High and dry—Yak meat strips hung out to dry in Thembang, Arunachal Pradesh

The ’high‘ road—En route to Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), home to the second largest monastery in the world

Rice and all things nice—Served in magnificent bell metal utensils. Guwahati, Assam

Great balls of fire—Littis roasted over coals and served with a spicy mash of fire roasted eggplant. Patna, Bihar

Ready, steady, feast—Traditional fare from the hills of Uttara khand. Practically impossible to find in commercial eateries

Lean ‘n green—Mint Chicken dish flavoured with whole spices. Jhaltola, Uttarakhand

The colours of love—Sweets offered in devotion to Lord Jagannath at his temple. Puri, Odisha

The early monk gets the warm—Dawn prayers are bolstered by hot butter tea. Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim

Go for Gold—Seviyan (vermicelli) of different quality grades is used in many Indian cuisines for sweet and savoury dishes. Lucknow, UP

Mmmmmutton—Possibly India’s favourite meat and prepared in myriad forms. This one’s soon to be fresh Seekh Kebabs. Lucknow, UP

Sweet devotion—Laddoos, Boondi, and Chhenna Poda are just a few among hundreds of sweetmeats so beloved to Indians. Puri, Odisha

A’maize’d—The tribes of Nagaland forage much of their food fresh from the forest

This might make you jumpy—Frog meat cooked with fresh spics and fiery chilli. Hornbill Festival, Nagaland

Spot the Naga—The fierce warriors of a Naga tribe at the Hornbill Festival. Why is one of them in boots though?

Finger licking good—The name ‘Chaat’ for this famous street food is the same as the verb ‘to lick’. No surprises there! Lucknow, UP

The highway version of a ’Hole-in-one’, Tamil Nadu

Chapala Pulusu (Tamarind Fish), Andhra Biryani, and Gongura (Leaf) Mutton, a tableful of ‘MUST HAVES’ when in Andhra Pradesh

Rich fare available at a small village roadside eatery, Andhra Pradesh

The mouthwatering magic of street food. Vada Pav in Gujarat

Gujarati Staples at a Kathiawadi Eatery NH46, Bhuj to Ratnal

Himachali snacks at Kullu, spicy and colourful

Meal made to order at Judges Court, Pragpur. Go local for the best fare

An impressive Chak Thap (metal stove) in Leh at a traditional kitchen

Sweet dreams are made of spicy meals in Kerala

The noble cook (Mayur-L) and the evil hunter (Rocky-R) cooking up trouble at Kathakali, Kerala

Ingredients for a healthy fish preparation at an Ayurvedic resort at Kovalam, Kerala

Marathi magic, highway fare, Revdanda–Murud Road, Maharashtra

Divine rotis being prepared in Amritsar, Kesar Dhaba. Spotlight courtesy Mother Nature

The family that brings you ‘ROYAL ATTA CHICKEN’, Kotkapura, Punjab

Mouth freshners ALL, a Rajasthani favourite available all across Rajasthan

Catch of the day at a small fish shop along the coastline of Tamil Nadu

Cashew Tuticorin Macaroons baked fresh and sold out daily. Thuthukudi, Tamil Nadu