north-east Archives - Ghoomophiro

Delicacies from North-East

7 sisters as they are often known as are famous for its beautiful amalgam of culture. The place is endowed with natural beauty and a large part is still untapped. So far you must have heard about places to visit in North-east India. This time, let’s take you to another facet of the place, which is yet to be discovered, is the variety of cuisines, that place offers for food lovers. Though most of them are non-vegetarian they are less spicy and very healthy. Let me take you the culinary ride to these states with topmost delicacy from each state

Khar (Assam)

“Khar” is the key delicacy for Assamese. Traditional Assamese lunch usually starts with “Khar”. It is prepared by filtering pulp of raw papaya, pulses and few herbs through dried banana ashes. Ginger paste & mustard oil is added as per taste. It is quite refreshing and healthy. Kol Posola Khar & Papaya Khar is its variants.

Smoked pork from Nagaland

Pork is the main source of meat in Nagaland. It is usually prepared by boiling the dried smoked pork in soup, which consists of tomato, chilies and local herbs. Once fried with soup, one can feel the taste of bamboo shoots and soup inside which makes it lovable for pork lovers. Its deep smoky flavor makes it to top the food charts. Apparently, it tastes super with steamed plain rice. Chives are added to garnish it.

Eromba from Manipur

Eromba is the traditional cuisine of Meitei Community of Manipur. It is very spicy unlike other north-eastern cuisines as Chilli is the main ingredient of the cuisine. It is a tasteful combination of the favorite local ingredients like fermented dried fish, fermented bamboo-shoot and Raja/King chili. It goes well with rice and bread. Key for good Eromba is sweet smelling fermented fish.

Jadoh from Meghalaya

Jadoh is rice and meat-based Khasi delicacy from Meghalaya. It is famous pulao in Meghalaya and is usually cooked with minimum oil and spices which makes it all the more favorable for health-conscious folks. Jadoh is usually prepared with hill rice or joha rice, which is short-grained, which is mixed with succulent pieces of Pork, chopped onions, green chilies and ginger garlic paste. Jadoh is generally served with Tungrymbai, ferment soy paste and Dohneiiong, pork with sesame seeds.

Bai from Mizoram

Bai is the primarily a stew kind of dish and is very popular amongst Mizos. Bai could be vegetable Bai, or non -vegetarian as well. For non-vegeterian Bai, base is kept as pork, where-in spinach chopped cauliflower, beans, spices; rice and diced potato are boiled with water. It is heated till rice, meat are not cooked. The dish is healthy due to good content of spinach. Bamboo shoots make it more palpable and aromatic.

Awan Bangwi from Tripura

Awan Babgwi is a kind of dessert typical in Tripura. Prime ingredients used for this includes rice, cashew/raisins/ginger gratings; Rice is soaked overnight. It is then grinded with rest of the ingredients to make a paste, which is then wrapped in Laiu leaves in the form of cones. Its texture is both aromatic, and spicy.

Gyathuk from Sikkim

It is primarily a noodle-based soup and is often called as “Thupka”. It is usually an appetizer but due to veggies/meat, it is quite filling. It is very soothing for the chilly winters in these areas. It can be served hot after garnishing it with spring onions.

Hungry Kya!! Pack your bags for North-east and enjoy the wide variety of healthy and tasty food!!!

Must Do’s at Tawang

Located in Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang is one of the most picturesque places in north-east. What makes is more beautiful is the variety of scenic landscapes you get to witness during your journey. Color, landscape changes with every curve. From Bright yellow mustard fields merging with orchids that suddenly morph into dense forests and then to snow clad mountains. “Journeys are more important than destination”- this holds true for road trip to Tawang. Surrounded by Tibet to its north, Sela range of West Kameng to the east and Bhutan in the southwest direction in itself makes it a surreal place. Though you will be rewarded by stunning waterfalls, mesmerizing valleys, here is my quick Must-visits, while you in Tawang.

Sela Pass

Situated at the height of 13,714 ft above mean sea level, Sela pass connects Tawang to Tezpur and Guwahati and one of the highest motorable pass in the world. On the way to Sela pass is Paradise Lake. While summers at Sela Pass are not very cold, but temperature goes to as low as -10 degree in winters. The place is rightly called as “heaven on earth” due to its breathtaking views.

Tawang Monastery

As the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama, Tawang boasts of being the holy site for Tibetan Buddhists and a prominent center for Gelug or Gelugpa, the pre-eminent Buddhist school in Tibet. This monastery is the 2^nd largest in Asia & largest in Asia, and one of the oldest monasteries as well. It is also known as Golden Namgyal Lhatse . The story behind the monastery is interesting. It is believed that Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso, could not find a suitable place for monastery, so he decided to pray for guidance. When he opened his eyes, he found his horse was on the top of hill, where present day monastery is there. It is the main venue of Torgva festival. Several manuscripts, religious books can be found in the place.

Gorichen Peak

Located at a distance of 160 Kms of Tawang, this peak has religious sentiments attached to it. It is also known as Sa-Nga Phu, which literally means the Kingdom of Deity, and is assumed that it protects the place from evils. Place is hikers’ paradise. The entire trek journey is amazing and adventurous. Once you are at the peak, the entire journey seems worth because of the splendid views.

Shonga-tser Lake

Alternatively known as Madhuri Lake, is located at a distance of 40Kms from Tawang. It is the best example of how nature changes the landscapes. It is the resultant of a massive earthquake, which was otherwise grassland for local cattle. Lake is highly photogenic and boasts of being photographer’s delight. Stroll around the lake is indeed soulful and enticing.

Nuranang Waterfalls

Located 40 Kms away from Tawang, this is another spectacular waterfall, which you will not like to miss. Known as Jang falls, due to its proximity to Jang, small township between Tawang & Bomdila..There is a Hydel power station nearby, which can be visited. River Rafting can be done in summers. For SRK fans, this is the place where Koyala was shot.

Pankang Teng Tso Lake

Surrounded by the Himalayas, Pankang Teng Tso Lake, also called as Ptso Lake is situated 17 km from Tawang. It’s all about the nature that speaks at the lake. It is frozen almost half of the year and is good ground for skiing. Calm water, moving clouds, grazing animals, all look like scenery which can be painted only in mind. Place is highly recommended for all nature shooters.

Jaswant Garh

Built in the memory of Paramvir Chakra recipient Jaswant Singh, it is a must visit place. It is believed, he still protects the Indo-China border. Apparently, he fought for 72 hrs alone during Indo-China war in 1962 and is duly respected within Indian and Chinese army fraternity.

Tawang is one place, which will always refresh you from the city buzz and offers the nature at its best. This summer, don’t wait!! Just pack your bags and go to Tawang.