Which South Indian Traditional Dish is missing from our plates?

 Nowadays due to change of lifestyle, we really miss many healthy foods which our ancestors have left for us as a everlasting treasure.

But we are not utilising it and we especially, the urban dwellers are turning to Pizza , Kofta, Panner Butter Masala, Burger, Cheese, etc which contain high fats and carbohydrates that will only result in disease.

Some of the dishes which were regular in our Tamil cuisine is only done in villages or once in a year for festivals and that's the saddest truth.

What I had before 15 years are no more common in my home and some of them are….

Palaya Soru ( fermented rice)

Once, a morning dish which was made by the leftover rice of the previous night is done very rarely nowadays.

It was mainly done by my grandma and as she later settled in our village, I haven't eaten this dish for many years .

Panakkam

When I was small, my mom used to do this daily during summers and now I have grown up and she no more prepares this.

Nowadays, this ancient drink is only prepared on Ramanavami and on Tamil Puthandu( Tamil New year)

Adai Dosai

Believe me- Adai is more healthier than the normal dosa ( Normal dosa too is healthier without adding ghee/ butter).

Adai is done by mixing 6 types of paruppu( dals).

We do it once in a week but this dish is getting forgotten in many homes.

Ulundu Soru

Ulundu Soru is made from Ulundu( Urad Dal).

Unlike Ulunda Vadai and other rice types which became famous, its so sad that Ulundu soru didn't gain its importance.

Please try out this healthy dish.

Ulundu Kali.

This is actually a healthy sweet( sugar is not added) which is made on Thiruvadhrai/ Karthigai Deepam .

Nowadays only in villages, people make this.

Veppalai Poo Kulambu

After eating this kulambu, all the worms from your stomach will run away.

When I was small, my mother did this during summer( we had a neem tree) but now no more…

I really miss you sweet liitle dish…..

Murunga Keerai Poriyal

Everyone know the health benefits of Murunga Keerai( Drumstick leaves).

It has high iron content and good for blood.

As these leaves are no more available in cities, I miss this poriyal.

I only get to eat this when I visit my village..

Sundakai Kulambu

Again a healthy and tasty Kulambu, as this plant only grows in villages, its not available in cities/ towns.

Agathi Keerai Poriyal

No words to say about this leaf because its health benefits are numerous…

Agathi Keerai Poriyal done on Amavasai days.

I heard before 50 years ,people used to eat even more healthy dishes mainly which consisted millets, Navadhanyams and other indigenous rice varieties and that's why they lived healthier .

What food should every tourist visiting South India try?

 When you are visiting Tamil Nadu you should definitely try these items

1.Idli : First thing to try is our Idli. Well you can get idli in other south indian states too but the batter composition is different in Tamil Nadu and it is too soft, spongy and bright white compared to other state. We used to call it as Malligai Poo Idly (Jasmine idly) because of its colour and softness.

2. Idiyappam with Coconut Milk : You can even add a pinch of cardamom to the cocount milk if you prefer.

3. Ven Pongal with Medhu Vadai : Another most popular breakfast in Tamil Nadu.

4. Full Meals : While travelling in Tamil Nadu you should not miss our full meals. Number of dishes and currys may differ depending upon the place and the restaurant.

5. Dindugal Briyani : Contender from our state for the Briyani competition. Contrary to the basmati rice we use Seeraga Samba which is comparitively small and adds a special taste to the briyani. Another difference is its colour. A typical Dindugal briyani will be brown in color.

Some other traditional dishes to try

6. Adai Aviyal :

7. Asoka Halwa : Made from Moong Dal. Try this in Tiruvaiyaru for authentic taste.

8. Paal Paniyaaram :

9. Vaazhaipoo Vadai :

10: Maangai Pachadi : A sweet dish made from Mangoes. Some used to add Neem flower to enhance its taste.

11: Ilaneer Payasam : Gheer made from tender coconut

12. Kambu Koozh :

What are some must-see tourist places in South India?

 1. Gandikota

A small village located right on the bank of the river Pennar in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, Gandikota is also known as the Grand Canyon of India. Getting there might be a bit of an adventure, but once you're inside the place, there are no means of transportation. Thank god for that. One really needs to spend time enjoying what Gandikota has to offer. There is a great downhill trek through the canyon leading to the riverbed

If you haven't been able to figure out a trip down south, thinking there isn't a lot to do, this article is just the wake up call you need. Because no, Goa doesn't count as a trip to the South. There's SO much more that South India has to offer. Take a look at these stunning places that are still fairly unexplored.

