Role of bangles in a traditional Indian wedding

Colourful bangles

Bangles look beautiful on the delicate wrists of Indian women, especially the young brides. Besides enhancing the beauty, it is one of the many symbols that mark a married Indian woman, the others being sindoor, toe ring, mangalsutra, etc. However, with the woman no longer being confined to home after marriage, the age-old tradition of wearing wedding symbols daily has taken a backseat and these are now reserved for special days only. For daily wear, women now wear kadas or a single thick bracelet with trendier, geometric designs nudging into the market of traditional designs.
However, tradition still plays a significant role during an Indian wedding, you will see the brides wearing bangles on their wedding day and for some months after it as they flaunt their status as a newly-married bride. Traditionally, a part of the solah shringar for Indian brides, bangles made of glass, gold or other metals is meant to signify good fortune and prosperity.
In a multicultural country like India, bangles, its colours and the material it's made in differs from community to community or state to state. Let's take a look at some of them...

In Maharashtra
The bridal chooda is made of green glass bangles in odd numbers. These are worn along with solid gold bangles called patlya and carved kadas called tode.
In Southern states
While gold is considered most auspicious in southern states of India, some communities see the brides wear green coloured glass bangles along with the gold ones, since green signifies fertility and prosperity.
In Gujarat and Rajasthan
In Gujarat and Rajasthan, the bride's mother gifts her a pair of ivory bangles and only after wearing these ivory bangles, the bridal couple can perform the 'saptapati' ritual or saat phere to complete the marriage ceremony.
In Punjab
The red and white chooda worn by Punjabi brides is quite popular and you can see young brides enthusiastically flaunting them even in western wear. The chooda is basically 21 slender ivory bangles in white and red decorated decorated with stones. In fact the bangle-wearing ceremony is held in the morning on the day of the wedding.
A puja is performed by the pandit wherein the bride's maternal uncles give her a set of chooda after washing them in milk. As per tradition, the brides are supposed to wear them for minimum of 40 days and then continue to wear them for a year; in some communities even for 15 months. These bangles are usually worn in larger size as the newly married girls are going to wear them till one year. Another interesting ritual associated with the chooda ceremony is putting the 'kalire' or tinkling bells. These dome shaped streamers with tinkling silver and gold bells are tied to the chooda by the bride's cousins and friends. They are like blessings for the bride as she starts a new life and also to remind her of her old friends.
In West Bengal and Odisha
Bengali and Odiya woman wear white bangles made up of conch-shell known as shaka, while pola are red bangles made up of red corals. In earlier days, the affluent ladies used to wear shakhas made of elephant teeth.
Bangles and colours

Red signifies energy and prosperity
Green denotes good luck and fertility
Blue is for wisdom
Yellow bangles are meant for happiness
White is for new beginnings
Orange is for success
Silver bangles denote strength
Gold bangles symbolise fortune and prosperity

தமிழ் அறிவோம்..! ண ன ந எங்கெல்லாம் வரும் ?

Useful message for tamil language.

மூனுசுழி “ண” , ரெண்டு சுழி “ன” "ந" என்ன வித்தியாசம்?

படிக்காதவர்க்கும் நல்ல தமிழைக் கற்றுத் தந்தவர் நடிகர் திலகம் சிவாஜி கணேசன்.
கண்ணப்பன் னு எழுதச்சொன்னா ஒருத்தன் 4சுழி 5சுழி போட்டானாம்!
என்னப்பா னு கேட்டதுக்கு அவன் கேட்டானாம்- “தமிழ் வளரவே கூடாதாய்யா?
ரெண்டு சுழி மூனு சுழி இருக்கலாம். 4சுழி 5சுழி இருக்கக் கூடாதா?ன்னு.

தமிழ் எழுத்துகளில் -
ரெண்டுசுழி ன என்பதும் தவறு!  மூனு சுழி ண என்பதும் தவறு!

ண இதன் பெயர் டண்ணகரம்,
ன இதன் பெயர் றன்னகரம்,
ந இதன் பெயர் தந்நகரம் என்பதே சரி.

