The rheumy-eyed priests watch impassively as raucous boys play marbles in the pillared courtyard of a temple in Ahmedabad. The ash-smeared old men don't say a word about the adolescent antics they barely seem to breathe as they recline on a bench. They could be 80 or 100 or as old as Kala Ramji Mandir itself—a 350-year-old structure painted with...

　　Come Christmas and Mumbai is adorned in red, green, and gold. The city's East Indian community is in full swing in their kitchens and bakeries, churning out delicacies from secret recipes handed down the generations. The descendants of the original inhabitants of the city that never sleeps, the East Indians, welcome the yuletide season with great fervour. While some of...

　　Kochi, a city on the Western coast of India, is a foodie’s paradise. And why not? It offers a host of flavours, from Anglo-Indian, Jewish and Gujarati dishes to Konkani and traditional Keralite cuisine. New cafés and places offering gourmet dining options pop up frequently, making you wish everyday was a cheat day. Here are the best places to eat...

　　You know that a city takes its music and its music history very seriously when its airport is named after a musician. That city can be none other than New Orleans in Louisiana, and the musician none other than Louis Armstrong. No surprise there because jazz music is one of America’s greatest contributions to modern culture. In fact, Armstrong himself...

　　One is never too far away from tea in Sri Lanka, an impression garnered over my myriad visits to this charming island nation. From sipping and savouring aromatic blends at capital city Colombo’s tea boutiques to plodding through the lush tea-scapes of Nuwara Eliya and Sabaragamuwa Province, the sojourns have been as seductive for the senses as a freshly brewed...

　　Dappled sunlight streams through the foliage, the air is filled with a variety of birdsong. On one side, a stream from the Dhansiri river gushes by. There is some sign of human habitation. A thriving nursery occupies one side of the rough track. To the other, there is a shed beside it, a rustic and undeniably aesthetic cabin indicates an...

　　It's that time of the year again. Christmas is around the corner, churches are gearing up and streets are lit up across cities to spread festive cheer. The festive Christmas week is getting closer, bringing with it a slew of seasonal cheer. The air is filled with the enticing fragrance of freshly baked cakes and the joyful spirit of celebration....

　　In the heart of India’s untamed wilderness lies an adventure that takes you beyond the hum of jeep engines and deep into the primal rhythm of nature—walking safaris. Imagine treading softly through sun-dappled forests, with every step echoing stories of ancient ecosystems. The air is alive with the whispers of leaves and the distant call of a langur, while your...

　　Kiriteswari, located just 18 kilometres from Murshidabad in Kiritkona village, West Bengal, is a remarkable destination worth exploring. It has earned accolades, including the title ‘Best Tourism Village of India 2023’ from the Union Ministry of Tourism. This prestigious recognition highlights the village's commitment to promoting rural life and preserving cultural heritage, making it an ideal choice for travellers seeking...

　　In democratic times, even the minatory language of kings is genteel. Trespassers will be prosecuted, reads the royal instruction hanging on the intricately carved wrought-iron gates of the Nawab's palace. This deserted palace in Murud is the address of the present Nawab of Janjira. His forefathers would not have been this bashful. Anyone attempting unlawful entry into the Janjira Fort,...