2. Araku Valley

A coffee enthusiast would know the importance of Araku valley. Famous for its coffee plantations, India’s first tribal growers' organic coffee brand was launched in the Araku Valley in 2007. The premium organic "Araku Emerald" brand of coffee sells globally. Inhabited by different tribes, Araku is a hill station in the Vishakapatnam district. A perfect getaway from the hustle-bustle of the city, this valley is surrounded by mountains like Galikonda, Raktakonda, Sunkarimetta and Chitamogondi. The valley is connected by both rail and road to the city of Vishakapatnam. There are two railway stations at Araku on the Kothavalasa-Kirandul railway line of Visakhapatnam division of the East Coast Railway, on the Indian Railways network. Shimiliguda railway station is located at an altitude of 996 meters above mean sea level. Beautiful, and mostly untouched, this one's been waiting for you to be explored

3. Belum Caves

Make no mistake, the Belum Caves are the second largest caves in the Indian subcontinent, and the longest (3229 mts) caves in the plains of India. Formed in black limestone, the caves have long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries and siphons. The constant flow of underground water helped forming caves that have their deepest point at 150 feet. Engulfed in mystery, there are 16 different pathways, including the main entrance. Moreover, there are deposits of quartz in the caves. The nearest rail-head to reach Belum Caves is Tadipatri, which is 30 kms away. There are daily trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Kanyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore and Goa, which halt at Tadipatri railway station. From Tadipatri, one can catch a bus to Belum Caves. If you feel somewhat like Indiana Jones, this one must be explored.

4. Skandagiri Hills

Also known as Kalavara Durga, Skandagiri is a mountain fortress located just 70 kms from the city of Bangalore. Although much hasn't been written about the place, the gorgeous photographs suggest that it's a perfect weekend trip for people living in Karnataka. Off Bellary Road (National Highway 7 Hyderabad-Bangalore Highway), and overlooking Nandi Hills and Muddenahalli, this place guarantees a breathtaking view at an altitude of about 1350 mts.

5. Athirappilly Falls

One look at this place, and you'll be in love. Just look at the picture! Situated in Athirappilly panchayath, Chalakudy Taluk of Thrissur district, Kerala, this 80-ft-high waterfall is quite a hotspot for the people living nearby. Nicknamed the 'Niagra Falls Of India', Athirappilly is the largest waterfall of Kerala. Narrow winding roads, small villages and greenery make for a delightful sight as you make your way up there. Daily jungle safari trips are organised by Thrissur District Tourism from Chalakudy to Malakkappara. The captivating sight of the wildlife through the evergreen forest of Sholayar ranges of Western Ghats is a memory to cherish. You'd find the nearest railway, Chalakudi railway station, 30 kms away. Kochi is the nearest airport, about 55 kms away, if that's your preferred mode of travelling. Athirappilly is easily reachable from Chalakudy by taxi or by bus from the Chalakudy private bus terminal.

6. Maravanthe Beach

The quest for peace and tranquility is making people explore beaches apart from the usual ones in Goa. So if that's what you're looking for, Maravanthe fits the bill. Located on one of the best stretches of road, you'll find the beach on one side, and a river on the other as you drive on from Mangalore towards Karwar, Goa, or Mumbai. One of the cleanest beaches in the country, it can also get pretty dangerous during high tide, so it's better to be cautious, and avoid the area during the monsoons. There are places where you can stay on the highway, but a better alternative would be staying at the nearby town of Kundapura. You could also go fishing with the locals at the nearby Gangoli port. Only about 55 kms from Udupi, this place should be on your list of places to visit in India.

7. Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu

Call it the 'Ghost Town' or the 'Lost Land', but either way, Dhanushkodi has this unorthodox charm about it. Dhanushkodi, that translates into 'end of the bow', is situated in the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island of Tamil Nadu. It's also only 29 kms west of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka. According to multiple sources, the Dhanushkodi railway line from Pambam station got destroyed in 1964 when a cyclone hit a passenger train, tragically drowning over a 100 passengers with it. Being the only land border between India and Sri Lanka, which is also one of the smallest in the world - just 45 mts in length - Dhanushkodi used to flourish as a tourist and pilgrimage town after the '64 disaster. It was also in this island in January 1897 that Swami Vivekananda set foot on Indian soil again, after his visit to the west to attend the World's Parliament of Religions held in the United States. Left in ruins, but beautiful nonetheless.

