A day that reminds us how simplicity can move mountains—Gandhi Jayanti celebrates the power of truth and non-violence. Recognised as one of the three national holidays in India, it also carries global significance as the United Nations has observed it since 2007 as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Mists curl, waters glimmer and legends linger—welcome to Glen Brittle. On the Isle of Skye, Scotland"s fabled "Misty Isle", the glen stretches in a sweep of purple heather carpeting its rugged slopes. The landscape hums with echoes of the past: dinosaurs left footprints on these cliffs long before Mesolithic hunters traced its streams over 8,000 years ago. In the 9th century, seafaring Norse Vikings settled here. Centuries later, the powerful MacLeod and MacDonald clans claimed these lands, their castles standing guard over countless battles and alliances.
From October 4 to 10, World Space Week invites us to transcend our earthly bounds and chase the stars. It was born from the launch of Sputnik 1 by the USSR in 1957 and the signing of the Outer Space Treaty in 1967, a pioneering international commitment to peaceful cosmic exploration. During this week, classrooms buzz with experiments, planetaria echo with wonder and telescopes bridge the gap to distant galaxies. Together, these moments weave a universal story of science, discovery and humanity"s relentless drive to push boundaries. The week"s mission is clear: to ignite the next generation of explorers, engineers and dreamers ready to rewrite the cosmos.
Rising above Orchha"s skyline, Jahangir Mahal whispers tales of emperors across dynasties. Completed at the close of the 16th century, this grand palace became a symbol of alliance and celebration between the Bundelas and the mighty Mughals. Some believe it was built to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jahangir himself, transforming this fortified marvel into both a royal residence and a ceremonial showpiece. Today, its walls still echo with stories of conquest, camaraderie and courtly splendour.
The shiver felt under a full autumn moon, when the air hints at winter"s arrival, has a way of lingering in memory. One of China"s most cherished holidays, the Mid-Autumn Festival—also known as the Moon Festival—adds another touch of magic to the end of the harvest season. It"s celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month of the Chinese calendar—this year, on October 6. According to legend, it"s also the night when the moon goddess Chang"e watches over the world.
It"s that time of year in the United States when the hills shed their summer greens, unveiling a blaze of colours that lights up the season. The change usually begins in September and early October, with higher slopes turning first, followed by the lower valleys. Among the stars of this display are the aspens, whose leaves shimmer like gold coins in the sunlight. The magic of aspen colours, however, isn"t guaranteed year after year. Their golden glow depends on many factors—tree health, local weather shifts, soil moisture and where they grow in terms of altitude and latitude. Healthy aspens are the true stars of the season: strong, thriving groves burst with brighter colours and hold onto their leaves longer, while stressed or weakened trees often fade quickly, offering only a glimpse of their usual brilliance. A spot that dazzled one fall might look muted the next.
With eight arms and plenty of charm, the octopus takes the spotlight today. On World Octopus Day, as we reflect on their brilliance, we"re reminded that even these ocean geniuses can"t outsmart threats like climate change and pollution. Protecting their homes means safeguarding the future of our seas.
As World Space Week draws to a close, the cosmos continues to give us reasons to look up in awe. Picture clouds—not drifting across our skies, but stretching across space itself, cradling the birth of new stars. That"s exactly what NASA"s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed in its view of the Pillars of Creation—shown here—with colours and details unlike anything seen before.
Some dates mark a single milestone—Fiji"s October 10 marks two. On that day in 1874, the islands officially became a British colony. Almost a century later, in 1970, the same date saw Fiji raise its own flag and declare independence. Fiji Day is a unique national holiday—part reflection, part celebration. The day begins with formal ceremonies, where the Fijian flag is hoisted and leaders deliver speeches. Schools and community groups often stage reenactments and performances. Streets fill with parades, villages host cultural dances like the meke and rugby pitches come alive with matches. Families prepare traditional dishes like lovo, where meat and root crops are cooked underground, and kokoda, a citrus-marinated fish dish.
