#Kolkata Street food

[prasadamkolkata]

Don't Miss Out! 15 Kolkata Street Foods

When in Kolkata, eat as the Bengali do – #15th is going to be unforgettable Kolkata street food These are but a handful of the delectable delicacies available in Kolkata. Every food lover should embark on a taste-bud adventure by experiencing the city’s unique culinary scene. Kolkata street foods prices may vary slightly depending on the location, vendor, time of day, and also from the cloud…

[suchananewsblog]

Phuchka Chop: The Latest Bizarre Street Food Combination That's Dividing The Internet

If you thought you have had enough of the odd food combinations, then trust us, it’s not done yet! There’s a new recipe in the block and it is called phuchka chop. Phuchka (also referred to as panipuri, golgappa, pani-batasa and gupchup) is one of the most loved street foods across India. Fried sooji/atta balls, filled with spicy matar-aloo stuffing and khatta pani, phuchka defines comfort for…

[snehasishauthenticrecipebook]

Dahi Bhalla is a popular North Indian food that is prepared with dumplings made from urad dal that are deep-fried and garnished with tamarind chutney and green chutney and topped with various spices like cumin powder, red chilli powder and black salt. In today's recipe, I have shared both the sweet-sour and the salty-sour variations of dahi bhallas.

Ingredients for Bhalla :

1) Urad Dal - 1 cup 2) Moong Daal - ¼ cup 3) Chopped green Chillies - according to taste 4) Cumin seeds - ½ tsp 5) Grated coconut - ¼ cup 6) Asafoetida (hing) - 1 pinch 7) Finely chopped ginger - 1 tsp 8) Curry Leaves - 4/5 pcs read more..

[anna0826]

Vienna night scene

[faggotfungus]

A Pav Bhaji stand in Kolkata

[mayerhaterranna]

Egg Roll Recipe | Bengali Style Egg Roll Recipe | Anda Roll | How to make egg roll | Egg Roll

[yummraj]

Badhshah (Lindsay street, kolkata)

Badhshah (Lindsay street, kolkata)

In a nutshell: A restaurant that we have been quite a few times, few decades back, mainly for the rolls, pleasantly surprised us with some great kolkata street food last month. Address & other details: badshah Meal for 2: ₹250 onwards Cuisine type : vegetarian & non vegetarian Disclaimer: All restaurants / eateries reviewed by YUMMRAJ were visited by YUMMRAJ himself & he has paid for the…

[phenakistoskope]

the rape and murder of the doctor at r.g. kar medical college is horrific, but the trinamool congress's response is not an aberration, we have seen it again and again; as recently as the beginning of this year, when the women of sandeshkhali revealed that they had survived months of systematic coercion and rape, and as far back as two-thousand-twelve, when mamata bannerjee called suzette jordan a liar for accusing her rapists of, well, rape.

the tmc has always protected the rapists in its ranks. last night they they were found attempting to destroy all evidence of the atrocity and silence protests. the police actively aided and abetted this. this is not strange either. what is strange is that the identities of the perpetrators are, in fact, an open secret. that the accused is a scapegoat with a sketchy past, is also an open secret. the fact that the victim was brutally raped and murdered because she uncovered information about certain illicit activities at the medical college is widely known.

and yet, the political parties and media houses are spinning it as a matter of morality, and a question of women's safety (this part is valid, but a bit too narrow), in a country where there are no laws to prosecute the rape and sexual assault of transwomen, nor marital rape. the bjp is mobilizing reactionary feminism in hopes of creating a power vacuum into which they can insert themselves (notably, this failed in sandeshkhali). everyone is still pretending that the atrocity was a case of anomalous sexual violence, when it was, in reality, routine sexual violence to keep affairs at r.g. kar medical college running smoothly.

and who knows how many more rape-and-murder cases have taken place since ninth august, incidents that didn't warrant quite as much media and public attention? the citizens of kolkata didn't take to the streets in such great numbers during the sandeshkhali incident either. it's just a small village, rather unimportant, not a place that produces the food we eat in the city. idk what to say. trash nation, trash state. trash city. fuck this shit.

