FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

‘To other countries, I may go as a tourist, but to India, I come as a pilgrim.’ Martin Luther King Jr’s pithy description of the country defines modern India: where diversity finds place in the second-most populous country in the world; where a pluralistic and multilingual society has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies; where the tourism and hospitality industry is a key driver of the growth story. And, why not? After all, India caters to every type of traveller and taste—whether it’s the serenity of beach life along its languid coast, the ruggedness of the great Himalayas, the spirituality experienced in the heritage-laced temples, monasteries, mausoleums, and churches, or the wellness quotient of yoga’s birthplace. There’s something for everyone in the seventh-largest country of the world.

The all-new edition of Discover India is tailor-made to make your Indian sojourn memorable and effortless, whether you’re visiting for the first time or seeking the multifarious ‘hidden gems’ that the country has to offer. From a 24-hour guide to Kolkata (pg 36) to an in-depth tour of Delhi and Bengaluru in City Focus (pg 21), we help you navigate through the best in the country.

Get ready for an adrenaline overload with our cover story on the top 25 adventure activities (pg 44), or set foot in the little known Johar Valley in Uttarakhand (pg 72) to savour pristine Himalayan landscapes. Close to the popular city of Jaipur, we stop over at Bundi (pg 66) in Rajasthan to discover murals and architecture that’ll leave you spellbound. While our photo essay on Ranthambore National Park (pg 98) takes you into the territory of the big cat, our journey to Goan wetlands (pg 62) goes beyond the beaches, and into the wild, in search of otters! And our Survival Guide (pg 118) caters to your every need as a traveller here.

My Turkish friend candidly confessed: “Though I live in Istanbul, my heart belongs to India.” And like him, there are many who have fallen in love with the enigma called ‘India’. It’s a country that welcomes you with open arms.