Beautiful life

I haven't decided how to write this story. When ordering "Indian" food in places such as the United States or the UK, garlic naan, biryani, butter chicken and dal are ubiquitous.However, when you travel to India, don't expect anything close to a standard menu. In this vast country, there are 29 states -- each with its own topography and traditions.Head 100 miles in any direction and the religion, language and culinary customs will be completely different.The food experiences vary based on the landscape and climate, not to mention historic immigration patterns, spices, trade links, rulers and religions.In northern destinations, you might find flatbreads and tandoor-grilled kebabs, while southern Indians dine on sweet coconut fish curries and rice.Across the country, the diversity spans more than nine religions, all of which influence the relationship with food. For example, Hindus eschew beef, Muslims avoid pork and Jains practice strict vegetarianism.With Covid-19 impacting international tourism, those of us in other countries probably can't taste these delicious dishes in India right now, but there's no harm in whetting our appetites.From north to south, east to west, we take a deep dive into each region's history and traditional dishes with insights from experts in each region.