Travel & Adventure

🌿 Top 10 Gardens in India: A Journey Through Nature and History

India is not just a land of forts and temples; it is also home to some of the most beautiful gardens that reflect the country’s love for greenery, architecture, and relaxation. These gardens are not only visually stunning but also hold historical and cultural importance. Here’s a list of the top 10 gardens in India that every nature lover must visit:

Published

1 month ago

May 26, 2025

Arya Mehta

1. Mughal Garden (Amrit Udyan), New Delhi

Location: Rashtrapati Bhavan
Highlights: Known for its Mughal-style layout, fountains, and vibrant seasonal flowers, this garden is open to the public only during the annual Udyan Utsav. It features rare tulips, roses, bonsais, and herbal gardens.

2. Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar

Location: Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Highlights: Built by Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur Jahan, this terraced Mughal garden is known for its symmetry, fountains, and scenic views of Dal Lake.

3. Lodhi Garden, New Delhi

Location: South Delhi
Highlights: A favorite among Delhiites for morning walks and picnics, it blends nature with history, housing tombs from the Lodi dynasty within its beautifully landscaped lawns.

4. Brindavan Gardens, Mysuru

Location: Near Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, Karnataka
Highlights: Famous for its musical fountain show in the evening, this garden features topiary work, flower beds, and terrace gardens overlooking a dam.

5. Rock Garden, Chandigarh

Location: Sector 1, Chandigarh
Highlights: An artistic garden built from industrial and domestic waste by Nek Chand. It features sculptures, waterfalls, and uniquely arranged pathways.

6. Pinjore Gardens (Yadavindra Gardens), Haryana

Location: Pinjore, near Chandigarh
Highlights: A 17th-century Mughal garden with a unique terraced layout, fountains, pavilions, and manicured flower beds, perfect for family outings.

7. Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, Bengaluru

Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Highlights: Spread over 240 acres, this botanical garden features over 1,000 species of plants, a glass house inspired by London’s Crystal Palace, and hosts flower shows every Republic and Independence Day.

8. Nishat Bagh, Srinagar

Location: Dal Lake, Srinagar
Highlights: Overlooking Dal Lake, this 12-terrace Mughal garden is known for its cascading water channels, floral beds, and Chinar trees.

9. Company Garden, Mussoorie

Location: Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Highlights: A popular picnic spot with well-maintained lawns, fountains, and an artificial lake. The cool climate enhances the experience of this hill-town garden.

10. Botanical Garden, Ooty

Location: Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Highlights: Nestled in the Nilgiri Hills, this garden is famous for its fossil tree, Italian-style layout, rare plant species, and its annual summer flower show.

Final Thoughts

India’s gardens are more than just green spaces—they’re windows into the country’s past, culture, and creativity. Whether it’s the Mughal elegance of Shalimar Bagh or the artistic innovation of Chandigarh’s Rock Garden, each destination offers a unique blend of tranquility and beauty.

Travel & Adventure

Kailash Yatra 2025: First Group Gears Up to Depart from Delhi on June 30

Published

1 week ago

June 21, 2025

Nivaan Joshi

The spiritual journey to the sacred Kailash Mansarovar is set to begin soon. Preparations are in full swing as the first batch of pilgrims for the 2025 Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is scheduled to depart from Delhi on June 30. This year’s journey will see devotees traveling to Lipulekh Pass via vehicle—a route that blends modern convenience with ancient devotion.

About the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimages. Pilgrims embark on this journey to seek blessings from Lord Shiva, whose abode is believed to be Mount Kailash. The trek also holds significance for Buddhists, Jains, and followers of Bon religion.

Yatra 2025: What’s New This Year?

Pilgrims will travel primarily by vehicle till Lipulekh
Health and security protocols have been enhanced post-COVID
Mobile medical units and satellite phones to be used in remote areas
Digital registration and tracking for all yatris

Journey Route: From Delhi to Lipulekh

Start from Delhi via bus to Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
After documentation and acclimatization, pilgrims head to Dharchula
From there, travel continues by road and local 4×4 vehicles to Lipulekh Pass
Trekking resumes beyond Lipulekh for the Kailash parikrama

Security, Health & Logistics Readiness

The Ministry of External Affairs, in collaboration with ITBP and the Uttarakhand Government, is:

Deploying rescue teams
Setting up checkposts and emergency camps
Preparing helipads for aerial rescue if needed
Offering pre-yatra health checks for all participants

Devotee Guidelines for 2025

Mandatory health certificate & age limit between 18–70 years
Only fully vaccinated participants allowed
Fitness training recommended 30 days prior to travel
Essential gear: trekking shoes, warm clothes, ID proofs, prescribed meds

Travel & Adventure

Delhi to Soon Have Hot-Air Balloon Rides: Officials Share Details

Published

2 weeks ago

June 19, 2025

Nivaan Joshi

Delhi is set to offer a fresh perspective from above as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) prepares to launch tethered hot-air balloon rides along the Yamuna riverfront. The initiative promises a blend of adventure, tourism, and urban recreation.

Proposed Locations

DDA plans to facilitate tethered balloon rides at Baansera and Asita parks along the Yamuna floodplains. Based on public interest, additional parks may be added later.

What Are Tethered Hot-Air Balloon Rides?

These balloons remain anchored via ropes, offering a controlled and safe aerial experience lasting a few minutes. Riders ascend to a fixed height before gently descending, making it accessible even for beginners.

Objective & Benefits

The DDA initiative aims to:

Elevate tourism at urban riverfronts
Introduce sustainable recreational activities

How Agencies Can Participate

Interested operators must:

Have aviation recreation or aero-sports experience
Hold valid licenses and certifications under DGCA norms
Submit bids—the agency with an optimal safety, experience, and compliance track record will be selected
Deadline for applications: March 10, 2025

The chosen agency will manage:

Balloon safety equipment and ground crew support
Licensed pilots and team coordination
Ticketing, marketing, and visitor service

Safety & Regulation

All operations must adhere to DGCA guidelines and environmental standards. Additionally, balloons must be tethered securely to ensure no free-flight risk remains.

Travel & Adventure

Sky Drama: Air India Jet Returns to Delhi After Volcanic Eruption in Indonesia

Published

2 weeks ago

June 18, 2025

Nivaan Joshi

On June 18, 2025, Air India Flight AI2145, en route from Delhi to Bali, was advised mid-flight to return to Delhi due to a volcanic eruption near Bali’s airport. Indonesian authorities had raised the volcano alert to its highest level after Mount Lewotobi Laki‑Laki spewed ash and smoke up to 10 km into the atmosphere

Flight & Safety Details

Safety Concern: Volcanic ash poses threats to aircraft engines and visibility, making the air route unsafe
Safe Landing: The plane landed smoothly back at Delhi IGI Airport, and all passengers disembarked safely

Passenger Support

Air India promptly arranged:

Hotel accommodations for all affected passengers
Full refunds or complimentary rerouting/rescheduling options

Mount Lewotobi Laki‑Laki

Eruptions from the twin volcano sent ash plumes up to 10 km high, visible as far as 150 km away
The volcano’s alert level was raised to maximum, with an 8 km evacuation zone established around the crater
Travel chaos ensued: flights from Bali and nearby Labuan Bajo were cancelled or delayed by airlines like Jetstar, Air New Zealand, and Singapore Airlines