Meenakshi J

The Thar Desert today is a scorching region in western India’s Rajasthan state. But in the Mesozoic Era, it was a tropical shoreline along the Tethys Ocean, inhabited by dinosaurs and marine creatures.
The latest find from that desert, dated to 167 million years ago, was from a dinosaur group called the dicraeosaurids, which munched on plant life with long necks (although not as long as some of their close relatives). It is the first of that group discovered in India, and the oldest ever foun...

A decade ago when I was newly married, I stopped by a roadside fruit stall in the South Indian town of Nagercoil near my in-law’s home to pick up some bananas for a religious ceremony. I gawked at the bunches of this nutraceutical fruit, ranging from the usual shades of yellow to varying hues of red and purple. They hung upended on hooks from the stand’s tinned roof as if they were prized possessions.
There were some 12 to 15 varieties, each with a distinct name and purpose
Each bunch was tag...

From an eco-friendly water park in Kuta to a solar-powered boutique resort in Canggu, here are five places merging conscientious green credentials, culture, luxury, and adventure in Bali.

With its migrant-inspired cuisine, omnipresent earthy flavours, and giddy aromas, Mauritius offers a delectable slice of the Indian Ocean’s multicultural history.
Palatial châteaux, ornately vibrant Hindu temples, vast fields of swaying sugarcane, charming museums, and a rich motley of cultures—the African nation of Mauritius is a delight for the senses. Beyond the quintessential island sights and sounds, this paradise has many delicious surprises in store for me. Quite literally, as its mixe...

Indonesia has many claims to fame: its white sandy beaches, magnificent mountains, lush terraced fields, diverse cultures, colorful markets and ancient history. It’s hardly surprising then that the world’s largest archipelago nation is also home to nine UNESCO Heritage Sites — the highest number in Southeast Asia. Four of these nine UNESCO sites are found on the island of Java, and three of these are easily accessible from Yogyakarta, one of the island’s key cities.
Fondly called Jogja by its...

One of the world’s most remarkable—and little known—empires comes to life in south India with new heritage tours.
The only thing left of the grand city of Gangaikondacholapuram in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is a temple amidst paddy fields. But for a time, it was an epicentre of medieval Southeast Asia and the capital of one of the oldest and longest ruling dynasties in the world.
For nearly five centuries, the Chola dynasty (300 B.C.–A.D. 1279) asserted its power—influenc...

A trip to South India can be dizzying. From ancient heritage and jaw-dropping vistas to unparalleled cuisines and buzzing urban cultures, there’s a lot to absorb. One easy – and entertaining – entry point is film.
The prolific Tamil film industry, or Kollywood, is the perfect lens through which to appreciate South India. There’s no better recent evidence of that than 2022’s international sensation, Ponniyin Selvan. Since its theatrical release, much of India has been under the spell of this g...

Jammu, the winter capital of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, is the gateway to the revered Vaishno Devi cave temple and the pristine but conflicted Kashmir Valley. Located on the cliffs of the Shivalik range, by the banks of river Tawi, this region is named after the 14th century ruler Raja Jambu Lochan, who is widely credited with establishing the city. Although the city has been in existence since Vedic times, its majestic structures date back to the 2nd century, giving it ...