but also enhance the taste of curries, soups and other foods. Also, do not forget to include basil or tulsi leaves, which are the proverbial foods to fight winter blues.

4.    Tea

A cup of steaming hot tea has the power to charge you up on a cold winter day. It has several natural chemicals to warm your body. It is a good idea to add ginger, cardamom and basil leaves to your tea during winters to prevent/ cure the common cold and cough. Green tea is even healthier. It strengthens the immune system, curbs stress and keeps you energized all through the day. This winter, bring Kashmir closer to your home by making the herbal Kahwa Tea from the valley!

5.    Grains

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Nothing is more scrumptious than savouring bajra and makai roties along with white butter, jaggery, dal and chutney! Grains, especially bajra, jowar and makai, are high in protein, carbohydrates and micronutrients and also aid easy digestion in the frigid weather. These grains also provide your body with Vitamin D deficiency caused due to the lakc of sunshine.

6.    Dairy and meat products

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In case you are looking for other sources of vitamin D, then milk, yoghurt, egg yolks and fish can come to your rescue. A bowl of chicken soup on a wintry night is sure to soothe your sore throat immediately!

7.    Fluids

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Most of us forget that keeping your body hydrated in the witners is as important in the summers.  You should consume sufficient amount of water and other low calories, non sugary fluids. Try infusing your normal water with mint leaves or lemon/oranges wedges for an enhanced taste.

Which winter foods would you recommend? 

5 Types of Tea to keep you Warm this Winter

“If you feel a bit under the weather,
If you feel a little bit peeved,
Take granny's stand-by potion
For any old cough or wheeze.
It's a cure for hepatitis, it's a cure for chronic insomnia,
It's a cure for tonsillitis and for water on the knee.”

Thus goes the song ‘Have a Cuppa Tea’, by The Kinks. And you have to agree, tea is certainly a cure-it-all!! And there is no season that demands more tea than the cold winter, with the flu and other illnesses rampant.

But not just any tea will do this season. You have to make a concoction with magical illness-fighting herbs and spices that’ll truly give your tea that much-needed punch. To help you with this, we’ve listed 5 types of tea to keep you warm this winter.

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1. Spiced Honey Tea 

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This is a very warming tea, with spices that are ideal for the cold season.

2 cups water

¼ tsp powdered ginger

¼ tsp star anise

¼ tsp powdered cinnamon

1 tsp honey

Milk

1. Crush the spices gently, just to release the aroma.

2. Put the water to boil and add the spices when warm. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Strain and add honey and milk to taste. Stir and drink.

2. Pomegranate Tea 

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Pomegranate might sound strange in tea, but it adds a dose of anti oxidants along with a beautiful red color.

1 cup water

2 tsp sugar

¼ tsp grated ginger

½ clove

¼ tsp powdered cinnamon

1 black tea bag

1/8 cup pomegranate juice

1 tsp lemon juice

1. Put the water, sugar and spices in a pan and boil for a minute.

2. Strain into a cup and add the tea bag. Let it steep for 10 minutes.

3. Remove tea bag and add the juices. Heat again and stir through.

4. Apple Tea 

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A lovely fruit tea, this is a delightful drink for a winter tea party!

1 Fuji apple

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp black tea dust

1 clove

1. Slice the apple into slices and immerse in a bowl of ice water and lemon juice for 5 minutes. Take out the apple pieces, sprinkle sugar and bake in a preheated oven till dry.

2. Crush the dried apples along with the clove and tea dust to make the apple tea mix.

3. Steep 2 tsp of this mix in 1 cup of hot water for 2 minutes. Strain and sweeten if necessary. Add a cinnamon stick to stir and add warmth.

4. Ginger Turmeric Tea 

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Turmeric and ginger are known for their immunity boosting properties, so sip on this for good health!

1 cup water

½ tsp powdered ginger

¼ tsp turmeric

1 tsp black tea dust

Juice of ½ lemon

1. Boil water and add tea dust. Remove from heat, add ginger and turmeric.

2. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain, add lemon juice and sweeten as needed.

5. Masala Chai 

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Last but not least, nothing can beat the warmth and comfort of our very own masala chai!!

½ cup water

2 cardamoms

½ tsp peeled ginger

½” cinnamon

1 star anise

½ cup milk

1½ tsp black tea dust or leaves

Sugar

1. Crush the spices lightly to release the aroma. Bring water with the spices to the boil and simmer for 2 minutes.

2. Add milk and tea, and simmer for another 2 minutes.

3. Turn off the heat and strain. Add sugar to taste.

Well, what are you waiting for? There’s a cold breeze outside and you’re feeling the chill – so go ahead and make some tea!

Which is your favorite kind of tea to drink during winters?