Celebrating Holi in village Anwariya, Zila Rampur, March 2014
This post has been written for the theme “26 Places, 26 Memories” for the #AtoZChallenge.
Z FOR ZILA RAMPUR:
Zila means district in Urdu. Rampur is a city and municipality district in Uttar Pradesh, India. This industrial hub of sugar refining and cotton milling, is most famous for its beautifully handcrafted knives, a library with over 12,000 rare manuscripts and Mughal miniature paintings, and delicious biscuits from the local “Rainbow Bakery”.
Growing up, we visited this area frequently, as my father’s close friends owns agricultural land here. His farm is located in village Anwariya in Bilaspur. It became a favoured holiday destination, as it was an experience far removed from our city lives. I recently took my 3-year-old son there, and he loved it too. From all my visits to the ‘farm’, as I’ve always called it, this is the one that really stands out.
ZEALOUSLY ZONKED IN ANWARIYA VILLAGE, ZILA RAMPUR:
For my first Holi after marriage in March 2014, my parents asked my husband and I to join them for a weekend at my uncle’s farm. I was keen to show my husband this special place from my childhood, and so we drove down for the holiday weekend.
On the morning of Holi, we played with gulaal (organic colour). We’d been discussing the festival and the traditional practice of having bhang (weed/ hemp) to celebrate. Our group, consisting of my parents, aunt and uncle, husband and I, had never tried it before; though we’d heard stories of our friends and relatives’ experiences.
Weed grew wild in the fertile environs of the farm, and my father jokingly remarked that we should try it this time for free. My uncle asked his cook to prepare something for us, and he quickly produced the most delicious bhang ke pakore (fried dumplings).
As we hadn’t eaten breakfast, the first plate of pakoras vanished in seconds. My father, quite amusingly, kept going for them as he believed nothing was happening! The rest of us also readily popped one after another, because they were simply delectable. The only one who was prudent enough to take it slow, was my husband. We hadn’t realised that weed takes time to affect the system when consumed in edible form.
Afterwards, we relaxed in the shady courtyard, enjoying the leisurely mood. My aunt and my mother were exchanging routine gossip, while I listened in. The men were busy in their own conversation. My aunt was narrating an anecdote about a suit that my mother had designed for her. She’d gifted the same suit-piece to a relative of hers, and when the women of their family were called in to meet and approve a boy for their niece, both ladies coincidentally wore the same suit.
There’s nothing particularly funny about this incident, right? Stuffed to the gills with bhang ke pakode, however, it became the funniest thing possible. We were in splits, with tears of laughter running down our cheeks. When the men asked us the cause of our mirth, all we could manage was, “hahahhahaha…. the same suit…. they both wore the same suit…. hahahahah!” They stared at us blankly, thinking we’d gone nuts; which of course we had!
After our hearty laughter session, all of us passed out. I remember the walls spinning overhead, before drifting into a deep, sweet slumber. By evening, the bhang had worn off for most of us; but my poor father who’d consumed the maximum pakodas, was nursing a terrible headache.
If you’re wondering how I remember the details so well despite being completely zonked; my husband, who was relatively sober, likes to remind me of them frequently 😉
Here ends my journey of the #AtoZChallenge 2019. If you enjoyed the stories from my travels around India and the world, I urge you to download a copy of my e-book which will be out next month. The book contains all 26 stories with a wealth of detail, and lots of mirch-masala! Farewell till the next challenge and thank you for being a part of this wonderful voyage with me 🙂
You can read all other posts from this series here:
A for Amritsar, B for Bhopal, C for Cambodia, D for Delhi, E for England, F for France, G for Gwalior, H for Hemkund Sahib, I for Italy, J for Jim Corbett National Park, K for Kamakhya Devi Temple, L for London, M for Munich, N for Naples, O for Odisha, P for Prague, Q for Qila Mehrangarh Jodhpur, R for Rishikesh, S for Singapore, T for Tarifa in Spain, U for Udhampur in Jammu & Kashmir, V for Velassaru in Maldives, W for Westminster City in London, X for Xi’an in China, Y for Yorkshire in England
Bhang ke pakode anyone?!
Farm life at Anwariya, Zila Rampur
*The copyright in all pictures belongs to nooranandchawla.
**This is not a sponsored post.
This incident of yours reminded of the time when my maternal brother consumed bhang laden thandai at holi and got teleported to the Mahabharata era with all the fighting happening all throughout the house and I even remember him being stabbed by a javelin by some Kaurav sainik 😛 . These anecdotes from your journeys have definitely enthralled and entertained us all throughout the challenge and it’s time to explore other styles of your writing as well. Glad we connected through this platform and I found a genuine blogger friend 😀 .
