Air India plane crash: UK sets up 'Reception Centre' in Ahmedabad to aid kin of British nationals
The UK Reception Centre, near Ahmedabad airport, will be open from 0900 to 2100 every day, starting today pic.twitter.com/xmOkYlgjpQ
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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Why the Red Fort was once white; more interesting facts to know about Delhi's Lal Qila
Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila, is a historic fort in Delhi which was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. The fort will definitely leave you awestruck with its architectural beauty and is known for its red stone walls. The architecture is a mix of Persian, Timurid, and Indian styles. This fort in Old Delhi, near Chandni Chowk, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great symbol of India's rich history and independence. On this note, let's have a look at some unique facts about Red Fort that will definitely leave you astonished: Construction The construction of this fort started in 1638, which is the Islamic month of Muharram, under Emperor Shah Jahan. This fort took almost a decade to get completed, and the city of Shahjahanabad was built around it. This fort was constructed because the capital of Shah Jahan was being shifted from Agra to Delhi. The Fort Was Originally White This fort is quite famous worldwide for having red sandstone, but this fort was actually white in color as it was covered in white lime plaster. When the plaster got eroded, the British decided to paint it red to preserve the structure, which gave way to the name 'Red Fort'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Chittagong: New Container Houses – Take A Look At The Prices! Container homes | Search ads Learn More Undo Pre-Mughal Eras There have been excavations at the Red Fort that revealed some artefacts such as Ochre Colored Pottery culture dated between 2600–1200 BC. These excavations show that this region was inhabited a millennia before Shah Jahan built the fort. There have been similar findings at other areas of India as well, such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, as they depict ancient settlement patterns. A Covered Royal Bazaar Chatta Chowk, located in the Red Fort, is a covered market with 32 arched shops that sold items like silks, gems, and jewelry. This kind of indoor bazaar was one of a kind in Mughal India, which used to serve the imperial elite and court visitors within the Red Fort walls, as mostly the Mughal bazaars were open-air markets. Invisible Security System Red Fort is considered to have a unique design where approaching visitors could be detected from certain chambers with the help of echoes, which used to help court officials to hear who is entering the court even before they entered it. Trial at Home This architectural marvel was home to the last Mughal emperor, 'Bahadur Shah Zafar', who was tried for treason by the British in Diwan-i-Khas, his own reception hall, after the revolt of 1857, but ultimately was sent to exile in Rangoon, now known as Myanmar. Entrance of Red Fort The main gate of Red Fort is known as Lahori Gate and is one of the 14 gates of the city of Shahjahanabad, now known as Old Delhi. Every year, the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag from the Lahori Gate. The Koh-i-Noor and Peacock Throne Was Once a Part of It Reportedly, the Koh-i-Noor diamond, now in London, was once placed on the beautiful Peacock Throne, which was placed inside the Diwan-i-Khas in the Red Fort. Both of these beautiful ornaments were taken from India. So next time you visit Red Fort, you'll want to look at it from a new perspective! Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
Explore The Hidden Charms Of Dalhousie Beyond Mall Road – A Complete Travel Guide
A trip to Dalhousie is not about ticking off places from a brochure. It's about stepping into a slower time. When the first mountain breeze brushes your face, when pine-scented mist curls around your shoulders, something changes. Your shoulders drop. Your breath deepens. The chaos of the plains fades away. Most visitors head straight to Mall Road or Gandhi Chowk. They shop. They sip tea. They take selfies. But what if we told you that Dalhousie's real charm isn't in the postcard views — it's in the forgotten corners and quiet paths that don't shout for attention? Let's step off the busy roads and into the soul of this hill town. Where old churches still ring their bells. Where deodar trees whisper old secrets. And where the hills don't just look beautiful — they listen back. What makes Dalhousie different from other hill stations? It's not just the weather. It's the warmth. Dalhousie isn't here to impress. It's here to invite. It doesn't have the rush of Manali or the parties of Mussoorie. Instead, it offers silence, space, and slow time. It's the kind of place where clouds drift through your hotel window. Where the same tree you saw in the morning changes mood by evening. Where every trail feels like a page from an old diary. Unlike the cold, touristy buzz of commercial hill stations, Dalhousie still holds on to its old-world grace. British architecture. Rustic chapels. Handmade jams in glass jars. This is not a place to chase. It's a place to pause. Tired of Mall Road? These spots are waiting to be explored 1. Khajjiar — Himachal's Mini Switzerland Yes, you've heard the nickname. But Khajjiar is more than a label. Just 22 km from Dalhousie, it's a soft meadow surrounded by dense forest. A mirror-like lake in the middle. Horses grazing. Kids rolling down green slopes. Come here early. Walk barefoot on the grass. Lie down. Let the clouds pass over your face. It's not about what you do. It's about how you feel. And Khajjiar makes you feel small in the best way. 2. Dainkund Peak — Where the Winds Sing At 2755 meters, this is the highest point around Dalhousie. It's a gentle trek from the base, with a reward that's far bigger than just a view. The air hums here — literally. Locals call it the Singing Hill because of the sound the wind makes as it moves through the trees. From the top, you see three valleys stretch out in three directions. On clear days, the Pir Panjal range looks close enough to touch. It's a place for silence. For watching birds. For forgetting deadlines. 3. Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary — The Forest That Watches Back Only 12 km from town, Kalatop is dense, quiet, and alive. Black bears roam here. So do leopards, barking deer, and over 100 bird species. But you don't come here just to spot wildlife. You come to walk. There are no flashy signs. No crowds. Just you, a forest trail, and the sound of your own footsteps. The air smells of pine. The ground is soft with fallen needles. And around every bend, the light changes. 