மண்டபம், கொண்டாட்டம் – என எங்கெல்லாம் இந்த மூனு சுழி ணகர ஒற்றெழுத்து வருதோ, அதையடுத்து வர்ர உயிர்மெய் எழுத்து 'ட' வர்க்க எழுத்தாகத்தான் இருக்கும். இதனால இதுக்கு "டண்ணகரம்" னு பேரு. (சொல்லிப் பாருங்களேன்?)

தென்றல், சென்றான் – என எங்கெல்லாம் இந்த ரெண்டு சுழி னகர ஒற்றெழுத்து வருதோ, அதையடுத்து வர்ர உயிர்மெய் எழுத்து 'ற' வர்க்க எழுத்தாகத்தான் இருக்கும். இதனால இதுக்கு "றன்னகரம்" னு பேரு. (சும்மா சொல்லிப் பாருங்க?)

இது ரெண்டும் என்றுமே மாறி வராது.. (இதுல கூட பாருங்களேன்? பிரியாத காதலர்கள் மாதிரி சேந்து சேந்தே வர்ரதப் பாருங்களேன்! இது புரியாம இதுகள நாம பிரிச்சுடக் கூடாதுல்ல?)

வேற மாதிரி சொன்னா
இதுவும் வர்க்க ஒற்றுமைதான்!
('வர்க்க எழுத்து'-ன்னா,
சேந்து வர்ர எழுத்து! அவ்ளோதான்)

இந்தப் பெயரோடு (டண்ணகரம், றன்னகரம், தந்நகரம்)
இந்த ண, ன, ந எழுத்துகளைப் பற்றி அறிந்து கொண்டால்
எழுத்துப் பிழையும் குறையும்.

எப்புடீ?

மண்டபமா? மன்டபமா? சந்தேகம் வந்தா...
பக்கத்துல 'ட' இருக்கா,
அப்ப இங்க மூனு சுழி 'ண்' தான் வரும்.
ஏன்னா அது "டண்ணகரம்".

கொன்றானா? கொண்றானா? சந்தேகம் வந்தா...
பக்கத்துல 'ற' இருக்கா
அப்ப இங்க ரெண்டு சுழி 'ன்' தான் வரும்.
ஏன்னா அது "றன்னகரம்"
என்று புரிந்து கொள்ளலாம்.

இதே மாதிரித்தான் 'ந' கரம் என்பதை, "தந்நகரம்" னு சொல்லணும்
ஏன்னா இந்த 'ந்' எழுத்தை அடுத்து
வரக்கூடிய உயிர்மெய் 'த' மட்டுமே. (பந்து, வெந்தயம், மந்தை).

In Pursuit Of The Big O

When it comes to good sex, women often play martyrs, at the expense of being deprived of the many physical benefits that come with it.

Casual or not, sex plays a crucial role in our lives. Women, especially, kid themselves that good sex is not important for a thriving relationship. For them, it's more about staying connected to their partner. "I was in a relationship where my partner got aroused easily. Since I was taking too long to get into the mood, I started having sex for the sake of it; each time feeling empty and incomplete," remembers 24-year-old writer Rachna Singh.

Emphasising the importance of foreplay, Aditi Acharya, consultant psychiatrist, Healthenablr India, says, "While 90 per cent of males experience an orgasm during intercourse, as many as 30 per cent of women have never experienced an orgasm in their lifetime. One reason for that is, the latter is not directly related to reproduction. Moreover, a woman takes a while to empty her mind and enter into the game. This could take anything between 15 to 40 minutes."

Blissful escape

Foot spa rituals and body massages are rejuvenating, but you cannot possibly engage in one every day, can you? In The Orgasms Answer Guide, sexologist Beverly Whipple cites a study done by psychologist Carol Rinkleib Ellison in 2000, in which Ellison interviewed 2,632 women between the ages of 23 and 90 and found that 39 per cent of these women stimulated themselves in order to relax. Experts give credit to oxytocin. "When a woman hits the high spot, a feel-good hormone called oxytocin is released from the nerve cells in the hypothalamus into the blood stream. Oxytocin not only relieves stress, but also stimulates feelings of warmth and relaxation. It facilitates social bonding and strengthens relationships," points out psychiatrist and sexologist Dr Shyam Mithiya.

