A Tour to Churches of North India

North India is famous for its tourist attractions including religious sites of Hindus and Muslims. Besides, the region is also home to a number of finest churches of the country, which are visited by Christians and large number of tourists as well. Built several years ago, the churches of North India are known for their architectural styles and beautiful designs. So, venture out on a church tour this vacation and experience the ultimate spirituality in the peaceful interiors. Some of the famous churches of North India are :

St. Stephen’s Church (New Delhi) : St. Stephen’s Church lies on the main Church Mission road. Built in the year 1862, the rectangular Romanesque church reflects the typical Gothic style. You will certainly amazed by seeing the high ceiling with baroque style of decoration. Main attractions of the church is the stained glass rose window, while fine plasters forming an arcade on either side of the lined column add more to its charm. The interiors with all its motives, carvings, icons and furnitures has also been preserved well.

Church of Redemption (New Delhi) : The Church of Redemption is situated to the east of Parliament House and belongs to the Church of North India. A simple yet attractive the Anglican church was designed by Henry Medd and completed in 1935 in eight years. Though the exterior of the church is ordinary, but interior with red sand stone roofing is very conspicuous. The church has small recessed openings and an attractive glass window and the spiritual aura of the church is enhanced by the light streaming through its crescent windows.

Sardhana Church (Meerut) : Built by Begum Samru in 1822, the Sardhana Church is one of the finest churches of its time. The interiors of the church are awesome with impressive sculptures by an Italian sculptor Adano Tadolini. Earlier the church was known as a Cathedral but in 1961, Pope John XXII proclaimed it as a minor Basilica – a rare honour revered for beautiful and historically popular churches. Outside the church, a beautiful marble statue of Our Lady of the Graces presides over a massive marble altar, inlaid with floral designs in semiprecious stones.

All Saints Cathedral (Allahabad) : Locally referred as the Pathar Girja (meaning stone church), All Saints Cathedral is one of the most famous landmarks of the city. Designed by Sir William Emerson, the cathedral is a typical European edifice. Built in the 13th century in Gothic style of architecture, the church stands like a rock like structure. Considered one of the finest cathedrals in India, the church is known for its stained glass work displaying exquisite craftsmanship.

Kasauli Church (Uttarakhand) : Situated on the Mall near Kasauli’s bus stand, the Christ Church is one of the most tastefully designed buildings and a fine specimen of the erstwhile English architecture. The church was built in the shape of cross by the British families who also laid the foundation of the town in 1842. The most striking feature of the church is its elegantly done stained glass paintings. An amazing resplendence illuminates the church when the sun rays falls on these stained glasses.

Churches of Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh) : The Christ Church and The Catholic Church are the architectural jewells in the town of Pachmarhi. A Protestant Church, the Christ Church is also called Black Church and considered the most beautiful church in Madhya Pradesh. The church’s sanctum sanctorum has a hemispherical dome on top with its ribs ending with faces of angels. While the Catholic Church called Red Church is a blend of French and Irish architecture.

Chandigarh – A City with Myriad Beauty

Far from the maddening stressful life of the cities, Chandigarh is an ideal getaway from Delhi. From pulsating vibes to pristine view, Chandigarh offer everything to please the tourists. India’s first planned city Chandigarh provides a perfect holidaying option, here one can recharge his batteries and spend quality time with family.

Situated in the foothills of Shivalik hills, Chandigarh is known for its scenic surroundings and modern architecture. The city offers excellent avenues for outings and enjoyment with the family. Quiet and peaceful, Chandigarh is engulfed in green environs.

Chandigarh the combined capital of the states of Haryana and Punjab makes a gateway to the Himalayas and most adored tourist places like Shimla and Chail. The city has enough of sites and sound to captivate the visitors. Chandigarh’s main attraction Rock Garden, is the brainchild of Nek Chand and attracts millions of tourists every year. An outstanding work of art, the rock garden has been created by using waster material. With his imagination, Nek Chand has given the artistic twists to waste material to create a magnificent setting.

Besides the rock garden, Chandigarh has a number of other gardens including the famous Rose Garden. Other big draws of the city are the Chrysanthemum Garden, The Bougainvillaea Garden, Fragrance Garden, Shanti Kunj and Terrace Garden. All these gardens offer plenty of options, and one can easily spend close to a week exploring these gardens.

Sukhna Lake, situated close to the Shivalik hill draws thousands of visitors every day. Whether for a family picnic or boating, Sukhna lake is a perfect place. Capital Complex, Open Hand, Museum and Art Gallery, Chandi Mandir and International Dolls Museum other attractions of Chandigarh.