[suchananewsblog]

When In Kolkata, Tamannaah Bhatia Couldn't Resist Jhalmuri And Puchka

Relishing native road meals is certainly a should whereas visiting a special metropolis. Don’t you agree? Well, no less than Tamannaah Bhatia does. The actress has typically revealed her foodie aspect to her followers. Tamannaah was in Kolkata lately as a consequence of some work commitments. Obviously, she dug into some basic snacks of the town and in addition made it some extent to share her…

[hand-written-dreams]

CRIMSOM SHADE

Prologue

The Monster in the Shadow

How can such an innocent women have

Such dangerous hands?

- ( The song of the Chapter is "Dangerous Hands" by Austin Giorgio.

2 Weeks ago

A shadow loomed in the dark stillness of the night.

A pair of eyes gleamed.

The eyes of a predator.

Eyes like fire and thunder, laced with venom.

Multiple computers flickered to red all of a sudden. Someone had dared to invade the monster's lair. He was at once thrilled and in awe of the audacity of the intruder, "TheSwallow."

TheSwallow had breached the first layer of firewall the monster had built around his empire of dark web.

And the monster was no stranger to TheSwallow.

He knew her.

He had stolen from her.

How did the monster know the intruder was a "her"? Experience. Years of navigating in the dark corridors of hacking taught him to distinguish between a "he" and a "she". The "she"s usually had a specific style in writing code. These codes in his screens were so damn gorgeous to be written by a man.

The "she"s were very rare in the hacker business, but when there was a "she", it was a fucking spectacle to behold.

Just like what's transpiring right now.

The monster could kiss her dainty little fingers for the show she was putting on. So sexy, so sensual.

A smile curved in the corner of his lips.

His smile was a blade wrapped in silk.

A sinister mixture of danger and delight.

It was time to lay a trap for the little bird. Let’s see how the swallow fared in the sky of the eagles.

Chapter 1

A Serpent in the Eagle's Den

Did you really think

I'd just forgive and forget.

- ( The song of the Chapter is "I see red" by Everybody loves an outlaw)

TheShadowMonster

It's the name she hates the most in the whole universe right now. Who is TheShadowMonster? She doesn't know. No one knows. He is a notorious hacker on the dark web, the lord of that shadowy world. Hackers all over the globe admire him, some worship him and others wet their pants at the mere mention of his name. He is a name of admiration, reverence, and fear in their world.

Khushi Sen Gupta used to admire him, even worshipped him in certain weak moments, but not anymore. Right now, she hates his guts.

TheShadowMonster is a thief.

He has no morals.

As if growing up in a notorious mafia family in Kolkata wasn't bad enough, now she has to deal with this setback in her secret life as well.

Yes, Khushi Sen Gupta is a hacker.

A highly proficient one.

A childhood full of mommy issues and daddy issues does that to you, when you find computers more emotionally available to you than your own parents.

And, Khushi Sen Gupta is a born genius. She discovered the language of computers when she was 8 years old, and since then, she never looked back.

Her father, Sashidhar Sen Gupta is the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Kolkata. Behind that badge, he is also the most corrupt in the country's history, not that anyone knows about his crimes. He is a member of 'The Serpents,' one of the three families that established the mafia in this country in the fifties.

The infamous 'Triad.'

Three powerful families came together to form an organized mafia syndicate that have been dominating the country for decades. These families swore to follow the laws laid down by The Godfathers and to stand by each other in times of need.

In every family, there’s The Boss, often called The Godfather, the unquestioned head who rules the entire empire. Just beneath him is The Underboss, The Heir, waiting in the shadows to take the throne. On par with the Underboss in power is The Consigliere, the trusted advisor who, though not bound by blood, holds the family's fate in his hands.

Beneath this triad of authority are the captains, who oversee specific operations and territories, managing their own teams to ensure the family's orders are executed with precision. At the end of the food chain are the foot soldiers, who carry out day-to-day tasks on the streets.

When territories were being distributed, the then head of the Serpents, Samol Kumar Jha, claimed West Bengal and its borders. They started operating from there. The Sen Gupta family had the honor of being The Consiglieri of The Serpents from the very beginning and they have held that position ever since.

A Consigliere is someone who is not related to the family by blood.

An outsider to the family,

But not an outsider to the mafia society.

He offers legal and financial counsel to The Boss while shielding them from impending threats.

That is Khushi's father now.

The Consigliere of the Serpents.

The Serpents have been ruling West Bengal for decades, but a few years ago, they moved to Delhi when The Boss of that time, Prakash Narayan Jha, decided to dip his toes into politics. As a result, the Sen Gupta household also relocated to Delhi. Even after The Boss was mysteriously murdered, they didn't move back. The Serpents now operate their business in Kolkata from Delhi, as the brother of the deceased boss took over that part of the business a few years ago, giving The Heir a chance to pursue his other interests. The Heir wants to venture into even more dangerous games.

