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Maldives
Maldives
With serene sandy beaches and crystal-clear water, the island country of the Maldives is located to the southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The archipelago is renowned for its seafood, lagoons and countless coconut palms. These 1,200 islands are made up of a chain of 26 atolls. Atolls are islands in the shape of rings with coral rims and lagoons in their centre. The Maldives is also home to the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, which was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in June 2011. Visitors go there to spot manta rays and whale sharks and can enjoy sustainable water activities like scuba diving and surfing.Desktop Version
Gadisar Lake, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Gadisar Lake, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Long ago, in the heart of the desert, King Rawal Jaisal, the founder of Jaisalmer, envisioned a lifeline for his city. In 1156 CE, he built an artificial lake to meet the water needs of the city"s inhabitants. Thus, came into being the Gadsisar Rainwater Lake, originally named Jaisalasar Lake after its creator, Rawal Jaisal. In the 14th century, Maharawal Gadsi Singh rebuilt the lake, and it was renamed in his honour—marking a new chapter in its enduring legacy.Desktop Version
Swaminarayan Akshardham, Delhi
Swaminarayan Akshardham, Delhi
Today"s image features Swaminarayan Akshardham in Delhi, a tribute to yogi Swaminarayan (1781-1830), along with the avatars, deities and sages of Hinduism. This remarkable site is celebrated for its enduring essence of devotion, purity and tranquillity. Architecturally, the complex is designed according to ancient and medieval Indian architectural texts, known as the shilpa shastras. It boasts several notable attractions, including an abhishek mandap and the Sahaj Anand water show. It also has a theme garden and three immersive exhibitions: Sahajanand Darshan, which highlights core principles; Neelkanth Darshan, a film depicting Swaminarayan"s early years and Sanskruti Darshan, a cultural boat.Desktop Version
Gespensterwald, Nienhagen, Germany
Gespensterwald, Nienhagen, Germany
In the coastal region of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania in Germany lies the Gespensterwald, which means "Ghost Forest," seen in today"s image. This spine-tingling forest covers about 1.8 square kilometres, with its gnarled beech, hornbeam, ash and oak trees twisting toward the sky. The salty sea air from the Baltic Sea and the moist climate contribute to the trees" distorted shapes, giving rise to the forest"s haunted moniker. Visitors experience light-hearted brushes with the supernatural, such as the crunch of dead leaves, a friendly spirit waving hello from afar or a mischievous ghost peeking from behind a tree. The strategic lighting, which casts ghostly shadows, along with the sculptures and decorations placed along the path, are elements that enhance the forest"s ghostly aura throughout the year.Desktop Version
Where are these prickly pears?
Where are these prickly pears?
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Yi Peng lantern festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Yi Peng lantern festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand
As twilight descends today, Chiang Mai, Thailand"s second-largest city, will come alive with thousands of glowing lanterns for Yi Peng. Held on the full moon of the second month of the Lanna lunar calendar—a calendar that dates back to the medieval Lanna Kingdom of Northern Thailand—this celebration signifies the removal of negativity and the embrace of new beginnings. The highlight of the festival is the release of "khom loi" or "khom loy"—floating paper lanterns—into the night sky, creating a beautiful sight as the heavens fill with a sea of warm, golden lights. Locals and visitors gather around temples and palaces to send their wishes skyward, hoping for good fortune in the year to come. In addition to the lantern release, the city is adorned with vibrant parades, traditional dance performances and stunning decorations.Desktop Version
Dudhsagar Falls, Goa
Dudhsagar Falls, Goa
Today, let"s explore the magic of Dudhsagar Falls in Goa. Towering at an impressive 310 metres with a 30-metre width, it is among India"s tallest waterfalls. Translating to "Sea of Milk," it is a spectacular four-tiered waterfall on the Mandovi River. Legend has it, a beautiful princess would take a bath here and then drink sweetened milk from a golden jug. One day she saw a handsome prince watching her. To protect her modesty, she poured the milk, forming a white curtain as a shield. According to the tale, the milk continues to flow down the mountains as a tribute to her grace and virtue. This gem in the Western Ghats marks the journey of the Mandovi River as it falls toward Panaji and finally meets the Arabian Sea. During the dry season, the falls might seem unassuming, but with the arrival of the monsoon, they transform into a magnificent cascade of thundering water.Desktop Version
