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NDTV
07-05-2025
- NDTV
Mysuru Travel Guide: Exploring South India's Cultural Capital Like A Local
Mysuru (still fondly called Mysore by many) isn't trying to be the next big thing — it already is, in its own quiet, royal way. Draped in history and soaked in sandalwood, this charming city gives you a regal welcome with grand palaces, age-old temples, leafy boulevards, and food that'll have you texting your friends mid-bite. Whether you're hopping in for the Dussehra festivities or just passing through on a South India itinerary, Mysuru makes it very clear: You're not leaving unimpressed. From majestic sights to homely cafes and markets bursting with colour, here's everything you need to know squeezed in a handy Mysuru travel guide to plan a trip that hits all the right notes. Here's The Ultimate Travel Guide To Mysuru: Where To Go In Mysuru: 1. Mysore Palace No surprises here — this one is the city's showstopper. The Mysore Palace is everything you'd want from a royal residence: sweeping arches, intricately carved ceilings, stained glass windows, and a light show every evening that adds drama in all the right places. Don't just walk through — look up, look around, and let your jaw drop a little. Pro tip: Try to catch it illuminated at night. It's dazzling. 2. Brindavan Gardens If symmetry had a fan club, Brindavan Gardens would be president. Located about 12 km from the city centre, these gardens next to the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam are lush, well-manicured, and surprisingly soothing. The fountain shows with music in the evening are pure old-school entertainment, but still manage to charm everyone — kids, couples, and even bored teenagers. 3. Somanathapura Temple This one's a bit of a detour (about 35 km from Mysuru), but absolutely worth it if you're into architecture, history, or just good Instagram backgrounds. The Keshava Temple here is a textbook example of Hoysala architecture — every inch is carved to perfection. Even if temples aren't usually your thing, this one will make you stare. 4. Jaganmohan Palace Another palace? Yes. But this one pulls you in with art, not drama. Jaganmohan Palace is home to one of the finest collections of traditional and modern Indian art. From Ravi Varma's paintings to intricate ivory carvings, it's a little quieter than the Mysore Palace-but just as impressive in its own right. 5. Mysore Zoo One of the oldest and most well-maintained zoos in India, the Mysore Zoo (Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens) makes for a surprisingly pleasant morning. You'll see giraffes, lions, and some chirpy feathered friends, all in roomy enclosures. It's not just for kids — there's something calming about wandering through tree-lined paths surrounded by animals who don't seem entirely miserable. 6. St. Philomena's Cathedral Europe who? This Neo-Gothic cathedral stands tall with twin spires and stained-glass windows that could easily be mistaken for a church somewhere in France. It's calm, beautiful, and a lovely contrast to Mysuru's many Hindu temples. Where To Stay In Mysuru: 1. Luxury Hotels If your idea of travel includes big, plush beds and breakfasts that last until noon, Mysuru's got you covered. Grand Mercure Mysore offers spacious rooms and a rooftop pool perfect for unwinding. Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Mysore sits right across from the Mysore Race Club and is known for its top-notch service and comfort. Another good bet is Fortune JP Palace, part of the ITC Hotels Group — elegant, well-located, and with dining that's not an afterthought. 2. Boutique Resorts Want something with a bit more character? Try Mysore County Retreat, a colonial-style villa tucked away from the chaos, with lush gardens and personalised service. SOHO The Boutique Hotel is a stylish option with modern interiors, cosy rooms, and easy access to city attractions. It's ideal for travellers who want a stay that's intimate but not basic. 