The Politics.

The son of the deceased boss, Shyam Manohar Jha, is eager to try his luck in the political arena, just like his father.

People call him "The Viper".

A fitting description of his nature.

The second family of The Triad is the Mumbai Wolves. As the name suggests, Mumbai is their territory. Khushi knows very little about them. She never had to. In her entire 22 years of life, she hasn't crossed paths with any of them. But she could vaguely recall that the boss's daughter was killed last month, brutally and brazenly, in broad daylight, such an insult to the power the Wolves possessed. The news sent shockwaves through the underworld, leaving everyone on edge and wary of a brewing storm ahead.

And the last but not the least, the most notorious of them all.

The Black Eagles.

Here she stands, right in the heart of their territory.

It’s not that people from one family can’t visit another’s territory. The Serpents have basically been living in Delhi, which is the Black Eagles' domain, for the past two decades. However, a rule has been established. The Serpents can’t meddle in The Eagles' affairs. So, Khushi being here wouldn’t be an issue if it weren’t for two facts, first, the Serpents and the Black Eagles don’t see eye to eye, and second, she came here to stick her tiny nose in their business.

The serpents and the Eagles are enemies, they have been for a long time, bound by a fragile alliance that forces them to tolerate one another. What turned once-friends into bitter foes? That’s a long story, one best saved for another time. For now, there's a more pressing issue to focus on.

Her whereabouts.

Fuck, Fuck, Fuck.

It is a mistake.

It can't be nothing but a mistake.

A grave one in nature.

Entering enemy territory like this!

But it is a mistake she has to make.

There's a party going on, a costume party with masks, nonetheless. At least it will be a tad bit easier to hide her identity.

The knives strapped to both of her thighs are biting into her skin, adding an extra notch to her already frayed nerves.

Ignoring the pain in her thigh, Khushi simply observes the scene in front of her. She has been preparing for this night for days. She has meticulously transformed her appearance for the evening. The long black sleeveless gown conceals the knives. She's paired the dress with a simple black lace mask. Her dark hair is curled into long waves with lips painted a vivid red.

It is anything but her.

But it is absolutely essential for her plan to remain unrecognizable.

She forces herself to maintain an air of nonchalance. She feigns drinking from the wine glass in her hand, but her eyes are locked on the crowd, never losing focus. A few sips of the drink might have soothed her jittery nerves, yet she refrains. A crystal clear focus is more crucial than any illusion of liquid courage.

The party is being held in the sprawling lawn of a grand mansion owned by a businessman associated with the Black Eagles. The mansion comes alive with the vibrant energy of the party, where twinkling fairy lights drape the trees, casting a warm glow across the night.

Laughter and music fill the open space, a lively symphony of chatter and clinking glasses. Guests mingle in elegant attire, their faces hidden behind an array of intricate masks, each more ornate than the last.

The scent of fresh blooms from the immaculately manicured hedge fills the air. She scans the softly glowing lawn area from the shadows of one of those hedges, observing faces she recognizes from the news over the years. She watches as the soldiers of the Eagles parade around with women mostly decorating the arms of the men they are with, just like those lavish centerpieces, adorning the beautifully arranged tables.

"Mr.Rathore, so nice to see you."

A man's loud greetings draw her attention. Khushi studies the man being greeted. He stands tall, his slender yet agile frame filling out the sharp lines of his tailored suit, a classic black that contrasts with his neatly combed white hair. The burden of age is visible on his face, etched deeply with wrinkles.

Vikrant "the Butcher" Singh Rathore.

The Boss of The Black Eagles.

Everyone in her world has some sort of crimson stain on their hands. But his hands bear the darkest stains of blood, deeper and more haunting than anyone else, the darkest shade of crimson.

They call him "The Butcher" for a reason.

His cold-blooded attitude is a thing of admiration in their world. Khushi has been around men like him in her life long enough not to let that shake her, or at the very least, to ensure none of it betrays her perfectly stoic face, carefully honed through years of practice.

Standing beside him is his son, the Prince of the Rathore Empire, Akash Singh Rathore. A tall, leanly built, lanky man. His role within the Eagles is still uncertain. Rumor has it that the Junior Rathore wants to leave the mafia world, not a promising prospect for the Rathore family, with an heirless empire hanging in the balance.

