We had been waiting for 15 minutes, our teeth tightly clenched, heartbeats racing. Just as I was about to close my eyes, to find respite from the peaking sun, my eyes collided with Strawberry. She was shy, almost reticent, but unfazed by the dozens of eyes that were on her. Perched atop a high rock with the sunlight making her...

　　The Maha Kumbh Mela takes place once every 12 years in Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, in Uttar Pradesh. The last Maha Kumbh Mela, which was held in 2013, attracted a record 10 crore people and generated revenue of INR 12,000 crore. It is the world’s largest public gathering and collective act of faith, with congregants including ascetics, sadhus, Kalpvasis...

There’s no better time to experience the citys vibrant theatre scene than Chicago Theatre Week. This highly anticipated event, now in its 13th year, offers theatre-goers a chance to catch shows all around Chicago for a steep discount — just $15 or $30 a ticket (or less!). Chicago Theatre Week showsComedyDramaMusicalsFamilyDance Chicago Theatre Week 2025 will run from Feb. 6...

　　Makar Sankranti, observed annually in mid-January, is one of India's most culturally rich and widely celebrated festivals. Marking the sun's transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara), this harvest festival heralds the end of winter and the onset of longer, sunnier days. While its essence—gratitude for the harvest and prayers for prosperity—remains consistent, how Makar Sankranti is celebrated varies...

　　The re-opening of national parks in time for winter has seen a flurry of people embarking on wildlife safaris to see tigers, migratory birds, elephants, rhinoceros and more. The post-monsoon undergrowth gives way to winter mists that are conducive to seeing India’s national animal and other wildlife species. According to Ishana Vats, the manager for tours and product development at...

　　The Edakkal caves, located in the scenic Wayanad district of Kerala, are a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and nature lovers. These ancient caves, situated at an altitude of 1,200 metres, are famous for their unique rock carvings, which make them an important archaeological site. Visitors can expect a thrilling hike through lush forests to reach the caves, which are...

For Chicago, 2024 was a milestone year — the city hosted major gatherings like the Democratic National Convention, welcomed millions of visitors from around the globe, and was voted Best Big City in the U.S. for a historic eighth consecutive year. In this articleFestivals and major events in ChicagoMuseum exhibits in ChicagoTheatre and dance in ChicagoConcerts in ChicagoAnd it looks...

　　Established in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the city of Amritsar has remained an important cultural and historical epicentre in the imagination of India. Apart from the magnificent Golden Temple, the city boasts a rich handicrafts and textile scene, its Wagah Border ceremony, museums and numerous festivals. One other thing that the city has made a reputation for is its...

　　When considering the Buddhist circuit, we often think of places like Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Sarnath, and Sanchi. However, Kushinagar—a small town located 53 km from Gorakhpur—is frequently overlooked despite its significance to Buddhists. This sacred site is revered as the place where Buddha attained Parinirvana, marking his final and complete liberation from the cycle of birth and death. A visit to...

　　It is strange to look up at the giant, deep-red rock formations and see everything yet nothing. They rise up like flames during the day, and at a distance, an uneven pattern reveals itself, stitching the sky and the land together. That is all I could see till far and beyond until a fellow traveller, who had visited AlUla a...