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IMD issues yellow alert in Delhi, maximum temperature warnings.

Delhi weather today: The national capital on Monday, June 3, registered a minimum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, 3.1 notches above the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Meanwhile, the maximum temperature is expected to settle at around 44 degrees Celsius today. IMD forecast for June 3 suggests a partly cloudy sky with heat wave conditions in isolated areas. There's a possibility of thunderstorms, dust storms, or light rain towards the evening or night. Strong surface winds, with speeds of 25-35 kmph, may occur occasionally and become gusty during the day, the weather report states. The yellow alert will stay intact tomorrow as similar weather conditions will prevail on June 4. On June 5, the sky is predicted to be mainly clear with strong surface winds, with speeds of 20-30 kmph during the day. The Met department has lifted the yellow alert from June 5 onwards. Delhi can expect wet spell on June 3, 4 and 7, a major but short-lived relief from heatwave. IMD forecasted partly cloudy sky with the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by very light rain. Moreover, strong surface winds with speeds ranging from 25-35 kmph, may occur and become gusty during the day. The weather agency issued a set of guidelines for the general public to prevent residents from getting ill due to heatstroke. The preventive measures notes, “Stay away from power lines or electrical wires. Stay indoors, close windows & doors and avoid travel if possible. Take safe shelters; do not take shelter under trees. Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls. Unplug electrical/ electronic appliances." As per the extended range forecast, the maximum and minimum temperatures in the capital city over the next five days are expected to range between 44 and 29 degrees Celsius, respectively.

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PM Modi Completes 45-Hour Meditation in Kanniyakumari

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his 45-hour-long meditation at the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu on Saturday, June 1. After rigorous campaigning for about two months across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took some time out to mediate as the seventh and last phase of polling was set to start on Saturday. He began his 45-hour meditation at the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari on Thursday, after the campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections ended. PM Modi meditated at the Dhyana Mandapam of the iconic tourist spot. It’s believed that it’s the same place where Swami Vivekananda realised his divine enlightenment. Apart from being a popular tourist spot, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial holds a significant place in India’s cultural and spiritual traditions. According to a legend, the goddess Kanyakumari prayed to Lord Shiva atop this rock, making it an important place for the followers of the Hindu religion. There is a preserved part on the granite rock which is believed to be carrying the goddess Kanyakumari’s footprint. The memorial is also a beautiful combination of many architectural styles. The Sripada Mandapam and Vivekananda Mandapam are two structures to explore at the memorial. There is also a life-size bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda on the property. The rock is bordered by the Laccadive Sea, where the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea converge. The memorial was built to mark Swami Vivekananda’s 100th birth anniversary. Swami Vivekananda, a 19th-century philosopher and spiritual leader, is celebrated for introducing India’s spiritual legacy to the world at the 1893 Parliament of World Religions in Chicago, United States. How and When To Visit? The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is nearly 90 km away from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and about 240 km away from Madurai International Airport. If you decide to take a train journey, it is about 1.3 km away from the Kanniyakumari Station. For a road trip you can take a bus from cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Madurai, Coimbatore, Puducherry and Chennai to Kanniyakumari. The memorial is about 21 km away from the bus stand. The best time to visit Kanniyakumari is from November to March when the weather is cool and pleasant. Summers can be extremely hot due to the tropical environment in the region.

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India's first astro tourism campaign ‘Nakshatra Sabha’ organised in Mussoorie.

India's first astro tourism campaign "Nakshatra Sabha" was inaugurated at the George Everest peak in Mussoorie on Saturday, June 1. The venue of the event, George Everest Peak is a major tourist attraction in Mussoorie which offers spectacular views of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks and the Doon Valley. Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board in association with Starscapes - India's leading Astro tourism company, jointly organising the event, which concludes today, June 2.After this, astro tourism events will also be organized in places several other places across the country, including Harsil-Jadung, Benital, Rishikesh, Jageshwar and Ramnagar. Various activities like learning astrophotography from experts, star gazing through special instruments, solar observation through solar glasses and H-Alpha filter, navigation and timekeeping were organised as part of the event. It also featured expert talks on astro tourism, astrophotography competitions and astronomical demonstrations. The state tourism department has taken the initiative in line with Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami's vision to promote multidimensional tourism activities in the state apart from religious tourism. Tourism Minister of Uttarakhand, Satpal Maharaj, said the government is trying to ensure that the tourists who come to the state must return home with a better experience and the Nakshatra Sabha is a step in that direction. Emphasis is also being laid on developing new tourist destinations in the state, Tourism Minister of Uttarakhand, Satpal Maharaj said.

