Category Travel & Tourism

The rare flower that gave the Nilgiris their name

The Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) is one of India’s most extraordinary flowering plants, found mainly in the high-altitude shola grasslands of the Western Ghats. What makes this flower unique is its rare blooming cycle: it flowers en masse only once every…

pic of sedan chair

Why is a sedan car called a sedan?

Did you know before horsepower, luxury moved at walking pace? The wealthy traveled in sedan chairs, enclosed carriers borne by two bearers through crowded city streets. These chairs were prized for privacy, comfort, and protection from the elements. The word…

The devil in details at Salar Jung Museum

One of the most intriguing masterpieces at Hyderabad’s Salar Jung Museum is the double statue Mephistopheles and Margaretta. Carved from a single block of sycamore wood by an unknown French artist, this 19th century sculpture was acquired by Salar Jung…

A cup across continents: the story of Irani Chai

Walk through any lane of Hyderabad or Secunderabad, and you will find the ubiquitous Irani café serving Irani chai. This popular beverage is a cultural bridge between Persia and India, preserved in a porcelain cup. The Journey from Persia to…

What makes Alphonso so exceptionally prized

The Alphonso mango (Mangifera indica cv. Alphonso), known locally as Hapus, is considered among the finest mango varieties in the world. What sets it apart is its extraordinary combination of qualities: a deep saffron-yellow pulp with almost no fibre, an intoxicating floral aroma,…