Pahare Ahare by Damu Mukhopadhyay [Hardcover]

Nepali momo-thukpa, Keventer's sausage-ham, Mussoorie's cakes and patties, Kashmiri wazwan, Assamese pithas, handcrafted chocolates from Ooty and Kodaikanal, Coorg's pandi curry, Satpura's rajma-chawal—life would be bland without tasting these. While taking winding paths, one must also try the abundant fruits of the hills, and the trout, mahseer, and boroli fish from the mountain rivers. It's important to keep track of the sunbathing turtles and tortoises by the monastery and temple ponds. Just as there are laws and regulations, there are also records of rule-breaking in the hills. Otherwise, wouldn't the regiment, whose hands itch to arrange pieces in the war tray, hesitate to do so?

But just having a gun doesn't make one a hunter, otherwise, the Lepcha, Munda, and Chenchu would have become vegan by now, storing their bows and arrows on the shelves. That hasn't happened, but their food and cuisine haven't been thoroughly researched either. Thus, many old ingredients, spices, and recipes have disappeared behind an aura of mystery. This time, Hindus, Christians, Pathans, and Mughals have all become one in the stomach. Now you decide whether to climb the hills after reading this or read it while climbing the hills.