Indian rupee

1000- rupee note

Coins of various denominations

Vishu

Kani Konna (Cassia fistula), Kerala's regional flower, is a popular vishukanni A traditional vishu kanni setting

The "Konna" tree Vishu is a festival held in the state of Kerala

Irani Chai

Talk about Hyderabad and what comes to mind is it's Biryani, Haleem and Irani Chai (Tea). A trip to Hyderabad is incomplete without savoring Irani Chai.

Irani Chai has a strong distinct flavor and color. It is sweetened with sugar, giving it a flavor more like a syrup than tea. If you prefer, ask for a sugarless option, although not all places have this option.

Many Iranis (Persians) migrated to Hyderabad during Qutub Shahi period in around 1500 AD. Irani Chai has been the result of cultural blending of the Iranis and the existing Hyderabadi culture.

Bangalore

I was amazed on receiving an email forwarded across by friends with these pictures of Bangalore. It has been three years since I had been to Bangalore.

See the slideshow for yourself.

Sari

This painting by Raja Ravi Varma depicts many (but not all) traditional styles of draping the sari	Banarasi Saree from Baily Road, Bangladesh
Illustration of a sari-clad woman, c. 1847	A Malayalee lady wearing a type of sari called Mundum neriyathum.
The sari can be counted amongst the most graceful dresses

Thar Desert

A NASA satellite image of the Thar Desert	The Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur
Desert tribes near Jaisalmer	Nahar Garh Fort, Jaipur

Veena

Close-up of a veena's scalloped fretboard

Veena performance