Leisure & Travel

Hampi – testimony to a golden age

One of the 40 Unesco recognised World Heritage sites in the country, Hampi is evocative of the pomp and glory of the Hindu kingdoms of the pre-Mughal era which has brought visitors from across the seas to marvel and write about it

Virupaksha Temple

A designated Unesco World Heritage Site, Hampi (pop.3,300) — sited in […]

Colours and corals of the Maldives

With sea levels reportedly rising by one-two inches per year because of global warming, there’s a strong possibility that many of the 1,196 islands constituting the Maldives may disappear underwater in the near future. Advice to adventurers: visit sooner than later

If you are a member of the growing tribe of adventurers worldwide interested in checking […]

Nagaland: The Edge of India

Encircled by Assam to the north, Burma and Arunachal Pradesh to the east and Manipur down south, this unspoilt land of green valleys and shrouding mists offers the visitor warm, colourful people and ecologically well-preserved habitats

A fascinating kaleidoscope of legends and lore, tribal wealth and pristine beauty, Nagaland’s multi-hued cultural tapestry offers the visitor warm, […]

Lutyen’s stimulating Mughal capital

The story of India’s past from the 12th-20th centuries remains immortalised in the well-preserved monuments and exquisite gardens of Delhi which became India’s admin capital in 1931

With an archaeological heritage dating back over 2,500 years, Delhi, with its magnificent array of monuments, forts, tombs, palaces, mosques, temples and churches has as much to offer as […]

Seven days in Himalayan Foothills

The awe-inspiring Himalayas sprawl 2,560 km across north India. Therefore a visitor has to experience them piece at a time, drawing up and following a carefully planned itinerary

The mighty Himalayan range of mountains evoke a wide array of emotions in people. For the
adventurer it’s a vast playground; for a naturalist it’s a paradise of […]

Sylvan hill stations of Tamil Nadu

Notwithstanding the ravages of the past half century the Blue Mountains continue to exert a strong allure and the hill stations of this southern state attract large crowds through the year

Recently a group of trekkers set off down the The Finicio Trail in the Nilgiris aka, the Blue Mountains. The three day trek followed a […]

Coorg India’s Scotland alternative

Karnataka’s Coorg, aka Kodagu, district offers not only rain-forests but a diverse array of natural wonders, including grassy glades, paddy fields, roaring waterfalls, deep gorges and gushing rivers – Punita Malhotra

The mention of Coorg (aka Kodagu) conjures up visions of thick, green rainforests shrouded in ethereal floating mist. But to truly appreciate the rich tapestry […]

The Indo-Iberian charm of Goa

The distinguishing characteristic of this sun, sea and sand state is that it’s a middle class society unscarred by visible poverty and want

When the first cool winds heralding winter start blowing across the sweaty brow of the subcontinent, the thoughts of most cerebral individuals and party animals who take their rest and recreation seriously — […]

French Riviera of the east – Pondicherry

The Puducherry aka Pondicherry tourism board’s ubiquitous advertising campaign seems to be working. In 2019, 1.6 million domestic and international tourists visited this Union territory for rest and recreation

First Goa did it. Next Kerala. Now the tiny Union territory of Puducherry (pop. 1.5 million) seems determined to impact its sun-sand-n-sea assets combined with its unique […]

Discover the Garden City & its environs

Though Bangalore has morphed into Bengaluru, it still retains some of its old-world charm and is an established base for excursions into neighbouring hill stations and seaside resorts

Once known as the pensioner’s paradise and India’s garden city, over the past two decades, in particular, the southern city of Bangalore aka Bengaluru (pop. 12.3 million) has […]

Assam: Gateway to the Orient

Nurtured by the tempestuous Brahmaputra, terraced with tea gardens, home of the endangered one-horned rhino and replete with undulating hills, Assam offers a rich mix of natural beauty and cultural education

Nurtured by the tempestuous Brahmaputra, terraced with tea gardens, home of the endangered one-horned rhino and replete with undulating hills and cosy hamlets, Assam (pop. […]

Temple treasures of Tamil Nadu

A combination of architectural brilliance, intricate rituals and pageantry attracts millions of devotees and tourists to the quaint temple towns of Tamil Nadu

A precious and revered legacy of the southern state of Tamil Nadu (pop: 67 million) are its magnificent temples, monuments of exquisite architecture and art forms evolved over several centuries. Most of them […]

Karnataka composite tourism destination

Once the seat of the famous Vijayanagar kingdom, this state offers a balance of natural attractions (forests and wildlife) and architectural splendour

The southern state of Karnataka (pop.64 million), once the seat of the famous Vijayanagar kingdom, is a composite tourism destination which offers temples, wildlife, trekking, health spas and unspoilt beaches — an excellent, even […]

Out of Mumbai

Contrary to popular belief there are numerous easily accessible weekend getaway options in and around Mumbai which will help a visitor unwind or celebrate a lucrative deal just signed up

