5 Offbeat Summer Destinations in India

With the sun shining in its full glory now, it’s about time to find solace in the green and cool pastures. Yes, we are talking about taking a relaxing vacation to escape the sizzling days of the season. If you are weary of holidaying at the run of the mill hill stations year after year, we recommend visiting the following offbeat yet serene destinations this time around.

Khajjiar

Khajjiar, often referred to as the mini Switzerland of India, is one of the best places to visit during the summer season. Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Khajjiar is known for its beautiful range of hills, mesmerizing meadows and serene lakes. Another reason for recommending this place is that you won’t see a maddening crowd of tourists here, as is the case with popular hill stations. You can even experience here adrenaline rush sports such as horse riding and paragliding. You may also trek along the Dalhousie-Khajjiar road to breath in fresh air and experience a visual delight. Khajjiar lake, Khajjinag temple and Dauladhar mountains are the main attractions for site seeing in Khajjiar.

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Tirthan Valley

Another beautiful hill station in Himachal Pradesh, Tirthan Valley is known for its breathtaking landscapes and fresh aromatic air. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city life, this is a great place to spend some quality time with your family and friends. No, it is not just a place for the peace lovers, but would also excite the adventure freaks with activities such as trout fishing and trekking. The best time to visit the place is between March and June especially if you are aiming to go trout fishing in the Tirthan river.

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Naukuchiatal

Naukuchiatal, located in the Nanital district, is another unusual destination that offers a great respite from the summer heat as well as the chaotic city life. Naukuchiatal encompasses a splendid nine-cornered lake that stretches for about 1 kilometer. All sorts of boating options are available here. The valley that surrounds the lake is equally magnificent. The Brahma Temple located here also attracts several tourists.

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Kalimpong

A lesser unexplored hill station, Kalimpong is located in the state of West Bengal. The place is home to several Tibetan monasteries and churches. If you have a heart for the Indian handicrafts then you will get ample stuff to shop here. When you are there, do include Kali Mandir, Mangal Dham Temple, MacFarlane Memorial Church, St. Theresa Church, Tharpa Choling Monastery and Relli River in your itinerary.

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Tawang

If you are looking for a destination in the eastern side of the country, Tawang in Arunchal Pradesh, could be a superb option. As it lies close to the Tibetan and Bhutanese border, it is surrounded by peaks that offer a picturesque view.  The place boasts of a rich and vibrant culture and you can feel a positive energy all around. Did you know that Tawang Monastery dates back to the 17^th century and is the world’s biggest monastery? The major attraction at this monastery is an eight meter high statue of Lord Buddha. The Urgelling, Taktsang Gompas and Khinme monasteries and Sangester Tso lake are some of the other site seeing places here.

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Have you visited any other offbeat or an unusual destination in India?

5 Quick Munchies to Host a Cricket Tea Party at Home

With the cricket world cup going on, millions of cricket fans around the world are watching one of the most religiously followed and loved sporting events. In our cricket-crazy nation, watching a cricket match is like a ceremony in itself. With the Indian team winning four consecutive matches, the excitement has reached fever pitch. It’s only natural that we all are waiting with bated breath to watch our team making it to the finals.

With all this cricket fervour around, how about inviting your friends over for a cricket tea party? Fun, excitement, food and cricket – you couldn’t ask for a more perfect setting to spend time with your friends. To make your party easy peasy, we have rounded up 5 delectable munchies to treat your friends, without spending much time in the preparations.

Tea & Snack Pack

Watching a thrilling cricket match, sipping a cup of tea with your friends really sets the mood for the game. Keep a tea and snack combo pack handy in your kitchen cabinet. The  aromatic whiff of the tea, coupled with ready to eat snacks such as bakarwadi, mathri or brownie would add more cheer to your get together.

Dry Bhel

Bhelpuri or Jhalmuri, whatever you call it, is one of the yummiest, yet healthy and filling Indian snacks. To add that spicy, tangy zing to your food party, dry bhel is all you need to serve instant bhelpuri. Just throw in some diced tomatoes, diced onions and your favourite chutney to this dry bhel mixture. Garnish it with pomegranate seeds and coriander leaves. Viola, you are ready to spice up the cricket match!