B for benefit

The big 'O' comes with a myriad of physical benefits too. It improves blood circulation to the organs in the pelvic cavity, speeds up the body's natural detoxification process, increases fertility, improves memory, boosts infection fighting cells, promotes healthy oestrogen levels and protects against osteoporosis, heart disease and breast cancer. "However bad the day may have been, my husband and I ensure that the night ends well with good wine and intercourse. This act certainly beats popping an Asprin! Also, who needs makeup when you wake up with a natural post-coital afterglow?" quips 36-year-old language consultant Mugdha*. It is the best way to beat those Monday blues as it induces a sense of positivity. Endorphins, released during the process are natural pain relievers that alleviate headache, menstrual cramps as well as arthritis.

Remember the time when you made out with your crush at the bar and later flaunted an obvious glow? That's thanks to the hormone DHEA (Dehyrdoepiandrosterone). An increase in DHEA released during the act restores skin, repairs damaged tissues and keeps it looking radiant. It also strengthens the bones and muscles. There have been ample studies to show that people who had intercourse at least three times a week looked 10 years younger.

On your own

So what if your couch potato boyfriend fails to arouse you or your long-distance lover is not a phone sex person or you're just single? "Seducing yourself doesn't mean scattering rose petals all over your bed. It could be anything low-maintenance to get you in the mood. Think aroma therapy candles and the like. Dim the lights, shut your eyes and let your imagination run wild," shares sex coach Anindita Sen.

Crossing the finish line

Films portray women as being in a constant state of sexual ecstasy. But in reality, only 20 per cent of women orgasm through penetrative sex. "The rest 80 per cent women need other methods like clitoris stimulation, oral sex and vaginal stimulation. Multiple orgasms are quite rare and they can be reached only if the partner is extremely skilled," says Dr Mithiya. So can the absence of a good sex life affect your relationship? "Of course, you are entitled to your off days, but if you're in a relationship, it's important to communicate with your partner. If you're not too comfortable being direct it's best to tell him what works and what doesn't with vocal cues," says fitness trainer Shivani Joshi.              *Name changed on request

Tools that make a woman's life easier

Highlights

• Menstrual cup: This is a cup that collects your blood during your period, rather than absorbing it, and it truly liberates women!
• Portable bidet: Every time we go on a road trip and have to settle for a dirty loo, we cringe at the unavailability of a faucet to clean ourselves. 

 

Who said being a woman is easy? But there are a host of gadgets in the market that aim to make the lives of women easier. We take a look at 10 of them...

Menstrual cup  This is a cup that collects your blood during your period, rather than absorbing it, and it truly liberates women! Now swim, play all kinds of s p o r t s, dance in the r a i n and do all those things what you could not when you have your period.

Female urinating device  Ever had to hold your bladder because of inhospitable terrain, and then been jealous of men who can stand and pee? Now you can just do that with female urinating devices, which direct your pee to the pot without spillage.Makes life so much easier.

Clip-on camisole There are days when you head for a night out straight from work, and wish you could wear your favourite dress to work, but only if it wasn't so cleavagebaring. Fret not! The clip-on camisole will come to your rescue in times when you want to cover up.

Sweat-absorbent pads We are human and we sweat too.However, s e a t patches on armpits become embarrassing sometimes. To save you from the stress, sweat-absorbent pads are a great resource to have around you

Cushion silicone heel protector We love high heels and how they make us feel. So, to relieve us from the pain we feel when we wear them and after, now we have silicon heel protectors that provide cushioning for the heel and prevent blisters.

Lingerie wash bag Don't we hate it when our lingerie gets lost in a sea of other clothes in the washing machine? Well now you can conveniently put all your undies in a lingerie mesh wash bag, put it inside the washer, and take it out when done.Convenient, isn't it?