4. St. John's Church — Time Written in Stone Built in 1863, this old chapel near Gandhi Chowk is a storybook in stone and stained glass. The British left long ago, but their prayers still echo here. Wooden pews. Dusty hymn books. A silence that humbles you. Come on a weekday. Sit alone. Let the bells ring around you. This isn't a 'spot' on a map. It's a pause in your journey. 5. Panchpula — Five Streams and a Story A short drive from town leads you to Panchpula — literally 'five bridges'. But don't come for the picnic benches or the street food. Come early, when the vendors are still setting up, and walk up to the streams. Follow the water. Let it lead you through small trails and hidden corners. There's a memorial here for freedom fighter Sardar Ajit Singh. But more than that, there's a feeling of flow — like history, memory, and water, all moving together. Why explore beyond Mall Road? Isn't it easier to stay close? Yes, it is easier. But easier isn't always better. Dalhousie doesn't reveal its magic from a car window. You have to walk. You have to listen. You have to let go of the checklist. The lesser-known places are not just prettier. They're purer. Here's what you get when you go off the main trail: No crowds. You share space with silence, not selfie sticks. Real air. Cold. Clean. Touched only by pine trees and prayers. Unfiltered beauty. No wires. No neon signs. Just the Himalayas being themselves. Practical Tips: How to Explore Dalhousie Like You Belong Travel light. Dress a light jacket even in summer. The weather changes moods like a poet. Carry are rare beyond town. Local shops and tea stalls prefer coins over QR codes. Start light is better. The roads are emptier. The silence is deeper. Eat slow. Eat parathas from a roadside dhaba > fast food from a chain. Respect the honk at curves. Don't litter. Don't rush. Let the mountains set your pace. The Hidden Economy of Slower Travel Every time you choose a forest trail over a fancy cafe, someone benefits. The chaiwala at the Dainkund base. The woman selling pickles near Khajjiar. The family running a homestay in Kalatop. You help preserve the very magic you came to see — by keeping it local, quiet, and clean. So what's stopping you? A steep trail? A road without Google Maps? A bit of mud? Good. That's where the stories begin. While others click pictures from the hotel balcony, you could be watching fog rise from the valley. Hearing the forest breathe. Touching snow that nobody else has stepped on. Final Thoughts Don't just visit Dalhousie. Let it unfold. The next time you plan a mountain trip, skip the obvious. Carry fewer plans and more patience. Because Dalhousie doesn't perform for tourists. It whispers to wanderers. And if you listen closely enough, you'll hear it call your name.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
A heritage train chugs again in MP: Story of historic Patalpani-Kalakund line
After a temporary suspension of services due to drop in tourist footfall on the 155-years old Patalpani-Kalakund line, Western Railway resumed the operation of heritage trains last week. The 9.5 km long Patalpani-Kalakund line, in the Dr Ambedkar Nagar (earlier Mhow)-Khandwa section in Madhya Pradesh, is considered to be one of the six heritage lines of the Indian Railways even though it still awaits official certification by the Railway Board. It is a meter-gauge section which was preserved by the Indian Railways in 2018, since the line could not be converted to the broad gauge because of its difficult terrain. The first heritage train on the line set-off on December 25, 2018. With an average speed of between 5 and 10 km/h, two trains traverse the scenic route, with its deep gorges, high embankments, tunnels, the Patalpani waterfall, and natural springs, each day. History of the line The need for a railway line in the area was recognised in the 19th century, with the establishment of the princely state of Indore, under the house of the Holkars, as a British protectorate in 1818. Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar II, who reigned from 1844 to 1886, proposed the construction of a railway line from Indore to Khandwa, which would include the Patalpani-Kalakund section. In 1870, he offered a loan of Rs 100 lakhs for 101 years, and free land for the construction of a rail line to his capital city of Indore. The project would be completed in 1878, and called the Holkar State Railways which, in 1881-82, was merged with the Rajputana-Malwa Railway. The railway station at Patalpani was the first to be constructed on the line, between 1874 and 1878. The tracks were later extended all the way to Ajmer in Rajasthan and Akola in Maharashtra, from where the line connected with other railways. Together, they formed a formidable rail network in Central India, and provided connectivity to major cities like Delhi, Ajmer, Indore, and Ahmedabad. The management of the line was taken over by the B.B & C.I company in 1885. Till Independence, the complete meter gauge network of Ratlam division was managed by the company. Gauge conversion In 2008, the Union Cabinet approved the gauge conversion for the 472.64 km Ratlam-Mhow-Khandwa-Akola railway line corridor to Broad Gauge. However, the BG work on the 9.5 km Patalpani-Kalakund section could not be taken because of geological factors. Later, Indian Railways decided to restore the stretch for the operation of heritage trains. A senior official of the Western Railway said that the Ratlam to Patalpani section has been converted to the Broad Gauge. Since, the Patalpani-Kalakund section is restored as a meter-gauge line, a detour alignment was planned from Patalpani to Choral to Khandwa, which is in the final stage. The 9.5 km meter gauge line consists of four tunnels (0.5 km approx.), 24 sharp curves (6.5 km), six major bridges and 35 minor bridges. Apart from the picturesque views, the line also has cultural and historical significance. The Patalpani station is named after Tantia Bhil, a revolutionary who waged an armed struggle against the British in the jungles of central India. And the region is famous for the sweet kalakand, a delicacy from which the station Kalakund derives its name. The train consists of two AC Chair Car coaches and three Non-AC Chair Car coaches. The fare for one-way travel in the AC Chair Car is Rs 270 and in the Non-AC Chair Car is Rs 20 per person.