Shell-ebrating sea turtles
Shell-ebrating sea turtles
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The ancient ruins of Nalanda
The ancient ruins of Nalanda
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Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
Celebrating the first new moon of the lunar calendar, millions worldwide gather to usher in the Lunar New Year, a period marked by vibrant celebrations, rich traditions and family reunions. The festivities, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, end 15 days from now with the Lantern Festival. From envelopes to lanterns, red is the dominant colour, symbolising luck and prosperity. The streets come alive with the rhythm of drums as the dragon dance takes centre stage. This is a bird"s-eye view of the dragons—elongated puppets adorned with shimmering scales and animated by a team of dancers. The Lunar New Year is a popular time for families to reunite and is responsible for one of the largest annual human migrations in the world. Did you know that each year is linked to one of the 12 zodiac animals? 2024 heralds the Year of the Dragon, a mighty symbol of nobility, power and success.Desktop Version
Mysore Dasara
Mysore Dasara
Mysore Dasara is Karnataka"s grand state festival, celebrated with immense enthusiasm in the city of Mysuru. This 10-day extravaganza kicks off with nine nights of Navaratri, ending on Vijayadashami, which symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Today"s image features the centrepiece of this celebration, the majestic Mysuru Palace. This palace is illuminated every night with 100,000 lights from 7 to 10 PM for the duration of the festival. The palace grounds come to life with cultural performances showcasing Karnataka"s heritage of dance, music and art. The origins of the festival remain a mystery, but historical evidence points to its celebration during the 14th-15th century by the Vijayanagara kings. Known as Mahanavami at the time, the festival held great significance in the empire.Desktop Version
Val Brandet, Brescia, Lombardy, Italy
Val Brandet, Brescia, Lombardy, Italy
In the heart of Val Brandet, within the Adamello Park in Lombardy, where winter"s silence finds its voice, lies the municipality of Corteno Golgi—named after the physician and Nobel laureate Camillo Golgi, who was born here—a place that preserves memory and beauty, science and nature.Desktop Version
Van Mahotsav
Van Mahotsav
Every July, India celebrates its bond with nature through Van Mahotsav. The name comes from Sanskrit: "Van" meaning forest and "Mahotsav" meaning grand festival. This green tradition started in July 1947 by an Indian historian and botanist, Mohinder Singh Randhawa. In 1950, Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi, then Minister of Food and Agriculture, made it an annual event in the first week of July, officially naming it Van Mahotsav.Desktop Version
Chinese fishing nets in Kochi, India
Chinese fishing nets in Kochi, India
As a traditional occupation in India, fishing is woven deeply into the country"s cultural and economic fabric. This is vividly exemplified in Kochi, a bustling coastal city in the southern state of Kerala. Known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea", its maritime heritage continues to be important for the residents.Desktop Version
Huddled and hunting
Huddled and hunting
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Humayuns Tomb, Delhi
Humayuns Tomb, Delhi
If walls could whisper, Humayun"s Tomb would share stories of love, legacy and beautiful artistry. This magnificent monument in Delhi, is India"s first-ever garden tomb and the final resting place of Mughal emperor Humayun. This grand structure was commissioned by Humayun"s chief consort, Bega Begum (also called Haji Begum). Determined to honour the emperor"s legacy, Bega Begum entrusted Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas with bringing her vision to reality. However, he passed away before the project"s completion, leaving his son, Sayyid Muhammad ibn Mirak Ghiyath Ud Din, to carry forward his work. Construction began in 1565, nine years after Humayun"s passing, and was completed in 1572.Desktop Version
Agra Fort, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Agra Fort, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
