Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2nd of October 1869 to the 30th of January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India during the Indian Independence movement.

He was more commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi or the great soul.

Gandhi is officially honoured in India as the Father of the Nation, his birthday (2nd of October) is commemorated there as a national holiday and worldwide as the International Day of Non- Violence.

Reincarnation

Reincarnation (to be made flesh again) is believed to occur when the soul or spirit,after the death of the body,comes back to earth in a newborn body.
Reincarnation is a core belief within Hinduism.
The soul (Atman) is immortal while the body is subjected to birth and death.
Hindu gods are said to have incarnated in various forms under different circumstances. Lord Vishnu is know for his ten incarnations.

The Bhagavad Gita stated:
“ Just as a man discards worn out clothes and puts on new clothes,the soul discards worn out bodies and wears new ones.” (2:22)

Two Different Indian Landscapes

The Nigiri Mountains

The Nigiri Mountains ( or Blue Mountains) are a range of mountains with at least 24 peaks above 2,000 meters high in the southern part of India.
The highest peak is called the Dobbabetta (Big Mountain) and is 2,637 metres high (8,652 ft.).

The people that live in the mountain range are called todas and are a nature worshipping tribe. They have their own language, rich arts and crafts and a unique way of community living.

There is also a railway running through the mountain range, it is one of the oldest railway in India. The line was opened by the British in 1908 and has been going ever since.




Thar Desert


The Thar Desert ( The Great Desert) is in the northwestern part of India and in the 7th largest desert in the world.
The climate there is extreme: temperatures can range from near-freezing in winter and over 50oc in summer.
All rainfall happens between July to September and the mean temperatures varies from a minimum of 24 degrees C and 26 degrees C.

Cashew Chicken (Murg Korma)

Serves – 6
Cooking Time – 44 Minutes
Style – Hyderabudi, Not Vegetarian

You Will Need -

1200g of chicken (preferably boneless)
3 cups of slightly sour yoghurt
¾ cups of cashew nut paste
6 cloves
¾ teaspoon of turmeric powder
1 ½ teaspoon each of ginger and garlic
1 ½ tablespoons of cardamom ( crushed)
1 ½ tablespoons of butter
salt to taste


Garnish

golden brown fried onion rings
fresh cream




1.Heat the butter in a heavy -bottomed pan, on a medium heat till hot. Add the dry spices and fry for a few seconds.
2.Add the ginger and garlic, fry for a few more seconds. Now add the yoghurt and fry (still on medium heat) for about 3 minutes.
3.Add the chicken pieces,little water and mix well. Cover and cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes or till the chicken is half cooked.
4.Add the cashew nut paste and fry for a little while.
Add water as required and sprinkle salt to taste. Mix well.
Cover and cook on low heat for about 20 minutes or till the chicken is tenderised and the gravy is thick.
5. Garnish with golden brown fried onion rings and fresh cream.

THE FESTIVAL Of DIWALI (FESTIVAL OF LIGHT)

The word Diwali means "rows of lighted lamps."

The festival of Diwali is a five-day long celebration in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism.

People believe that the more candles they decorate their house with, the more chance there is of the Goddess Lakshmi to visit them and bring them good luck.

The festival of Diwali is a celebration of the famous Rama and Sita returning from their 14 year exile.

If you would like to read the story of Rama ans Sita then here is the link - http://www.cist.org.uk/pv/sm/sr3421.htm