3. Budget Stays Backpackers and budget-savvy travellers can crash at Zostel Mysuru — a clean, social hostel with murals, good Wi-Fi, and chill vibes. The Royal Tusker is another smart pick for those who want the hotel experience without the price tag. Rooms are basic but comfy, and the location makes it easy to zip around the city. Where To Eat In Mysuru: 1. Regional Cuisine No trip to Mysuru is complete without a proper sit-down meal of Mysore masala dosa, bisibelebath, and sweet, gooey Mysore Pak. Head to Mylari for its famously fluffy dosas (there's always a queue, and it's always worth it). RRR is legendary for its mutton pulao and thalis that fill you up without emptying your wallet. 2. Cosy Cafes Craving a latte and free Wi-Fi? Depth N Green is a great pick-vegan-friendly, full of plants, and ideal for slow breakfasts or laptop marathons. Cuppa Redifined and White Teak Coffee Roasters serve decent coffee with a side of peaceful vibes. The city's cafe scene is still catching up, but these spots have their own charm. 3. Fine-Dining Restaurants If you're dressing up and looking for a proper evening out, La Uppu at the Grand Mercure ticks all the boxes-great ambience, regional and international dishes, and top-notch cocktails. Spring at Radisson Blu is another solid bet, with multi-cuisine options and attentive service that doesn't hover. 4. Lounges & Bars Mysuru isn't exactly party central, but it does have some classy watering holes. Purple Haze is a rock-themed bar where the music's loud and the drinks are reliable. For something more polished, The Road offers craft cocktails and a relaxed vibe perfect for winding down after a long day. Where To Shop In Mysuru: 1. Local Markets Devaraja Market is as old-school as it gets. Rows of colourful stalls sell everything from jasmine garlands to turmeric-dusted vegetables. Don't forget to check out the flower section — chaotic, fragrant, and full of photo ops. Bargain a little, smile a lot. 2. Personalised Picks Want something offbeat? Look for hand-painted wooden toys from Channapatna (nearby town) and locally made soaps and oils infused with sandalwood or jasmine. These little finds are perfect for thoughtful gifts or just spoiling yourself a bit. 3. Souvenirs & Handicrafts Mysuru is famous for its silk sarees and sandalwood products. KSIC (Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation) sells authentic Mysore silk sarees with that signature golden zari border. For incense, carved sandalwood items, and rosewood inlay work, visit the Cauvery Emporium — it's government-run, so quality is guaranteed. Weather In Mysuru (Best Time To Visit Mysuru): Mysuru has a pretty pleasant climate all year round, but the sweet spot is October to March. That's when the days are balmy, evenings are cool, and the Dussehra festivities add extra sparkle. Summers (March to June) can get warm but not unbearable. Monsoon (July to September) brings lush greenery but also the occasional soggy plan. So pack accordingly! How To Reach Mysuru: By Air Mysuru does have a small airport (MYS), but flights are limited. The best bet is to fly into Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, which is around 170 km away. From there, you can take a cab, bus, or train to Mysuru. By Rail The Mysuru Junction Railway Station is well-connected to most major cities in South India. Trains from Bengaluru, Chennai, and even Kochi are frequent and reliable. Plus, you get great views along the way. By Road Driving down from Bengaluru? The 3.5-hour road trip on the newly upgraded expressway is smooth and scenic. Buses are frequent too-KSRTC runs everything from deluxe coaches to budget-friendly options. Getting Around In Mysuru: Auto-rickshaws are the easiest and most flexible way to move around, but always ask for the meter or negotiate beforehand. Ola and Uber are available and fairly reliable. For a more local experience, hop onto a cycle rickshaw for short distances. And if you're feeling a little adventurous, renting a scooter gives you full freedom to zip around at your own pace.
