The Bengalis have their own special variety of spicy-sweet tomato chutney usually had at the end of a meal.
Sandesh, Rajbhog, Rosogulla and Chamcham have been revamped to keep up with people's adventurous palates.
President Droupadi Murmu hosted a state banquet for Russian President Vladimir Putin, featuring regional Indian delicacies and a performance of Indian classical and Bollywood music.
On the eve of Saraswati Puja, devotees traditionally prepare a yellow-coloured prasad for the Goddess of Knowledge. The offering can vary from Kolkata's Bhoger Khichuri to Motichoor Ladoos -- each region having their own sacred bhog, but always something yellow, the goddess' fave rang.
TasteAtlas, the online global food guide, has just released its list of top stews. Many Indian dishes make it to this compilation.
From coastal rasois to hill homes, festive dishes are usually special to a family and so are the grand meals that families gather for and sit down to eat either on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day.
Whether it's adding richness to festive desserts or lending silkiness to everyday meals, malai brings an unmistakable depth of flavour to a dish, lifting it into the realm of the scrumptious.
All of India gets ready for the mid-winter harvest festival, turning out laddoos, Pongal, Puran Poli and other endless delights.
Monday saw a host of Indian festivals like Vishu, Bihu, Poila Boishakh and Baisakhi. Film folk celebrate by dressing up and creating happy memories on social media.
Rajbaris are a link to Bengal's rich past, of grand mansions, classical fine dining, and allow guests to be pretend zamindars for those few hours or days that they stay.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sougata Roy has demanded the removal of Kalyan Banerjee as the party's chief whip in the Lok Sabha after a spat with fellow MP Mahua Moitra. Roy accused Banerjee of "uncivilised" behaviour on multiple occasions and cited incidents of Banerjee breaking a bottle and throwing it at the chairman of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting and making inappropriate remarks about Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The spat between Moitra and Banerjee reportedly occurred on April 4 when a TMC delegation met the Election Commission over duplicate voter ID numbers. Banerjee was tasked with collecting signatures from TMC MPs on a memorandum to be submitted to the Election Commission, and Moitra alleged that she was not included in the signatories, leading to a heated exchange. Roy, who was present at the time, said he saw Moitra crying and complaining about Banerjee's behaviour. Roy believes that Banerjee's actions warrant his removal as chief whip and left the decision to Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee. The incident has also been highlighted in leaked WhatsApp messages, where Banerjee engaged in heated exchanges with another TMC MP, Kirti Azad, leading to further accusations of uncivilised behaviour.
The first day of the Bengali New Year, Poila Baisakh, passed without any celebrations in Dhulian, West Bengal, for the first time in over 50 years. Fear gripped the area following violence over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, leading to canceled rituals, shop closures, and a sense of uncertainty. The violence, which started on April 8, left three people dead and several injured. Protesters blocked highways, torched vehicles, and disrupted train services. While the police deployed central forces and imposed restrictions, locals still fear for their safety and demand permanent security measures. The town and its surrounding areas remain tense, with many families displaced and facing significant losses.
From traditional Bengali sweets like chom chom and rose petal sandesh to snacks like dahi puri and fruit raita, here are some Navratri recipes you can try at home
This traditional pulao is a key part of any Bengali comfort meal.
Phirni can taste astoundingly good with nutritious black rice.
Here's looking at how the world celebrated the day of love!
'Had anyone asked me if I was Aamir Khan, I would have admitted to it.' Senior movie journalist Roshmila Bhattacharya flips through the pages of her many interactions with Aamir Khan, who turned 60 on March 14.
A traditional homemade Bengali sweet, Rosh Bora is rarely found in sweet shops.
An encyclopedia to the best Durga Pujo eating.
Rediff reader Baishali Ghosh tells us how to make Indian rice pudding with date palm jaggery.
A fabulous vegetarian spread and an amazing range of sweets are also hallmarks of Bengali cuisine.
Test your knowledge of Indian street food with this fun quiz!
Navratri celebrations in Chennai are not only about Golu dolls, Saraswathi Puja or Ayudha Puja. These days, Durga Puja and Dandiya Raas too are regular events in the city, reports S Saraswathi.
There's nothing more satisfying than a meal of freshly fried puris served with a spicy raseela potato preparation.
The best summer foods of India
Every aspect of Navratri is associated with delectable dishes that are relished across the country during these divine nine days -- from lip-smacking savouries to wholesome sweets.
This Bengali-style steamed mango and mustard prawn curry makes for top class weekend khana.
All about India's favorite summer beverage/dessert indulgences.
Where did the rasgulla originate from? Is the dish originally from Odisha or West Bengal?
Rediff.com's Rajesh Karkera brings you these visuals from the Bengali Hindu tradition as part of Durga pooja celebrations in Mumbai.
Readers share their foodgasm moments.
Satvik food is de rigueur this time of the year in most Western and Northern Indian homes, say chefs and food historians Arundhuti Dasgupta and Shally Seth Mohile.
Be prepared to bump into some special people at the pandal.
Where paneer came to India from... How sambar got its name... Gulab jamun does not have Indian roots...
A look at how an age-old tradition still adds colour to Durga Puja.
Sukanya Verma looks at some striking age gaps between the onscreen romantic couples of Hindi movies.
Aseem Chhabra lists his favourite Indian films of 2021.
Laxmi Sorte and Kaustav Ghosh, who travelled across 29 Indian states and five Union territories in 101 days, recommend a list of lesser known places in India to add to your travel bucket list.
You won't be able to resist these delicious strawberry desserts by food blogger Taruna Bakshi.
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