​Located in the heart of Punjab, one of India’s most historically and culturally significant cities, Amritsar has long been a gateway to remarkable journeys. Beyond its spiritual and historical landmarks, the city also serves as the starting point for routes that connect travellers to important religious sites, historic borders, and scenic hill destinations. Here are three historic journeys that begin from Amritsar, each offering a glimpse into India’s heritage and geography.. The spiritual journey to the Golden Temple. Golden Temple, Amritsar, has one of the largest community kitchens in the world (Photo: Wikipedia). For millions of visitors each year, the most profound journey in Amritsar begins at the Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib — the holiest shrine of Sikhism. Founded in the late 16th century by Guru Arjan Dev, the temple represents ideals of equality, devotion, and community service.. Pilgrims from across the world arrive in Amritsar to walk through the temple complex, listen to the continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, and partake in the langar, one of the world’s largest community kitchens. The experience is not just religious but deeply cultural, reflecting Sikh traditions of hospitality and humility. For many, visiting the Golden Temple marks the beginning of a meaningful spiritual journey.. The historic border retreat at the Wagah Border. BSF personnel during the retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar on Tuesday (PTI). About 45 kilometres from Amritsar, the road to the Wagah Border offers one of the most dramatic experiences of modern Indian history. Wagah marks the crossing point between India and Pakistan and has been a symbol of the two nations’ shared yet complex past since the time of the Partition of India.. Every evening, crowds gather to watch the Beating Retreat ceremony, a highly choreographed display by the border security forces of both countries. The event blends patriotism, spectacle, and history, as flags are lowered simultaneously before the gates are shut for the night. For travellers, the journey from Amritsar to Wagah is not just a short drive but a powerful reminder of the subcontinent’s past.. ALSO READ | Exploring India’s most significant dark tourism sites. The scenic route to Dharamshala and the Himalayan foothills. Amritsar also serves as a convenient starting point for journeys toward the Himalayan foothills. One of the most popular routes leads to Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, located about 200 kilometres away.. The drive gradually transitions from the plains of Punjab to the forested hills of Himachal. Dharamshala is globally known as the home of the Tenzin Gyatso and the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile. The nearby town of McLeod Ganj attracts travellers with its monasteries, mountain views, and Tibetan culture.. 📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram. © IE Online Media  

 ​Hardik Pandya’s positive energy secret: Why the Hanuman Chalisa is his go-to Ferrari playlist. (Source: Instagram/@hardikpandya93). Athletes live a high-octane life, and their playlists generally match the energy required to juggle rigorous training sessions, challenging tournaments, and public events and campaigns. You would think Hardik Pandya is no different, but during a recent promotional event for his Indian Premier League team, the Mumbai Indians, the athlete opened up about his love for calming, devotional music.. In a video going viral on X, the Indian cricketer could be heard saying: “I have a Ferrari, but I still listen to Hanuman Chalisa in it. Everyone will agree as well, no song can give you the kind of positive energy than what the Hanuman Chalisa can.”. The power of music is such that it can not only elevate mood but also lower stress levels and improve your cognitive function. Prakriti Poddar, Global Head, Mental Health & Wellbeing, RoundGlass Living, explained that sound has a deep impact on our body and mind, and different sounds evoke different reactions.. “The roar of the traffic can make us edgy and anxious, but playing a piece of classical music can have a calming effect on our frayed nerves. Have you noticed how you reach out for your favourite song or playlist when you are feeling low or sad? That’s because certain frequencies can alter our mood and lift our spirits on the most difficult of days,” she said.. Understanding the impact of calming music. “Listening to calming music, just like Hardik Pandya, synchronises certain vibrational frequencies with our brain waves. These frequencies encourage the brain to produce certain brain waves– through a process called brainwave entrainment,” said Poddar. Brainwaves then go on to create different states of mind and being, leading to desired outcomes such as deep relaxation, rejuvenation and healing, sharper focus and attention, and better sleep,” she added.. ALSO READ | Hardik Pandya shares how much protein he has in a day: ‘Main humesha apni calories count karta hoon’. Giving examples, she also shared that some frequencies can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for the body’s rest-and-digest state), helping the body’s organs and tissues rest, heal, and regenerate. Other frequencies can make us more alert and focused, thereby improving our performance at work.. Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Senior Psychiatrist and Founder of Manasthali, further added that, on a neurological level, music can activate various regions of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for problem-solving and decision-making. It can also stimulate the limbic system, which regulates emotions. By activating these brain regions, music can help reduce symptoms of mental health issues and provide relief from distress.. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health prac  

 ​Alaya F does aerial yoga. (Source: Instagram/@alayaf). Alaya F has started her week upside down once again, this time hanging from the ceiling with resistance bands as support. “It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s just me being silly again😛” she mentioned in the caption of her Instagram post, while getting the benefits of aerial yoga.. Prashant Singh, a certified Iyengar Yoga practitioner in Bengaluru, shared that aerial yoga, blending elements of traditional yoga, Pilates, and dance with the support of a hammock, offers a range of benefits that can enhance both physical and mental well-being. “The bands allow for deeper stretches and more effective muscle engagement, leading to improved flexibility and strength. This can be especially beneficial for those in rehabilitation, as the support helps in executing movements safely,” he said.. He added that aerial yoga is excellent for spinal health. Inversions and hanging poses relieve pressure on the spinal discs, which can reduce back pain and improve posture. This is particularly advantageous for those with chronic back issues.. According to Singh, the varied movements and inverted poses in aerial yoga enhance blood flow, he states, promoting cardiovascular health and reducing swelling in the lower extremities. The mindfulness required in aerial yoga helps reduce stress and anxiety. “Focus on balance and controlled movements encourages a meditative state, improving mental clarity as well,” he suggested, adding that aerial yoga also helps you lose weight because it engages your muscles to complete the yoga poses while you are in the air.. This can help you build toned and lean muscles while you burn body fat. The practice challenges your whole body to do more. Slowly and gradually, it will improve your metabolic rate. “Regular practice will keep your metabolism high and will maintain it throughout the day,” he told indianexpress.com.. View this post on Instagram. What should you keep in mind?. Safety is paramount, especially for beginners. Singh shared some key considerations to keep in mind:. Proper Setup: Ensure the hammock is securely installed using strong anchor points and appropriate rigging equipment. Regularly check the fabric’s integrity and weight limits.. Professional Guidance: Start with a certified instructor to learn proper techniques and transitions. This reduces the risk of injury and helps build confidence in using the bands.. Story continues below this ad. ALSO READ | Alaya F started the week ‘upside down, unhinged and unstoppable,’ served massive fitness goals. Warm-Up: A thorough warm-up is essential to prepare the muscles and joints. Incorporate dynamic stretches and gentle yoga poses to increase blood flow and flexibility.. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals. Avoid pushing through pain and take breaks as needed. Aerial yoga can be intense, and it’s important to progress at your own pace.. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on  

 ​New study reveals metformin targets the brain to fight diabetes. (Source: Freepik). A study has uncovered a brain-related pathway for how metformin — the first-line treatment for diabetes for over 60 years and not considered to target the brain — regulates blood sugar, opening the door to more targeted therapies.. “It’s been widely accepted that metformin lowers blood glucose primarily by reducing glucose output in the liver. Other studies have found that it acts through the gut,” author Makoto Fukuda, associate professor of pediatrics-nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine, US, said.. “We looked into the brain as it is widely recognised as a key regulator of whole-body glucose metabolism. We investigated whether and how the brain contributes to the anti-diabetic effects of metformin,” Fukuda said. Metformin’s use in humans for treating diabetes was first reported in 1957 in France.. While diabetes medications are not considered as targeting the