Miami Herald
05-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Colorful, vibrant Colombian metropolis Medellín doesn't hide its darker past
MEDELLIN, Colombia - Back in the day, drug lord Pablo Escobar built up his feared cocaine empire in Medellín. At the same time, a war was raging between the Colombian government and guerrillas of the FARC movement. That was the early 1990s when the "city of eternal spring" located in a valley of the Andes Mountains was one of the most dangerous places on earth. A lot has changed since then. Medellín has transformed itself into an innovative metropolis, one attracting start-ups, digital nomads and travelers. The city invested heavily in its infrastructure - parks, libraries, a metro transit network, and the many famous cable cars connecting the poorer quarters with the city center. Meanwhile corridors of greenery now help cool the city off. Today, Colombia's second-largest city proudly displays its cosmopolitanism as a place where "social urbanism" has improved the inhabitants' quality of life. The city's image has changed, and this is fantastic, says Daniel Sierra, who lived through the violence back then and today guides tourists around the city. Of course, the new image does gloss over many problems which coexist with a booming tourism industry. As examples, Sierra cites the commercialization everywhere of the narcotics trade with the stories about the "Narcos" - drug dealers. Plus, sex tourism. Nevertheless, a visitor traveling through Columbia should not miss Medellín. At the very least, a quick visit can be more interesting than the capital Bogota, a place that even for many Colombians is a bit too understated. The following are brief portraits and tips on what to see in four Medellín neighborhoods for a well-rounded sight-seeing trip. La Candelaria: Bustling city center with a deep history The Centro is Medellín's bustling business district, though you will also find many cultural highlights. The Plaza Botero square, for example, features 23 sculptures by the famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero. The cultural center Rafael Uribe, with an art gallery and photo archives, immediately catches your eye with its Neo-Gothic architecture. A bronze Botero bird was left standing in San Antonio Square as a memorial after it was blown to pieces in a bomb attack in 1995. Art lovers can also visit the Museo de Antioquia. The botanical garden north of the center is worth a detour. Tip: The futuristic Museo Casa de la Memoria a little to the east commemorates the victims of the decades of armed conflict in Colombia. Comuna13: Erstwhile battleground a tourism quarter The war between the drug cartels, guerrillas and paramilitaries was fought particularly fiercely in Comuna 13. The neighborhood in the San Javier district was considered perhaps the most dangerous urban area in the world. After the end of the violence, Comuna 13 gradually became a tourist destination, and today it symbolizes Medellín's transformation. Locals bring visitors closer to the history, whereby historical facts and personal anecdotes often intermingle in the accounts. Graffiti underscores the social changes under way, while freestyle rap makes a case for how imaginative street music can be. Small galleries and souvenir shops can be found everywhere. Tours through Comuna 13 are a colorful, over-the-top spectacle with a touch of narco folklore. The insights are exciting, but the neighborhood is being flooded with more and more tourists. Whether this bothers you is a matter of taste - this place has been gloomy for far too long. Tip: Envigado, a municipality on the southern outskirts of the city, is well worth a visit. It is part of the Medellín metropolitan region and you can reach it by metro. The suburb has a relaxed vibe, with lively markets and squares. El Poblado: Expatsmeet party-goers Boutique hotels with roof terraces, chic restaurants and brunch venues and, above all, a nightlife like a roaring fever dream: El Poblado is the most affluent and safest neighborhood in the city, where the international community meets for lunch and where most tourists stay. In the evenings, the music plays in the streets around Lleras Park and reggae music drifts out of the bars and clubs. If you're a light sleeper, it's best to stay a little farther away. The downside of this exuberant party scene is prostitution. Cocaine is also unabashedly for sale. The case of a U.S. tourist who was caught with two minors in a hotel and let go by the police caused a stir and protests from local residents. And after some mysterious deaths, the U.S. embassy warns against criminals who track down their victims via dating apps. Despite all this, El Poblado is also a place where foreigners can move around quite safely. Tip: For coffee and brunch, favorite spots are the Briochelly and Azai Praia Lovers. For dinner, the X.O., Alambique or Sambombi Bistró Local feature top quality regional and seasonal cuisine. Laureles: The quiet and authentic Medellín This residential neighborhood north of the airport is the relaxed alternative to El Poblado and has retained its authentic charm. Here, too, you will find good hotels, restaurants and cafes, friendly parks and shopping malls. A visit to a "fonda" - a typical Colombian gastro pub - is a special experience: garish decorations, loud live music and guests who are almost as loud. Traditional home cooking is served and beer flows freely. Among the many fondas along the Calle 70 street, a good bet is La Chismosa. If you want a sunset with a panoramic view, many people drive up the Pueblito Paisa not far from Laureles. A typical village of the Antioquia region has been recreated on the hill. There are bars and souvenir shops and it often gets quite crowded. If you like romance along with hustle and bustle, this is the place for you. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
New York Post
04-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
National Women's Soccer League moving headquarters to 551 Fifth Ave.
