The Importance Of Food At A Kashmiri Wedding

The Indian state of Kashmir is situated right in the northern reaches of the sub-continent. A region rich in culture, Kashmir is home to a wide range of ethnicities and religions (though the dominant religion is Islam) - a melting pot which has contributed to some of the more fascinating wedding celebrations to be found on the sub-continent.

An Indian wedding is something of a spectacle, with rituals to be observed in the lead up to the ceremony and after the event as well during the ceremony itself.

Before the wedding

Before a Kashmiri wedding, the tradition of matching the horoscopes is perhaps one of the most important rituals to be carried out. As well as the time and date of birth, the social standing and background of the two families are brought into consideration to ensure that the match is well met.

Once a date has been set, a ‘vanna' is held - a ceremony formalising the commitment of the bride and groom. Food plays an important role at the vanna as a meal is prepared by the bride’s family. It must include a traditional rice pudding which is offered to guests, and a ‘war’ or traditional oven is set up in the back garden of the house to help cook the food for the wedding.

A week before the wedding takes place, the door of the home is adorned with decorations and the women involved in the ceremony will bathe the bride in a time-honoured ritual.

Bariyans, a flattened cake made from lentils, are served, and a traditional meal is enjoyed by the women who take part.

The big day

As you might imagine, Indian food plays an integral part on the day of a traditional Kashmiri wedding. From the two fathers of the happy couple exchanging nutmeg to the elaborate feast for the guests, a Kashmiri wedding isn’t complete without the sharing of delectable morsels of traditional cuisine .

The Kashmiri wedding menu tends to involve a large amount of dishes - around 25 vegetarian options presented in earthenware pots. Amongst the options on offer, the highlights include: the sweetened rice dish known as Madur Pulao; the potato-based recipe, Dumaalu; a lotus stem and leafy vegetable dish called Nadroo Hakh; and the creamy Shufta, a paneer dish sprinkled with sugar and garnished with nuts. All these dishes represent a special occasion in Kashmir - just the sort of fare that is laid out on the table at festivals, weddings and other celebratory occasions.

Here in the UK, you don’t have to attend a traditional Kashmiri wedding in order to sample authentic Indian food. London’s best Indian fine dining restaurants offer a selection of sumptuous offerings on their innovative menus, combining the very best in traditional flavours with a contemporary twist. Expect meats marinated in spicy masalas and seasonal vegetables, filled with colour and texture. Browse the carefully selected wine lists or sample one of the creative cocktails, infused with the exotic flavours of the East. Whatever your special occasion, be it a wedding, birthday or anniversary dinner for two - book your table and enjoy your own celebratory Indian meal today.

Yercaud - A Beautiful Hill Town Most-Known for Mass Production of Coffee and Citrus Fruits

Yercaud is a beautiful hill station in Tamil Nadu. Home to the lush greenery covered highlands of the Eastern Ghats, the place is one of the most nature-blessed places in the region and stores a large number of attractions and allures for visitors. Visit the town to spend a relaxing vacation and pick from the best Yercaud hotels. 


Yercaud is a small township in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is a popular hills station of the Eastern Ghats falling within the province of Salem District. Also known as the Shevaroy Hills, the place is most noted for the coffee and citrus fruits, namely oranges, bananas, jackfruit, and pears that are grown here in large quantities. It takes its name based on the reference of its geography; there is a large groups of trees that are categorized as forests situated near the lake of Yercaud. The meaning of the name "Yercaud" is the Lake Forest. The district headquarter Salem is situated about 28 k.m. away and well-connected through a heavenly highway. Popular as a tourist destination, the place is fondly called as the "Jewel of the South". The unspoilt natural beauty of the place is simply breathtaking and unparalleled. The place is ideal to take a retreat in a tranquil surroundings while being surrounded by Mother Nature. It is also a popular trekking destination and trekking in the uncharted areas here can be one of the most pleasurable experiences to gain.

Yercaud, including the Reserve Forests adjoining it, has an extent of about 382.67 k.m. sq. majorly consisting of mounts, highlands, and cliffs. The good thing is that there is an excellent road network that connects the hill station to Salem, the nearest city. Transportation facilities to the city are offered by most of the luxury Yercaud hotels. Plus, there is a small number of buses running between the hill town and Salem city. Salem is the gateway to Yercaud as it houses both the nearest railway station as well as the nearest airport.

Yercaud often remains busy with tourists who have come here seeking relaxation. As the place's climate remains temperate almost throughout the year, there is a continuous flow of tourists. Sufficient number of hotels take a good care of all the lodging needs of the tourists making their experience in the town a memorable one. Many of the hotels here are of nominal cost and offer satisfactory stay. One may also checkout the religious residences in order to get a simple and neat stay. Some of the most popular hotels often picked by the tourists include: Hotel GlenRock Estates, Hotel Tamilnadu, Hotel Shevaroys, Hotel Star holidays Inc., and GRT Nature Trails.

The Emerald Lake or the Big Lake is simply the most dominant attraction here. It is a beautiful placid lake with lush greenery and orchard gardens surrounding it. Tourists flock here in large counts and relish activities like picnics, boating, and photography. Another popular attraction of the town is the Lady's Seat, Gent's Seat and Children's Seat, which is a cluster of rocks. One of the rock formations here resembles the shape of seat and it is believed that an English lady in the yesteryears used to sit here and watched the panoramic views of the region. It is based on this belief that the place was named so.

The other popular places of interest that one should not skip, include: Arthur Seat, Anna Park, Orchidarium-Botanical Survey of India, Deer Park, Bell Rock, Silk Farm & Rose Garden, Horticulture Farm, Sri Raja Rajeswari Temple, The Grange, Kiliyur Falls, Bears Cave, Pagoda Point, and Montfort School. All of the prime attractions are easily accessible. Plus, most of the 5 star hotels in Yercaud also offer tour services to their guests.