The standard advice given to the estimated 6 million people who visit Mumbai (pop. 20 million) every year, the commercial capital of the country, is to […]

High potential charm of coastal Karnataka

The southern state of Karnataka is naturally endowed with a 320 km western seaboard. We profile some of Karnataka’s most attractive coastal destinations

The southern state of Karnataka (pop. 63 million) attracts an estimated 25 million tourists annually from across the country and abroad, drawn by its exotic flora and fauna, wildlife, heritage […]

Mountains & mysticism of Uttarakhand

Carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000, this Himalayan state, Uttarakhand, nourished by some of Hinduism’s most sacred rivers is developing into India’s most high-potential tourism destination

The state of Uttarakhand (pop. 10.4 million) is arguably India’s most high-potential tourism destination. Carved out of the mammoth state of Uttar Pradesh (pop. 215 million) in 2000, this […]

Education holidays in Egypt

Refreshingly the great education that Egypt’s ancient civilisation offers to students of history, archaeology, museology, architecture, art, engineering, medicine, etc is accessible at Indian prices

In 400 BCE the greek historian Herodotus wrote of Egypt that “nowhere in the world are to be seen so many things of unspeakable greatness”. This observation is as true today […]

Other attractions of Rajasthan

Territorially the largest state of the Indian Union and a vibrant and colourful tourism mecca, last year Rajasthan attracted 17.5 million tourists including 1.5 million international visitors to the ‘Land of Kings’.

If there were a prize for the most vibrant and colourful tourist destination of India, it would go to the desert state of Rajasthan […]

The welcoming charm of Indonesia

With its clean sandy beaches, tropical terrain and well-developed culture, Indonesia is ideal for rejuvenating holidays. What it lacks in terms of economic progress, it compensates with exotic locales, mild climate and cultural affinity with Indian visitors.

With the decline of service culture and sky-high hotel room prices in the West, the clean, neat and infrastructurally […]

Meghalaya – a naturalist’s paradise

Blessed with undulating topography, sub-tropical forests, exotic flora and fauna, gushing springs, waterfalls and misty mountains, this sparsely populated north-eastern state is attracting eco-tourists from around the world

One of the beneficial outcomes of post-liberalisation India’s communications revolution, particularly in television, is that it has brought the hitherto remote and isolated states of the north-east into […]

Punjabi diaspora transforms cheerful land of five rivers

Last year an estimated 1.2 million foreign and 4.4 million domestic tourists visited Punjab, one of India’s most prosperous, vibrant and hospitable states

The great Punjabi diaspora which has scattered the people of this land of five rivers to all parts of the globe — USA, Britain, East Africa, Canada and the Far East — has […]

Jordan: Suffused with history and biblical lore

The epicentre of the world’s three great monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), Jordan is a tiny desert kingdom wrapped in history – Indira Gidwani

Born out of the ruins of World War 1, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (HKJ, pop: 10 million) sited on the east bank of the biblically famous River Jordan, owes its origin […]

Mizoram: Exotic flora and fauna of India's most isolated outpost

Exotic flora and fauna of Mizoram

Mizoram, one of the seven sister states of north-east India, offers a rich mix of tribal traditions, folk tales preserved in song and dance culture, exotic flora and fauna, pleasant climate and hospitable people.

Strategically and precariously perched between the somewhat less-than-friendly nations of Myanmar and Bangladesh, the tiny hill state of Mizoram aka Hill People’s […]

Multiple charms of Madhya Pradesh

Situated in the heart of India, the country’s second largest state offers visitors the temples of Khajuraho, the serenity of Marble Rocks, stupas of Sanchi, and tigers of the Kanha National Park

As its name implies the state of Madhya Pradesh (central province) is situated in the heart of India. The second largest of the 29 […]

Mughal splendours and a bird sanctuary

Weekend trippers out of Delhi can take a rejuvenating break in Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. Easy reach of the scenic Bharatpur bird sanctuary with its myriad mix of colourful birds is an additional incentive

The post-liberalisation (1991) emergence of Delhi (pop. 19.8 million), the administrative capital of the country, into a vibrant epicentre of business and […]

India’s Top 10 Trekking Trails

With the onset of summer, what better time for hoisting backpacks and disappearing into the wilderness? ParentsWorld presents a list of the country’s Top 10 trekking destinations

For outdoor enthusiasts and free spirits, trekking/hiking along untrodden ways is the best way to explore nature in its most pristine form. Walking through swathes of green forest, traversing […]

The Buddhist pilgrimage circuit

With the resurgence of global interest in the gentle, compassionate and self-sacrificing message of Gautama Buddha, the Buddhist trail or circuit stretching from Nepal to Bihar has been experiencing a rush of pilgrims and tourists

Like the New Testament which recounts the life and ministry of Jesus Christ (1-33 AD), the biography of Gautama Buddha (536-486 […]