Chakli

Also known as Murukku, chakli is loved by all for its sesamy taste. Raise a toast to these crispy chaklis and a cup of tea, every time the Indian team hits a four or sixer or takes a wicket.

Kukure

Kurkure can be a nice snack too, preferred by all age groups. The crunchy texture and finger-licking taste makes it a perfect munching snack to keep the cricket momentum rising. If simple kurkures are not enough to beat your hunger pangs, make a kurkure fruit chat. We are not kidding. Cut different fruits into cube sized shapes and add crushed kurkure instead of the chat masala. You will love it! For a healthier option, try kurkure with sprouts.

Mango Chilli Jam

More hungry kya? Try the hot and sweet combination of alphanso mango chilli jam. Err…not just the jam. We recommend spreading a generous amount of this jam on bread, puri or paratha for a quick stomach fill. Good enough to enjoy the steaming excitement of the game!

Now that your cricket tea party menu is all set, pick up your handsets and invite your friends to your home.

5 Tips for an Energizing Start to Your Mornings

One thing that haunts you on every night? ‘Morning Blues’, we bet! Almost everybody dreads the mornings mostly due to two reasons. One, you don’t want to leave the comfort of your cozy bed and second, it’s the beginning of a stressful day. But look at the brighter side, mornings bring fresh hopes and new beginnings too. So why not start your mornings on a refreshing note rather than a saddened mood?

If you can maximize the relaxation factors to minimize the stress elements, your mornings may not be as awful as you think. Here are five amazing tips to invigorate your mornings.

Let’s move it

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Give your lazy bones a life! If not gym, then let it be walking, jogging, yoga, aerobics or Zumba. As long as you move those muscles for about 30-45 minutes daily, you can always look forward to energy filled mornings. You can start with a warm up and gradually increase the intensity, based on your physical stamina. The focus should be on sweating it out to burn the extra calories.

Eat breakfast like a king

“Never work before breakfast. If you have to work before breakfast, eat breakfast first.”

Well, we understand that your work life beckons you and the clock is ticking fast. But, that doesn’t mean that you skip the breakfast  - the most important meal of the day. A proper portion of healthy breakfast can get you through the day actively. It would be a good idea to start with a cup of green tea or lukewarm water with lime. Lukewarm water can boost your metabolism and flush out the toxins. While, green tea contains anti-oxidants, which reduce the oxidation process in the body to preserve the nutrients. A bowl of cereals with milk or traditional snacks such as poha or upma cooked in less oil serves as a filling breakfast. Also, how about sneaking a handful of almonds in your breakfast plate to stimulate your brain?

Let the family nurture your soul

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Like the body, our soul also needs a fresh fodder every morning. Though everyone may seem to be rushing around, a light hearted chit chat with your family during the breakfast or the workout can liven you up instantly. Make your mornings a special time to bond with your family.

Refresh your mind with music

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Classical or jazz, romantic or spiritual, listen to the music that refreshes your mind and uplifts your mood. When you tune into music, your brain releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine, which regulates brain’s reward and pleasure centres. An absolutely marvellous way to start the day on a happy and motivating note!

Dress to feel good

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If you dress good, you feel good. A nice attire coupled with a positive attitude can boost your self confidence like nothing else can. Ladies, try to complement your dress with elegant jewellery, stylish handbags or stylish footwear. We have a nice tip for the menfolk too – spend a few minutes extra in front of your mirror to get that perfect groomed look. Aren’t you now  all set to step out of the house, no matter how the morning weather is?

Happy Mornings!

5 Super Tips to Help Your Children Beat the Exam Blues

It’s that time of the year, which a majority of the school going children (and their parents too!) dread. Though the exams and weekly/monthly tests go on round the year, the annual exam fever can grip the young minds more strongly, leading to the undue stress. It is the parents’ responsibility to calm the distressed minds and help them cope up with the exam anxiety with positivity.

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Here are some tips to make the exam parenting easier for you.

1.    Get involved with your child

Let your child feel that you are always there with him to answer all his queries and concerns regarding the exams and subjects he is studying. Perhaps a 15-30 minute interactive session quizzing your child on how he is faring in his exam preparation and asking his a few questions pertaining to the course would give you an idea about his state of mind. If you feel he is abnormally stressed, you could spend more time with him, cheering them to be positive.

