Colombo — Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka fell sig

Offline registration for the Char Dham Yatra 2026 has begun, witnessing strong participation from devotees across the country. The yatra will commence on April 19, 2026, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

The Amarnath Yatra 2026 is one of India’s most important religious events, and its registration process will begin on April 15. The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has implemented various measures to ensure that the registration process is smoother, more organized, and secure for devotees from across India. With over 550 designated bank branches participating, the registration process has been made more accessible, making it easier for pilgrims to secure their permits. First-Co

The Jwala Narasimha Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is one of the nine Narasimha temples located in Upper Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Situated atop the Achalachaya Meru hill in the Nallamala hills, this sacred temple is renowned for its challenging trek, which is often considered a test of devotion. The temple has been an integral part of the spiritual landscape for over 1,200 years, providing a deeply immersive experience for pilgrims who undertake the physically demanding

Ahobilam, a revered pilgrimage site in Andhra Pradesh, India, draws its name from a powerful moment in Hindu mythology linked to Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Vishnu. The name originates from the legendary event when Narasimha emerged from a pillar, known as the Ugrastambha, to protect his devotee Prahlada and defeat the demon king Hiranyakashipu. According to the narrative, Hiranyakashipu, empowered by a near-invincible boon, challenged Prahlada’s devotion to Vishnu. In a mom

The Embassy of India in Vietnam has issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals visiting the country, highlighting two major concerns: the visa-free entry to Phu Quoc Island and the potential complications in case of passport loss.Phu Quoc Island, a popular destination, offers visa-free entry for certain foreign nationals, including Indians. However, the advisory warns that this exemption is limited solely to the island and does not extend to mainland Vietnam. This means that Indian travele

The Heart of Tulip Country: Bollenstreek The most famous tulip-growing region is the Bollenstreek, also known as the “Bulb Region,” located between Haarlem and Leiden and stretching toward the North Sea. During peak bloom, this region becomes a patchwork of bright colors—reds, yellows, pinks, and purples arranged in perfect rows. This area attracts thousands of visitors every year. Yet, as Panis-Ringersma notes, locals are used to the flowers—it’s often the tou

Starting March 12, 2026, Air India passengers will experience an increase in flight ticket costs due to a rise in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, driven by supply interruptions caused by the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. The airline announced that the surcharge will affect both domestic and international routes, including those on Air India Express flights. The price escalation is partly due to supply disruptions exacerbated by the war in the Middle East, w

Travelers flying through Texas airports have recently experienced significant security delays, with airport wait times exceeding one hour amid a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. At some major airports in Texas, security lines stretched over three hours, prompting officials to recommend that passengers arrive up to five hours before their scheduled flights to avoid missing departures. The length of the shutdown remains uncertain as congressional negotiati

The United States government has urged Americans in parts of the Middle East to leave the region as fighting linked to the escalating Iran war intensifies, complicating travel and raising security concerns. The State Department issued updated guidance advising citizens to depart from 14 countries, including Israel, Lebanon, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as regional security conditions deteriorate. Until recently, Americans in several of these countries had been instructed to s

The Santa Cruz Wharf is set to fully reopen this spring, more than a year after a powerful winter storm caused significant damage to the historic structure. The repairs mark an important milestone for the coastal city, which relies heavily on tourism and visitor activity along its waterfront. The wharf, originally built more than a century ago, remains one of the most recognized landmarks on the California coast and a major attraction for both residents and travelers. City officials confirme

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials of APSRTC to introduce a fleet of 1,000 electric buses in a bid to transform the state’s public transport system into a more environmentally friendly and sustainable one. This directive is part of the government’s larger vision to encourage green energy solutions and reduce carbon emissions in the state. During a review meeting held at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister emphasized the growing need for cl

Air travel across North Texas remained heavily disrupted Monday as a prolonged winter storm continued to impact operations at major Dallas-area airports. Snow, sleet, and persistent freezing temperatures have forced airlines to cancel hundreds of flights and adjust schedules, leaving travelers facing ongoing uncertainty at both Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field. According to flight-tracking data, cancellations remained widespread as of Monday morning, wit

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is leading the United States in flight disruptions as North Texas prepares for a powerful winter storm bringing snow, ice and dangerously cold temperatures. Airlines operating in the region have proactively reduced flight schedules as a Winter Storm Warning and an Extreme Cold Warning remain in effect. The developing weather system is expected to significantly impact air travel through the weekend, prompting widespread cancellations across the region’s t

The prolonged delay in H-1B visa stamping that began in December has continued into the new year, with no signs of immediate relief for thousands of skilled workers dependent on timely consular processing. No new interview slots have been opened at US consulates in India, and applicants are now receiving notifications that their previously scheduled appointments are being deferred as far as 2027, intensifying anxiety among visa holders and employers alike. Immigration attorneys and

Indian passport holders are facing new travel restrictions in 2026 despite an improvement in the passport’s global ranking. India’s passport rose from 85th in 2025 to 80th in the Henley Passport Index for 2026, reflecting enhanced global mobility. However, the number of countries Indian citizens can visit without a prior visa has decreased from 57 to 55. This reduction is due to updated entry rules in two countries that previously offered visa-free or visa-on-arrival access: Iran and Bolivia

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has made a major announcement that has brought fresh hope to Telugu NRIs living across Europe. Speaking during an interaction with Europe’s Telugu diaspora, the minister assured that the central government is actively exploring the possibility of launching direct international flights from Europe to Andhra Pradesh. Proposed destinations include Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and other major cities in South India. If implemented, this move would signi

The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday issued a renewed travel advisory advising Indian citizens to refrain from travelling to Iran, citing the deteriorating security situation amid widespread anti-government protests across the country. The warning comes as unrest in Iran enters its third consecutive week, with the capital city of Tehran remaining one of the focal points of the demonstrations. In an official statement, the ministry said that Indian nationals are being “onc

Indian tourism is undergoing a quiet but significant shift as international travellers begin to look beyond the country’s most familiar destinations. While cities like Goa, Jaipur, Delhi, and Mumbai have long dominated travel itineraries, a new name is steadily gaining global attention. According to Agoda’s New Horizons Rankings, Thiruvananthapuram has emerged as the fastest-growing destination