Beyond travel, we track a set of broader cultural and lifestyle shifts. A new FSSAI regulation will introduce a mandatory vegan food logo from 2027, aiming to standardise how plant-based foods are identified in India. At the same time, fresh health data highlights a rising obesity burden across the country. And traditional food cultures — from Kerala to Rajasthan and global Blue Zone regions — continue to be studied for their link to long-term health.
We also take a closer look at why Hindi cinema feels increasingly disconnected from India’s current anxieties, and what that gap says about the stories shaping popular culture today. And in our “What we watched this week” section, we review Bandar, Anurag Kashyap’s bleak prison drama, alongside Gullak Season 5, which continues its warm slice-of-life storytelling while showing signs of familiarity.
Let’s get into it.
Weekend getaways from India’s biggest cities
Less crowded, equally beautiful: Hill stations to visit in Maharashtra
Looking beyond Mahabaleshwar and Matheran? From the mist-covered valleys of Amboli and the lakeside tranquillity of Bhandardara to the trekking trails of Suryamal and the coffee-scented landscapes of Chikhaldara, Maharashtra is home to several lesser-known hill retreats that offer a refreshing escape from city life without the crowds.
Misty mountains and lush landscapes: Weekend escapes from Kolkata
From the Himalayan views of Sangser and Lolegaon to the serene lakes of Aritar and the tea gardens of Takdah, eastern India is dotted with peaceful hill destinations that remain largely under the tourist radar. These scenic retreats offer nature, quiet landscapes and a slower pace of travel for those looking to venture beyond Darjeeling’s usual circuit.
Picturesque hill stations within a day’s drive from Bengaluru
Whether it’s the tea estates of Kotagiri and Valparai, the coffee plantations of Chikkamagaluru or the forested hills of Sakleshpur, southern India offers no shortage of rewarding road-trip destinations. These hill stations combine cool weather, mountain scenery and outdoor adventures, making them ideal weekend escapes from Bengaluru.
Skip the Manali rush and head to these beautiful escapes near Delhi
For travellers seeking mountain views without the crowds, destinations such as Khajjiar, Kanatal, Chakrata, Khirsu and Shoghi offer a quieter alternative to Himachal Pradesh’s busiest tourist hubs. Surrounded by forests, meadows and Himalayan vistas, these getaways are perfect for a peaceful weekend in the hills.
Timeless forts in India every history and travel lover should visit at least once
From the Mughal grandeur of Delhi’s Red Fort to the hilltop strongholds of Taragarh and Kangra, India’s forts offer a striking window into centuries of warfare, trade, empire and architectural innovation. Spread across Rajasthan, Hyderabad, Chennai and the Himalayas, these landmarks combine dramatic settings with rich historical layers, making them some of the country’s most rewarding destinations for history enthusiasts and travellers alike.
10 destinations across India that are at their most magical during the monsoon
As the southwest monsoon sweeps across the country, some of India’s most beautiful landscapes undergo a dramatic transformation. From the flower-filled meadows of Uttarakhand’s Valley of Flowers and Meghalaya’s misty hills to Kerala’s rain-soaked tea plantations and the waterfalls of Coorg and Lonavala, these destinations come alive with lush greenery, rushing rivers and cloud-draped vistas. Here are 10 places where the monsoon offers some of the country’s most unforgettable travel experiences.
Sleep tourism is booming: 8 destinations designed for rest, recovery and better sleep
Forget packed itineraries and exhausting sightseeing schedules. One of 2026’s biggest travel trends is
sleep tourism, where travellers prioritise rest, relaxation and recovery over constant activity. From Kerala’s tranquil backwaters and Tamil Nadu’s quiet coastlines to the Swiss Alps, the Azores and the Arctic Circle, these destinations offer peaceful surroundings, slower rhythms and wellness-focused experiences designed to help visitors unplug, recharge and return home genuinely refreshed.
Gen Z is driving India’s pilgrimage travel boom, accounting for over half of bookings
Spiritual travel is no longer dominated by older generations. According to a new report by redBus, Gen Z and young travellers accounted for more than 53% of pilgrimage bookings in FY26, with destinations such as Varanasi, Tirupati, Ujjain, Rishikesh and Nanded seeing growing interest. Fuelled by social media discovery, mobile-first booking habits and a search for cultural connection, younger Indians are increasingly embracing spiritual journeys while reshaping one of the country’s oldest travel traditions.
FSSAI introduces official vegan logo, mandatory on food packages from 2027
India’s food regulator has unveiled a standardised logo for vegan products, aiming to make plant-based foods easier for consumers to identify and trust. Starting July 2027, all approved vegan food packages will be required to display the green “Vegan” symbol under amended FSSAI regulations. The move comes as interest in plant-based diets continues to grow, bringing greater clarity and consistency to the country’s expanding vegan food market.
From Okinawa to Rajasthan: Seven food cultures that cracked the code on healthy living
Long before wellness influencers, supplements and biohacking trends, communities around the world were quietly building diets that supported longer, healthier lives. From Okinawa’s philosophy of eating in moderation and Sardinia’s nutrient-rich Mediterranean staples to Kerala’s spice-laden cuisine and Rajasthan’s remarkably resilient desert foods, these culinary traditions combine local ingredients, cultural wisdom and generations of lived experience. Here’s a look at seven food cultures that science is increasingly recognising for their links to longevity, resilience and overall well-being.
1 in 3 Indian women overweight or obese as NFHS-6 flags rising lifestyle disease burden
India’s latest NFHS-6 survey shows a sharp rise in overweight and obesity levels across both men and women, with nearly one in three women aged 15–49 now falling in the category. The increase is steeper than the previous survey, underscoring a growing public health concern driven by sedentary lifestyles, urbanisation and dietary shifts. The findings also point to a parallel rise in high blood sugar levels, reinforcing fears of an expanding lifestyle disease burden even as India continues to grapple with undernutrition in parts of the country.
Why Hindi cinema feels increasingly detached from India’s anxieties
As India grapples with rising uncertainty — from job insecurity and institutional distrust to debates over safety, speech and identity — Hindi cinema appears increasingly out of step with the emotional landscape of everyday life. While films in the early 2010s often reflected societal churn through stories of corruption, justice and urban paranoia, today’s mainstream slate is dominated by spectacle, nostalgia and franchise-driven universes. The shift raises a larger cultural question: if cinema no longer mirrors the anxieties of its time, can it still claim to make sense of them?
What we watched this week
Bandar review: Anurag Kashyap’s bleak prison drama is difficult to look away from
Set inside the brutal world of India’s undertrial prison system, Anurag Kashyap’s Bandar is an uncompromising and deeply unsettling watch. Led by a terrific Bobby Deol performance, the film explores power, privilege, institutional decay and public distrust through a grim prison drama that offers little comfort and even less hope — forcing viewers to confront realities many would rather ignore.
Gullak Season 5 review: Still comforting and relatable, but beginning to show its age
Five seasons in, Gullak remains one of India’s most endearing slice-of-life dramas, finding warmth and meaning in the everyday struggles of the Mishra family. While strong performances and emotional authenticity continue to anchor the series, the latest season occasionally feels weighed down by familiarity, raising questions about whether the show can keep evolving without losing the simplicity that made audiences fall in love with it.