2.    Allow ‘time – out’ breaks

Children should be encouraged to take about 10-15 minute ‘time – out’ breaks to clear their mind from the exam bug. They can perhaps watch television, listen to soothing songs, practice meditation,  do light exercises, or indulge in any leisure activity that will fill them with renewed energy.

3.    Create a stress free environment

Is your child’s concentration hindered by external disturbances? A neighbour listening to songs on a high pitch or other children playing on the streets, could make your child feel stressed out too. Or maybe, he feels suffocated in a closed room. Try to curb these factors and create an environment, that can help your children concentrate better.

4.    Let them sleep on it

Thought it’s normal to lose sleep over exams, lack of adequate sleep and rest can take a toll on your children’s mental and physical health. A good sleep will make them feel fresh, active, and all set to face the exams.

5.    Feed them brain boosting foods

Your children’s brains put in extra hours during the exams. Hence, it is imperative to fuel it with energy boosting foods at regular intervals. Try and avoid giving your children junk and starchy food. Rather, a protein-rich diet is recommended. Here are some fun, healthy food ideas:

Fruit Yoghurt

Brown bread slices smeared with crunchy peanut butter
Dry fruits milk or halwa

Soaked almonds

Scrambled eggs

Children who eat healthy, exercise regularly, and get ample sleep have more physical and mental energy to deal with the academic challenges. In case, you feel that your child is abnormally stressed or hypersensitive, every time exams approach, you may consider getting him counseled by school teachers or on exam helplines exclusively dedicated to students.

With the help of these useful tips, your child will surely fare well through his exams.

5 Ready to Eat Tea Time Snacks to Stow in Your Kitchen

“Kuch garma garam pakode ho jaye, toh chai ka maja aa jaye”

A hot cup of tea, without a plate of munchies to snack on? Nah! But, on some occasions, you may not be in the mood to prepare hot snacks. Well, in that case, ready to eat knick - knacks can be your best chai time accompaniments. Hence, we recommend stacking your kitchen shelves (and office drawers too!) with the following 5 ready to eat bites to satiate your tea time snack attacks.

1.    Mathri

Methi Mathri

With its perfect crumbly texture, the delicious deep fried mathris are an all time favourite snack to savour with the tea. Delicate, yet crisp, these mathris are prepared in various ways across the households. But nothing beats the authentic taste of methi mathris from Indore! The flavour of methi (fenugreek leaves) not only add a dash of aroma, but also bring a healthy twist to these mathris. And if you want prefer the classy version, then mathri ajwain is what you should try.

2.    Bakarwadi

Bakarwadi

Sweet, spicy and tangy – thy name is bakarwadi. While this popular snack is mainly available in Gujarat and Maharashtra, the Chitale Bandhu brand of bakarwadi from Pune takes the crown. Fibrous, crispy and remarkably luscious, Chitale Bandhu bakarwadis blend perfectly well with tea. You won’t mind getting addicted to these!

3.    Achappam

Achappam

Achappam, the traditional Keralite snake is a crunchy, deep fried delicacy.These flower shaped snacks are made of rice flour and are meekly sweet in taste. With their just perfect mild sugariness, achappam can be the right answer to your sweet pangs during an afternoon or evening tea.

4.    Cakes

Brownie Cake

Do you prefer  to cherish your freshly brewed tea with something wholesome and deliciously chocolaty? Then, you must always store the oven fresh, homemade eggless brownie cake in your kitchen. With a shelf life of 10 days, this cake will bowl you over with is nutty, velvety taste and gooey texture.

5.    Biscuits

Karachi Bakery Biscuits

The list of ready to eat snacks would be incomplete without including biscuits – the ever popular nibbles, which are easily available at your neighbourhood chai ki tapri too. But in case, you are wary of the Parle – G, Hide & Seek and the likes, then the mouthwatering biscuits from Hyderabad’s Karachi Bakery will instantly liven up your taste. Whether you prefer the nutty or fruity flavour, Karachi Bakery has biscuits to suit every kind of the tea time appetite.