Birds don"t bother with passports, visas or luggage—they simply spread their wings and fly. Twice a year, billions of migratory birds criss-cross the planet, travelling immense distances between breeding and wintering grounds. World Migratory Bird Day, marked on the second Saturday of May and October, celebrates this incredible journey. In India, the story takes on a vivid form each winter, when lakes and wetlands burst into life with the arrival of birds from colder regions. Places like Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Rajasthan transform into lively sanctuaries, offering some of the best opportunities to witness the spectacle.
Some places are just stops on the map, but Saranac Lake in Adirondack Mountains, in New York, United States, is a destination that keeps people hooked year-round. Despite its name, this village isn"t directly on the Saranac Lakes themselves but rather on Lake Flower, a wide section of the Saranac River. For centuries, the area—nicknamed "The Capital of the Adirondacks"—was used by Indigenous peoples for hunting and travel. By the late 19th century, it gained fame as a health retreat, where Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau pioneered fresh-air treatment for tuberculosis. The cure cottages from that era still stand today.
From the lively shores of Chennai to the untouched sands of Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu"s coastline promises an experience for every kind of beach lover. Marina Beach buzzes with energy, while quieter stretches invite moments of solitude. Together, these shores paint a vivid picture of the state"s natural beauty and cultural richness. Golden sands, swaying palms and endless blue waters create the perfect canvas; whether you"re seeking relaxation, a thrill of adventure or a glimpse into the region"s heritage.
Ever wondered what it"s like to live on a movie set? Oia is about as close as it gets, part of Greece"s Santorini archipelago. This village has appeared in films like "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" and "Tomb Raider," thanks to its Cycladic houses—cube-shaped homes with flat roofs—and cliffside views that feel almost unreal. Its unique architecture has roots in the late 19th century. Sailors and merchants carved houses right into the volcanic cliffs—cool in summer and warm in winter. The white-and-blue theme is also more than just for show: houses were painted with lime wash so rainwater would run off and be collected. Today, visitors wander its cobbled lanes, explore the Naval Maritime Museum or climb to the ruins of Agios Nikolaos Castle for unforgettable sunsets.
Far more than pizza toppings or sautéed sides, mushrooms are ecological powerhouses, essential for healthy forests. They break down dead matter, recycle nutrients and support tree growth through underground networks called mycorrhizae. Some also help store carbon in the soil, playing a role in climate regulation.
Think of a cat that can vanish into the forest without a sound—that"s the Eurasian lynx. With its tufted ears and a piercing gaze, this feline is the largest of the four lynx species. Stretching over 100 centimetres in length and standing as tall as 75 centimetres at the shoulder, the Eurasian lynx is built for power and precision. Its padded paws aren"t just for sneaking; they act like snowshoes, spreading its weight so it can chase down prey in deep winter drifts. Mostly a nocturnal hunter, it spends its days tucked away in thickets or rocky dens, venturing out under the cover of darkness to stalk deer, hares and squirrels.
Nestled within Michigan"s Rock River Canyon Wilderness in the United States, Rock River Falls emerges amid a landscape shaped by glaciers, dense woods and layers of history. In the Upper Peninsula, humans have left their traces for millennia: Indigenous Algonquian-speaking peoples were followed by French and British explorers and waves of Finnish, Swedish and French-Canadian immigrants settled there during the 19th-century mining and logging booms. Today, this sparsely populated region hosts barely 3% of Michigan"s residents, cradling its forests and waterfalls in near-natural serenity.
Across ages, archaeology has urged us to look beneath the surface, unearthing stories buried in the land. At first glance, Silbury Hill in Wiltshire, England, may seem like a simple slope in the countryside. However, it conceals a 4,500-year-old Neolithic enigma. Starting around 2400 BCE, chalk was locally quarried, transported and compacted by hand, layer by layer, over generations. The result is the tallest prehistoric mound in Europe, built entirely by human effort, rising to almost 40 metres.
In Minnesota, United States, autumn carries more than crimson leaves—it brings the crisp promise of apple season. From mid-August through late October, orchards across the state open their rows of Honeycrisp, Haralson and dozens of other cultivars, each bred for flavour, resilience and charm. Today"s image captures that moment: branches heavy with ripe fruit, ready for harvest. This land takes its apples seriously. The state apple, the Honeycrisp, now a world favourite, was born in the orchards of the University of Minnesota, where scientists have cultivated apples for over a century.
Bing Wallpaper Gallery