On our summer trip to North we were in Kangra valley.This was on route to Manali.We had to take a night halt at a hotel,which was totally secluded. As there was nothing around, we j took a walk around and then  stayed indoors.I went up to the hotel owner to find more about the valley and the food served there. I heard some unheard names and was curious to know more about the cuisine,so the gentleman called his local chef and asked him to prepare a Dham. Dham is a rich meal served at weddings in Kangra Valley, where they cook anywhere between 15 -20 dishes.

The chef selected  a few dishes and happily demonstrated. Coming to Madra. Madra can be made with different lentils. The most popular one is made with chick peas.The Kangra food is very very oily, but while preparing this Madra I did not have the heart to use that much oil.

The dish is unique where the gravy is made with onions,carrots and pumpkin.The whole spices and curd make it rich.One needs to put in lots of oil as a result the end product has a layer of oil.

1………………cup boiled chick peas

1…………….. potato, boiled cut into cubes

1………………onion , chopped

1…………….. carrot, grated

1………………pumpkin grated

1/2cup…… curd

1………………bay leaf

3-4…………. cloves
1…………….. big cardamon
2-3…………. small cardamons

1/2 tsp……. red chilly pwd

1/4 tsp……. turmeric pwd

1/2 tsp….. .coriander pwd

1/2 tsp…… kitchen king masala

Heat oil.

Add whole spices.

Add onions.Saute’.

Add grated carrot and pumpkins. Sauté.

Cook till the moisture dries.

Add the chick peas and oiled cubed potatoes.

Cook on slow fire till oil comes up.


view of the valley from the hotel

I must tell you that I bought this stone  serving dish from the local market in the valley,

The Dham prepared by the local chef at the hotel.

BM# 20
Linking to CWS  hosted by Foodomania



Madra from Kangra Valley / Chick pea Curry

15 thoughts on “Madra from Kangra Valley / Chick pea Curry”

  1. Hi Vaishali,
    Thank you for posting the Madra from Kangra Valley / Chick pea Curry recipe.
    I’ve been looking for this recipe since forever! LOL. 😀
    I’d like to invite you to submit the pictures of your Madra from Kangra Valley / Chick pea Curry to http://www.foodporn.net so other chefs can make the same creation. 🙂
    You know it’s fun to make others hungry. 😀
    Can’t wait for your recipe. 😀

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