Midtown north of 42nd Street, home to both the NFL and MLB headquarters, will soon have another sports front office: the National Women's Soccer League, which signed a lease at the Feil Organization's landmarked 551 Fifth Ave., known as the Fred D. French Building. The NWSL is relocating and expanding from 292 Madison Ave. Its new digs will have 21,000 square feet on a full floor, twice as much as at its old address. The asking rent was $58 per square foot. The NWSL will be moving its headquarters to 551 Fifth Ave., above, from 292 Madison Ave. Google Maps NY/NJ Gotham FC striker Lynn Williams (No. 10) celebrates her 79th goal that broke the NWSL's scoring record in May 2024. Getty Images Feil commercial leasing head Andrew Wiener hailed the move as a 'new chapter in this iconic, Art Deco-style tower's legacy.' Lauren Lopez, the NWSL's s chief people & culture officer, said the new headquarters 'reflects the tremendous growth' of the league.' The building is nearly 90% leased. The NWSL, which comprises 16 teams, moved to New York from Chicago in 2022. The league was repped by CBRE's Conor Denihan and Patrick Moroney. Feil was repped in-house by Wiener, Kevin Driscoll, and Henry Korzec. The Feil Organization meanwhile is busy as well at 140 W. 57th St., another office landmark which it's converting to residential with BLDG Management Co. and the Nakash family. The partners plan a 47-unit luxury condominium behind the building's Neo-Gothic facade. Construction will start this spring and be finished by the end of 2026.
Newsweek
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Baltimore Ravens Make One International Fan's Dreams Come True on Draft Weekend
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Each year, 257 dreams come true across the three-day NFL draft. Commencing on the last Thursday in April, boys who grew up scoring touchdowns in the streets of their hometowns become men selected to play at the highest level of professional football. The NFL is made up of stories, and the draft is no different. Narratives run deep, and this year, we had nail-biting moments, with Jacksonville trading up to steal Travis Hunter, Maxwell Hairston hyping everyone up, and, of course,Shedeur Sanders falling out of the first round and not being picked until the fifth. Though plenty was happening in Green Bay, home of the Packers, where the draft took place, over 3800 miles away, across the Atlantic Ocean, amidst the glitz and the glamour of one of the celebratory events in football, another dream was coming true. UK Ravens Fans on draft weekend in Tower Bridge, London. UK Ravens Fans on draft weekend in Tower Bridge, London. Ravens In UK April 26, 2025 The Baltimore Ravens recently announced they were joining the Global Markets Program, which awards NFL clubs international marketing rights. Selecting the UK as the territory they'd like to focus on expanding their fanbase, the team decided to go big or go home this weekend by getting stuck in with the fans and inviting them to be part of the draft festivities. On the south side of London's Neo-Gothic Tower Bridge sits an aptly painted black public house: The Raven. Perched atop the pub is "The H-Bar", where on this day, more than 50 of the Ravens' UK fans have flocked from across the United Kingdom to watch their team announce their fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft. Gaz Poole, whose blonde hair has a tint of lilac, is the first to greet me as I join the congregation. He's stood among some of the founding members of a group known as the UKRavens across social media. Today, their decades-long loyalty to the Ravens will get rewarded when one of the flock's members gets to announce the pick live on television. If you've spent a second in Baltimore, you'll know that the Ravens are ingrained in the city. They are a part of its lifeblood, and they take football seriously. That signature Charm City enthusiasm is palpable in London. A jovial melody of voices floods the room, peppered with accents that traverse both the United Kingdom and the United States. It represents what a melting pot the sport has become over the years since games started being played out of The States two decades ago. That enthusiasm crescendoes as team mascot Poe enters the room, taking the energy up a notch. He arrives just a few picks ahead of the Ravens' time on the clock, and fans queue to snap a picture to pass the time. UK Ravens Fans with Baltimore Ravens mascot, Poe. UK Ravens Fans with Baltimore Ravens mascot, Poe. Darren Foster / UK Ravens Amidst them is James