It's the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, and I caught one of the first matches kicking off the season at Wankhede Stadium yesterday between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC). It was a great match - quite enjoyable and exciting as the whole stadium was reverberating with calls,...
Stretching from the arid landscapes of the Sahara Desert to the steamy jungles at the heart of the continent and the Southern wine country, Africa’s vastness and diversity are staggering. After four trips exploring all corners of the continent, I have still only just scratched the surface and never...
The spring celebration of Holi sees many parts of India erupt in colour but perhaps the best place to witness it in all its glory is Mathura, home to Vrindavan and Barsana. Here, the festival can last for two weeks. Thousands of tourists descend on the region for a...
Touristy places are incredibly convenient as they boast infrastructure and amenities for the comfort of visitors. But if you are someone who prefers to take the road less travelled and cannot be too bothered with amenities or the lack thereof, India has some fabulous offbeat places to visit. Check...
A land of many cultures, several factors over the centuries have influenced the architecture of India. From the artisans who came to the country and built monuments of grandeur to the distinct seasons of its regions, inspiration from diverse sources resulted in unique and spectacular buildings that have stood...
Today on Mahatma Gandhiji’s 71st death anniversary, what better tribute could we pay to the father of the Indian nation than taking time out to reflect on what came to be one of his favourite bhajans? These words resonate with those who walk the path of peace and endeavour...
Whether you are planning a staycation in England or visiting on the trip of a lifetime, the National Trust is an amazing resource for tourists and travellers. It owns and manages forests, beaches, islands, archaeological sites, historic houses, gardens, farms, moorland, pubs and one of the largest art collections...
Khadi: the word and its meaning
'Khadi' (pronounced Khādī) or Khaddar means 'cotton' in Sanskrit. It refers to any kind of cloth that is spun or woven by hand. This natural fibre is found abundantly in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
History
Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation, started the Khadi movement...
Ships and boats ready for tourists on the Nile
The Ha-Shihor (in Biblical Hebrew), Nilus (in Latin), en-Nil (in Arabic), or the Nile (in plain English), as it is commonly known, breathes life into the ancient land of Egypt. The Nile river cruise is a popular journey taken upstream from...
Go barefoot and jump in a barrel of freshly-picked grapes and stomp away to your heart’s content at The Resort’s grape stomping fest.
Taste the different varieties of Grover Zampa vintage wines with the perfect pairing of flavoured cheese like Emmental, Brie, Camembert and English Cheddar, which will make it...
Kumbh mela, by far India’s most revered and sacred festival, is now also inscribed by the UNESCO as the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Tens of millions of devotees attend the purna kumbh mela that takes place every 12 years in Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik-Triyambakeshwar and Ujjain. Apart from this,...
The haldi kumkum ceremony is quite popular in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Goa. The married women of Tamil Nadu host a similar function called Aadiperukku, which is celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month called Adi (mid-July to mid-August).
This small function is hosted in...
The regal state of Rajasthan is on almost every international tourist’s itinerary for its varied landscape, ethnic folklore, delicious food and warm people. Royal palaces and formidable forts apart, Rajasthani thali food seasoned with spices and herbs is visually appealing and tastes great.
The winter harvest festival of Makar Sankranti...
Sometimes we need to make that external physical journey in order to make that inward spiritual journey and connect to our souls. That is the essence of the Pandharpur Yatra (pilgrimage) or ‘Wari’ as it is more commonly referred to.
The Wari
Sant Tukaram was the first one to set out...