8. Kudle Beach, Gokarna

I have actually been lucky enough to visit Kudle beach the last time I took a trip to Goa, and I recommend it to all. With just a few shacks on the beach, this place is just perfect to chill. It is also one of the lesser known places in the area, and you'd actually find more foreigners than locals. For those who don't know, there are five beaches in Gokarna - the Gokarna beach, Kudle, Om, Half Moon and Paradise. Each prettier than the other. The town is like any other, but the small trek that one needs to do before reaching Kudle is what makes it all the more special. It's clean (unlike most beaches in Goa), completely secluded, incredibly gorgeous, and most importantly, calm. The best way to visit would be from Goa. Just 91 kms from Dabolim airport, the beauty of Gokarna is only a couple of hours away from South Goa.

9. Halebidu

Halebidu, or old city, was the regal capital of the Hoysala empire in the 12th century. Rich in architecture with the beautiful Kedareswara temples, the city, which was originally called Dorasamudra, got the name "Halebidu" because it was ransacked twice during the invasion of Malik Kafur. It's also only 16 km away from another historical place, Belur. It is well connected by road and rail from Bangalore. This temple is now being proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

10. Hogenakkal Falls

Nothing short of breathtaking, the Hogenakkal Falls are located on river Kaveri in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. About 180 km from Bangalore and 46 km from Dharmapuri town, Hogenakkal is famous for medicinal baths and hide boat rides. Some say that the freshly fried fish served by the village women at a shore during the boat ride is a highlight of the trip. Apart from this, unfortunately, there isn't a lot of information available about this place. Guess one needs to explore and find out.

11. Papi kondalu or Papi Hills

Another hidden gem that doesn't have much written about it. Papi kondalu or the “Papi Hills” are a series of mountains that are located in Rajahmundry in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Simply put, Papi Hills is a just a gorge, but it's a gorgeous gorge. A boat trip on the Godavari river in the Papi Hills region is quite spellbinding and romantic. Boat trips are available from Bhadrachalam, Rajahmundry and Kunavaram. You can choose from a wide variety of trips depending on the time limits. Kunavaram offers the fastest and cheapest way to check out the hills. Tour boats locally called "Launches" are the main transport vehicles. There are two entries to Papi Hills, from Kunavaram or from Rajahmundry. Kunavaram is reachable by road from Hyderabad (351 km), Khammam (170 km) and Bhadrachalam (49km). You can hire a boat or join a tour. Rajahmundry also offers boat services to Papi Hills.

12. Ponmudi Hills

Another hill station that should be in the priority section of your travel list. Ponmudi (translates to the Golden Hill) is located 55.2 km north-east of Trivandrum at an altitude of 1100 mts or 3600 ft. Ponmudi has a carpet of thick tropical forest that rolls down to the foot of the hill range. Absolutely splendid, nearby attractions also include Kallar, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, and Koyikkal Palace, an ancient palace dating as far back as the 15th century. Thiruvananthapuram is the nearest town from where you can easily get a cab or a bus to this splendid location.

13.St. Mary's Islands

This one's truly a one-of-a-kind type of place to visit. St. Mary's Islands, also known as Coconut Island and Thonsepar, are a set of four small islands in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Malpe in Udupi, Karnataka. They are known for their distinctive geological formation of columnar basaltic lava (check out the rocks in the picture). On research it came up that the basalt of the St. Mary's Islands was formed by sub-aerial sub-volcanic activity around 88 million years ago when Madagascar was attached to India. Since there are no roads connecting the island, the only way of getting to the islands is by boat. Regular ferry services ply the 6-km distance from the Malpe fishing harbour (which has a ship building yard as well) to the islands. However, the frequency of these boats may vary depending on the number of tourists visiting.

What are the best places to visit in South India?

 Visiting n travelling is the most entertaining part of life, when talking about visiting palaces obviously southern India comes first on lips.

There are 21 best palaces here where you need to plane your trip.

Let's start from karnataka.

Coorg: Hill station, temples, waterfall rappelling.

If you are nature lover and looking for scenic beauty then coorg is better palace. Here you can visit gorgeous hill station, rappel through waterfall, visit ancient golden temples ,watch sunrise and sunset at Raja’s seat. October and march is best time to visit coorg.