Ogden, whose lifelong fascination with the draft has led him to evaluate budding young prospects and write reports from his corner of the United Kingdom for almost two decades. "I could say it was a dream come true to announce an NFL Draft pick," Ogden writes in a recent post for Red Star Baltimore, "But, to be honest, it never entered my wildest dreams that it could even happen." However, his fellow UK Ravens community wanted to acknowledge his hard work by allowing him to stand behind the NFL mic and utter the immortal words, "With the 129th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens select..." But before the big moment, the group gathers outside the pub where a stunning view of Tower Bridge backdrops the historic moment. While they work on herding themselves into a polite assembly, passersby stop to catch a glimpse of what the wave of royal purple is up to on the busy streets of London. A prominent accent cuts through the crowd, "Oh my God, what is all this?" the voice belongs to a woman vacationing with her husband and their two friends from Baltimore, Maryland. They cannot believe that their hometown team is being represented more than 3000 miles across an ocean in the tiny corner of London that they chose to explore at the precise moment a draft pick was made. Whipping out their phones and frantically filming and snapping photos to send back home, they gush about how much they love the team. "I was wearing my Ravens sweater every day until now," one of the men shares. The joy is infectious, and they can't help but stick around to bask in it. Sidling up with the group, they, too, get to be part of the moment Ogden declares that Linebacker from Cal, Teddye Buchanan, is the 129th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft and the newest member of the Baltimore Ravens. The spectacle has gathered a crowd now. One man even stopped to stand with the creative team of the Ravens just to see live television in motion. Another serendipitous moment happens just before the pick, when someone separate from the group walks by in a Lamar Jackson jersey, grabbing the #8 proudly and raising a fist in the air – a gesture met with lively cheers. It is a welcome respite. With so much doom and gloom clouding our every day, there is something restorative about standing among strangers who found a community in one another over a shared love of football. When the fanfare dies down and the majority have nested back atop the pub, one man stays outside pint in hand, chatting to the Marylanders. His name is Dave Cressey. He first visited Maryland in 1991, vowing that if the state ever got itself a team, he'd support them. In the meantime, he flirted with division rival – the Cleveland Browns – who fortuitously relocated to Baltimore in '95, meaning Cressey could fulfil his prophecy of supporting a Maryland team. He took his first trip to Baltimore in the early 00s' where he connected with people he'd met on a web forum, one of whom was from the UK, Ben Mortimer. At the time, Mortimer lived in the city and would graciously host fans while they were visiting so the group could attend games together. With the rise in social media, the reach of the group only expanded, now connecting hundreds of fans across the UK. Almost 200 of whom stay in regular contact over messaging service WhatsApp. Testimonies From UK Baltimore Ravens Fans Thomas Wilkinson, 35, a veteran from Liverpool, recalls falling in love with Charm City when he docked at Fells Point in July 2010 as part of a Royal Navy deployment. "It was a home from home," he says. The first game he watched fell on his 19th birthday, the 2010 season opener against the New York Jets, where the Ravens won 10-9. There must've been something in the air that day because another fan, Liam, recalls working a night shift at a Casino where he turned the TV channel to that same Ravens/Jets game. "I loved the way the defense celebrated every stop and how hard they played," he says. "Never stopped supporting them since." Liam was in attendance when the Ravens played opposite the Tennessee Titans in London during the 2023 season, highlighting the tailgate the group of UK Ravens fans put on to celebrate as one of his fondest memories of becoming a Baltimore fan. Another fan in attendance at that game is film critic Dallas King, who spent many years tuning into the Super Bowl for the trailers. "I decided to start following the game properly when David Ojabo, who grew up in Aberdeen, was drafted by the Ravens," King, also from Aberdeen, says, "Despite me having a name that suggested