The kitchen is a place which not only nourishes the people but also it's cultures. We may not know when exactly the kitchen came into existence. But we can estimate that it must have come into being only after the discovery of "FIRE".

Many people have researched into the ARCHITECTURE of kitchens. You can study it. You can know the various factors considered by Indians before they chose the location, design, function and contents of their kitchens.

Our forefathers have made this into a science. VAASTU is the Indian Science of architecture, which gives rules for planning every structure. The placement of the kitchen also assumes great importance. It is from the kitchen that the lady of the house administers her "Kingdom" (Or Queendom!).

VAASTU is very scientific. For example, it says that the source of fire (for cooking) should ideally face the east direction. Since the sun's rays come from the east for a greater part of the day, so it provides light. Sun's rays are infact now found to have the quality of destroying several bacteria too. The food, while being prepared, receives added energy. The cook also, while cooking receives that extra energy needed to do the cooking with enthusiasm.

MATA ANNAPOORNESHWARI is revered traditionally as the provider of food to humanity. Anna means "food" and poorneshwari means the "Goddess who gives fullness". In south-India, there is a temple dedicated to Annapoorneshwari. Our forefathers believed that whatever we eat should be first offered to the source from where it has come, and then alone should it be eaten.

The traditional Brahmins still continue to do "NAIVEDYAM" and then eat their food. It is a systematic process of invoking the "Pancha -Pranas" and then offering it to the body as a temple. The stomach that has the power to digest food is compared to the Homa-Kunda (or sacrificial fire) to which we offer food as a matter of divine's offering to our life. Just as our body is made of the "Pancha Mahabhootas", so also the food we eat is made of the five basic elements. A little understanding of this can go a long way in regulating our food and thereby our health. For example: Water is available in abundance and is valuable for life. The human body is composed of 70% water. Water is the only substance, which actively quenches our thirst. Other beverages will relieve thirst only in proportion of the water they contain. Most drinks (apart from fresh fruit juices and herbal drinks) are injurious because of unwholesome substances added to them. Hence water in its pure form is the best beverage. Through water, nutrients enter the blood stream and reach the critical areas of the human body, which need repair and growth.

Mother's love and her tender fostering care is a very important part of the welfare and nurturing for the family. The added ingredient of love which a mother adds to the family meals can only be available in a home and nowhere else. In earlier times many mothers would be mentally chanting "japa" prayer, or "mantra" while preparing the meals and going about their daily chores. This chanting leads to positive energy in the food she prepares and the divine vibrations not only nourish the family physically, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually as well. In keeping with the saying "We are what we eat", the mother maintains her purity of thoughts while preparing the meals. It was their love which Shivaji Maharaj received from his mother since his childhood which moulded him into a physically and spiritually strong human-being,a jewel among Indian heroes.

Over the centuries a wide variety of food have been evolved in India. India being a very vast country, different types of food exist over the various regions. Some people believe that Indian food is too hot and spicy. This may be partly true in the case of a few old recipes. But these recipes can be toned down without loosing out on its flavor, aroma and texture of the food. Many ingredients and herbs which are added to the Indian cooking actually aid digestion. Actually, some of these herbs also form the basis of science of Indian Ayurvedic medicines. The grandmother of the house (dadima) was supposed to be a walking repertory of homely remedies and surefire cures for common ailments. In order to have the best of Indian cooking the housewife requires the right combination of experience, knowledge of food, some common sense and a bit of experimentation to try her combinations. The modern Indian Housewife realizes, that, to give her family a healthy, balanced, and nutritive diet ,is, of utmost importance.

PANCHA KOSHA Shuddhi : Cleaning our five bodies. Every human being exists at five levels; or one can say that man has five bodies or "sheaths"
1) ANNAMAYA Kosha : This is the gross body, including all the tissues, organs etc. Nourishment to the body in the form of food and liquids is absorbed directly into this physical level. The purity and health of this body will determine the health of a person. By eating Indian health foods, you can increase health, vigor and vitality.
2) PRANAMAYA Kosha
3)MANOMAYA Kosha
4)VIGNANAMAYA Kosha
5)ANANDMAYA Kosha

By bringing about cleansing in all these levels, You can be healthy and even GROW YOUNGER This is also known as "KAYA-KALPA."