Hahaha! That’s hilarious!
Glad we connected too. See you on the other side of the challenge 😉
Amen 🙂
What a wonderful way to end the season’s final post, had a great time reading your whole holi experience 😀😀 Keep sharing your stories with us and stay connected 🌷 Congratulations and All the best!
Thank you so much Priyanka! So glad I’ve connected with you!
Congratulations to you too on completing the challenge:)
Thank you 😊
Haha 😀 Must be a magical experience 🙂 That’s what I was thinking how can you remember every bit of incident even after being HIGH. So your husband didn’t tell you not to eat more because he wanted to see the fun 😀
Hahaha ya he loves to make fun of that incident 😂
woow must be an amazing experience!
Haha it really was!
Such a lovely final post Noor…Enjoyed reading another of your experience… Keep writing keep sharing shine on buddy…And also thank you for being so encouraging of Cafewhiz…..Would definitely see u here often…. Cheers!
Thank you for reading and appreciating my work too! It was a pleasure to connect with you here. And yes, of course will see you more often 🙂
Congrats for completing the challenge ! Loved all the places and incidents you narrated !
Thank you for reading and appreciating!
So glad I connected with you through the challenge!
It was really nice to read yoyr travel stories. Even this one was funny. All the best to you Noor for the book!
Thank you Shubhra! So glad to have connected with you!
Ha ha, the bhang stories. One of my friend had an interesting one – quite an avid drinker I must say. He was very excited about the idea of Bhang at Holi, the only thing he remembers to this day is having 3 drinks. The next memory he has is of 2 days later! 😀 .
On the other hand, I would probably quite fancy the pakoras. They are harder to come by! 🙂
Hahaha! Ya thankfully we weren’t quite as zonked as that!!
Ha ha ha. You couldn’t have finished it in a way better than this. You madee yearn to take a trip, you made me feel nostalgic about places I have visited and you wrap it up while I still have a smile on my face. You are a rockstar Noor and I am so delighted to have met you through this challenge.
Awww that’s such a sweet message Sonia! Thank you for reading and appreciating throughout. It really means a lot to me!
So glad to have met you too 🙂
Loved and unique way of ending your series my dear. It was a pleasure sailing this AtoZ journey with you. Keep up the good work. All the best for the ebook carnival ♥️
Thank you Roma 🤗
This is what happens when you eat Bhang, you will continue laughing where a small smile is enough.
Interesting read.
It was really very nice to go through your posts throughout the journey.
Thank you Jyotirmoy. So glad you enjoyed reading my posts 🙂
I have experienced this too, and people tend to eat too much with bhang. Your entire series is great memoir.
Thank you! So glad you liked it!
Loved reading your complete series of travel.. Keep rocking and this one is really hilarious..
Thank you so much for reading and appreciating!
Loved the fnale, Noor! You left us smiling with your last post! I have LOVED reading your series and I am so glad I came across your blog! Do consider writing a full flegded book soon!
Thank you so much Mayuri! It’s in the works.. If I haven’t mentioned it before, you’re one of the reasons I took up the challenge and also why I survived it!
Big hug to you!!
Hahaha, I can imagine. Being born and bred in North India how can I miss out the bhaang part of Holi. Never tasted myself but have seen lot of craziness happening post consumption.
Once my cuz bro had it and he kept kicking this bike for 30 odd minutes in the same run. Crazy enough for me to maintain a safe distance.
Lovely journey through beautiful posts Noor, I believe by now we know more about you and your love of travelling. Good luck and keep in touch.
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed the stories. We will definitely be in touch!
Congrats on completing challenge, I really wish to participate ,want to work under pressure
Loved reading your AtoZ series, Noor. Congratulations on completing the series and wishing you luck for your next venture ❤️
Thank you!
Hahaha, your posts are full of entertainment, Noor. And, I am truly amazed by your memory power, how you recall all these incidents and present to your readers in such a wonderful style. Honestly, I have become your fan, Noor. I would love to get your e-book and I am sure very soon you will be giving out signed copies of your books. Congratulations for completing the challenge and All the very best for your future endeavours.
Thank you so so much Neha.. Such sweet words!
It’s so lovely to have connected with you, and I would love to be in touch with you 😊
Seems you had great fun. I haven’t heard about bhaang pakora. It looks fun.
Yes it was great fun
This story sounds so interesting. I vaguely heard about weed growing wildly in certain areas of rural India but never really experienced it. Reading this makes me wants to try out these pakoras. Wow !
https://www.youtube.com/aclassicmom
Haha! They were delicious!
