On my first morning, I slept through the 6 am pooja and the ensuing breakfast with monks. I must confess that my curiosity about breakfast coaxed me into waking up early the next day. I was not disappointed. The pooja lasted about an hour, with monks chanting soulfully in the monastery’s grand 36-pillared temple hall. Gongs and trumpet-like musical additions...

　　We're midway through the year, which means a new list of best places for 2024. 　　For their annual World's Greatest Places list, TIME curated 100 extraordinary destinations to visit in 2024 and beyond. To compile the new llst, TIME contributors and correspondents across the globe nominated visit-worthy hotels, cruises, restaurants, attractions, museums, parks, and more. Places could also apply online...

　　A massive bridge project just kicked off in Maryland. Updates to The Susquehanna River Bridge broke ground on Friday, July 19, the first steps in creating two new structures to serve 110 daily Amtrak routes. 　　Amtrak is excited to kick off early work on this important bridge upgrade, one of several major Amtrak infrastructure megaprojects now underway or set to...

　　Following much anticipation, a dose of controversy, and unparalleled hard work and dedication by athletes around the globe, theParis 2024 Olympics are finally here. Following the opening ceremony on Friday, June 26, the games begin! And with it, the return of gold medalist Simone Biles on the USA Gymnastics Team. The GOAT will compete in the women's all-around, women's floor...

　　When acclaimed wildlife photographer Manish Kalani took up photography in 2016, he didn’t know it would become a serious passion and usher him into a “true calling.” When he started going on safaris after a professional career in real estate, he didn’t know the ABCs of photography but was interested to learn. After being told he had a keen eye...

　　Do you live in the best place for your family? A new analysis of over 2,000 cities across the country may have you rethinking relocation. Or feeling grateful for your ancestral hometown. For the third year in a row,Fortune analyzed cities livability for multigenerational families, ranking important assets like health care, education, affordability, resources for seniors and more to determine...

August is National Black Business Month, the perfect time to put a spotlight on Chicago’s wealth of Black-owned businesses. Chicago’s Black entrepreneurs are an integral part of the citys fabric, spearheading everything from beloved restaurants to trendy boutiques to award-winning cultural institutions and beyond. Here are just a few of Chicago’s Black-owned businesses that are worth a visit in August...

　　We cautiously turned our heads as an emphatic voice, speaking in Bengali, floated down to us - Na apnake ar debo na, boudi apnake du peg er beshi khete baron korechhen na? - No I will not serve you any more, didn't your wife tell you not to drink more than two pegs? From the corner of our eyes, we...

　　Kalimpong is located about 70 km from Darjeeling on a ridge that connects two hills, Deolo and Durpin, that overlook the Teesta River. Due to the low altitude, the weather remains pleasant throughout the year. Previously, the town was a significant stop on the commercial routes connecting Tibet to India via Sikkim. Kalimpong has it all gorgeous mountain views, stunning...

　　Karnataka has a plethora of exquisite tourist destinations, such as Mysore, Hampi, Coorg, and Shivanasamudra Falls. Not only these, the state has a calm and pleasant climate and is adorned with dense green trees that provide a perfect habitat for birds and animals. As a result, the state is home to a diverse range of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries,...