Shangri-la mystique of Sikkim

This stamp-sized state in which tradition and modernity, spirituality and materialism, the familiar and strange, misty mountains and meadows blend seamlessly, offers a unique vacation experience

Way up in the clouds in the north-east of the subcontinent, flanked by Nepal to the east and Tibet to the North is the Himalayan Shangri-la of Sikkim (pop.540,000). The […]

Undiscovered charm of the Hyderabad-Karnataka region

The tourism potential of the north-eastern districts of Karnataka which host wondrous historical monuments such as the Gol Gumbaz, Bidar fort and numerous natural attractions, has been neglected

A not-so-well known fact about the south-western state of Karnataka (pop. 68 million), whose capital Bangalore (pop. 12.5 million) has emerged as the hub of India’s fast-track computer […]

The historic charm of Rajasthan

Battle-scarred fortresses, grand palaces, golden sand dunes, colourful culture and friendly folk combine to make this desert state a must-visit destination

The erstwhile royal state of Rajasthan is visited by millions of Indian and foreign tourists every year — 4.75 million Indian and foreign tourists visited Rajasthan (pop. 69 million) in 2017. Of them 1.61 […]

Leisure & Travel

Tamil Nadu: Harmonious Blend of Old and New

A bouquet comprising magnificent temple architecture, Little England hill stations, long stretches of beach and wildlife sanctuaries awaits the visitor

The epicentre of the pre-Aryan 5,000-year-old Dravidian civilisation, Tamil Nadu (pop.70 million) has a history that dates back several millennia. The area which is contemporary Tamil Nadu was ruled by three royal dynasties in 300 BC […]

Leisure & Travel

The enduring charm of Sri Lanka

With one of the richest treasure troves of natural and man-made wonders and a history dating back to the dawn of civilisation, despite a civil insurgency and tsunami damage, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has recovered and is booming again

The pearl on the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka (pop.21 million) is perhaps one […]

Leisure & Travel

Rediscovery of Odisha

Rediscovering the old state of Odisha, where splendid monuments and sculptures, golden beaches, swift rivers, azure lakes, roaring waterfalls, verdant hills and wildlife parks beckon a growing number of visitors

In the popular perception, the eastern seaboard state of Odisha (pop. 40 million) known mainly for the Puri Jagannath and Konark Sun temples and ancient cultural […]

Leisure & Travel

Best bird sanctuaries in India

With growing public and governmental support to wildlife and environment conservation, several designated bird sanctuaries in the subcontinent are transforming into major tourist attractions, much to the delight of ornithologists, actual and potential.

The preferred habitat of 1,200 avian species, i.e 14 percent of bird species on planet earth, India is a bird-watcher’s paradise, especially […]

Leisure & Travel

High veldt charm of South Africa

Following the collapse of the cruel white supremacist regime in 1994, the Republic of South Africa has morphed into a liberal democratic republic offering a tourism experience unparalleled worldwide

On the world leisure tourism map, the Republic of South Africa (RSA, pop. 56 million), perhaps Africa’s largest (1.2 million sq km), most […]

Leisure & Travel

The unspoilt charm of Lahaul & Spiti

The deep valleys of Himachal’s Lahaul & Spiti district introduce visitors to the splendour and magnificence of the epic Himalayas long before they reach Ladakh. Despite the depredations of succeeding generations and dawn of the new era of mass tourism, these scenic valleys remain largely untouched by civilisation and commercialisation

In 1901 Rudyard Kipling’s famous character […]

Leisure & Travel

Fragrant hills of Tripura

This lonely outpost of India has much to offer free spirits in search of adventure and the exotic. Almost wholly surrounded by politically volatile Bangladesh, Tripura beckons with its unique tribal culture and nature’s bounty

The most low-profile of the much neglected ‘seven sister’ states of north-east India, Tripura (pop. 3.6 million) is unfamiliar territory for […]

Leisure & Travel

Why Mauritius is special for Indian visitors

According to the famous American writer Mark Twain, Mauritius was made first and then heaven was copied after it. Known for its powder-soft, palm fringed beaches and translucent lagoons, the island is particularly attractive for Indian tourists because 75 percent of its population comprises ethnic Indians.

A resplendent dot in the Indian Ocean, 2,400 km off […]

Leisure & Travel

Why Mauritius is Special for Indian visitors

According to the famous American author Mark Twain, Mauritius was made first and then heaven was copied after it. Known for its powder-soft, palm fringed beaches and translucent lagoons, the island is particularly attractive for Indian tourists because 75 percent of its population comprises ethnic Indians.

A resplendent dot in the Indian Ocean, 2,400 km off […]

Leisure & Travel

Unesco World Heritage Sites of north India

Currently only 27 cultural and natural sites in India have been designated Unesco world heritage sites. Applications for an additional 19 locations to be so declared are pending. In the first of a three-article series, Srinidhi Raghavendra overviews world heritage sites of north India.

A nations cultural and natural heritage embodied in buildings, monuments and natural […]