Know India

Know India is an attempt to bring to you some amazing facts about our country. Every second day we post something that tells you more about our land. Starting from issues to history, from culture to literature and fine arts, this is a magic box of small write-ups that you will fall in love with soon.

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Kosa: A fine quality silk

Kosa silk is a type of silk which is basically produce in central india in Chattisgarh region. Kosa silk is known for its comfort and popular in other countries. Bilaspur, Raigarh, Champa of chattisgarh are known for kosa silk and its produce by Dewangan community. Also known as Tussar Silk, Kosa is valued for its purity and texture. Kosa Silk is drawn from cocoons especially grown on Arjun, Saja or Sal trees.Kosa silk is widely popular for its softness and elegance. Being a shiny, lustrous and soft silk, Kosa is extensively used for making traditional Indian dresses including sarees, kurtas, salwar suits, shirts and many more garments. Available naturally in shades of gold-pale, dark, honey, tawny, baccoto beige, creamy, etc. Tussar Silk is considered an ideal as well as auspicious wear for marriages, religious ceremonies and other important functions. The kosa silk is widely demanded due to its excellent quality.

Chail: A small and beautiful hamlet

Chail is a pristine hill station situated within the lofty Himalayas. It used to be the capital of the erstwhile state of Patiala. Located in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, the small hamlet is a place where time stands still. Nature is at her exuberant best and words like pollution and deforestation have never entered the dictionary of a person living in Chail.

Belum Caves: A beautiful piece of architecture

Belum Caves is the second largest cave in Indian sub-continent and the longest caves in plains of Indian Subcontinent. It lies in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Belum Cave is 3.5 km in length and the second longest cave in India next to 21km long Krem Um Lawan cave in Meghalaya. Belum Caves derives its name from "Bilum" Sanskrit word for caves. In Telugu language, it is called Belum Guhalu. The caves are a collective array of subway passages that were first discovered in 1854.They have long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries and siphons. All this makes Belum Caves a geological & archeological attraction worldwide. A thrilling experience indeed, the tourist while visiting the out-of-the-world Belum Caves, can cherish the splendid beauty of the surrounding ambience which is accompanied by an air of serenity.

Palaruvi: The stream of milk

Palaruvi - literally, stream of milk - is one of Kerala's most picturesque waterfalls, cascading down a height of 300 feet. It is a favourite picnic spot for visitors from all over south India. The surrounding mist-clad blue hills and green valleys form a stunning backdrop to the milk-white burst of foam whose muffled roar resounds through the otherwise tranquil virgin forest.The falls, which is a memorable experience, is visited by one lakh people every year.The force of the waterfall produces milky white froth, and hence the name Palaruvi. The Palaruvi woods is a beautiful picnic spot. The journey to Palaruvi through the dense tropical forest is a spellbinding experience.Situated miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life, a tour to Palaruvi indeed goes a long way in rejuvenating your senses and bringing you close to nature.The Palaruvi waterfall will rejuvenate your soul.The Best Time to Visit Palaruvi is from June to January.

Silver Filigree: A beautiful art

The Silver filigree (known more as Tarakasi) from Cuttack, Orissa is the most equisite rendition of silver craft. Beaten silver is drawn into fine wires and foils which is then crafted into jewellery of great beauty. Cuttack is famous for the unique style of art and it has made a mark for itself in the arena of art and craftsmanship. The silver filigree work of Cuttack is very widely known and acclaimed for its superb finish, fine foils and snow glazed texture. It is a must for every visitor of Cuttack to feast his eyes with the sight of these works of art. The art of filigree has attained unconquerable heights of charm and beauty, demonstrating its capacity to remain unspoiled with the passage of time. For its intricate and magnificent style of art, Cuttack has brought this unique Orissan style of handicraft great fame and familiarity world over.The silver filigree artifacts of Cuttack vary from the images of Gods and Goddesses, the most appraised anklets and some fine hemraj filigree that are still being created by the artisans to keep the exclusive form of art alive. Karimnagar in Andhra Pradesh also has highly skilled artists practicing the delicate craftsmanship of filigree. Spoons, buttons cigarette cases, boxes, ashtrays, buttons pill boxes, jewelry, paandans and perfume containers are produced. Designs of Peacock, parrots and fish are depicted in the perfume containers.The silver filigree work in India has been practiced in some parts of India where the art is considered as the source of livelihood to the artisans.

Bandvagarh National Park: The Home Of the White Tiger

Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the wild life sanctuaries in the Indian state Madhya Pradesh.This wild life park derived its very name from an ancient fort in the area. Bandhawgarh National Park belongs to the Vindhyan mountain ranges of central India and it boasts to have the highest density of tiger population in the country. Now there are about 46 to 52 tigers one can spot here. The Bandhavgarh national park is a jungle consisting mainly of sal trees. Only on higer sides the vegetation changes to sali, saj, saja, dhobin etc. In the northern region of the park, there are vast stretches of grasslands and bamboo forests. A lot of this is what appears to be young bamboo, which can be seen from it's green and slim appearance.

Breathtaking adventure: Dzukou Valley

The picturesque valley of Nagaland, about 30kms from Kohima is one of the most beautiful spots for nature lovers. Strewn with blooming flowers in the months of June and September, Dzukou Valley is often called the valley of celestial charm. It is 2438 meters above sea level

Dudhwa National Park

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve lies on the India-Nepal border in the foothills of the Himalaya and the plains of the ‘terai’ in Uttar Pradesh. From mosaic grasslands and dense sal forests to swampy marshes, the terrain of Dudhwa National Park is as diverse as the wildlife population it harbors. While the northern edge of the Park lies along the Indo-Nepal border, the River Suheli marks the southern boundary.A Tiger Reserve since 1879, Dudhwa became a National Park in 1977 and adopted the Project Tiger in 1988. Although the Tigers at the Park are numerous, sightings are rare due to the thick forest cover of the area. Besides Tigers, Leopards, Hispid Hares, Swamp Deer (Barasingha) and Rhinos thrive amidst the vegetation.Dudhwa is the last remnant of Terai region, one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet.This complex ecosystem is a beautiful mosaic of dense Sal jungles, Grasslands and Swamps.

Bara Shigri Glacier : A sight to behold

Bara Shigri Glacier, the largest glacier in Himachal Pradesh, is located in the Chandra valley of Lahaul and it feeds the river Chenab. This glacier, 25 km long and about 3 km wide, lies on the middle slopes of the main Himalayan range. On the three sides of it, it has high mountains.

Jampui Hills: The Orange bowl of Tripura

Orange is the word. Does it remind an Indian of a place in the country. If at all it lights a bulb, the best guess one would make is that of Nagpur. There is a place in the world where an Orange festival is held each year. Far from the country's centre, in the picturisque settings on the gentler of the Himalayas. The Month is November. The State is Tripura. We explore the Jampui Hills here.