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P ān  is a betel leaf, and it is also the name of an aromatic mukhwaas or mouth-freshener. Its pronunciation is similar to that of the Spanish word pan, which means bread. Its intricate combination of tastes and textures provides an unforgettable experience. In many parts of Asia, it has deep cultural and social importance. In India, it has been a part of customary practices for millennia and it is often consumed as a post-meal delight since it is considered to aid in digestion. In A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food , K. T. Achaya states that betel leaf originated in Southeast Asia. Its widespread adoption in social settings to foster camaraderie by sharing or offering it to visitors, kith and kin, as part of social etiquette are well documented in Indian historical accounts. The references to p ā n appear in ancient Indian treatises too. In the acclaimed Kamasutra , Vatsyayana counsels couples to enhance their pleasure of making love by eating betel leaves, applying fragrant sa

Walls in Ranchi, the Capital City of Jharkhand, Adorned with Sohrai Source: Dr. Richa Singh India is predominantly an agrarian economy. In India, agriculture and the corresponding sectors provide the majority of employment. Agriculture continues to be the main source of income for 70% of rural households in the country, with 82% of farmers being small-scale or marginal producers. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ( FAO ) states that India is the world's top producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, groundnuts, vegetables, fruit, and cotton. It also holds the top spot in the world rankings for milk, pulses, and jute. In addition, it ranks highly in the production of fish, poultry, cattle, spices, and plantation crops. In 2012, it had 190 million cattle, the second-largest population in the world. Having a broad landmass and a varied climate, it is seventh largest country globally by area. Due to differences in major crops and climate, harvest festivals are observ

When you attend a Bihari wedding, you also avail the opportunity to explore the artistic journey of the clay elephant which narrates its story from kiln to ceremony and that it's not just limited to clay and nuptial knots, but it goes beyond. The inclusion of handcrafted elephants in Bihari weddings and pujas symbolizes the intricate intertwining of history, culture, and spirituality and goes beyond mere artistic expression.  The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) at Bengaluru houses a number of paintings and creative collections of a renowned artist Upendra Maharathi who lived in Bihar. This exquisite terracotta elephant is part of his extensive collection of Bihar-related artifacts.  Source: Dr. Richa Singh  Historical Background:  For Bihar's culture and history, elephants and pottery have both been extremely significant. Following the Later Vedic Period (1000-600 BCE), Bihar provided a fertile ground for the emergence of the Shramana movement by facilitating the upsurge

Kothi (large clay or metal storage pot)  Source: Dr. Richa Singh Vechaar (Vishalla Environmental Center for Heritage of Art, Architecture and Research) Utensils Museum, located in the dynamic city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat is a singular tribute to the rich creative and cultural legacy of Gujarat in particular as well as other parts of India in general, conveyed via the means of traditional Indian utensils. The idea for Vechaar Museum came from Surendra C. Patel, who wanted to highlight and preserve India's rich heritage of domestic utensils. The museum's founders wanted to create an environment that would inspire and educate both the current and next generation in addition to housing artifacts from the past. He has always been captivated by the forms, dimensions, materials, and functions of domestic objects. He would keenly visit Ahmedabad's Sunday Market, or "Gujari," as a child. His visits inspired him to collect nutcrackers as a hobby. And with time he collected

Rajasthani Handmade Traditional Applique and Embroidery Patchwork  Source: Dr. Richa Singh Rajasthan, often known as the "Land of Colours," or "Rangeelo Rajasthan" is well known for its colorful atmosphere, which permeates all facets of daily life in the region. The wide range of hues that define Rajasthan are the result of a number of elements. The attire donning during their several different ceremonies, festivities, rituals, folk dance performances and even on a regular basis is a visual delight. Rajasthani people are known for their vivid and strikingly coloured traditional clothing.  Rajasthani women's traditional attire consists of a ghaghra (voluminous skirt), kurti , choli or kanchli (blouse), and odhani (headscarf). Women in the past wore this ensemble in shanties and palaces alike, with the exception that the elite women used fabrics and ornaments which were expensive, and extravagant. Rajput women were customarily married off to far-off princely ter