Portable bidet  Every time we go on a road trip and have to settle for a dirty loo, we cringe at the unavailability of a faucet to clean ourselves. However, now you have a portable faucet that can be fit onto any bottle, and used like a normal jet.

Double-sided tape We have all faced that huge `gap' on our breasts every time we wear a shirt. Now that, and other potential embarrassing moments, can be prevented with the handy double-sided tape. It is also great for temporary repairs and keeping accessories in place.

Bra clip Don't like to show your bra straps when wearing racerback tops? No worries, the bra clip can keep your straps anywhere you like, and even create interesting designs in case you want to show those straps off.

Compressed towels These towels are compressed into small coinlike tablets, which turn into cloth wipes with just a splash of water.Easy to carry, these small wonders are also supposed to be biodegradable.

Trendspotting: Night divorces to holidating

Change is definitely the only constant! And that's what trends are based on. While last year was all about a brinner (breakfast-meets-dinner), liquid lunches, marsala colour, relationship 'ghosting' and ass-pocalypse (yes, those internet-breaking derriere pics a la Kim Kardashian and Beyonce), this year has also thrown up some wild and fun fads. Here are a few of them...

FOOD
Sushi donuts: Love sushi? This is sure to please you. When an instagrammer and blogger posted a creation of a sushi-donut hybrid, little did she realise it would churn up such an online storm. She created a donut mould, pressed sushi rice into it and added sesame, wasabi, ginger, avocado and mayo. Voila!
Poke: We're not referring to your social media antics. Poke is an Hawaiian dish (pronounced poh-keh) that comprises raw seafood seasoned with salt, soya and green onions and served cold. It's taken off in a huge way in LA and is expected to explode in other major cities, too.
Seaweed: The world is waking up to seaweed this year. A staple of the Japanese diet for centuries, it is now jumping onto menus with a flourish. It's so healthy that foodies are hailing it as the new kale. The marine alga is high in nutrients and dietary fibre and is said to be able to reduce cardiovascular disease. So far it's been mainly used in sushi rolls, but it's set to go mainstream in pizza, in soups, salads and stir-fries.
Sane eating: Out goes the hysterical obsession for superfoods like goji berries and chia seeds. This year it's a return to food you know and love. Eating real foods — with carbs and fibre — coupled with exercising more, is the advice that's out there now.
Turmeric talk: Good ol' haldi or turmeric — that was once a medicine staple — has come out of its conventional shackles and gone stylish. The West is now discovering turmeric lattes, smoothies, desserts and vinaigrettes, packed with its antioxidant properties. Turmeric milk has also become the new hipster drink. Can we say, we told you so?
Naked dining: The buff is going big, this year. A new restaurant in London offers customers a 'completely natural dining' experience, where you eat minus your clothes. It's said to have a wait list of 40,000! Diners wear bathrobes, go to a changing room and disrobe fully if they wish. Cellphones are not allowed, neither is anyone under 18 or over 60. In Tokyo, tickets for naked nights are selling out, too. Is this going to give a new meaning to a 'return to natural eating?

TRAVEL
Bleisure: Blame the increasing slant towards a work-life balance for this, but today more millennials are combining business with leisure. A holiday that's more like a mix of work and play, bleisure helps you prioritise the itinerary, feel more productive and still chill out at the end of day. Anyone complaining?

RELATIONSHIPS
Night divorce: Okay, this has nothing to do with getting a divorce at night. Rather, it's about parting from intimacy at night. That's right, couples are giving up their conjugal bed time, to sleep solo. They do this is to catch up on sleep, especially during a gruelling work week. Also known as a sleep divorce, it's about building excitement in the relationship.
Benching: Meet the new 'ghosting'. You may meet up with someone a few times, chat a little, but haven't made up your mind if you want to take it ahead. You ping once in a way so as to keep interest levels up. It's called 'benching' (to use a sports term), where you place a person on a bench in your mind. It's regarded as a power play that is wrong.
Holidating : A scenic locale may be just the catalyst for a romance. This is about people who end up dating seriously on their break, minus intimacy so as to avoid disappointments.

