TRAVEL TO FALL IN LOVE WITH A BEACH COUNTRY in Coastal Karnataka, India

It was a beautiful morning and our car was cruising smoothly on the National Highway 17 from Mangalore towards north on the coastal road. Tommy Singh, my friend had joined me at Mangalore on the previous evening. Together we had gone to witness an awesome event at Mangalore-"The Kambala", a buffalo race!

We were entering into a beach country of the state of Karnataka. While looking at the passing landscape of the occasional view of the Arabian Sea to the west and the hills dotted with the village houses, the plantations of Arecanut and coconut trees to the east, the passing folks on the road in the local costumes, I thought of whether I would be able to see this wonderland called India in my life time.

Our destination was Murudeshwar, the final frontier of spirituality and pilgrimage situated on the most scenic beach, a journey of about 175 km from Mangalore with a night halt at Maravanthe

Udupi:
After a drive of about two hours we reached the township of Udupi. A town with a rustic charm. We visited the famous
Krishna Temple with it's spell bounding golden chariot. Of course, Udupi is known for it's great cuisine all around the country. There are more than 1000 Udupi restaurants in India.

We had sumptuous snacks with steaming idlis (boiled rice and lentil balls with tamarind spiced lentil curry and coconut sauce) at Hotel Navrang, Udupi and left for more enchanting places.

Malpe:
Suddenly we were stunned!
A 5 km from Udupi and we were at a beautiful beach of Malpe. Wow! What a sight it was, a beauty. Malpe was a scenic fishing village We spent some time walking around and then took a boat to The St. Mary's Islands with the sea salted breeze cooling our faces.

The St. Mary's Islands:
St. Mary's isles are group of islands accessible by ferry from Malpe. Vascoda Gama appears to have touched the island in 1498 before he reached Calicut. The Islands are just a few scattered projections of rock rising out of the Arabian Sea round about Malpe. The northern most island is about a square mile in area and not more than 250 yards in width. It has a coconut garden, which makes it the shadiest isle of the group and gives it a true south sea color.

It is noted for its famous basalt rocks, which have crystallized into columns and split into hexagonal mosaic. Perhaps, this is the only spot in India where basaltic rocks show up such peculiar formations.

The waves hit the rocks with awesome force and the crevices between rocks have enough water to breed a mini ecosystem within. We found a multi-colored crab, but he was camera shy, so after wondering about and enjoying the nature's wonder, we started back to Malpe.

Maravanthe:
The thrilling journey continued for another 50 km to north on NH17 passing the township of Kundapur to yet another incredible beach of Maravanthe! My goodness, I thought. Nature's jewels one after another! Was it a dream or a reality? But we were there, very much. Maravanthe was a sea side township with a picturesque and virgin beach on one side and the Satuparnika River on the other side. With the backdrop of mountains, we could see the miles and miles of white sand and with the sun setting on the western horizon, the waters of the Arabian Sea were turning gold. The place out of the leaves of the fairy tales books.
Our halt was at The Turtle Bay Beach Resort, Maravanthe, a beautiful place with the dancing coconut groves and soft cool breeze add to the already perfect natural surroundings.
In the late evening we had been discussing on Maravanthe beach and concluded that it was one of the finest beaches in the world!
I didn't sleep well that night. One, I fell in love with Maravanthe and second, what wonderful surprises tomorrow will bring when we arrive at Murudeshwar.

Stay:
Turtle Bay Beach Resort
Kanchugodu, Gujjadi P.O., Kundapur Taluk,Udupi District - 576 213
Phone: +91-8254- 45422, +91-98441 25712

TRAVEL TO EXOTIC PORT OF MANGALORE WITH IT'S CULINARY HERITAGE, South West Coast, Karnataka, India

I saw her deep blue eyes watching me intently, reminding me of the calmness and depth of the Arabian Sea. I had probably lost the thread of the conversation......

"Sorry, Asha, what did you say"? I asked her a bit sheepishly. Her eyes smiled mischievously, I thought.
"I asked, when are you leaving for Murudeshwar on your pilgrimage?"
"Oh, that. Day after tomorrow", I replied.

She had stunned me the moment she entered in the restaurant of The Majarun Hotel, Old Port Road, Mangalore, a beautiful city of the south coastal belt of the state of Karnataka. Asha, was a doctor at the Manipal Medical Collage Hospital and she was still wearing her working white coat over a purple sari. She looked great! I was supposed to deliver a parcel her relative had given me at Mumbai.

"Wouldn't you like to show me around your beautiful town", I asked her.
"Sorry Kiran, I wish I could but I have an emergency duty tomorrow", I thought she was honest.

Extending from the Arabian Sea and fertile forested ridges with their thriving plantations of coffee, spices and fruit, to the drier, boulder-strewn region, the Karnataka's scenic diversity had always fascinated me. The historical monuments, temples, mosques, buffalo races, estuary of Netavati and Gurpur rivers, palaces, lip smacking cuisine and great beaches. The state is a traveler's paradise!