Those men in the eastern corner of the lawn care very little about the masquerade, standing barefaced while others conceal themselves behind masks. Good for Khushi. Nonetheless, she has studied them so much over the past few days that she will recognize them anywhere whether masked or unmasked, veiled, or unveiled.

Khushi finally lets herself take a little sip of the red liquid for the first time that night. The bitterness of the wine burns her throat, a spark compared to the burning hate prickling her skin as her eyes wander to the man who stands silently beside Junior Rathore.

The man she has come here for.

Arnav Singh Raizada.

The Consigliere of the Black Eagles.

The Vulture.

Her eyes trace over him, lingering on every detail. He stands tall in an all-black suit. The black shirt underneath has its top three buttons open in absence of a tie. His black hair is slightly messy, as if he has just run his fingers through it. He has his gaze fixed on the man in front of him with the most bored, expressionless face she has ever seen. It’s hard to see his eyes from this distance.

But she knows they are brown.

Light chocolate brown.

Like caramel and chocolate mixed together, sprinkled with a hint of orange and green if you get the right angle.

Eyes like shadow and flame.

Eyes that could kill you, literally and figuratively.

She's observed pictures of him in great detail, just for research purposes to be absolutely clear.

Purely and absolutely.

Not because she finds him attractive or anything. Like right now, she can't take her eyes off the handsome man, not because his well-built body is flexing in all the right places as he shakes someone's hand, but because of the stories she has heard of him over the years since he returned from the States seven years ago.

The words have it that after Senior Rathore's retirement, he will be the boss of The Black Eagles, not Junior Rathore. They say Vikrant Singh Rathore favors Mr. Raizada over his own son. In parts, Mr. Raizada even bears a closer resemblance to Senior Rathore than to his own father.

Arnav "The Vulture" Singh Raizada.

He is The Vulture among The Eagles.

In the mafia world, he is known as 'the vulture'. Whereas in the business world, people refer to him by the acronym, ASR. He is the son of the former consigliere of The Black Eagles, Arvind Singh Raizada. Arvind Singh Raizada and Vikrant Singh Rathore were best friends. After Arvind was murdered, his wife tragically ended her life by taking matters into her own hands. Soon after that, Senior Rathore sent the only surviving Raizada to the USA to study at Harvard.

At the age of 25, Mr. Raizada took over the reins of Rathore Industries. It primarily consists of high-end fashion houses, garment factories, and various other business ventures. He transformed the once-dying company into a Fortune 500 corporation. People say his net worth is over 500 million dollars, with some even claiming it is more.

But the more impressive thing is how he got his nickname. He cleared away all their illegal affairs and whitewashed all of their black money, giving them the squeaky clean reputation in the entire mafia world in the police database. Under the shade of the massive wings of The Vulture, The Eagles can now easily operate their business without any hitch.

Such a waste of a Harvard education, Khushi huffs.

There's a saying in her world that became popular in the last few years, "When the vulture surrounds you, try not to die."

He has the reputation of being the deadliest Eagle of them all, the most predatory. He rarely goes on a hunt though, but when he does, it's said to be over in the bat of an eye.

He goes straight for the jugular.

No distractions.

No playing around with the prey.

But no one ever saw him in action. Her bodyguard-turned-driver, Mohan, thinks they are all just rumors The Eagles have spread to instill fear among the masses regarding the next in line.

She fakely smiles at a waiter who offers her some desserts. Slightly raising her wine glass, she pretends to take a sip once again. She keeps her inspection ongoing from under the rim of her glass. She is right. Mr. Raizada does run his fingers through his hair a lot. The tattoo on his hand catches her eye.

He has a tattoo of a swallow on his right hand. Her favourite bird.

She even named her hacker ID "TheSwallow." She yearns for the freedom of the bird and wants to fly away to a far-off land one day. She doesn't want to be frowned upon like the peacock or the swan. She wants to be free, lost in the crowd like a normal human, not caged away in a castle.

She feels bad for the bird inked into his skin. Such a pretty bird to be trapped on the hand of such a despicable man. Just as he has caged the swallow forever in his skin, The Vulture has robbed her of her freedom as well.

