{"id":29227,"date":"2026-04-19T06:33:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T06:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/19\/1111-weekend-ardh-kumbh-dates-haj-departures-worlds-oldest-cities-and-temples-to-plan-your-journey-around\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T06:33:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T06:33:57","slug":"1111-weekend-ardh-kumbh-dates-haj-departures-worlds-oldest-cities-and-temples-to-plan-your-journey-around","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/19\/1111-weekend-ardh-kumbh-dates-haj-departures-worlds-oldest-cities-and-temples-to-plan-your-journey-around\/","title":{"rendered":"11:11 Weekend | Ardh Kumbh dates, Haj departures, world’s oldest cities and temples to plan your journey around"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Good morning! In today\u2019s 11:11, we begin with key dates for the Ardh Kumbh in Haridwar. The first batch of Haj pilgrims has arrived in Saudi Arabia. We move across time and place: through some of the world\u2019s oldest cities, India\u2019s most beautiful ones, and temple complexes where scale meets spirituality. We also look at what\u2019s changing closer home, from Mumbai\u2019s local trains to a new Vande Bharat sleeper that could reshape overnight journeys. Beyond travel, we explore why eating \u201chealthy\u201d isn\u2019t always enough, unpack how streaming is redefining Bollywood stardom, and revisit Michael Jackson\u2019s lasting influence on India\u2019s sound and style. Here\u2019s your Sunday read.<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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By CNBCTV18.com\u00a0<\/span>April 19, 2026, 11:11:29 AM IST (Published)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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3 Min Read<\/span><\/p>\n

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Haridwar Ardh Kumbh 2027: Key bathing dates, including \u2018amrit snans\u2019, announced<\/b>The <\/span>Ardh Kumbh Mela in Haridwar<\/span><\/a> will run from January to April 2027, with 10 major bathing days scheduled, including three \u2018amrit snans\u2019 on March 6, March 8 and April 14\u2014here\u2019s a quick look at the full calendar and what pilgrims need to know.\u00a0<\/span>First batch of Indian Haj pilgrims arrives in Saudi Arabia\u00a0<\/b>The <\/span>first group<\/span><\/a> of Indian pilgrims has reached Madinah for the annual Haj, with officials reviewing on-ground arrangements and volunteer support. Around 1.75 lakh pilgrims from India are expected to undertake the journey this year, according to the Ministry of Minority Affairs.<\/span>From Jericho to Varanasi: Cities that have stood the test of time<\/b>What does it feel like to walk through places that have been lived in for thousands of years? From Jericho\u2019s 9,000-year-old settlements to Varanasi\u2019s enduring spiritual core, <\/span>these cities<\/span><\/a> offer a rare glimpse into civilisations that have survived wars, empires and time itself.\u00a0<\/span>From Udaipur to Kashmir: India\u2019s most beautiful cities to visit at least once<\/b>From Udaipur\u2019s lakes and Jaipur\u2019s palaces to Kashmir\u2019s valleys and Kerala\u2019s backwaters, <\/span>India\u2019s cities<\/span><\/a> offer a striking mix of landscapes, culture and history\u2014each destination bringing its own reason to travel, whether it\u2019s for heritage, nature or a slower, more immersive escape.\u00a0<\/span>From Angkor Wat to Akshardham: World\u2019s largest temples that blend scale with spirituality<\/b>From Cambodia\u2019s Angkor Wat to India\u2019s Akshardham and Srirangam, these massive <\/span>temple complexes<\/span><\/a> go beyond places of worship, offering a mix of history, architecture and cultural significance, making them destinations worth planning a journey around.\u00a0<\/span>Mumbai\u2019s first closed-door non-AC local train: What\u2019s changing for daily commuters<\/b>Indian Railways is introducing <\/span>Mumbai\u2019s first non-AC suburban train<\/span><\/a> with automatic doors, aiming to reduce overcrowding-related accidents while balancing safety, ventilation and affordability\u2014here\u2019s what the new design means for the city\u2019s daily commute.\u00a0<\/span>Overnight trains, shorter journeys: Vande Bharat sleeper could reshape Bengaluru\u2013Pune travel<\/b>Planning a trip between Pune and Bengaluru? A new <\/span>Vande Bharat sleeper service<\/span><\/a>, expected to cut travel time to around 13 hours, promises overnight journeys with upgraded comfort, fixed fares and fully confirmed bookings \u2014 offering a faster, more streamlined alternative to existing long-haul train options.\u00a0<\/span>\"\"Eating healthy but still not feeling better? The problem may be how you build your plate<\/b>From smoothies and salads to protein-heavy dinners, many “clean” diets miss one key element: balance. This piece<\/a> looks at why focusing on individual nutrients isn\u2019t enough, and how the way you structure your plate can make the difference between just eating well and actually feeling well.<\/span>From star power to storytelling: How Rajkummar Rao and Vijay Varma reflect Bollywood\u2019s shifting centre<\/b>With streaming reshaping the economics of Hindi entertainment, mid-budget, performance-led stories are emerging<\/a> as the industry\u2019s most stable model. Actors like Rajkummar Rao and Vijay Varma\u2014rooted in relatability rather than spectacle\u2014are quietly redefining stardom, as platforms prioritise engagement over opening-day hype.\u00a0<\/span>Michael Jackson: How the King of Pop shaped India\u2019s sound, style and cinema<\/b>From his 1996 Mumbai concert to his lasting influence on choreography, music production and pop culture, <\/span>Michael Jackson\u2019s impact on India<\/span><\/a> runs deeper than a single visit. With the upcoming biopic \u2018Michael\u2019 bringing him back into global conversation, here\u2019s a look at how his influence continues to shape the country’s sound and performance decades later.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n