Next day I started early to see some of the exotic places in Mangalore. I was amazed looking at the panorama of terracotta roofed houses nestling amidst groves of coconut palm trees, whitewashed churches, temples and mosques. Some of the interesting place I visited were:

1/ Sultan battery: a watch tower
2/ The churches at the foot of the Kadiri Hill
3/ Manjunath Temple with bronze images of Budddha
4/ The pristine beach resort of Ullal
and finally the pilgrimage town of
5/ Dharamasthala

The regional food of South India had been my weakness since my childhood. So I rushed back to my hotel, whose restaurant is one of the finest eatery joint in the town. The chef, Mr. Ramgopal Shetty was nice to me who joined me for a dinner.

When asked about the regional differences between various South Indian Eating habits and cuisine, this was his reply:

"Mangaloreans eat a very good and heavy breakfast. There are a variety of breakfast they make in the morning, these can be Idli, Neer Dose, Urdu Dose, Pundi (Kind of rice idli and is hard), sajjige bajill (Khara bath with pova), Moode (kind of Idli), Pathrode, semige (kind of Rice Noodle). These are all traditional Mangalore dishes and are made always in the conventional method.

Breakfast is always served with Tea or Coffee sometimes people prefer "Ganji" (boiled rice water) with little salt. In villages people eat "Ganji" in the morning with little Pickle or Dry Fish chutney. Afternoon Mangaloreans do not have heavy lunch, they eat raw rice or "Urpel Ari" (Boiled Rice which is dark brown in colour) with some coconut vegetable gravy, pickle and butter milk.

This region is famous for its unique seafood preparations which are cooked in the variety of ways, from spicy fish curries to pungent masala fried fish, grilled or curried Tiger Prawns, or baked Crabs. In addition to this, pork dishes, Kori Sukkas, Kori Rotti, Ganji, Chutney and dry fish curry are perfectly complemented with boiled rice. Fish is in Mangalorean`s everyday diet, it is eaten with boiled rice.

For dinner boiled rice is eaten with coconut fish gravy or fish fry.

Cashew Liquor (Fenny) and Toddy (palm wine) are the traditional drinks that lightens any social gathering. Snuff, Beedi and Betel-Leaf chewing are the common habits in the rural areas of the district."

Mangalorean Recipes:
"+"= add

FISH FRY

Preparation:
make a paste of
3 spoons of red chili powder
1 spoon of turmeric powder
2 spoons of lime juice
salt
2 spoons of tamarind pulp...............make a thick paste

Method:
spread the above chili masala on the fish pieces thoroughly.........keep it aside for 30 minutes
roll the fish pieces on the rava ( thin sooji) or bread crumbs and shallow fry the fish pieces

Garnish the fish pieces with onion and lemon rings


CHICKEN SUKKA

Preparation:
grate 1 full coconut
chop 2 onions
wet grind........grated coconut, 4-5 red chillis, 4-5 pepper pods, 2 spoons of coriander seeds, 1/2 spoon of menthe seeds, 1 spoon of jeera (cumin seeds, all roasted in 3-4 spoons of oil), 1 packet of whole garam masala (Indian spices), 3-4 garlic pods, 1/2 spoon turmeric powder

Method:
Heat 5-6 spoons of ghee or butter in a vessel
+2 cups of chopped onions .......................fry until golden brown
+chicken pieces
+the ground wet masala
+salt
+1/2 cup water...............allow it to boil until chicken is done.

Season it with 5-6 spoons of ghee, lots of curry leaves and 3 spoons of onion.


MANGALORE ALOO BONDA

Preparation:
boil and smash 1/2 kg potatoes

Method:
take smashed potatoes in a vessel
+3 chopped green chillies
+few chopped Indian curry leaves
+2 spoon of grated coconut
+few drops of asfoetidia water
+2 spoons of lime juice
+salt............mix all the ingredients well and make small balls

Meanwhile............
take 1 cup of besan (gram flour)
+1 cup water
+salt
+few drops of asfoetida water
+1 spoon of chillis powder
+1/2 spoon of turmeric water.......mix it well, make a drip consistency batter

Heat oil in the frying pan
take the potatoes balls , dip into the batter and deep fry

Serve for evening tea

PEAS KURMA

Preparation:
Boil 1 cup of green peas
Boil 2-3 potatoes

Method:
wet grind....................1 cup grated coconut
+6 green chillies
+2 spoons of coriander seeds
+3 spoons of onion (fried in oil)
+1/2 spoon turmeric powder
+3 garlic pods
+2 red dry chillies.........keep the masala aside

Heat a vessel, pour the masala
+ boiled peas and potatoes..........give it a boil for 20 minutes
season it with 2 spoons of oil, 1/2 spoon of mustard seeds and curry leaves

Serve it hot with rice or puri


stay:
MANJARUN HOTEL, Old Port Road, Mangalore
e mail: manjarunmangalore@tajhotels.com
Phone; 91-824420420

GOSH, IS THIS INDIA?

