Kedarnath Dham will welcome devotees back on April 22, 2026, signaling the beginning of this year’s Char Dham pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand. The shrine will open at 8 am on an auspicious muhurat chosen during Mahashivratri, with T Gangadhar Ling appointed as the chief priest for the season. Dates for Badrinath Temple, Gangotri, and Yamunotri have also been revealed.
Red Fort Now Open Daily
Delhi’s renowned Red Fort will remain open every day of the week. Following a new directive from the Archaeological Survey of India, the Mughal-era monument will no longer close on Mondays, offering visitors an additional day to explore its palaces, museums, and historic courtyards. Constructed by Shah Jahan in the 17th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is accessible from sunrise until 9 pm.
Jammu and Kashmir Reopens 14 Tourist Spots After Pahalgam Attack
Almost a year following the Pahalgam terror attack that led to widespread closures, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has reopened 14 more tourist destinations after a recent security assessment. This brings the total number of functioning tourist sites across the Union Territory to 26.
Eight Indian Beaches Where Bioluminescence Has Been Observed
From Mumbai to Lakshadweep, stunning electric-blue waves have illuminated India’s coastlines over the years. This bioluminescence, caused by microscopic marine organisms that emit light when disturbed, can be unpredictable but is unforgettable if witnessed. Notable beaches where this phenomenon has been reported include Juhu Beach in Mumbai, Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep, Thiruvanmiyur Beach in Chennai, Radhanagar Beach in the Andaman Islands, Mattu and Padukere beaches in Karnataka, Bheemili Beach in Andhra Pradesh, and Betalbatim Beach in Goa. Sightings depend on various factors such as plankton blooms, tides, and weather, making it best observed on dark, moonless nights, thus requiring good timing and a bit of luck to experience nature’s light show.
A Slice of Ancient Rome: Budapest Pizzeria’s Time-Travel Pie
In Budapest, Neverland Pizzeria is offering diners a taste of the past with a Roman Empire-inspired “pizza”— devoid of tomatoes or mozzarella. Founder Josep Zara and his team have crafted an ancient flatbread using einkorn and spelt grains, fermented spinach juice, olive paste, garum, confit duck, pine nuts, and a grape reduction. Inspired by a Pompeii fresco and historical Roman cookbooks, this limited-time pie trades modern comforts for a journey into history, presenting a taste of what oven-baked flatbreads might have resembled (and tasted) long before pizza became popular in Naples.
Bangladesh Fully Resumes Visa Services for Indian Nationals
Bangladesh has reinstated all visa and consular services for Indians, marking a significant diplomatic reset following Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in as Prime Minister. Tourist, medical, business, and work visas are now being processed at missions across India, following a suspension that began in December 2025. This development is expected to facilitate easier cross-border travel and trade, particularly for business travellers and families linked to both nations.
Kerala Extends Bar Hours to Promote Tourism, Faces Backlash
Kerala has extended bar hours for bars, beer, and wine parlours by two hours, allowing these establishments to remain open until midnight. Five-star bar hotels can now serve liquor until 3 am for an extra fee. According to the government, this initiative aims to promote MICE tourism and destination weddings. However, the decision has attracted criticism from the Opposition and church groups, with March 8 designated as “Anti-Alcohol Sunday” in protest.
The Future of Luxury is Wellbeing
For many years, business success equated to endurance — long hours, tiresome travel, and chronic fatigue as badges of honour. However, this narrative is shifting. With increasing evidence linking overwork to serious health risks, wellbeing has transformed from an aspiration to a strategic necessity. As the global wellness economy thrives, retreats like Dharana at Shillim and Ananda in the Himalayas are witnessing rising interest from entrepreneurs and senior executives seeking sustainable performance rather than just rest. In high-pressure roles where clarity and judgment are crucial, stamina is now an investment, not an assumption.
Kennedy Movie Review: A Grim, Operatic Mumbai Requiem
Three years after its debut at Cannes, Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy finally reaches Indian audiences. This brooding noir follows a presumed-dead cop turned assassin as he navigates a decaying Mumbai. Featuring Rahul Bhat, Sunny Leone, and Mohit Takalkar, the ZEE5 release heavily employs stylised violence, Tchaikovsky-backed melancholy, and themes of existential dread. The visual aesthetics are striking and tonally ambitious, yet the film occasionally indulges in excess, probing revenge and corruption without consistently forging new paths.
Abundantia Entertainment and Invideo Collaborate to Launch ₹100 Crore AI-Driven Film Studio
AI’s role in cinema is evolving from experimentation to high-budget ambition. Abundantia Entertainment has partnered with generative-video platform Invideo to launch an AI-powered studio supported by a ₹100 crore investment, with plans to produce five AI-driven films within the next three years, including upcoming mythological titles like Chiranjeevi Hanuman and Jai Santoshi Mata.
