Mawal: Kashmir’s traditional Crimson colour
Kashmir , October 19,2026- The deep crimson of Rista and Rogan Josh is among the most recognisable features of Kashmiri cooking. While Kashmiri chillies contribute to the colour, traditional kitchens have long relied on another source: Mawal, the dried flower of Celosia cristata. The Plant Mawal, commonly known as cockscomb, is a flowering plant with […]
Rail connectivity boost for Jammu & Kashmir
Kashmir, October 19,2026– For years, the journey to Vaishno Devi has had an awkward final stretch. Pilgrims would reach Jammu Tawi, tired from a long train ride, and then hunt for a taxi or bus to cover the remaining distance to Katra. From October 18, that last stretch gets easier. The Sabarmati-Jammu Tawi Express is […]
Devotees throng Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra
Katra, October 19,2026-The town of Katra, base camp for one of India’s most revered pilgrimages, has been alive with devotion as lakhs of pilgrims make their way to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in the Trikuta hills. From dawn until late at night, the air is filled with chants of “Jai Mata Di” as […]