Did you know? Durga Puja begins with a banana plant taking centre stage! On Maha Saptami, the seventh day of Durga Puja, a banana plant, known as Kala Bou, is given a ceremonial bath, dressed in a red-bordered sari and placed beside Lord Ganesha. The ritual is part of Nabapatrika, a bundle of nine plants that symbolise nature’s abundance and are worshipped during the festival. The age-old ritual also conveys a subtle ecological message: honouring these diverse plants reminds us of the need to protect biodiversity. #DurgaPuja #MahaSaptami #Nabapatrika #KalaBou #WestBengal

What if learning was not confined to textbooks, but unfolded through music, poetry, art and the natural world? Established in rural West Bengal in 1901 by the renowned poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore, Santiniketan was a residential school and centre for art based on ancient Indian traditions and a vision of the unity of humanity transcending religious and cultural boundaries. A ‘world university’ was established at Santiniketan in 1921, recognising the unity of humanity or “Visva Bharati”. In 2023, UNESCO recognised this distinctive vision as a World Heritage site. The spirit of Tagore lives on in Santiniketan. The main campus or core area retains the quiet, picturesque, sylvan atmosphere. Classes even to this day are held under the trees. #Santiniketan #RabindranathTagore #IndiaPerspectives #UNESCOWorldHeritage

Hint: This textile-based expressive art product is protected under the GI registration act. It is considered a ‘cousin’ of Madhubani Mithila, but is closer to West Bengal’s Kantha work, an ancient, traditional folk embroidery. #biharcrafts #biharhandicrafts #gitagged #indianembroidery #indiaperspectives

The story of the Butter Ball in Mamallapuram (also known as Mahabalipuram), Tamil Nadu, is as captivating as its appearance. This massive granite boulder, precariously perched on a slope, has intrigued visitors for centuries. #KrishnaButterBall #Mahabalipuram #TamilNaduTourism #IncredibleIndia #IndiaPerspectives

Long before it became world-famous as Junagarh, this imposing desert stronghold was known as Chintamani, named after the legendary wish-fulfilling jewel. It was renamed Junagarh, or "Old Fort," in the 20th century when the royal family transitioned to the newly constructed Lalgarh Palace nearby. While its military resistance is legendary, its tactical design was actually anchored in flatland engineering, relying on a massive double rampart wall, 37 watching bastions, and a surrounding 30-foot deep moat to completely deter incoming cavalry forces. Step past the main gates and you enter an architectural evolution shaped by sixteen successive rulers over three hundred years. The builders seamlessly combined locally quarried Dulmera red sandstone with Gujarati lacquerwork, gold-leaf motifs, and eventually European marble. Today, Junagarh Fort stands as a living museum of royal heritage and enduring Indian craftsmanship. #JunagarhFort #Bikaner #RajasthanTourism #IncredibleIndia #IndiaPerspectives

A delicate dance of enamel and metal, Minakari transforms everyday objects and exquisite jewellery into vibrant heirlooms steeped in cultural heritage. From ruby reds and emerald greens to turquoise blues, it uses coloured enamels to bring intricate patterns and traditional motifs to life. #IndiaPerspectives #Minakari #IndianCraftsmanship #ArtOfIndia #IncredibleIndia

From the vermilion of temple rituals to the red of bridal saris, from the terracotta of ancient architecture to the vibrant hues of local festivals, red weaves its way through India’s landscapes, traditions and everyday life. A colour of celebration, devotion and identity, it takes on a different meaning in every corner of the country. #IndiaPerspectives #IncredibleIndia #ColoursOfIndia #IndiaThroughColours #IndiaInRed

Before Jodhpur rose to prominence, another historic town served as the seat of the Marwar kingdom. Do you know which town it was? Test your knowledge of Rajasthan’s royal past! #IndiaPerspectives #RajasthanHistory #MarwarKingdom #RajasthanTourism #RajasthanHeritage

Dussehra is one of India’s major festivals, traditionally marking the triumph of good over evil. But in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, the celebration takes a very different form. Lasting 75 days, Bastar Dussehra is centred on Maa Danteshwari, the region’s revered deity, and brings together sacred rituals, elaborate processions, traditional music and communities from across the region. It is not a retelling of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, but a living tradition rooted in the faith, heritage and collective identity of Bastar. #BastarDussehra #Dussehra #Chhattisgarh #MaaDanteshwari #IndiaPerspectives

India’s ancient caves are more than monuments carved into stone. They are records of faith, artistry, architecture and everyday life, preserving stories that span thousands of years. From Ajanta’s celebrated paintings and Ellora’s monumental Kailasa Temple to Bhimbetka’s prehistoric rock art and Kanheri’s Buddhist complex, explore some of India’s remarkable rock-cut heritage. Which of these caves have you visited? #IncredibleIndia #IndianHeritage #RockCutCaves #AncientIndia #IndiaPerspectives

Gondhal is significant due to its educative yet entertaining form as a folk art. It is believed that if Gondhal is performed just before an auspicious occasion, the event will go smoothly. It is performed in rural Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka in praise of King Khandoba. #Gondhal #GondhalArt #MaharashtraFolkArt #MaharashtraCulture #IndiaPerspectives

From gold-medal doubles in hockey and cricket to landmark wins in archery, shooting, boxing and golf, India delivered a memorable campaign at the Asian Games 2026. Swipe through some of India’s biggest moments from Aichi-Nagoya 2026. #AsianGames2026 #AichiNagoya2026 #IndiaAtAsianGames #TeamIndia #IndiaPerspectives

From Porbandar to Raj Ghat, these five places trace the journey of Mahatma Gandhi through birth, ideas, action, service and remembrance. Each place offers a different window into his life, from the Salt Satyagraha at Dandi to the community he built at Sevagram. On the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, explore the places that continue to preserve and tell his story. #MahatmaGandhi #GandhiJayanti #IndianHistory #IndianHeritage #HeritageOfIndia

Built in the 5th century CE during the Gupta period, Bhitargaon Temple in Uttar Pradesh is the largest surviving ancient Indian brick temple. Its tall shikhara and intricate terracotta panels of deities and mythological scenes offer a glimpse into the early evolution of Nagara temple architecture. A remarkable testament to the craftsmanship and architectural innovation of Gupta-era India. #BhitargaonTemple #UttarPradesh #GuptaPeriod #GuptaArchitecture #BrickTemple

A golden run for India at Aichi-Nagoya! India’s women’s 4x400m relay quartet raced to gold in 3:29.69, extending the country’s remarkable record to six wins in the last seven Asian Games. The golden momentum has been building across disciplines, with Neeru Dhanda winning historic gold in women’s trap and Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi and Prithika Pradeep adding gold in women’s compound archery. #AsianGames2026 #TeamIndia #AichiNagoya2026 #IndiaAtAsianGames #IndianSpor