This grand festival celebrates the divine Mother Goddess Durga, held on the banks of the sacred River Ganga. Faithfuls from far and wide gather to partake in the religious ceremonies comprising reciting of mantras, donating prayers, and dipping in the holy waters. The atmosphere is energetic with music, colorful processions, and ancient rituals tha
Mumbai Trip
I arrived at Chhatra pati Shivaji here Maharaj International Airport on a hot, steamy afternoon. The air had the scent of possibilities. and traffic pollution. Namaste Mumbai! My accommodation was in Colaba, South Mumbai—a neighborhood steeped in colonial heritage and heritage buildings at every turn. I dropped into Jehangir Art Gallery, windo
Goa Trip
The minute our plane landed at Goa’s Dabolim Airport, more info we sensed the change in the air—literally and metaphorically. The sun was softer, and the wind had the fragrance of salt and something else… freedom, perhaps. We lived in a Portuguese-themed homestay in Candolim. Imagine a vintage villa with archways, mosaic floors, and rela
Ayodhya Ram Mandir
What to Explore in Ayodhya While the Ram Mandir is the crown jewel, Ayodhya has much more to offer: Hanuman Garhi: check here A 10th-century temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, revered as the protector of Ayodhya Kanak Bhawan: A temple that holds a golden-crowned idol of Rama and Sita, said to be a gift from Queen Kaikeyi. Nageshwarnath Temp
Ganga Aarti, Varanasi
The Ganga Aarti is a devotional ritual that involves the offering of fire to the Ganga River, info considered by Hindus to be a living goddess. Held every evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat, the ceremony is both an act of reverence and a theatrical spectacle — blending sound, sight, and spirituality. Priests clad in saffron robes perform synchroniz