Morning Digest: Bengaluru-Mysuru May Soon Be A 60-Min Ride & Top Picks
Old-school romance, future-ready finances, and a horoscope that might just make your day, here's your quick morning roundup.
From fast trains and rare infections to digital data threats and criminal escapes, today's news covers ground fast and deep. Scroll through our top picks.
Your identity is no longer just in your wallet; it's floating across servers, telecom networks, and e-KYC portals. But how safe is it? 👉 Data danger
🚄 Bengaluru To Mysuru in 60 Minutes? It Might Soon Be Reality
A Rapid Rail project could shrink the travel time between these two cities to under an hour. Think semi-high-speed trains at 160–200 km/h. 👉 Quick ride
A bold scene between Madhuri Dixit and Vinod Khanna in the 1988 film ' Dayavan' raised eyebrows—even within his family. Decades later, it still sparks debate. 👉 Film flashback
Criminals like Bishnoi's shooters and the 'Tomato Killer" are using Nepal's open border as a safe escape, making extradition nearly impossible. 👉 Safe haven
⛩️ Inside The Monastery Defying China Over The Dalai Lama's Future
As the Dalai Lama nears 90, he's made it clear—Beijing won't pick his successor. The Gaden Phodrang Trust will lead the spiritual search. 👉 Read more
First Published:
July 04, 2025, 06:00 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
18 hours ago
- News18
Arunachal CM Pema Khandu joins Dalai Lamas spiritual gathering in Ladakh
Itanagar, Jul 25 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday joined thousands of devotees at the revered Karsha Photang in Zanskar to participate in 'Yarchos Chenmo', the great summer dharma gathering, hosted by the Karsha Monastery in Ladakh. The sacred congregation witnessed the presence of nearly 30,000 spiritual seekers who assembled under the vast Ladakhi skies to receive teachings from the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Khandu, in a social media post described his encounter with the Dalai Lama in Ladakh as a deeply humbling and spiritually uplifting experience, highlighting the quiet power of compassion and the timeless wisdom radiated by the revered Tibetan leader. Khandu is currently on a visit to Ladakh. The revered Tibetan spiritual leader delivered a powerful discourse on key Buddhist principles, including compassion, dependent origination, the Four Noble Truths, the concept of emptiness, and the path of the Bodhisattva. 'We gathered under open skies, in the shadow of the mountains, to listen to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, whom the world rightly calls the Ocean of Peace," Khandu posted in X, sharing his reflections on the experience. He expressed gratitude for the rare spiritual experience and paid heartfelt tribute to the Dalai Lama, calling him 'Avalokiteshvara in human form, beacon of universal compassion". Earlier in the day, Khandu was also granted a private audience with the Dalai Lama at Karsha Photang, the leader's official residence in Zanskar. The chief minister described the meeting as a moment of 'deep stillness and awakening". 'To be in the presence of His Holiness is to feel the quiet power of compassion, the boundless depth of wisdom, and the warmth of a smile that holds centuries of spiritual legacy," the chief minister added. Khandu's presence at the gathering reflected Arunachal Pradesh's deep-rooted spiritual and cultural ties with the broader Himalayan Buddhist tradition. His visit also served as a reminder of the unifying power of faith and the enduring influence of the Dalai Lama in inspiring compassion, harmony, and wisdom across borders. PTI UPL UPL RG view comments First Published: July 25, 2025, 14:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India.com
5 days ago
- India.com
Why Dharamshala Is More Than Just Monasteries and Cafes: Discover Its Hidden Soul
Mountains do not hide secrets. They whisper them to those who slow down enough to listen. When the first mist rolls down the pine forests of Dharamshala, something shifts. Tourists clutching paper cups of café lattes stop to look up. The Dhauladhar ranges loom larger. The air smells of cedar and earth. And beneath the usual bustle of Mcleodganj, a gentler side of this Himalayan town quietly calls out. Most people come here for the Dalai Lama temple or a selfie at Bhagsu waterfall. But what if we told you: Dharamshala is not just for monks and markets. It is for moments. Hidden trails. Ancient caves. Tea gardens that hum with stories while the world snaps Instagram shots outside a café. Let's wander deeper — past the obvious. Into the true heartbeat of this mountain town. What makes Dharamshala different from any other hill station? It's not just the altitude. It's the attitude. Unlike the over-polished hill towns with concrete resorts and mall roads, Dharamshala still breathes raw. Its roads bend like question marks. Its forests hold memories older than roads. And its people — monks, Gaddi shepherds, chai stall owners — they welcome you not as a tourist, but as someone who might just stay back forever. It rains here, snows here, shines here — sometimes