She worked tirelessly throughout her years at IIT Delhi to gather information and evidence about the crimes committed by his father and the Serpents, so that by the end of her graduation, she could share them with the police in exchange of protection and escape from the country. She also coded a deadly virus that could evade any high-end security system, which she intended to sell on the dark web for a high price. But as she was transferring the data to the CBI, it stopped at the 10% mark, and all her data and the virus she created were gone. Abso-fucking-lutely gone. Not a single file remained on her computer. To make matters worse, her computer was formatted.

She was hacked by none other than TheShadowMonster. Why did the infamous hacker in the history of all hackers need to target someone like her? She has no idea. She was in the dark then, and she’s still in the dark now. She doesn't care about the 'why's, 'how's, or 'who's anymore.

She only knows that the information he has hacked is dangerous. It can demolish the entire mob world if it falls into the wrong hands. They can use it as leverage against the mob families, especially the Serpents, to achieve anything. And it has ended up in the worst hands possible.

The hands of an enemy.

She has been tracking the data and TheShadowMonster relentlessly for the past few days. She even managed to hack TheShadowMonster's server. All of this tracking has led her to Mr. Raizada. TheShadowMonster has sold the information to him. She discovered text messages, transactions, and every detail that pointed to the fact that the information was sold to Mr. Raizada in exchange for a huge amount of money.

And with that, all her escape routes have been blocked. She is trapped in this hellhole.

However, the thing is she can't stay in Delhi any longer. She can't afford to wait to collect more information against them as the day of her wedding approaches rapidly. She needs to retrieve the information tonight, at any cost, from none other than Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada.

She is going to kill The Vulture.

She knows it seems foolish and utterly illogical, but she has no other choice. Either she will kill him and obtain the information, or he will kill her and put her out of her misery. Either way, she will be free.

There is one more reason behind her desire to eliminate The Vulture.

Her only friend from university, despite her father's hovering and overprotectiveness, has vanished after the hacking incident. She doesn't want to assume the worst, but her efforts to track him down and her inquiries among other students led nowhere. Neil Kashyap, whom she calls NK, has vanished without a trace. She knows NK can remain untraceable if he wants, as he is skilled with computers and adept at erasing his online tracks as well. But Khushi is Khushi. She discovered a number NK shared text messages with before his disappearance, and that number belongs to Mr. ASR.

Khushi doesn't have time to cry over her pathetic life or the fact that she befriended someone sent by The Eagles to keep an eye on her. She not only befriended him but also made him her best friend for life.

The pathetic, lonely, friendless life that she has.

That is indeed a solid reason to kill Mr. Raizada, for giving her a best friend and then snatching it all away.

Author's note:Thank you for reading! Don't forget to leave your thoughts, I love hearing what you think! Stay tuned for more!

< previous > | < next >

@featheredclover @arshifiesta @phuljari @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @chutkiandchotte @arshisrabbaves @titaliya

[fireboltposts]

• I'm visiting my hometown and there was a major festival called Durga Puja a few days ago and so it made me think why not write something about it which includes my ultimate bias Bang Chan.

• Here Bang Chan is not a Stray Kids member, just a regular boy.

• Where my desi Stays at ?

• Anyways for context Durga Puja, is an annual festival originating in the Indian subcontinent which reveres and pays homage to the Hindu goddess Durga, and is also celebrated because of Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura.

• You had met your best friend Chan when you went to study MBA in a reputed Australian university. Despite your cultural differences y'all became fast friends, bonding over similar music tastes.

• Your other friends there called you things like "two peas in a pod" and "everlasting friends", one never leaving the other alone.

• He was always in awe of your Indian/Bengali culture. You were one of those who took immense pride in their culture, never one to shy away about being Indian. He was always asking you questions about your culture and you found his curiosity really impressive and daresay, cute.

• So naturally after you went back home after your MBA y'all kept in touch for a year when it finally occurred to you that you missed your best friend and texting and video calling just wasn't enough.

• So you invited him over after informing your parents. Your Indian parents raised their eyebrow at first at you at the idea of a "forsha chele" (white guy) and after bombarding multiple questions at you about Chan like "what does he do?","what are his future plans?""do you like this boy?","where did you two meet in University, you went to befriend boys in the university instead of studying?"(at which you rolled your eyes) , your parents hesitantly agreed to have him over.

• This was Chan's first trip to a foreign country and he was excited to go meet with his best friend whom he missed a ton too.

• His flight landed at 5pm on a Tuesday in the Indian time and soon y'all headed to your home in Kolkata. The city was full of colorful banners and people, all busy shopping for the upcoming festival.