BEAUTY
Glitter tears: Forget graphic eyes and rainbow lashes, the new fad is to wear glitter tears on the eyelids. They're also worn under the eyes to give the illusion of falling tears. They may be placed under the eyes or all the way down the cheeks.
Wavy lob: This year Cannes was full of the look and it's also been an A-list fave elsewhere. The wavy lob or wob, where the hair is worn shoulder-length in tousled waves, is the new fuss-free, chic style. You can try it in a deep side parting or on its own.
Double buns: Forget rainbow hair, the new fad is 'double buns'. Kendall Jenner wore the look to Coachella this year. Singers Gwen Stefani Bjork and Miley Cyrus have sported the do as well. It may bring out your inner Minnie Mouse, but it's easy to wear and has a fun vibe.

WELLNESS
Gong bath: A ritual where a gong is sounded for stress relief, a 'gong bath' or 'gong shower' uses sound vibration to heal the self and attain peace. Eastern instruments like gongs, tingsha bells and Himalayan singing bowls are used for this.
Forest bathing: Forest bathing also called shirin-yoku is about basking in the greenery of a forest area. Soaking in the environment there, is said to bust stress and rejuvenate you. This year, there have been forest bathing programmes across the world.
Kombucha: Hollywood loves this! Of late, Amanda Seyfried, Halle Berry and Lindsay Lohan have sipping on kombucha. This is a fermented sweet tea, made by adding bacteria and yeast to it and allowing it to ferment for a few weeks. It's said to boost the immune system and clean the gut.

FITNESS
Animal flow workout: Mimicking the movements of animals is actually a thing now. From strenuous crocodile crawls to frog jump-leaps and crab walks, the regimen is set to wake up the tiniest muscles. Trampolining: Go jump! We mean it. If you're bored of the treadmill, bounce on a trampoline. It does away with the usual impact risk that runners and joggers face on a concrete surface. The repetitive bouncing motion increases circulation, builds muscles and improves balance.
Aerial yoga: While its inception may have been last year, aerial yoga or anti-gravity yoga is now coming into its own. It has a person suspended from the ceiling in fabric rope. You use your body weight to twist and contort.
Rowing: It's being called the new spinning and with good reason! The exercise will have you imitate rowing movements to build the arms and core and release tension in the back. Rowing studios have popped up in the West in the last few months. We say it's time that happened back home, too.

FASHION
Skort: A flirty, ladylike twist to shorts, the skort is divided at the legs with a single front flap, like a mini skirt. Once seen on tennis stars, it's foraying into everyday fashion now. Wear the skort this monsoon for some panache.
Bay-kini: The bikini has gone that much more sexy with this one. Named after the Baywatch TV series-styled one-piece, the Bay-kini is a plunging neckline number with a high cut at the waist sides. Selena Gomez and Ariel Winter have worn one.
Athleisure: The trend may have had its roots in 2016, but athleisure is creating an even bigger boom this year, as well. Sweatpants, tanks, track tops, hoodies, bombers, jeggings and yoga pants are going de rigueur with a vengeance! Workout apparel is comfy, smart and apt for accessories. Ready to make athletic wear the accepted norm?
Bare shoulders: Showing off the shoulder was the year-start darling. It was hot on the catwalk and seen on dresses, cut-out pieces and tops. Amal Clooney, Blake Lively and Bella Hadid made the shoulder blades turn sexy with this one.

How to grow green walls at home

In major urban centres, making room for home gardens is tough. But hardcore gardening buffs have found a way around that — vertical gardens! Yes, we're talking about plants in containers or geofelt bags mounted on the walls. Some even have a drip irrigation system for easier management! And while such gardens are very popular abroad and other Indian metros, the trend is fast catching up in Kolkata too.
According to Dr SL Rahman, joint secretary, The Agri Horticultural Society of India, "Starting a vertical garden is a costly affair. You also need to put in a lot of effort and dedication to maintain it. However, it's not rocket science. And where there's a will, there's always a way. The primary area of concern is watering the plants, which has to be done using a certain technique. The excess water should drain out through a proper channel. Seasonal flowers, philodendron and money plants are ideal for vertical home gardens."

