A cup of Assam Tea

  Indian weddings encompass many beautiful ceremonies and traditions. In Assamese culture, Jurun is a pre-wedding ceremony. It usually occurs a day or two before the wedding day, sometimes even on the same day of the wedding. A tradition where the groom’s family, especially women, visit the bride's family to present the wedding trousseau (Mekhela chadar), jewelry, some makeup, and accessories. In my belief, a tradition that welcomes the bride to her new family with gifts, love, and blessings.  On the day of Jurun, Aam Dali godha (A stringed mango leaf) is a tradition and is tied over the door. It is believed that it will ward off all bad energy and bring good luck to the newlyweds. Usually, jurun happens in the morning or before noon. The goom does not accompany the group. Before going to the bride's home, the groom and his family get blessings from the people who gather for the jurun. Another tradition associated with Jurun is filling two small bell metal vases (called l...

I heard the buzz and rave reviews of Zoonskaya from my family and friends in Sivasagar  When we visited Sivasagar  in our recent Assam trip I wanted to visit Zoonskaya. Sadly the night was already occupied as they are supposed to have a wedding party and I had no choice but to visit for lunch. A few miles from the hustle of the city, Zonnskaya is nested in a most gorgeous natural setting encompass with pond, trees, fields and emerged into modern esthetics.         I thank my stars for coming for lunch, as I was awed by the beautiful vistas in the daylight. A stunning, open-air space with a fireplace feels like one gorgeous restaurant, but if you step outside, which you eventually will, the wonder awaits you: a beautiful pond with green mountains on the horizon, offering a Caribbean resort-like experience in Assamese aesthetics.  I was amused by the morals on the walls and cherry on top, the tree of mango to jackfruit, fe...

       The Great River, the Brahmaputra, holds immense significance in Assam and for the people of Assam. It's not just a river, but the lifeline of the Assamese people, an inspiration, a source of love, and, most importantly, the leading water resource.        If you want to see and know a city, you must visit the river, whether the Seine in France or the Hudson in Newyork. This time, when I visited Guwahati, my brother suggested taking the Alfresco Grand Cruise in Guwahati. I instantly agreed, and it turned out to be one of the most amazing river cruises.        As I mentioned earlier, the Brahmaputra has a huge significance in an Assamese life and so does in my life. I have seen the Brahmaputra since my birth, sometimes as flooded and the most destructive and sometimes as serene and placid. I have taken a few ferry rides as well but never a cruise.        We booked the cruise a...

      Tea county Dibrugarh, the taste and take of its own Tea County Dibrugarh tidy chic with multi cuisine restaurant offers Indian, Italian, Chinese, Thai and Continental.        A lovely and warm greeting adds so much and we got the exact same feeling when we entered tea County Dibrugarh. An extensive and elaborate menu of tea County Dibrugarh is not an easy task to choose from for the 1st timer.        We started our day with the assorted vegetable platter. Literally, I did not expect that vegetable platter comes with such a vivid and varied array. Succulent green vegetable grill to perfection green kabab crispy on the outside and soft inside with hearty spinach, cheese stuffed grilled paneer delectable and delightful.        Then we had our main. As we are in Assam my kids missed their pasta. My little one had pasta with white cheesy sauce. Whipped and thick cheesy pasta ca...

      Hello everyone, a big hello from Assam my homeland. After moving to the United States, this is the 1st time I have visited Assam in the summer. Honestly, it’s unbearably hot and humid. Thankfully, we get showers in between and that makes things a bit better. Yes, we live closest to the state where the height rainfall is recorded.  Rain makes everything fresh and new, the earth, trees, and flowers and even the hearts. Well, want to make it short and sweet and give you guys a visual delight of the flora and fauna of Assam in summer. Enjoy 💕.  Part 1  here