• "Wow it's crowded", Chan giggled, "but I like the smell of this flower that I'm getting, it's strong but pleasant". "You'll find this saptaparni flower growing only during this time Channie", you explain, as you go shopping after some time for some Indian attire.

• He shyly asked to try out Indian attire and you pleasantly surprised at the request. So you took him out shopping, with your protective parents in tow, who were smitten with Chan since his first "Nomoshkar" (Bengali version of Namaste, a form of Indian greeting) with folded hands. They eagerly helped the shy and overwhelmed Chan choose his outfits and you felt for a second as if he was their child and not you and you found it adorable how well he was getting along with your parents.

• Soon the days of the festival finally arrived. You had heart eyes seeing Chan in traditional attire and can't help but blush a bit at the sight of your best friend, but you'd never admit it to him, yet you showered the shy boy with compliments and he giggled cutely and went "naurrrr" and hid his face in his hands.

• He, too, was blushing and gushing at how beautiful you looked in a saree. This was his first time seeing you in Indian attire too

• For five days straight, you went to different pandals in the city. (pandal is a large, temporary, open-sided tent that is often used for religious or other gathering). He was in awe of their exquisite artwork and the decorations and fairy lights and the goddess idols displayed. He was constantly taking photos and videos on his phone. He even took goofy ,silly selfies with you.

• You were too concentrated on his childlike awe at everything going on. You had never seen him like this before and secretly you found it too too adorable.

• Then came the street food, poor boy couldn't handle too much spice but luckily you had carried some small chocolates and water with you, knowing this could be an issue. As the days went by, he had tried a lot of Indian dishes and Bengali sweets as well.

• Even the friends from your locality were smitten by this boy's charms.

• On the day of the immersion of the idol, he had joined you in dancing to the upbeat music of the band playing along with the drummers. He was feeling shy at first but you pouted "pleaseee" and how could he say no to your puppy eyes especially with you looking that beautiful in your black saree.

• Soon it was time for him to go back to Australia and you were feeling down as you didn't know when you'd meet next. Your parents packed him lots of Indian food for him and told him to go safely and call you as soon as he landed so they knew he'd be safe.

• You hugged Chan on the roof of your house, crying as you didn't want to let him go and he gently rubbed your hair whispering things like "I'll be back Y/N",don't cry please it breaks my heart".

• You hugged Chan tightly again outside the airport despite the other passengers giving you both weird looks and Channie planted a sweet kiss on your cheek which made you blush and smiled at you one last time and stepped inside the airport, waving at you.

Pdhajwisuyeja I wrote ittt finally I don't know what was I thinking ahhhh 🫣🫣.

Pic/gif credits to the respective owners, only the Durga Puja pic is mine. Do like and comment and reblog if you like. Hope you liked it 🫣.

[smushedmuffin]

YAYYYYYYY!!!

eating tikha panipuri is a form of self care

[theanviksha]

Hanuman Swaroop: A Unique Dussehra Tradition of Panipat

Dussehra is celebrated with immense devotion and excitement across India. While cities like Kolkata, Mysore, and Cuttack are famous for their grand celebrations, Gujarat is known for its garba and dandiya nights, North Indians invite the Goddess into their homes through Jagrata and Kanjika bhojan and organise Ram Leela performances, there Panipat has preserved a unique tradition that turns the festival into a form of penance - the tradition of Hanuman Sabha.

What distinguishes Panipat from the rest of India is that instead of paying a tribute to a form of Shakti, the divine feminine of Hinduism or to Shri Ram’s victory over demon Ravan, Panipat celebrates the devotion and power of Lord Hanuman.

In Panipat, men dress up as Lord Hanuman, becoming Hanuman Swaroop during Dussehra. This transformation is not merely a performance but an act of devotion, one that requires immense mental and physical discipline. The journey to become Hanuman Swaroop involves a strict 41-day vow of celibacy, intense prayer, and dedication.

The Sacred Preparation

To embody Lord Hanuman is not as simple as wearing a costume. The devotees must purify their mind and body through strict adherence to ritual and customs. For 41 days, these men live away from their families, practising celibacy and staying in temples or rented homes. During this period, they avoid salted food, walk barefoot, sleep on the ground, and avoid touching or coming into contact with any woman. They commission Mukut (crown) of Lord Hanuman, which normally weighs 15-20 Kilos, bring it to their place of stay with great pomp and show and worship it four times a day. Some people follow this ritual for the entire 41 days, while some follow it for the last 11 days.

