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A Glimpse Of The Private Rooms Of Jaipur's City Palace Like Chhavi Niwas

Diljit Dosanjh lit up the stage with his powerful performance at Jaipur on Sunday (November 3). The concert was a part of his Dil-Luminati Tour 2024. Ahead of the special day, the Punjabi singer-actor shared a carousel of pictures from the stunning City Palace on Instagram. Dressed in a suit, Diljit posed against the royal chambers of the palace, bearing intricate decorations on the pillars and walls. The City Palace boasted of splendid welcoming with the backdrop of the royal interiors exuding grandeur and giving a glimpse of some of the famous private rooms of the palace. With its gleaming white marble, complex detailing, kaleidoscopic patterns, antique artwork, and red and pink sandstone, every inch of this palace was simply captivating from the Shobha Niwas to the Rang Mahal. Planning to visit City Palace soon? Then check out these private rooms to see on your next visit. 1. Rang Mandir Rang Mandir is located on the third floor of the Chandra Mahal, the seven-story palace that is the residence of the Jaipur royal family. The room is decorated with mirrorwork on the walls and ceiling that reflects light to every inch with the help of the sunlight. 2. Chhavi Niwas Also known as the "Blue Parlour", this private room is located on the fifth floor of the Chandra Mahal. It offers panoramic views of the palace and is a popular spot for taking pictures owing to its blue and white facade.

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4000-year-old fortified town discovered in Saudi Arabia

As per the latest development, archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old fortified town in northwest Saudi Arabia, known as al-Natah, hidden within the lush, walled Khaybar Oasis in the desert. This discovery offers a glimpse on the ancient shift from nomadic to urban lifestyles. Led by French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux, the team uncovered a 14.5-kilometer wall encircling the settlement. Published in the journal PLOS One, the research estimated that the town was established around 2400 BCE, and the population there might have been up to 500 residents. According to the study, “Preliminary archaeological survey and soundings have revealed a fortified 2.6-hectare town built around 2400-2000 BCE that lasted until at least 1500 BCE and possibly 1300 BCE, though it may have experienced interruptions.” Reports add that the said settlement, dating back over 4,000 years, showcased a unique path to urbanisation, and also offered insights into how early Arabian societies shifted from nomadic herding to organised urban life. Unlike the large urban centres of those regions, al-Natah reflects a process of "slow urbanism," where small, organised communities gradually adapted to desert life.

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Andhra Pradesh’s first seaplane service set for trial run

In a bid to enhance connectivity and boost tourism, Andhra Pradesh is all set to conduct a trial run of its first-ever seaplane service. As per reports, the trial is expected to take place on November 9 or shortly after November 15, officials have confirmed. The seaplane service will be managed by the Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL). If reports are to go by, the seaplane, a 10-seater aircraft, will operate on a unique route starting from the Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada and ending at Srisailam in the Nandyal district. Passengers on this route will fly over the Krishna River, and land near Pathalaganga in Srisailam. The seaplane service is expected to offer pilgrims and tourists a more accessible travel option, and definitely a fun one at that. For those unaware, Srisailam is one of the major pilgrimage destinations in the region. Srisailam is home to an ancient Shiva temple and is set amidst the lush Nallamalla forests. At present, devotees visiting Srisailam from Telangana travel for almost seven hours by road. The difficult terrain adds several challenges for travellers. With the new seaplane service, now travellers will be able to cover the entire distance in approximately 40 minutes! Officials say the service will not only make it easier for pilgrims to reach the temple but will also be an exciting option for tourists interested in seeing the beauty of the surrounding Nallamalla forests and serene river landscapes from the air. The government anticipates that the ease and appeal of this journey will significantly contribute to local tourism.

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Railways opearting 195 special trains from Delhi

Ahead of Chhath Puja, Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar conducted an inspection of facilities on Sunday, announcing that the Railways will operate 195 special trains over a 13-day period from the Delhi area this year to accommodate passengers. “We are operating extra trains as part of the arrangements. We are operating 195 special trains in 13 days from the Delhi area this year... Today, 70 trains are running from Delhi, of which 16 are special trains, and 4 trains are unannounced. Through these measures, we are trying to provide facilities to the passengers. I asked passengers about the arrangements, they are satisfied with the arrangements made this year,” Kumar told ANI. The Railway Board Chairman also engaged with passengers traveling during the Chhath Puja rush. On Friday, Indian Railways announced the operation of special trains nationwide to ensure safe travel for those heading home for the festival. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity for the Railway Board, reported that over 160 trains were in operation on Thursday, with plans to run more than 170 trains on Sunday.

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Western Railway to run three additional special trains

To accommodate the increased passenger demand during the festive season, Western Railway has announced the operation of three additional Festival Special Trains on special fares. These trains will connect major destinations across the regions, providing added convenience to passengers traveling from cities such as Bandra, Gorakhpur, Valsad, Udhna, Jaynagar, Ujjain, Sabarmati, and Patna. 1. Bandra Terminus – Gorakhpur – Valsad Special (Train No. 09093/09094) – 2 Trips Train No. 09093: Departs Bandra Terminus on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 04:40 hrs, arriving in Gorakhpur at 18:00 hrs the next day. Train No. 09094: Departs Gorakhpur on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 22:00 hrs, reaching Valsad at 06:00 hrs on Wednesday. The train will stop at several key stations, including Udhna, Surat, Vadodara, Ratlam, Ujjain, and Kanpur, with additional stops at Borivali, Palghar, Dahanu Road, Vapi, and Valsad for Train No. 09093. This service will consist of General Second Class coaches. 2. Udhna – Jaynagar – Ujjain Special (Train No. 09039/09040) – 2 Trips Train No. 09039: Departs Udhna on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 07:25 hrs, arriving at Jaynagar at 02:00 hrs on Tuesday. Train No. 09040: Departs Jaynagar on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 05:30 hrs, reaching Ujjain at 16:00 hrs the following day. This train includes stops at major stations, including Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayaya, Patliputra, Muzaffarpur, and Darbhanga. It also includes additional halts at Surat, Vadodara, Godhra, Ratlam, and Ujjain, with General Second Class coaches.

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The best Christmas markets taking place around the world in 2024

There’s nothing quite like a festive market to bring out the Christmas spirit in people. While these events can be traced back to Vienna – the city’s first recorded December market was in 1298 – the tradition has spread across the world over the centuries. From Germany and Switzerland to Singapore and New York, it’s difficult to find a coveted destination that doesn’t hold an impressive annual market. In fact, some have grown so popular that they’ve become tourist attractions in their own right. Here’s CNN Travel’s rundown of some of the top Christmas markets taking place around the world this year: With reindeer rides, a giant Ferris wheel and a classic Nativity scene, Vienna’s magical spectacle encapsulates the festive spirit fantastically. Although there are around 20 Christmas markets in the Austrian capital from which to choose, Wiener Christkindlmarkt (or Rathausplatz) is one of its oldest and most traditional events. The event, also known as Viennese Dream Christmas Market, features a 110-square-meter children’s ice rink and is held in front of City Hall. The famous Tree of Hearts, a giant maple tree decked out with hundreds of glittering hearts, is a favorite with visitors and a great photo opportunity.

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