Here is a good news for you. uIndia has launched exclusive 'Tea and Snacks Combo Pack' for you to pick up your favourite tea time snack. And of course, all these delicacies have been sourced from their place of origin and delivered straight at your doorstep. Where else can you find the authenticity and convenience, both rolled into one?

Top 5 Makar Sankranti Celebrations Across India

Makar Sankranti, the first major festival to commemorate the Indian festive calendar every year, is here again. Scientifically, it is the day when the sun enters the northern hemisphere. However, when you attach a religious significance to this natural phenomenon, this day becomes what you call Makar Sankranti in our country. In fact, it is the only Indian festival,  which takes after the solar calendar and celebrated on 14^th January, every year!

Makar Sankranti is also the time, when the fresh crop is harvested and hence, people take it as an opportunity to thank the nature and almighty for fresh beginnings and new energy in the life. Does this fact ring a familiar bell in your mind? You probably guessed it right. Makar Sankranti is our desi tradition of celebrating the Thanksgiving Day!

Makar Sankranti dons various avtaars in the different states of India. We take you through the most popular ones.

Gujarat

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Makar Sankrati in Gujarat is quintessentially about flying kites, the festival popularly known as Uttarayan here. The Gujju folks go completely crazy during the two day festival, so much that they get on their terraces in the wee hours of morning and stay there, till late night flying kites. There will be a spectacular display of kites in myriad hues in the sky and and the shouts of ‘lapet’ and ‘kai po che’ (yes, the phrase also inspired the title of the movie by same name based on Chetam Bhagat’s popular novel The 3 Mistakes of My Life!) will resonate in the air. In fact, Gujarat Kite Flying Festival is one of the most anticipated international festivals. Undhiyu, a spicy mix of seasonable vegetables and til gud chikkis are the special festival recipes savoured on this day.

Assam

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This Eastern region of India welcomes the harvesting season with Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu, a two day festival.  On the first day known as Uruka, people go the fields to build toy huts called mejis with thatch. On Uruka night, people in a grand fish and rice based traditional feasting known as Bhogali. These toy huts are burnt on the next day, the ashes of which are then dispersed in the fields, as a symbolism of fertility. Apart from feasting and merry making, what makes the celebrations more fun are the traditional games such as tekeli- bhonga (breaking the pot) and outdoor sports like cock fights and bull fights, played across the state.

Tamil Nadu

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In Tamil Nadu, the Makar Sankranti celebrations lasts for four days in the form of Pongal, making it one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. The first day is Bhogi Pongal, which falls on the 13^th January every year. On this day, people discard old and unwanted items to symbolize the end of vices or poorh habits and usher in the new memories. The second day is the main festival called Surya Pongal, during which people worship the sun, decorate their homes and wear new clothes. On the third day on Mattu Pongal, farmers worship cattle and play / witness jallikattu, a bull taming game. The last day is called Kanum Pongal, when people prepare multi-color rice delicacies and offer them to their ancestors. They also go for sightseeing on this day, so the usual tourists places like Marina Beach in Chennai are choc-a-bloc with visitors on this day. Pongal dish made of rice, milk and cardamoms is savoured across all households during the festival.

Uttar Pradesh

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Here, Makar Sankranti is referred as Khichdi Sankrant because khichdi is offered to poor people. You will often hear the residents saying that it’s the day of snan, daan and khichdi. The khichdil platter consists of the main dish, papad, ghee, a til gud sweet, chutney and curd. On this day, devotees also prefer to take dip in the Holy River Ganges. Fun fairs are organized throughout the state and people take part in rituals called ‘ghughutia’ and ‘kaalekauva’. In KaaleKauva, children display sweets prepared in different shapes and strung together like a necklace to attract crows and other birds.

Punjab

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Sunder mundriye ho! Dulla Bhatti walla! Those who have a penchant for Punjabi music would know that Lohri festivities are incomplete without singing and dancing to the tunes of these two popular songs. Lohri, as the Makar Sankranti is called in Punjab, is all about the typical Punjabi fare – dhols, giddas, bhangra, bonfire, dance and feast, amids all pomp and fervour. The day following Lohri signifies the start of a new month called Magh, and hence celebrated as Maghi by offering kheer or any other sweet dish with sugar cane juice.

Different regions, different traditions. How do you celebrate Makar Sankranti in your home? 

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!!!