This practice is deeply spiritual and reflective of the devotees’ commitment to Brahmacharya (celibacy) and self-restraint. It’s believed that only by this purification can they truly embody the spirit of Hanuman.

Becoming Hanuman Swaroop

From Ashtami (the eighth day of Navratri), these devotees take on the full form of Hanuman. They tie ghungroos (ankle bells) to their feet, cover their bodies with sindoor (vermilion), and wear the imposing crown. This heavy adornment symbolises the weight of responsibility they now bear as they become living incarnations of Hanuman, blessing the people of Panipat.

For the next few days, they roam the streets, blessing people, dancing with elation while chanting "Jai Shree Ram" and "Jai Hanuman". Their presence fills the city with spiritual energy, and the chants of devotion and beats of drums echo through the streets all night long. Even children join in this tradition,becoming little adorable versions of Hanuman Swaroop, fondly called Banar Sena (army of apes that fought for Shri Ram).

The residents of Panipat invite the Hanuman Swaroop and their entourage to their homes. They do their aarti, offer bhog, take blessings and dance and celebrate with them.

A Tradition Rooted in History

This unique practice is said to have been brought to Panipat by the Laiyya community after Partition. For them, this tradition became a way to build identity and find solace in a time of displacement. Over the years, the practice has become synonymous with Panipat’s Dussehra, deeply embedded in the city’s cultural fabric.

Dussehra Beyond Hanuman Swaroop

The celebrations in Panipat don’t stop with Hanuman Swaroop. The city also hosts vibrant Ram Leela performances, reenacting the epic battle between Lord Ram and Ravan. On Dussehra day, effigies of Ravan, Meghnad, and Kumbhkaran are set ablaze, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. The air is thick with excitement and devotion, as people gather to witness these powerful moments.

Following the victory of Ram, the festival culminates in Bharat Milap, a celebration of the reunion between Ram and his brother Bharat, symbolising love, loyalty, and devotion. This heartwarming event brings the grand festivities to a close, leaving behind a message of unity and righteousness.

Panipat’s Hanuman Sabha reminds us of the power of tradition, devotion, and discipline in today's fast-paced world. The practice of becoming Hanuman Swaroop—a fusion of spiritual devotion and physical endurance—is a rare sight that preserves the essence of Dussehra in its purest form.

If you’ve ever had the chance to witness this unique Dussehra celebration, you’ll know it’s more than just a festival. It’s a reflection of faith, sacrifice, and the timeless connection between humans and their gods.

How do you celebrate Dussehra in your hometown? Let me know in the comments!

[akshaymehndiratta]

Most Popular And Best Dishes In India By Akshay Mehndiratta That You Must Try

India is a country where you can taste a wide variety of famous dishes and you will find many food lovers relishing the delicious flavors. In India, many food bloggers from abroad come to enjoy the famous and delicious food of the country. One such blogger is Akshay Mehndiratta, who loves not only cooking but also eating. He travels to the most famous states of India and samples their famous dishes. Through his blog, he shares recommendations for dishes he savors during his journeys, tempting your taste buds. These famous dishes are a must-try!.

1. Biriyani

Biryani, a favorite dish in India, holds a special place in the culinary world with its rich taste and aromatic spices. Food lover Akshay Mehndiratta enjoys a variety of dishes ranging from juicy chicken biryani to delicious egg biryani, delicious mutton biryani to juicy prawn biryani and even the vegetarian flavor of mushroom biryani. Each variation of biryani gives a completely unique blend of spices and ingredients, reflecting the cultural richness and culinary history of India. From aromatic Hyderabadi Dum Biryani to spicy Kolkata Biryani and aromatic Lucknowi Biryani, the surrounding specialties enrich the biryani landscape, tantalizing the senses and leaving diners yearning for more. Since Akshay loves the diverse flavors of biryani, he recommends this biryani to everyone.

2. Vada Pav

Vada pav is a vegetarian dish that brings water to the mouth. It is a famous dish in India and people are relishing this dish. Akshay says that a classic street food dish from the busy streets of Mumbai is made from spicy potato, coated in gram flour, and served with chutney and pav. This highly satisfying snack embodies the creativity of Indian street food culture, which Ashok Vaidya started selling outside the Dadar railway station in 1966. It has now reached the hearts and minds of the people and is loved by them.

