​India’s architectural landscape is a sweeping timeline of innovation and cultural depth. Across centuries, rulers, artisans, and visionaries have transformed stone, marble, and space into enduring masterpieces. From temples aligned with celestial rhythms to monuments built as expressions of love and faith, Indian architecture goes far beyond aesthetics. Here are five significant structures that redefine architectural excellence itself.

Taj Mahal stands as a global icon of love and a masterclass in symmetry and precision. Commissioned by Shah Jahan in the 17th century, its flawless white marble facade shifts with the light of the day, while pietra dura inlay work, refined calligraphy, and perfect geometric alignment mark it as one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture, marrying Persian, Islamic, and Indian stylistic traditions.

Konark Sun Temple is designed as a colossal chariot for the Sun God, a 13th-century temple emblematic of symbolism and engineering. Built under King Narasimhadeva I, the temple features 24 carved wheels that double as sundials, and every inch is adorned with intricate sculptures that reflect religious themes as well as everyday life, rendering it a living canvas of medieval India.

Rani ki Vav is a stepwell unlike any other, an underground architectural marvel that fuses utility with artistry. Built in the 11th century by Queen Udayamati, it descends seven levels into the earth, lined with over 1,500 intricate sculptures. Designed as an inverted temple, it embodies the sanctity of water and stands as a pinnacle of the Maru-Gurjara architectural style.

Brihadeeswarar Temple is a towering testament to Chola grandeur. This 11th-century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva defies contemporary engineering norms, with a vimana rising over 60 meters and crowned by a single granite block weighing around 80 tonnes. The precision in stone placement and the temple’s inscriptions reveal an advanced understanding of architecture and administration.

Lotus Temple is a modern architectural icon recognized for its flower-like design and its philosophy of inclusivity. Completed in 1986 and designed by Fariborz Sahba, the structure uses 27 marble petals arranged in clusters. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it serves as a space for silent prayer open to all faiths, embodying religious unity through design.  

 ​Janhvi Kapoor has opened up about grief, emotional vulnerability, and the realities of growing up under intense public scrutiny, reflecting on her relationship with her late mother, Sridevi. In a conversation with podcast host Raj Shamani, she revisited painful memories from her mother’s life and shared: “I have seen that journey. People were not very kind when she was around. They called her a homewrecker and all the cruel things. It played on her mind and made her feel a certain way, but history is kind to people who have passed.”

Looking back with greater emotional awareness, she expressed regret over not fully understanding her mother earlier: “I understand her now. And I am sorry that I didn’t understand her before. She was dealing with things with a completely different lens, compared to how I used to see it when I was a kid – professional, financial, and others. She started working from the age of four, but she never shared any stories of her struggles with us. She only shared happy stories,” highlighting how parents often shield their children from their own hardships.

Janhvi also spoke candidly about her personal struggles after her mother’s death, admitting, “I try to escape my mind, my inner turmoil. The feelings that I haven’t dealt with, the trauma that I haven’t dealt with. The biggest trauma was losing my mom, especially the way I did, in front of the whole world and dealing with that journey.” She described how deeply dependent she had been growing up: “I was a very dependent daughter. I didn’t make my own decisions. I would depend on her for that. What should I wear? What should I think? What is wrong and right? Everything. So suddenly to make your own decisions with the world ripping you apart, making accusations on family dynamics…”

In the aftermath, she acknowledged making difficult choices while navigating grief and vulnerability. “I made some bad decisions and let some people into my life that had no business being anywhere near me and taking advantage of me the way that they did. I was not putting myself in a safe space. I was compromising my mental and physical safety constantly,” she said. Reflecting on the depth of her loss, she added, “I cannot get over the pain of losing my mom. There is no one like her. I miss how funny she was. I miss who she made me, my sister and my father. I didn’t lose one parent, I lost my father also that day, the version of him that existed when she was around.” She concluded with a poignant thought: “I don’t think she would be able to recognise me now. The world has changed. I have seen things. I have opinions of my own that are not the opinions that she had. I don’t know what that interaction would look like.”  

 ​The Indian household isn’t just about the daily bustle of life; it is also a site of invisible labour. This labour is essential—encompassing elaborate kitchen management, cleaning every nook and corner almost daily, and grocery shopping—yet it often goes unacknowledged and is paid peanuts. However, sparked by social media and smartphones, that “invisible” labour is beginning to become visible. Today, domestic workers are emerging from obscurity not just as house helpers but as content creators with greater agency, audiences, and identities. The shift is often catalysed by the very households in which they work. When Archana Puran Singh first introduced her domestic worker and cook, Bhagyashree, in her Covid-era vlogs, no one could have fathomed that these casual, unscripted glimpses of their bond would provide visibility to a community often ignored. The validation did not stem from pity, but from the very formula for finding an audience online: relatability.

In 2024, another star was born out of Farah Khan’s kitchen, Dilip. The resident of Bihar became a viral phenomenon not just among celebrities in Mumbai but also in his village, Madhubani. So much so that the filmmaker also visited his native place. From bagging an ad with Shah Rukh Khan to building a three-story, six-bedroom bungalow, the internet’s favourite Dilip has now become a household name. However, these moments are not isolated to celebrities or public figures. Indian social media today has birthed several such domestic workers, who document their cooking, dancing, share slices of their daily routines, or just offer life hacks.