Dazzling display of colors of the national flag by girls
on The Republic Day.

AMAZING FACTS ABOUT INDIA!

• The official Sanskrit name for India is Bharat.

• The name `India’ is derived from the River Indus, the valleys around which were the home of the early settlers. The Aryan worshipers referred to the river Indus as the Sindhu.

• The Persian invaders converted it into Hindu. The name `Hindustan’ combines Sindhu and Hindu and thus refers to the land of the Hindus.

• “The number system” was invented by India. Aryabhatta was the scientist who invented the digit zero.

• Sanskrit is considered as the mother of all higher languages. This is because it is the most precise, and therefore suitable language for computer software. ( a report in Forbes magazine, July 1987 ).

• Chess was invented in India.
• Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus are studies which originated in India.

• The 'place value system' and the 'decimal system' were developed in 100 BC in India.

• The first six Mogul Emperor's of India ruled in an unbroken succession from father to son for two hundred years, from 1526 to 1707.

• The World's First Granite Temple is the Brihadeswara temple at Tanjavur in Tamil Nadu. The shikhara is made from a single ' 80-tonne ' piece of granite. Also, this magnificent temple was built in just five years, (between 1004 AD and 1009 AD) during the reign of Rajaraja Chola

• India is.......the largest democracy in the world, the 6th largest country in the world AND one of the most ancient and living civilizations (at least 7,000 years old).

• The game of snakes & ladders was created by the 13th century poet saint Gyandev. It was originally called 'Mokshapat.' The ladders in the game represented virtues and the snakes indicated vices. The game was played with cowrie shells and dices. Later through time, the game underwent several modifications but the meaning is the same i.e good deeds take us to heaven and evil to a cycle of re-births.

• The world's highest cricket ground is in Chail, Himachal Pradesh.
Built in 1893 after leveling a hilltop, this cricket pitch is 2444 meters above sea level.

• India has the maximum post offices in the world !

• The largest employer in the world is the Indian railway system, employing over
a million people !

• The World's first university was established in Takshila in 700 BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.

• Ayurveda (herbal medicine and surgery science) is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. The father of medicine, Charaka, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.

• Although modern images & descriptions of India especially by media often show poverty, India was one of the richest countries till the time of British in the early 17th Century. Christopher Columbus was attracted by India's wealth and was looking for route to India when he discovered America by mistake.

• Even today, some top billionaires of the world are from India!

THE BILLIONAIRES, Top 16, "Forbes, 2008"
1 Warren Buffett
2 Carlos Slim Helu
3 William Gates III
4 Lakshmi Mittal, Indian
5 Mukesh Ambani, -do-
6 Anil Ambani, -do-
7 Ingvar Kamprad
8 KP Singh, Indian
9 Oleg Deripaska
10 Karl Albrecht
11 Li Ka-shing
12 Heldon Adelson
13 Bernard Arnault
14 Lawrence Ellison
15 Roman Abramovich

16 Theo Albrecht

diverse culture and tolerance

• The art of Navigation & Navigating was born in the river Sindh 6000 over years ago. The very word 'Navigation' is derived from the Sanskrit word NAVGATIH. The word navy is also derived from the Sanskrit word 'Nou'.

• Bhaskaracharya rightly calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the sun hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. His calculations was - Time taken by earth to orbit the sun: (5th century) 365.258756484 days.

• The value of "pi" was first calculated by the Indian Mathematician Budhayana, and he explained the concept of what is known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this in the 6th century, which was long before the European mathematicians.

• Algebra, trigonometry and calculus also originated from India. Quadratic equations were used by Sridharacharya in the 11th century. The largest numbers the Greeks and the Romans used were 106 whereas Hindus used numbers as big as 10*53 ( i.e 10 to the power of 53 ) with specific names as early as 5000 B.C. during the Vedic period. Even today, the largest used number is Tera: 10*12( 10 to the power of 12 ).

• Until 1896, India was the only source for diamonds to the world. (Source . Gemological Institute of America )

• The Bailey bridge is the highest bridge in the world. It is located in the Ladakh valley between the Dras and Suru rivers in the Himalayan mountains. It was built by the Indian Army in August 1982.

• Sushruta is regarded as the father of surgery. Over 2600 years ago Sushrata & his team conducted complicated surgeries like cataract, artificial limbs, cesareans, fractures, urinary stones and also plastic surgery and brain surgeries.

• Usage of anesthesia was well known in ancient India medicine. Detailed knowledge of anatomy, embryology, digestion, metabolism, physiology, etiology, genetics and immunity is also found in many ancient Indian texts.

based partly from:
http://www.indianchild.com/amazing_facts_of_India.htm