Cuisines of North India

From Rajasthan to Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, the cuisines of North India changes several times and takes so many avatars. Perhaps no any other region of the country challenges to the culinary challenges to culinary chronicler as North India. Here I am providing a fleeting glimpse of the variety of scrumptious cuisines that you cane savour in North India.

Cuisines of Delhi : Delhi offers food for all seasons,like a bottle of chilled ‘bantewala soda’ poured into Nimbu-Pudien ka Paani for summer. During summers you can also enjoy kulfi falooda – the rock solid kulfi hidden beneath a delicious mix of falooda, nuts and syrup. In winters, usually breakfast comprises of lachhedar parantha with butter or the ‘Sarson da saag and makki di roti’ made. Visit the Paranthewali Gali where you can savour paranthas with some chilled thandai. Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk is famous for chaats and chhole bhature. The famous Karim restaurant offer delicious Biryani, chickens and muttons. For Rasagulla and other Bengali sweets visit the Bengali market.

Punjab – Haryana – Chandigarh : All these places are famous for the creamy lassi savoured on hot summer days. Summers and winters remain extreme here, but round the year you will find roadside carts carrying clay tandoors (sanjha choola). You can take kneaded dough and ghee from your home and get fresh tandoori rotis made. During winter people eat sweet cooked rice, garjrela, sarson da saag and makki di roti. Also savour peethiwali puri, aloo chhole, gur ka halwa, snacks of mathri with amm ka achaar (mango pickle), paneer pakoras and toshe.

Himachal Pradesh : Himachal Pradesh is the land of fruits such as plums, plump peaches, litchis, figs, apricots, pears, apples and pomegranates. Jams and chutneys of the Himachal region are also famous. Green Apple chutney of Himachal is unique to this region and liked by visitors. Himachali food is a delicious melange of influences from Punjab and its neighbouring Tibet. Some of the specialties of Himachal include Sepu wadi (urad dal wadis), rajma madra, chaas mutton, til chutney and boondi kadhi or bedana. Locals drink namkeen chai (salted tea), tea leaves are boiled for a long time with butter, almonds and salt, then strained and served piping hot. Some other favourites are dhoti maa and meethe chawal. Everyday meal is the usual rice, vegetables, bread and dal. During festive occasions special dishes are cooked. People living in mountainous areas love chicken and mutton spiced with generous doses of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and red chillies and prefer dum or tandoor modes of cooking.

Uttar Pradesh : Uttar Pradesh is known for a variety of cuisine. You can savour the vegetarian saatvik food of Varanasi to the legendary non-vegetarian dishes from Awadhi royal gharanas to Lucknow’s tender kababs, fragrant biryanis and thick fvalourful meat preparations. Lucknow is world famous for its dum cooking – a technique integral to India’s culinary legacy. Some delectable tastes of this region are the tunde ke kababs of Lucknow, chaats of Meerut Cantonment and Kanpur’s makhhan. Nargisi kofta is another specialty of Awadhi cooks. Breakfast generally means nihari with naan.

Jammu and Kashmir : Three different styles of cooking prevail in the state. Muslims, Kashmiri Pandits and Rajputs each follow their own eating traditions. Rice forms the staple food of Kashmir, another characteristic of Kashmiri cuisine is the liberal dose of saffron or kesar. The medium of cooking is chiefly mustard oil. Kasmir valley is famous for its kahwa tea, which is not only flavoured with cardamom and saffron but also with almonds. Nun chai or green tea is another specialty of Kashmir, which is boiled for a long time and drunk with salt instead of sugar. Tradition of Wazawan is a special feature of Kashmir. A delectable 36-course ceremonial banquet, Wazawan is essentially meat based, prepared by skilled wazas (cooks) under the supervision of the Vasta Waza or the master chef.

Rajasthan : Best known Rajasthani food is the combination of dal, baati and choorma. However, for food lovers, there is plenty more to choose from. In fact, in Rajasthan each region is distinguished by its popular sweet – ladoos from Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, Ghevar from Jaipur, Mawa from Alwar and malpuas from Pushkar. Rajasthan is also the home of the tangy appetiser jaljeera and myriad chutney made from turmeric, coriander, mint and garlic. Rajasthani cooking is greatly influenced by the harsh climate and non-availability of several ingredients. Bajra and corn are used all over the state for khichdi and thick bhakris. The cuisine of the Marwari Jains is prepared without onions and garlic. Some of the famous non-vegetarian dishes are safed maas, laal maas and mass ki kadhi.