2. Bandipur national park: Best for Wildlife enthusiasts.

This park is developed for tiger reserve under the tiger project in 1974. When you passing through flora n fauna you'll see pleasing and soothing forests with some real cool animals specially sizable no. Of tiger. October n may is proper.

3. Mysore: The royal heritage city of Karnataka.

If you are history buff then I'm sure you are going to love your Mysore trip which is one of the most enchanting city of South India. Famed for royal heritage, traditional bazaar of spices n sandalwood, delicious sweets and splendid mysore palaces which is India's most spectacular royal building. This is better for family vacation. October n February is best.

4. Bengaluru: A vibrant city with benevolent climate,Silicon valley of India.

Being the second fastest growing city of India and known as IT capital of India, Bengluru is blessed with benevolent climate all throughout the year. Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, lalbagh botanical garden,bangalore palace, cubbon park and best infra ever of bengaluru makes a trip better. Anytime you can visit but sept. n feb. are best.

5. Maravanthe: A peacful and picturesque beach destination.

If you're looking for relaxing and memorable view then Maravanthe beach is fit for you. Many villages of South India are near it, you can taste village life also. b/w oct. n march.

6. Udupi: A coastal town to try out a variety of South Indian delicacies.

Udupi is better trip for carved and best arch. featured temples, splendid buildings. It is well-known travel destination and famed for S.Indian delicacies. Also known as pilgrims center of Karnataka.

7. Madikeri: A hill station.

It is best hill station of coorg which can be covered in coorg trip.

8. Murudeshwar: A religious site and home to tallest statue of lord shiva.

Located in uttara khannada district in Karnataka. Murudeshwar is well-known pilgrimage and beach destination. Favourite picnic spot and resort for people of kerala n Karnataka.

9. Badami: blessed and adorned with exquisite temples and monuments.

Badami is one of the best destination which steal your heart in just fraction of second. The landscape accompanied by beautiful done rock-cut cave temple and fort are damn indescribable.

10. Nagarhole: Gateway to wilderness for witnessing of variety of flora and fauna.

Also known as cobra rive is situated b/w mysore n kadagu with rich flora and fauna,and called best wildlife park. Don't forget to visit here if your trip is Mysore.

Let's move on kerala

13. Munnar: Go cycling amid tea gardens, lake and hill station.

Munnar is one of the best tea plantation and having lake view of South India this situated on the bank of three river. If you love adventure then you should go there definitely.

14. Wayanad: A picturesque highland nestled in the hill of western ghat.

Famous for spice plantation, exotic wildlife with historical caves, enchanting waterfall, comfortable resorts. Damn traveling palace.

15. Kollam: Land of cashew and home to ashtamudi backwaters.

Famed by its unique culture, steeped with rich past and accredited by Divine nature. Kollam is blessed with huge cashews and coconut tree which relaxes the heart.

16. Thiruvananthapuram: Spirituality and nature join hands.

Being kerala's capital, the city well famed by its old culture, memorable beach, sacred temples, beautiful palace, best tourist spots. Off course you should go there.

Let's move on Tamil Nadu.

17. Kanyakumari: The sea and temple city of Tamil Nadu.

This city is full of art, culture and sea views and major center of religion. You would see coconuts tree and paddy fields all around the city. October and march is ideal time.

18. Madurai: Travel to the culture and heritage city.

Being one of the oldest city of India, Madurai is considered as the culture capital of Tamil Nadu most visited palace because of Meenakshi Amman temple, Idli shop, non-vegetarian delicacies.

19. Rameshwaram: A city filled with serenity and spirituality.

A next level spiritual and holiest place in India located on beautiful island. A/c hindu mythology lord Rama created a bridge to cross the sea to shri Lanka. Many holiness temples attracts the tourist .

20. Chennai: Home to the second largest beach in the world.

Chennai has a rich cultural and its balanced heritage n modern lifestyle. Heart of Chennai remains in the old temples and churches. The world famous Marina beach attracts most the tourist. Must visit. Nov. n feb. is best time.

21. Ooty; Tinged with Beautiful Hues of Green and Sparkling Waterfalls.

Known as the ‘Queen of Hills’, Ooty is the best place for those who are a mountain lover. While travelling to Ooty, you would come across the magnificent sight of awe-inspiring Nilgiri Hills, tea gardens and the waterfalls.

You can also visit Andhra Pradesh for more exciting palace like Tirupati,Araku valley, vijaywada, Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Gabdikota, Hyderabad, Lakshadweep, pondicherry etc.