3. Masala Dosa

Masala Dosa, an essential South Indian dish, is a favorite culinary treasure known for its crispy texture and delicious potato or vegetable filling. Foodie Akshay Mehndiratta also enjoyed this traditional dish, which consists of thin, golden-brown crepes in a lentil batter filled with a combination of fermented rice and spicy potatoes. Dosa is expertly folded and served with coconut chutney, spicy sambar and sometimes extremely spicy red chutney, making it a delicious dish. Be it breakfast or lunch, masala dosa never fails to create a sense of satisfaction, making it a favorite among foodies everywhere.

4. Chloe and Kulcha

Chole and Kulcha, a famous street food originating from the bustling streets of Delhi, captures the essence of North Indian flavors in a delicious and hearty snack. Chole is a spicy and tangy chickpea curry packed with aromatic spices like cumin, coriander and garam masala. This chole is served hot with kulcha. Kulcha is soft and fluffy leavened bread, often topped with ghee to make it delicious. Chole and kulcha together create a harmony of texture and taste that delights the taste buds. Akshay appreciates the culinary artistry behind this beloved street food that has made its way into the hearts and stomachs of foodies across India.

5. Kachori

Kachori, a favorite Indian snack loved for its crunchy exterior and delicious taste, is a recipe that thrills foodies across the country. Akshay Mehndiratta, deeply appreciate of traditional flavours, savors this iconic dish. Hailing from the streets of Rajasthan, Kachori is a fried flour pastry filled with a spicy mixture of lentils, peas or potatoes, flavored with aromatic spices like cumin, coriander and chilli powder. Served hot and crispy, kachori is often paired with spicy tamarind or mint chutney, which elevates its taste to new heights. Kachori, whether served as a snack or a full meal, never fails to evoke feelings of warmth and pride, making it a popular dish in Indian cuisine.

6. Bhelpuri

Akshay Mehndiratta loves Bhelpuri, a popular street food originating from the colorful streets of Mumbai. It is a beautiful combination of crunchy texture and spicy flavour. With a combination of ingredients — crunchy puffed rice, crunchy sev (thin sev made from chickpea flour), chopped onions, tomatoes and baked potatoes — served with spicy tamarind, or green chutney. this famous snack captures the spirit of Indian street food culture. You can enjoy this dish for a quick breakfast with family and friends, Bhelpuri embodies the spirit of culinary innovation and enjoyment that defines the bustling streets of Mumbai.

7. Misal Pav

Misal Pav is a Maharashtrian dish which is Akshay’s favorite dish. Originating in the colorful streets of Maharashtra, Misal Pav is a highly spicy curry prepared from sprouted moth beans, cooked in a rich and aromatic gravy with a blend of spices like cumin, coriander and turmeric. Served hot, the aromatic curry is garnished with crunchy farsan (fried salty snacks), finely chopped onions, clean coriander and lime juice, which adds a of texture and flavour. With a soft and buttery pav (bread roll), Misal Pav offers a satisfying delightful flavors in every bite.

8. Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji, a favorite street food from the bustling streets of Mumbai, It is Akshay’s favorite dish. This iconic dish includes a delicious and aromatic vegetable curry, called bhaji, which is prepared from a combination of mashed potatoes, tomatoes, onions, peas and capsicum, along with spices like cumin, coriander and garam masala. Bhaji cooked in an aromatic mixture of spices is served with smooth and buttery pav (bread roll), which is toasted with a generous amount of butter on a tawa. The dish is garnished with lemon, chopped onions and clean coriander, and it gives an unlimited taste pleasure in each bite.

Conclusion

Amidst the vibrant tapestry of Indian cuisine, Akshay Mehndiratta’s curated some list of dishes that everyone must taste it. From the aromatic allure of Biryani to the crunchy taste of Vada Pav, each dish has a unique taste that captures the essence of India’s diverse cuisine. Akshay’s passion for food and his deep appreciation for traditional flavors is reflected in every recommendation, inviting foodies on a culinary adventure from the congested streets of Delhi to the colorful lanes of Maharashtra.

If you are interested in learning more about delicacies, consider joining Akshay Mehndiratta’s journey. This journey will take you on a culinary adventure through the rich and diverse world of Indian cuisine, where you will experience the amazing flavors and health benefits of traditional Indian cuisine.