all in a single day. The weather is a teacher. It slows you down. Makes you wait for a cloud to pass. Makes you notice how snow settles gently on prayer flags. This is not just about visiting. It is about letting a place change your pace. Tired of McLeod Ganj cafes? These must-do activities are waiting to be felt 1. Hike to Triund – The Beginner's Everest Yes, everyone talks about Triund. But not everyone sees it. Start early. Let the mist clear slowly as you climb. Pause at Magic View Café — an old tea shack that has seen more hikers than any hotel lobby ever will. The trek is not hard, but it demands your breath and your time. At the top, the Dhauladhars look close enough to touch. Camp overnight if you can. Wake up to clouds crawling into your sleeping bag. The best sunrise here is not clicked. It is felt on your skin. 2. Meditate at Tushita – Silence Louder Than Traffic Hidden above Mcleodganj is Tushita Meditation Centre. No loud boards. No aggressive marketing. Just a small gate that opens to a place where silence has its own sound. Take a drop-in meditation class. Sit in a garden where monkeys are your only audience. Here, you learn to listen to your mind. And maybe, teach it to sit still for a while. 3. Explore Norbulingka – Where Art Breathes Skip the souvenir shops on Temple Road. Instead, head down to Norbulingka Institute in Sidhpur. Walk through Tibetan gardens. Watch artists paint thangkas. Carve wood. Cast statues. This is not a museum. It is living culture. If you have time, sign up for a short workshop. Carve your own memory into a piece of wood. The café inside serves momos under prayer flags. Simple. Honest. Perfect. 4. Wander Tea Gardens – Fields That Talk to the Wind Dharamshala's tea gardens don't shout for attention. They wait quietly on the slopes of the Kangra Valley. Drive to Mann Tea Estate or Kunal Pathri. Walk with a local worker if you can. Listen to how they pick leaves. How they read rain. Buy fresh Kangra tea. Not from the shops on the main square, but straight from the factory gate. Here, every cup is a story of rain, sun, and patience. 5. Find the Ancient Caves of Guna Devi Not all temples have loud bells. Drive to Galu Temple near Dharamkot. From there, hike into the forest to find Guna Devi cave. A sacred spot where local shepherds still tie prayer cloths and whisper wishes to the goddess inside. The path winds through deodar and rhododendron. You may not meet another soul for hours. Sometimes, the best prayers are the ones you say without words. 6. Volunteer at a Monastery or School – Give Back a Day Dharamshala is not just for taking pictures. It's a place to give. Spend a day teaching conversational English to young monks. Help at a local animal rescue. Or just read stories to Tibetan refugee kids in a community library. You may not change the world in a day. But you might change how you feel about travel. 7. Chase Waterfalls Beyond Bhagsu Bhagsu is crowded. Everyone knows it. But a short hike beyond takes you to hidden cascades. Ask a local to guide you. Walk past slippery stones. Hear the roar grow louder as tourists thin out. Sit on a rock. Dip your feet in icy water. Stay till your bones feel new. Why go offbeat in Dharamshala? Isn't it risky? Yes, the weather can flip in a moment. Roads get muddy. Trails may disappear into clouds. But maybe that's the point. The mountains don't promise comfort. They promise truth. A reminder that not everything can be planned on a spreadsheet. Some days, you walk in rain just to find a rainbow behind a ridge. It's not about how many places you tick off. It's about how deeply you let a place tick inside you. Practical Tips: How to Wander Dharamshala the Right Way Pack layers – This mountain air changes moods faster than you do. Walk more than you ride – The best turns are not on Google Maps. Eat local – Thukpa in small Tibetan kitchens tastes better than any pizza café. Respect silence – Monks don't chant for your Instagram. Listen more than you snap. Leave light footprints – Take back memories. Leave nothing but gratitude. The hidden heartbeat of Dharamshala Every step you take off the usual path keeps this place alive. You help homestays run by old Tibetan families. You buy tea from local gardens, not corporate brands. You hire young guides who know these forests better than any app. You show that Dharamshala is worth more for its silence than any concrete hotel can promise. So what's stopping you? A muddy trail? A missed sunset because clouds rolled in? That's the charm. Dharamshala, when slow, is a blessing. And while tourists rush back to the market for souvenirs, you could be at a hidden waterfall, or sipping tea under an old cedar, or hearing a monk laugh about life's small ironies. Not for a reel. Not for likes. Just for you. Final Thoughts Don't just visit Dharamshala. Let it visit you. The next time the mountains call, don't just pack a bag. Pack an open heart. Because the best parts of these hills don't come with a signboard. They come softly. On a trail. In a smile. In a prayer flag fluttering above your head. And all you have to do is listen.