Your posts are always so nice Noor! I keep reading them word to word. They bring a lot of fun and interest whenever I read.I could visualize the scene of impact of Bhang Pakoras. Looking forward to the next one.
Thanks Nidhi! The challenge is finally over, but I’m glad you liked my content 🙂
Awww such a cute post! Congratulations to you for completing the challenge and seems you had loads of fun during Holi festival 🙂
Thank you 😊
I have never tried bhang would like to try it someday 😀 it was nice reading your stories. It was like knowing you in person. 🙂
Thank you Snehal! Glad you liked them 😊
I loved and truly enjoyed your A-Z challenge and this being the last alphabet stole my heart. Looking forward to your next content.
Thank you 😊
This Holi must be so memorable for you all! Such lovely pics of village life and must say that these places have their own charm that is so addictive.
Yes true!
Hahaha this is too funny. I can’t stop laughing because something very similar happened to my family one holi. It was outright hilarious 😁
Hahaha 😊
Rampur waali Holi so well narrated
Thank you
A beautifully penned post dear Noor. I was loving to read all about your A time Z journey.
Thank you!
Your post brought back so many Holi memories from my home town from bhang to colors. Keep up the good work.
Thank you
Holi is always special… especially when celebrated out of town. This Holi from 5 years back really brought back so many memories!
I’m glad 😊
Seems like you had a gr8 time at Zila Rampur…am tempted to taste those bhaag ke pakode..they look so inviting..
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks to your sober husband we came to know about another insterinter post from you.
😊
hahaha… It’s quite amusing to see people who have bhang ka nasha. It’s quite different … people get into a loop of either crying, laughing or babbling until it wears off slowly 🙂
Hahaha yes!
Yesss . You did a great job with these 26 posts. Loved the way you described it. I never have bhang and so want to have atleast once. May be a good experience I too will see 😛
Haha yes it’ll be fun!
I had never had Bhaang ke Pakore, but would love to try them sometime. And I know the effects of Bhaang! I can totally imagine how you guys were laughing after the effects of the special “Pakore”. Loved reading your anecdote.
Thanks for sharing some amazing experience with us I loved reading your blogs. I recently read some of your blogs and I loved each and every single travel blog. Many congratulations on completing the task. I am looking forward for more such blogs
Thank you!
Matlab seedha London to Rampur…wow…hahahaa…amazing. Btw that plate of pakode tells me how many consumed 😀
It was a great experience to across your blog through this challenge. Quality content is rare and you are truly blessed with producing that. Hopefully the connection will stay after this also. All the best. Enjoy!
#ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia
Thank you Manas! So glad you enjoyed my stories.
Yes I hope the connection stays too!
another amazing travel story. I love farms and farm houses, it’s a different feeling to visit one. I have nominated you for The Mystery Blog Award. Please check the link to know more.
https://lifeandmusing.com/2019/05/02/the-mystery-blogger-award/
Thank you Nazish! That’s so sweet of you!
Was in splits while reading this… It was great reading your experiences & memories throughout different places.
Thank you! Glad you liked it!
adding lovely memories to your life. These bhang pakoras looks nice i never tried them honestly …
Thanks for stopping by!
After reading this I so wanted to be a North Indian. Wow
Haha thank you for stopping by!
i totally loved reading this series and the ending couldn’t be any better. Wonderful!
Thank you Jhilmil! Glad you liked it!
Such a beautiful post. Rampur is famous for knives and have been there many times. The title seems like a tongue twister .
Haha! Thank you
Haha.. Glad your husband was well aware and reminded you of such a great day
Haha! Thanks for stopping by!
First holi is so special snd you had so much fun girl. I haven’t read all your post of the series but liked it a lot
Thank you!
My only experience with bhaang has been a false alarm of a heart attack. Needless to say I’ll be having it again -_-
What?! That sounds so scary!
What a beautiful memory. Must have been one hell of a day. I was laughing till the end, Noor. I can only imagine the high.
Glad you liked it:)
Looks like you had fun!! Well festivals are all about that!!…Beautiful write up
Thank you!
This is surely a beautiful memory that you shared. Such memories make our life worth living.
Yes they do 😊
I read each line of the post and what a beautiful write up it was, felt like I visited the place through your writing. There is a charm of celebrating festivals away from the hustle bustle of metro cities. That bhaang ke pakode had me drooling.
Glad you liked it 🙂
Wow.. looks amazing.. the most interesting thing os the bhang ke pakode… i don’t really have bhang but this intruiges me
Thanks for stopping by