Where the leopard rules

While tigers often grab the spotlight, leopards silently dominate many national parks across India, proving themselves as masters of stealth and survival. Here are some of the best parks where locking eyes with leopards can be a reality.

India’s Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP), launched earlier this year to speed up and simplify immigration clearance for travellers, has now been rolled out to five more airports across the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The programme was first introduced at Terminal 3 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport in June 2024, before expanding to seven other major hubs in January 2025: Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad. It aims to provide Indian nationals and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders with a faster, smoother, and more secure immigration process for international departures and arrivals.

With the addition of Lucknow, Amritsar, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, and Kozhikode airports, the service is now available at 13 airports across the country. The government has also announced plans to include the upcoming Navi Mumbai and Jewar (Noida) airports once they are operational.

What is the FTI-TTP?

The Fast Track Immigration Programme is a government initiative that speeds up immigration clearance for Indian nationals and OCI cardholders, offering a quick and more secure process for pre-verified travellers. It saves time by letting pre-verified travellers use dedicated e-gates, where biometrics and travel details are checked automatically, no long queues or manual stamping required.

How to sign up for the Fast Track Immigration Programme:

• Travellers must fill in the necessary details on the official website here. FTI-TTP registration will be valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
• After filling in the details on the website, and submitting them for verification with the Bureau of Immigration, applicants will receive a message to schedule an appointment for biometric data submission.
• Biometrics can be provided at designated international airports in India or the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Submitting biometrics is mandatory to complete the application process.
• Applicants must ensure their passports are valid for at least six months when applying for the FTI-TTP. Membership will be linked to the passport’s validity.

The programme’s second phase, which extends benefits to foreign travellers holding OCI cards, also begins today. The long-term goal is to offer fast and secure immigration facilities and a more seamless travel experience for all eligible passengers.

Between the months of September and November, India goes straight into full-on festive mode, where temples, streets, homes, and even palaces light up, the food stalls smell irresistible, and every corner of the country feels alive in celebration. If you are wondering where to go to soak in the magic, then here is a list of cities that truly bring the festivals to life.

Mysuru: Royal Glow of Dasara

Mysuru during the Dasara festival feels straight out of a grand old tale. The palace sparkles with thousands of lights, and the procession is almost royal with elephants and folk dances, and cultural programs that will fill the city and your heart with life. If you want a festival that feels royal and deeply rooted in history, then this is your place.

Ahmedabad: The Navratri Energy

When Navratri hits, Ahmedabad turns into one massive dance floor where the nights are packed with people wearing colourful traditional outfits and doing garba and dandiya. The food stalls are buzzing with jalebis, fafda, and soft dhoklas. This city doesn’t just celebrate Navratri, it lives it.

Jaipur: Heritage Meets Festival

The Pink City already looks like it is in a festival mood all year-round, but come Diwali and Navratri, and you can see Jaipur level up with the local markets packed with shoppers. Palaces and forts glow under the golden lights, and every corner feels alive with traditional music, laughter, and beloved sweets.

Varanasi: Divine Energy on the Ghats

In Varanasi, Navratri feels spiritual and spectacular at the same time, and the ghats come alive with lamps and rituals, the sound of devotional music fills the atmosphere, and the boat rides under the flickering light feel almost unreal. Festivals in Varanasi aren’t just events; they are experiences that stay with you forever.

Kolkata: The Heart of Durga Puja

No city does Durga Puja like Kolkata. From pandals with breathtaking and jaw-dropping themes to traditional bhog meals, the celebrations are larger than life, and the entire city feels like one big family that has come together for the celebration of these auspicious festivals. And the food scene, from rasgullas to mishti doi, only makes it all better.

Delhi: Lights, Melas & Fireworks

Delhi is one city that goes all out during Dussehra and Diwali with huge-scale Ramleela performances, bustling festive markets, sweet shops working overtime and overflowing with sweet treats and traditional mithai, fireworks lighting up the skies; the city is a complete festive package. This is the perfect place to be if you like a mix of tradition and modern fun.

Goa: Beach Meets Festive Buzz

Do you think Goa is only meant for parties? Visit this place in the festive season, and you will see a whole new side. Temples are decorated, local feasts show up with a mix of flavours, and beaches get livelier post the monsoon season. It is the perfect blend of chilling and celebrating.

Kerala: Post-Onam Charm

Even after Onam officially wraps up, Kerala holds on to its festive energy with snake boat races, traditional performances, and elaborate sadya feasts that still linger in the month of September. Add the beautiful and lush green landscapes fresh from the monsoon, and you have got yourself the perfect location for a cultural escape.

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