Whether you grow the garden indoors or outdoors, all that differs is the plant types. Shade-loving hardy plants are used indoors, while sun-loving ones are kept outdoors.

As for the benefits of such gardens, landscape designer Nupur Khaitan says, "Green walls breathe life into our otherwise dull and drab life. Plants also purify the environment and their colour soothes our senses. It's a symbol of growth, auspiciousness and fertility. Plants help reduce stress and are good for eyesight. Very few know that plants also improve the vastu of a place. Since it's constructed over a specific area, it is much easier to control the spread of weeds. You can even grow vegetables in geobags and go organic. Many people prefer soil-less media, which comprises only chemicals or chemicals with fertilisers. One can also use organic materials like coco peat, manure and other nutrients essential for plant growth."
All said and done, let's see how you can start your own vertical garden at home. Here goes...

How to begin Define the area where you want the green wall. Any wall is good, but it's always better if you choose one that gets some natural light, even if indirect. Think about your budget. Many landscape designers also offer good solutions. If you're creative enough, you can make your own green wall with hanging pipes.

Area required All you need is a wall or a partition. It can be something as extensive as a boundary wall or even a small balcony wall. The structure of the green wall should be a three-layer sandwich — frame, plastic sheet and fabric — so that even when you attach it to a wall, it stays unharmed. This also makes unmounting easy. Again, if you want to create a partition, a free-standing green wall is ideal. This wall can also be made movable, making it an amazing option to break the monotony by changing its position every now and then.

Choosing plants The location of the wall will determine the kind of plants. "For indoors, we use plants that grow in shade, and for outdoors, we use sun-loving varieties. Again, for balconies, we use semi-shade plants. Vertical gardens even work as an attractive room dividers. In offices, where we get indirect light, we use sturdy indoor plants," Nupur tells us. The type of plants can also be suggested by the people installing the green wall or a horticulturist. You can get your supply from a good nursery.

How to water the plants If your green wall has a drip irrigation system, all you need to do is turn on a tap and your plants get watered in no time. Otherwise, you can use a hose for outdoor walls and a spray gun for indoor plants.

Fertilisers required If it's a big wall, you need a separate tank attached to the drip irrigation pipe. "All you need to do is pour liquid fertiliser in the tank and it will reach the plants with the water. If you are using soil-less medium, frequent fertilisation is not required. One can also get fertiliser cakes and put them manually in each pocket. However, this is feasible only for small units," adds Nupur.

How to maintain the garden Maintenance depends on the type of plants and the unit that you choose. If you're using green walls from reputed companies that offer you soil-less units, they are low on maintenance and need to be taken care of once in two months. However, plants need good care, and if watered properly, they require less maintenance.

The best mishti doi shops in town

There's something blessed about mishti doi. Its creamy white complexion hides a subtle mesh of textures — a mellow sweetness that leaves a soft, almost ethereal, aftertaste on the tongue. In the age of chocolate rosogollas and pineapple sandesh, the mishti doi still clings to its old Bengali lineage and sanskriti, a simple joy of taste harking back to a simpler, long-forgotten way of life.
Of course, it helps that every Bollywood heroine worth her soundbyte swears that the only thing she wants to have when in Kolkata is mishti doi!
But then, what makes this classic dessert of milk, yogurt and coarse sugar fermented overnight, such a hit across generations? We decided to deconstruct the mystique of mishti doi by visiting some of the city's most legendary sweet shops.
New Naba Krishna Guin sweets, Bowbazar

This 180-year-old shop boasts of a special item for every Bengali occasion, be it monda mithai for Poila Boishakh, malpoa for Jamai Shashthi or chhanar payesh for Rath. But the undisputed winner and an all-time favourite of loyalists remains the mishti doi. The secret behind their consistent taste and quality is that they keep boiling the milk (adding the correct measure of sugar) till it reduces to half the weight and turns into a thick creamy liquid. This is then cooled and finally the 'saja' is added to allow the doi to set. No artificial colours or flavours are used in this process. Shuprobhat Guin, owner, shared, "I went to Sydney last year for Bongotsav and there my workers made three types of doi — aam doi, sada doi and mishti doi — which were an instant hit not only with the probashi Bangalis but also with many foreigners." The shop sells a minimum of 80 kg of mishti doi every day and never compromises on quality. "Nowadays there's a huge demand for mishti doi even among the non-Bengali crowd," he added.

