Ugadi, the Telugu and Kannada New Year, is a vibrant celebration of renewal, prosperity, and tradition. Marking the onset of spring, it is a time for fresh beginnings, family gatherings, and, most importantly, festive feasting. Central to Ugadi's culinary traditions is Ugadi Pachadi, a symbolic dish that blends six flavours—sweet, sour, bitter, salty, spicy, and tangy—representing life's varied experiences. Alongside,...

　　World Theatre Day | The hypnotic beat of a large nagada drum fills the night air. The traveling Nautanki Company is in town. Two teenage boys dance on top of an elaborate arch, trying to draw the crowds and fill every seat in the shamiana auditorium in a small north Indian town. Announcements blare out on a loudspeaker about the...

　　World Whisky Day | The rise of Indian single malts has given rise to a new generation of whisky enthusiasts. Select Indian whisky brands have been creating a buzz at home and abroad. Previously, trips outside India meant a mandatory duty-free whisky run, but now you can get great quality right at your doorstep. Here are some Indian single malt...

　　World Theatre Day | Indian folk or traditional theatre is an integral part of the country's rich cultural heritage and holds immense significance. This art form beautifully combines music, dance, poetry, mime, religion, and various other artistic techniques, providing a multidimensional reflection of people's beliefs, social practices, customs, and traditions. Folk theatre represents the second phase of a dramatic evolution...

　　As the grains of rai danced in the kadhai, one of them jumped out to hit my cheek. The blazing February afternoon in Nashik that was about treating the palate with native Maharashtrian dishes soon became all about cooking it. I was stirring the kala masala tadka, an essential component of Maharashtrian cuisine, including the iconic misal. 　　A rare moment...

　　International Whiskey Day, which is annually celebrated on March 27, was launched 16 years ago in 2009 at the Whiskey Day Festival in the Netherlands. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of the British writer Michael Jackson, who wrote extensively on whiskey and beer. 　　For whiskey aficionados and enthusiasts worldwide, the day becomes an occasion to come together to celebrate...

　　Old Delhi is synonymous with paranthe wali gali and other iconic street food spots, but did you know that it is also home to Asia’s largest food court that spans over 1 lakh sq ft and can accommodate more than 2,000 people at once? Cue in Dawatpur at Omaxe Chowk, Old Delhi's newest and swanky culinary address. 　　Whether you want...

　　Heritage Walk in Ahmedabad | At first glance, Ahmedabad, the former capital of Gujarat, is a flourishing commercial hub ruling western India. But tucked within its folds, especially in the walled city, is an almost 600-year-old architectural heritage that won Ahmedabad the coveted World Heritage Site tag from UNESCO. Take a walk through Ahmedabad to explore the city, and know...

　　Ensconced in the Shevaroy Hills, a range of the Eastern Ghats, Yercaud brims with the most rewarding tourist places. It stands out as a green haven among the surrounding regions' usually dry climates and rocky hills. 　　Spread over a paltry 383 sq km, the small hamlet offers a picturesque retreat to escape the chaos of the city. Yercaud is one...

　　Located on the outskirts of Delhi, just off the Ballabhgarh-Sohna Highway, lies a serene natural water body known as Panikot Lake. The lake is surrounded by the majestic hills of the Aravalli Range and remains untouched by human hands. It has earned the moniker of Mini Ladakh, owing to its clear water and rocky, barren terrain. The place has become...