brain, the study, published in the journal Science Advances, shows that metformin has been influencing brain pathways all along, the researchers said. “These findings open the door to developing new diabetes treatments that directly target this pathway in the brain,” Fukuda said.. Researchers focussed on Rap1, a protein located inside the brain’s ventromedial hypothalamus, which is critical for regulating satiety and sensing glucose.. They found that suppressing activity of Rap1 in the specific brain region helped metformin reduce blood sugar in a meaningful manner. The team tested the result by observing genetically engineered mice who lacked Rap1 in the ventromedial hypothalamus.. The treatment led to a marked reduction in blood sugar levels. (Source: Freepik). The mice, placed on a high-fat diet to model type 2 diabetes, were treated with low doses of metformin and their blood sugar levels did not improve. However, other diabetes treatments such as insulin and GLP-1 agonists remained effective, the researchers said. The brains of the diabetic mice were then delivered metformin directly.. Even at doses thousands of times lower than those typically taken orally, the treatment led to a marked reduction in blood sugar levels, the team said.. “We also investigated which cells in the VMH (ventromedial hypothalamus) were involved in mediating metformin’s effects. We found that SF1 neurons are activated when metformin is introduced into the brain, suggesting they’re directly involved in the drug’s action,” Fukuda said.. Story continues below this ad. Analysing brain tissue samples, the researchers measured electrical activity of the SF1 neurons — metformin increased activity in most of them, but only when Rap1 was present. Among mice that lacked Rap1 in SF1 neurons, the diabetes drug was seen to have no effect, demonstrating that Rap1 is required for metformin to activate the brain cells and regulate blood sugar.. “This discovery changes how we think about metformin. It’s  

 ​Actor-performer Shakti Mohan recently gave a house tour of her three-story Mumbai home, sharing anecdotes and memories from her time there with her sisters and parents. From an extended terrace garden with over 400 plants to her spacious bedroom, Shakti’s house is nothing less than a sanctuary.. Shakti Mohan revealed that her sisters—Neeti Mohan, Mukti Mohan, and Kriti Mohan—have moved out, leaving just her parents in the house, which is equal parts luxurious and homely. She opened the house tour with her cosy living area, featuring traditional cabriole sofa sets in brown tones.. With a giant TV in place and an air purifier on the side, the cabriole sofas are positioned perfectly, making the TV easily accessible to everyone. At the centre lies a vintage square-shaped table with plants, a napkin box, and condiment containers.. Living area with traditional patterns. The living area also features a large Buddha frame and a statue in each corner. On the TV cabinet, a photo frame featuring Neeti and her husband, Nihar Pandya, is displayed. Behind the sofa, the living space has another glass table with several wooden pieces, giving it a traditional touch. Mukti also shared a heartfelt moment when the creative heads of Dance India Dance (DID) gifted her a dancing Lord Ganesha idol.. “My parents designed the house with Indian patterns, and this area holds a lot of memories,” Mohan said in the video shared by Mashable India.. Shakti Mohan’s Mumbai house living area (Image source: Mashable India/YouTube). 8-seater dining table. Mukti shared that there are eight members in the family, including her two brothers-in-law. The eight-seater dining area features a glass table with a wooden base and neutral-toned chairs with wooden legs, embracing a minimalist aesthetic. On the sides, the area also has wooden frames with intricate carvings of Indian patterns, adorned with colourful wall hangings.. “We have eaten a lot at the dining table—my sisters have eaten more than I did,” Mohan shared.. Story continues below this ad. Shakti Mohan’s dining area (Image source: Mashable India/YouTube). Shakti Mohan’s personal den. Walking down to the first floor, Mohan’s bedroom reflects a minimalist, comfortable aesthetic. The room features a white wardrobe and cabinets with several books arranged on them. The TV area consists of a table with miscellaneous items and a sofa placed beside it. The room is also attached to a beautiful balcony with a scenic view.. “This was my room before I moved out,” Mohan said, adding, “My father has occupied this room ever since I moved out.”. Also Read | ‘On the periphery of the whole terrace, I’ve got 176 bougainvillaeas’: Leander Paes gives an intimate tour of his Mumbai home. Terrace garden with over 400 plants. Mohan’s terrace garden remained the highlight of the house, with more than 400 plants lined up. From purple bougainvillaea to a chiku tree, “Mohan Bagaan” features a variety of shrubs and p