An ancient Sanskrit
Uttare maansbhak-shanam, dakshine matule kanya
Means that Brahmins, in the north, are allowed to take meat and the south, to marry the first maternal cousin. So, meat eating is common in hills even among high caste Brahmins. Falling in winters is Shivratri, the birthday of Lord Shiva, one of the Gods of Hindu trinity, and the most famous festival celebrated throughout the region. Even the poorest enjoys dalki, prepared meat of goat, on this evening. Sacrificing goat before a village diety on fulfillment of a vow is considered, sacred here. Devotees offer head and little flesh of goat to the temple priest and carry the remains home to cook in conventional style.The blood sausage called Lohange or Limte is prepared differently here and has rice mix taste.
Wetlands are gifts of nature for the region, Fish in some of these are worshipped, and in some eaten. Waters, here, are known world over for exellent catches of Mahseer and Rainbow trout variety of fish. Lately, man made reservoirs for river valley projects have vastly enhanced the potential of pisciculture. Majority of cooks here have not tried to marry the flavours of fish with available spices and have restricted themselves to fish fingers, fried fish or cutlets.