For Heena Ali, a domestic worker in Malad, Mumbai, it all began with a casual conversation with her employer, who suggested that she record her daily life and cooking videos for Instagram. The 35-year-old went on to appear on MasterChef India auditions. “I got a call from the MasterChef India team. They saw my videos on Instagram. I cleared two auditions but couldn’t attend the final one due to my daughter’s exams,” Ali told a national newspaper.

Platforms like Instagram and YouTube are allowing anyone with a smartphone to create and distribute content. For domestic workers—many of whom have practical knowledge, from regional cooking techniques to home-management skills—this offers a chance to monetise expertise that has long been undervalued. But the story is more layered than a simple narrative of empowerment. With the help of her employer, who later left the city, Ali managed to create her community of over one lakh followers and nearly 6,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel. However, being a domestic worker in India comes with several setbacks, inadequate wages being one of them. “I still don’t get paid enough despite being a content creator and the fact that I was part of MasterChef India. People simply say they can’t afford it. I’ve been waiting for brand collaborations, but even if they are found, there’s no guarantee of a change in content.”  

 ​Kriti Sanon, 35, recently encapsulated her fitness journey in a conversation with singer and actor Sophie Choudry for the first episode of Famously Fit with Sophie on Amazon MX Player. “One habit that I have always had is walking and talking. The moment I pick up a call, I just start walking. It’s like sometimes my parents have to come and be like, sit!” she said. She admitted that she “never used to work out in Delhi,” and added: “I need to have a goal. If I have to look a certain way… in Raabta, I had started working out very hard at that time. I had to look a certain way. There was this period reincarnation thing… that’s when I really started working out…I realised what is good and what is not good for me.”

Inspired by the Mimi actor’s candid admission, we consulted an expert on whether pacing while on calls actually yields health benefits. Consultant dietitian and fitness expert Garima Goyal praised her honest perspective, affirming that it highlights how fitness journeys often begin outside the gym. “This habit is actually a very underrated form of movement. It’s spontaneous, consistent, and doesn’t feel like a workout. But over time, it contributes significantly to daily activity levels. In today’s lifestyle, where most people are sedentary for long hours, even these small bursts of movement can make a big difference,” said Goyal.

From a health perspective, this falls under what we call non-exercise activity. “It includes all the calories you burn outside structured workouts like gym sessions. Walking while talking, moving around the house, taking stairs, all of this adds up. And for many people, it’s more sustainable than forcing an intense gym routine they can’t stick to,” stressed Goyal.

What’s also interesting is the mindset shift. Don’t wait for the perfect workout plan or ideal conditions. “Stay active in a way that fits naturally into your routine. That’s something a lot of people struggle with. They think if they’re not hitting the gym, they’re not doing enough,” said Goyal. Story continues below this ad. But the truth is, consistency matters more than intensity, especially at the start. “Of course, structured training has its place, especially if someone has specific goals like fat loss, muscle building, or recovery. But habits like walking regularly can build the foundation of an active lifestyle,” said Goyal.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.  

 ​Can the smell of sugary foods like cakes or pastries trigger a physiological response (Source: Freepik). You may have noticed your mouth water when you walk past a bakery or catch a whiff of freshly baked cookies. But this delicious smell might be doing more than simply stirring your appetite; it could be influencing your body in ways you never expected.. Even the scent of sugary foods might trigger physical responses in the body, like a spike in insulin or cravings that mimic what happens when you actually eat sugar. In essence, your senses alone might be enough to prompt your body to react as if the sugar were already on your tongue.. But what does that mean for those trying to manage their blood sugar levels or control cravings? Is it risky or something that you should not worry too much about?. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.. We decided to consult an expert to determine if this is something you should pay close attention to.. Physiological response triggered by the smell of sugary foods like cakes or pastries. Kanikka Malhotra, consultant dietician and diabetes educator, tells indianexpress.com, “Smelling sugary treats like cakes or pastries can trigger your body to prepare for eating by releasing small amounts of insulin, even if you don’t actually eat. This response is usually mild and doesn’t cause significant changes in blood sugar.”. She added that it happens because your brain signals your body to get ready for food based on the aroma. Think of it as your body’s way of anticipating a tasty treat. But in most healthy people, this effect is quite subtle and temporary.. Story continues below this ad. ALSO READ | Why a fasting blood sugar of 17.5 mmol/L or 315 mg/dL is considered abnormal for a healthy adult. How does the brain process the smell of desserts?. When you smell desserts, Malhotra notes that your brain’s smell and reward centres activate together. This can create feelings of pleasure and sometimes cravings by releasing dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical.. For some, she adds that the smell alone “can bring back happy memories or satisfaction, sparking a desire for the dessert even before it’s eaten. How strongly someone experiences this varies depending on habits, emotions, and genetics.”. For individuals managing conditions such as diabetes or insulin resistance, could repeated exposure to dessert aromas impact appetite regulation?. According to Malhotra, for people managing diabetes or insulin resistance, frequently smelling dessert aromas can make it harder to control cravings. These smells stimulate the brain’s reward system, increasing appetite and making sugary foods more tempting.. “Over time, repeated exposure can disrupt hunger and fullness signals, leading to challenges in sticking with a healthy diet. Managing these cravings is key to maintaining steady