In the 16th century, when the tales of Mughal emperors were unfolding, the visionary Emperor Akbar commissioned modifications to the Agra Fort. This grand palace of the Mughal dynasty, strategically situated on the bank of the Yamuna River, was home to numerous ruling families. The architectural ensemble within the fort includes notable structures such as the Jahangir Mahal, a palace built for Akbar"s son, Jahangir, the Khas Mahal, a private palace for the emperor, and the Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audience. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, the Agra Fort boasts a rich historical and architectural legacy in Uttar Pradesh, making it a must-see destination near another famous monument, the Taj Mahal.Desktop Version
Kerala
Kerala
Welcome to Kerala! From the spice gardens of Wayanad to the tea plantations of Munnar, the state"s landscape is a feast for the senses. Located along the Malabar Coast in southwestern India, Kerala is characterised by an intricate network of lakes, hill stations, brackish canals, estuaries, beaches and rivers. Featured in today"s image are the backwaters, which are a nexus of several water bodies, often likened to bayous, stretching over 900 kilometres.Desktop Version
Mount Hamilton, San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States
Mount Hamilton, San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States
Drive up Mount Hamilton in the Bay Area, California, United States, and immerse yourself in stunning views and rich history. Over 31-kilometre Mount Hamilton Road is part of State Route 130. It is loved by cyclists and motorcyclists for its long climbs and sparse traffic. The road, built in 1875-76, was designed to transport materials to the Lick Observatory, the world"s first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory. At the summit, standing at over 1,200 metres, you can see as far as Yosemite National Park or the Sierra Nevada on a clear day.Desktop Version
Ashoka pillar, Kutagarasala Vihara, Vaishali, Bihar
Ashoka pillar, Kutagarasala Vihara, Vaishali, Bihar
Today, we are in the ancient city of Vaishali—one of the world"s earliest republics.Now an archaeological wonder nestled in the Vaishali district of Bihar, this site holds layers of history waiting to be explored. It served as the capital of the Vajjika League of Vrijji mahajanapada, dating all the way back to the 6th century BCE. Vaishali also played a starring role in Buddhism, as it was here that Gautama Buddha delivered his final sermon before attaining parinirvana around 483 BCE.Desktop Version
What’s blooming so brightly?
What’s blooming so brightly?
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A mirror reflecting natures beauty
A mirror reflecting natures beauty
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Ranthambhore National Park, Rajasthan, India
Ranthambhore National Park, Rajasthan, India
Enjoy the jungle adventure captured in today"s photo, as a group of tigers strolls through Ranthambore National Park. India is the global stronghold of these robust cats, with more than 70% of the world"s tiger population finding a home within its diverse landscapes. Given the significance of these majestic species, India adopted the tiger as its national animal in April 1972, following a recommendation by the National Board for Wildlife.Desktop Version
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
An exemplary engineering accomplishment, the Golden Gate Bridge stands like a sentinel over the entrance to San Francisco Bay. Blanketed by the fog above the waters of the Golden Gate Strait, its towers, adorned with Art Deco elements, reach a height of 227 metres. This bridge was the result of combined efforts put in by engineer Joseph Strauss, architect Irving Marrow and many others towards connecting San Francisco to Marin County. The bridge was painted International Orange—the golden adjective refers to the sun-reflecting waters below—and was opened to the public in 1937. It wasn"t an easy vision to accomplish, especially as it was built during the Great Depression. The infrastructure investment paid off, as its construction employed thousands, contributing to both local employment and technological growth. The Golden Gate Bridge, a testament to human innovation, is a timeless masterpiece blending functionality with beauty.Desktop Version
New Years Eve!
New Years Eve!
It"s time for the final countdown! New Year"s Eve is celebrated tonight in many countries to see out the old year and hope for the promises of the new one. The traditions of different nations can be quite creative when it comes to saying farewell to the year. Celebrators in Thailand might visit a temple for good luck or watch the fireworks illuminating Phra Nakhon Khiri, also known as "holy city hill," based in the historical park of the same name. Wherever you celebrate, have a great one. See you next year!Desktop Version