If Hampi, the legendary city known as Vijayanagara had not suddenly fallen in the battle of Telicotta, then what would have happened. This was an empire that withstood combined armies of all its Northern adversaries for two centuries. It even used to buy off adversary. They controlled more than 80% seaports of India which means almost entire sea face of peninsular India.

A thali meal looks like an astonishing feat in which an array of freshly cooked standalone dishes neatly laid out atonce in a single platter. Although all the dishes have their own peculiar eervescence yet they are all meant to compliment together so that together there is a balance. When the sum total of energies forms a balance that state of things is known as Yoga. So, a thali can be considered as a way of Yoga through food. Like physical, mental and spiritual fitness, attainment of balance through tastes and aromas is also important. Ayurveda recognises six distinct tastes and all are important for a satisfying meal. These are sweet, salty, bitter, pungent, astringent and sour. Equally important are the aromas and temperatures of the food. Different things are best relished at dierent emperatures and nothing should eaten too hot or too cold. This is the reason it’s emphasised to eat with hands as food should be first felt by fingers and then tasted by mouth.

India is the last big country where the tradition of textile weaving and textile related works still exists in large scale. Travel anywhere in India and there is someplace that still has its own weaving traditions. A big reason of survival is that the saree wearing by women continues to be fashionable and relevant. Apart from weaving, India has equally preserved its other textile skills like dyeing, printing, painting and thread-works on fabrics. There are some very famous tourists places in India which are also famous for handmade works related textiles where one can combine the pleasure of holiday with the appreciation of such rare skills.