Amrit sweets, Fariapukur

If you were to ask your grandparents about the best mishti doi in the city, the answer will come in a split second. Amrit, they would say. That's the nostalgia value of this place! With a creamy texture, perfect sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth consistency, this shop's mishti doi is to die for. Not just senior citizens you'll even find a lot of college-goers flooding the shop to have their share of this divine delicacy.

Mithai sweets shop, Park Circus

Mithai has been known for its sada mishti doi for almost 50 years now. Without using any added colour or dalda and boiling the milk and sugar together for hours, they manage to impart a soft-glow texture to the yogurt. Their aam doi — made from real Himsagar mango pulp — is also a big hit with customers during summers. The rich taste and aroma will have you asking for more.

Jadab Chandra Das, College Street

This tiny shop on College Street — a passer-by wouldn't even notice it if he didn't know what made this place so special — has been the favourite of iconic Bengalis Satyajit Ray, Suchitra Sen and even Kishore Kumar. Interestingly, each one of them drooled over their mishti doi and paradise sandesh. Even today, filmmakers like Aparna Sen and Goutam Ghose make it a point to drop by every Saraswati Puja to buy a haanri of mishti doi. Following the tradition of excellence since 1836, their sada mishti doi has always been in high demand, but the shop fails to pull in the young crowd, feels Soumen Das, the owner. "Kids of today's generation choose ice cream over doi, which is very sad. The reason for this I feel is the lack of awareness about the health benefits of yoghurt," said Soumen. But he is hopeful that the situation will change in the coming years.

Putiram sweets, College Street

What makes for a perfect afternoon at boi para? Buying books from the stalls, having sherbet at Paramount and gorging on the delicacies at Putiram! In fact, the kochuri-chholar dal at this 170-year-old shop are as much in demand as their radhaballabi, rajbhog and their milky white mishti doi. Abhijit Modak, owner, said, "We don't know how to make doi using modern techniques. Our traditional way of preparing all of our sweets is what pulls the crowd. This is why the taste has also remained the same over the years. We have to make special arrangements on festive occasions like Durga Puja to meet the high demand."

Jugal's, Rashbehari Avenue

Remaining consistent at anything is quiet a task, but this shop makes it look like child's play. Established way back in 1925, this shop makes some mean mishti doi apart from their oh-so-awesome sweets. The secret behind the thick, creamy texture of their awesome doi is that they don't remove the fats from the milk. Boiling it for hours with sugar gives it a natural reddish tinge and a buttery appearance. Angana, daughter of the owner, said, "We cater to the demand for traditional sweets that are dying in the city due to proliferation of fusion sweets. It feels great when elderly customers, especially at our Rashbehari Avenue outlet, come and say that this is the place for authentic Bangali mishti."

Jashoda mistanna bhandar, Taltala

This shop at Taltala is the real deal. For six decades, the secret of making perfectly white mishti doi in the traditional way has been passed on by the generations of kaarigars. "Many shops make lal mishti doi but it can never match the quality of our doi. We also refrain from making aam doi, since we do not want to move away from our tradition and experiment with mishti doi using any artificial method," said Sanat Poddar, owner.

Suresh Mistanna Bhandar, Dhakuria

While many of the north Kolkata shops make legendary mishti doi, it's not that the south is untrained in this fine art. Suresh sells one of the best mishti dois in south of Bhowanipore. The 100 and 250 gm bhanrs are exhausted by seven in the evening. Their aam doi is just the right thing to keep you cool in summer. June 2016