the Cowboys were the way to go, I was convinced that the Ravens were the ones to support." Having joined the WhatsApp chat during the 2023 season, King says, "No matter the highs or lows, the experience was made better by the community of the UK Ravens." Baltimore Ravens UK Fans gather outside The Raven in Tower Bridge, London. Baltimore Ravens UK Fans gather outside The Raven in Tower Bridge, London. Ravens In UK Threads run through the UK Ravens community, tiny serendipitous moments that led to the group finding one another, including my own testimony. I joined the group ahead of the 2023 season after being a Ravens for almost 14 years. Until then, my dad and I were the only two Ravens fans I knew in the United Kingdom. Now, I've got a flock to celebrate or commiserate with no matter the hour of the day. We can have fun tying pieces of the UK Ravens together all day, but we should round it back to James Ogden, who shares a last name with the first pick the Baltimore Ravens ever made: Jonathan Ogden. Ogden's #75 dons the back of one fan, Kris Prowse, who has opted – on this ceremonious day – to wear the jersey that started it all. History is a circle, and the UK Ravens community represents that. It's also representative of the future, with the NFL continuing to expand beyond the borders of North America. There are now even pathways for international players who want a shot at a spot on the 53-man roster, and, of course, many games are now played internationally each season. With the warmth on display in that tiny corner of London on Saturday, it's heartening to see what this expansion is doing, not only for the game but for communities of people around the world who need one another more than ever. You can find the UK Ravens on Instagram at @_ukravens and on X at @UKRavens. The team also have official international accounts as part of the Global Markets Program. You can find them on X at @RavensInUK or on Instagram @RavensInUK.
Ya Biladi
11-02-2025
- General
- Ya Biladi
A Neo-Gothic mosque in Casablanca
Casablanca houses one of Morocco's most unique mosques—an architectural rarity in Neo-Gothic style, an 18th-century design typically used for churches rather than mosques. Located in Roches Noires, once one of Casablanca's most fashionable neighborhoods in the 1920s, the mosque is a converted church. Transformed in the 1980s, this architectural gem speaks volumes about the city's French history. Before being renamed Al-Quds, the building was known as Église Sainte-Marguerite. The church was built to serve the religious needs of the foreign communities—mainly Spanish and Italian settlers—who had begun populating the newly developed neighborhood. The church was funded by the very man who built Roches Noires: Eugène Lendrat. He commissioned an architect named Voisenet to design it. Through Sainte-Marguerite, Lendrat sought to pay homage to his hometown in France. The church was modeled as a twin of Église Saint-Martin in Pau, a city in southwestern France. Saint-Martin Church in Pau, built in the 1800s, was also designed in the Neo-Gothic style by architect Émile Boeswillwald. In Casablanca, Sainte-Marguerite was inaugurated in 1929. The name itself was another tribute, this time to Lendrat's mother, Marguerite. A rare Neo-Gothic structure in Casablanca A visitor once described the church as having a Latin cross-shaped layout, featuring a bell tower and a nave on the west side. The three-story tower was crowned with a stone spire, with four octagonal belfries and four dog-headed gargoyles at its base, though these have since been removed. A clock was originally placed on three sides of the tower at the top of the second floor. The main entrance is accessed through a pointed-arch porch leading to a portal, where small columns adorned with acanthus-leaf capitals extend the arches. Flanking the bell tower, two octagonal towers provide access to the bell chamber. The nave is supported by side aisles reinforced with buttresses. A triangular frieze decorates the exterior. The side aisles have pointed-arch windows, while the nave is illuminated by oculus-shaped openings, all originally fitted with stained glass. After the French left Morocco, the church was converted into a mosque. All Christian symbols were removed, yet the integrity of this architectural gem was preserved. Today, it is fully furnished as a mosque and serves as a place of worship for the faithful of Roches Noires, who gather there five times a day for prayer. It also attracts visitors interested in discovering the city's architectural heritage.