News18
13-07-2025
- News18
A Holy & Wholesome Encounter With The Dalai Lama
Last Updated: Never had I imagined that one day, he would bless my own daughter, pressing his forehead gently against hers, as if transferring a lifetime of serenity in a single, silent moment We've grown up seeing his smiling face in textbooks, reading about his unshakable faith in compassion, and hearing tales of his spiritual wisdom passed down through generations. For most of us, the Dalai Lama has always been a figure larger than life—yet remarkably familiar. With his twinkling eyes, infectious laugh, and gentle presence, he often resembles the grandfather we all wish we had. But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day, His Holiness would bless my own daughter, pressing his forehead gently against hers, as if transferring a lifetime of serenity in a single, silent moment. That moment—so pure, so unexpected—will stay etched in my heart forever. A Chance Encounter in the Hills It all began with a family vacation to McLeod Ganj on May 29. A break from routine, some time in the hills, and temple visits were all that we had in mind. But destiny had other plans. While strolling through the market, I ran into an old friend, an active member of Namgyal Monastery, also referred to as the Dalai Lama's Temple in McLeod Ganj. Over tea, he casually asked, 'Would you like to meet Guruji?" Without a second thought, I said, 'Yes." Entering the Heart of Tibetan Spirituality My friend managed to get us an early morning slot—something I later realised was a rare and privileged opportunity. We were instructed to report at 7 am sharp at the Tsuglagkhang Complex, the spiritual heart of the Tibetan community in India. It houses the Namgyal Monastery and is also the official residence of His Holiness. The place is serene yet fortified, humming with both prayer and precision. As a journalist, I've met countless dignitaries—ministers, governors, even heads of state. So initially, the thought of meeting the Dalai Lama felt no different—just another high-profile interaction, albeit with tighter protocol and a more spiritual air. That changed quickly. More Than Just a Meeting As we entered the heavily secured premises, a monk handed us a delicate imprint shaped like a leaf. It felt symbolic, like a quiet acknowledgement that we had been chosen. Security was understandably intense. All our belongings—phones, watches, even handkerchiefs—were collected and sealed into labelled pouches. We were scanned thoroughly, body and bag alike. The Dalai Lama's security detail, discreet but formidable, ensured that nothing was left to chance. Armed guards stood silently at strategic points while Tibetan staff managed the entire flow with calm efficiency. We carried with us a traditional khata, a white silk scarf offered as a symbol of respect. The plan was to present it and request blessings. After passing through multiple layers of checks, we were guided to a quiet wooden cottage tucked into a corner of the complex. It was there that we waited—my wife, our daughter, and I—in complete silence, absorbing the stillness. Flashbacks from Childhood Classrooms As we sat there, I couldn't help but reflect. My mind drifted to childhood classrooms—those moral science and general knowledge textbooks that first introduced us to His Holiness. We read about his escape from Tibet, his tireless advocacy for nonviolence, and how he came to be known as a harbinger of peace across the world. For many of us, he was our first understanding of what spiritual leadership looked like. That gentle smile printed beside his life story had stayed with me over the years, quietly becoming a symbol of compassion. And now, I was here—on the cusp of meeting the very man I had only known through pages and posters. The Moment of Blessing Soon, an officer in full tactical gear appeared and said softly, 'Sir, this way, please." We were led to another space where a single chair awaited us. And then came the moment. A small battery-operated cart approached, and in it, clad in his signature maroon robes, was His Holiness. Frail with age, but glowing. Radiating a peace that I can't quite explain. Due to health concerns, we were informed that his advisors had limited his physical interactions for the day. We were to receive a silent blessing. But something changed when he saw my daughter. He looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes and asked in a soft voice, 'Which class are you in?" She replied with what we had taught her to say, 'I am in Class Prep. Kindly bless us." At that, he smiled widely, and with a quick gesture, he instructed one of his disciples to lift her up. He pressed his forehead gently against hers. That moment was spiritual, electric. I could feel something stir in the air—something ancient, something powerful. A Token of Protection He then turned to my wife and me, gave us his blessings, and handed over an envelope. Inside was his photograph and a note titled 'Holy blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama". It contained two kinds of sacred pills—Mani Rilbu and Vajrakilaya—used in Tibetan Buddhism. They are believed to carry the blessings of Buddhist masters and are made with various ingredients, including medicinal herbs, minerals, and others, and are said to have healing properties. The red Mani Rilbu had been blessed with over 100 million recitations of 'Om Mani Padme Hum" during Buddha Purnima by monks and devotees. These were not just spiritual relics—they were believed to prevent illness and bring protection. The Vajrakilaya pills, darker in colour, were blessed through ancient tantric rituals invoking the wrathful deity Vajrakilaya, known for removing spiritual obstacles and shielding the soul from misfortune. The reverence with which they were handed over made it clear—this was more than tradition. It was trust, transferred from one soul to another. Carrying Peace Forward As we stepped out of the Tsuglagkhang Complex, the air felt different. Lighter. I looked at my daughter, unaware yet glowing. I looked at my wife, equally overwhelmed. And I looked back once more, knowing I had just been part of something far greater than a meeting. It was a blessing. Just a few weeks after our visit, His Holiness quietly celebrated his 90th birthday and reiterated his intention to step back gradually, entrusting the next generation to carry forward his message of compassion. Realising that our encounter came at this cusp in his remarkable life only deepens its glow. Some meetings change your perspective; this one changed something deeper, something within. As we walked away from that sacred space, I carried not just a memory but a quiet sense of peace I never knew I was searching for. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : China Dalai Lama sunday special tibet view comments Location : Lucknow, India, India First Published: July 13, 2025, 08:30 IST News india A Holy & Wholesome Encounter With The Dalai Lama | Sunday Special Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