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UP to convert historic forts and palaces into heritage hotels to boost tourism

As per the latest development, Uttar Pradesh is all set to boost its tourism sector. It will be converting historic forts and palaces into opulent heritage hotels. This endeavour aims to offer tourists unique accommodation options while preserving the state’s rich heritage. If reports are to go by, leading hospitality brands, such as Leela Hotels, Indian Hotels Company (Taj Group), Neemrana Group, Mahindra Hotels and Resorts, Oberoi Hotels, Hyatt Regency, and Lalit Hotels have shown interest in developing and managing these heritage properties. Mukesh Kumar Mesharam, Principal Secretary of the Department of Tourism and Culture in Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the state's tourism's recent growth, witnessing a significant increase in both domestic and inbound tourism. To cater to tourists seeking experiential tourism, infrastructure and facilities are being developed to accommodate visitors from all economic segments. For travellers seeking a luxurious and unparalleled experience, discussions with several prominent hotel groups have begun, expressing strong interest in revitalising palaces and havelis in alignment with the new tourism policy on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis. The state’s tourism policy stipulates a minimum investment ranging from INR 30 crores to INR 100 crores for the transformation of heritage properties into hotels. Depending on the level of investment, heritage buildings will be categorised, and investors will receive various incentives and concessions. Reports add that the first phase of transformation targets several iconic sites, including Chunar Fort in Mirzapur, Barua Sagar Fort in Jhansi, Jal Mahal in Barsana, Chattar Manzil and Kothi Roshan-ud-Daula, and Shukla Talab Haveli in Kanpur. Following government approval, the project will expand to include Mastani Mahal and Lake Palace in Mahoba, Tehroli in Jhansi, TalBehat Fort in Lalitpur, and more. Beyond forts and palaces, the program extends to other historical buildings, including those at Akbar’s hunting ground in Kirawali, Agra, and Baradari in Bithoor. In Lucknow, Kothi Gulista-e-Iram, Kothi Darshan Vilas, and Baradari in Wazirganj, Gonda, are also slated for conversion. These heritage hotels will offer more than just lavish accommodations. Guests can anticipate wellness centres, museums, heritage restaurants, and thematic parks, creating a comprehensive cultural experience. The project is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities within the state.

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445 ancient tombs, dating back 2000-year-old, discovered in China

In a remarkable archaeological revelation, local authorities in north China's Shanxi Province have unveiled a staggering total of 445 tombs, dating back to more than 2,000 years. This significant discovery offers a rare and invaluable glimpse into the funeral and cultural practices of the ancient era, as per the reports. If reports are to go by, these ancient burial sites, originating from the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.), were stumbled upon approximately 500 m north of Xue Zhuang Village in Linfen City. The excavation work, spearheaded by the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, has been ongoing for more than a year. According to Duan Shuanglong, a seasoned researcher at the institute, the unearthed tombs vary in size, ranging from small to medium. More than 700 artefacts have been meticulously unearthed, including bronze ware, iron utensils, pottery, jade, and bone articles. Duan stresses the importance of these findings, asserting that they offer invaluable insights into the cultural evolution from the Warring States Period to the subsequent Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC). The uncovered tombs and their accompanying artefacts provide a rare opportunity to delve into the funerary customs and beliefs of ancient Chinese societies that thrived in the region over two millennia ago. Archaeologists are poised to meticulously study the layout, construction, and contents of these tombs, aiming to decipher the intricate rituals and social hierarchies that governed burial practices during that epoch. Moreover, the diverse assortment of artefacts recovered from the tombs holds the promise of shedding light on various facets of daily life, such as craftsmanship, trade, and technological advancements of the time. Through detailed analyses of these relics, researchers anticipate unearthing invaluable insights into the cultural, economic, and social dynamics that shaped the region during the Warring States Period. The Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology has undertaken extensive measures to ensure the proper preservation and documentation of the excavated tombs and artefacts. Utilising rigorous scientific techniques and meticulous record-keeping, efforts are underway to safeguard this priceless archaeological treasure for the benefit of future generations. The discovery of these 445 ancient tombs in Shanxi Province marks a significant milestone in the field of archaeology, offering a rare window into the past and enriching our understanding of the ancient civilizations that once thrived in this region.

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Kashmir tourist footfall likely to surpass all records!

As per the latest development, the influx of tourists in Kashmir is poised to surpass all previous records. If reports are to go by, more than 1.25 million visitors have already arrived as of now. Local tourism officials have indicated that Kashmir has seen over 12.5 lakh tourists thus far, suggesting that 2024 is likely to witness unprecedented levels of tourism. Further reports add that at present, all local hotels in Srinagar city, the ski resort of Gulmarg, and the hill stations of Pahalgam and Sonamarg are fully booked until mid-June. This trend extends to guest houses, homestays, houseboats on the Dal and Nigeen Lakes, and other lodging facilities across Kashmir. A notable development this year is the increasing number of foreign tourists, attributed to the improved law and order situation and prevailing peace in the region, as per the reports. The influx of foreign tourists is significant as it contributes to foreign exchange earnings, especially considering their propensity for higher spending compared to domestic tourists. Despite the impending Amarnath Yatra, which typically leads to a decline in tourist arrivals due to the pilgrimage rush, hoteliers remain optimistic about sustained tourism levels. This optimism is bolstered by the substantial number of bookings already made. The soaring temperatures in other parts of the country have further fueled tourist arrivals in Kashmir, as it remains unparalleled in its allure compared to other hill stations like Shimla, Darjeeling, and Nainital. Currently, tourists predominantly hail from Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, with expectations of an increase in visitors from Delhi and Punjab starting in the middle of the next month. The tourism industry stands as the second-largest sector in Kashmir after horticulture, contributing significantly to the local economy. While horticulture generates an estimated Rs 10,000 crore annually, tourism injects approximately INR 8,000 crore into the local economy. This economic impact extends beyond orchard owners to sustain various stakeholders, including hoteliers, houseboat owners, tour guides, and artisans involved in handicrafts.

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