​Ladakh is all set to dazzle with the breathtaking Apricot Blossom (Image: Gemini). When people think of spring blossoms, the first place that usually comes to mind is Japan, famous for its beautiful cherry blossom season. But did you know that India has its own equally stunning version in Ladakh? Yes, you read that right. India has its own beautiful apricot blossoms, no less beautiful than those of its Japanese counterpart.. For a few weeks every spring, villages across this high-altitude region transform into a dreamy landscape filled with delicate pink and white flowers. Apricot trees bloom across orchards, fields and village lanes, creating breathtaking scenes against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains and bright blue skies.. When does the apricot blossom season happen?. Apricot blossoms typically bloom between late March and mid-April, depending on the weather. Since the blooming window is short—often lasting just two to three weeks—it feels like a special moment that disappears almost as quickly as it arrives.. Places such as Leh, Nubra Valley, and Turtuk are among the best places to see orchards in bloom.. Many travellers say the experience feels similar to cherry blossom viewing, but quieter and less crowded.. The iconic Apricot Blossom Festival. To celebrate the season, Ladakh hosts the Apricot Blossom Festival, organised by the Ladakh Tourism Department.. The festival is usually held in early April across several villages and combines nature with culture. Visitors can watch traditional dance and music performances, explore local handicrafts, and taste regional Ladakhi dishes.. Story continues below this ad. It’s also one of the best times to experience village life in Ladakh, as many communities open their orchards and homes to visitors.. Schedule for this year’s apricot blossom festival, as shared by the Ladakh Tourism Department. Also Read | The story behind Himachal Pradesh’s traditional Raulane Festival, currently gaining traction on social media. Why apricots matter in Ladakh. Apricot trees are not just beautiful—they are an important part of life in Ladakh. Many families grow them in their orchards, and the fruit becomes a key source of income during the summer.. After the blossoms fall, the trees produce apricots that are eaten fresh or dried for winter. The fruit is also used to make jams, juices and apricot oil, a traditional product widely used in the region.. How to plan your visit. If you want to see apricot blossoms, plan a trip to Ladakh in late March or early April. Since the blooming period is short and weather-dependent, checking local tourism updates before travelling is a good idea.. Story continues below this ad. The easiest way to reach the region is by flying to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh. From there, travellers can explore nearby villages and valleys where apricot orchards are in full bloom.. For those looking for a quieter spring travel experience, Ladakh’s apricot blossom season offer  

 ​Saba Azad’s health scare: How a rare parasite led to hospitalisation. (Source: Instagram/@sabazad). Actor Saba Azad took to social media to share a recent health update, revealing that she was diagnosed with a parasitic infection due to Cyclospora cayetanensis that landed her in the hospital and led to a drastic 4kg weight loss.. In the caption of her Instagram post, she explained her predicament in detail: “Worst 14 days of my life. Cyclospora cayetanensis, you nasty piece of work!! For someone who only eats home food and carries her water bottle everywhere, this bug came out of nowhere—at the busiest time of the year for me. I’ve lost 4 kgs that I didn’t have to spare in two weeks and can barely walk. One day I’m training twice a day, doing pull-ups and lifting heavy, and the next I’m half my size, without the strength to lift a toothpick, let alone weights.”. 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.. Azad also encouraged her fans to wash produce thoroughly before consuming to avoid ending up in her situation. “So pls for the love of your gut wash your salad leaves and veg like your life depends on it – cause sometimes it really does!! 🥬 Our new method is Baking soda + veggie wash,” she added in the caption.. Dr Aishwarya R, Consultant-Infectious Diseases, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, explained that Cyclospora keratinensis is a parasite that infects drinking water or fresh produce. “Common sources are salads, including the seasoning that is used for salads like lettuce, coriander, as well as anything that is washed and directly added to salads and not cooked,” she shared, adding that apart from these, fruits such as berries are also potential culprits.. Wash your greens thoroughly. (Source: Freepik). Symptoms and treatment. Dr Aishwarya pointed out that symptoms of this condition include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhoea, and multiple episodes, which may lead to dehydration. “Although it can occur throughout the year in warm, humid, tropical countries, in relatively cooler countries, the disease peaks around early summer,” she warned.. ALSO READ | ‘No way I’m not going to have this man in my life’: Saba Azad on staying best friends with ex Imaad Shah; why platonic bonds can be stronger than romance. Dr Kiran Shinde, Consultant – Gastroenterologist, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Hadapsar, Pune said that treatment with antibiotics and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole will be the first choice. “It is equally important that supportive treatment (hydration and electrolyte replacement) be provided as well. The clostridium will respond to therapy with an appropriate dose in two to three days,” he said.. Story continues below this ad. He mentioned that proper hygiene for both food and water will help to prevent possibly contracting Cyclospora. “Thoroughly washing  

 ​For a severely underweight person, the focus should be on healthy weight gain from the beginning while slowly adding light muscle-building exercises (Images: Pexels). For someone who is severely underweight, the idea of gaining muscle quickly can be tempting—but the body doesn’t work well with shortcuts. It needs the right fuel, time, and a gradual build-up to grow stronger. This question recently came up on Quora, where a user asked: “What’s the best way for a severely underweight person to gain muscle mass rapidly?”. To get an answer, we spoke with Edwina Raj, Head of Services – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, at Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, who explains that the focus should be on steady, healthy weight gain alongside gradual muscle building, rather than rushing for visible results.. 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.. Start with food, not just workouts. “The safest and most effective way is to first focus on eating more healthy calories with balanced meals,” the nutritionist says. This includes a mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, along with enough water, rest, and sleep to support recovery.. However, she also cautions against doing too much too soon. “It is very important to avoid heavy workouts at the beginning and stay consistent with small progress,” she adds.. Weight gain and muscle building go together. Raj emphasises that you don’t need to choose between gaining weight and building muscle. “For a severely underweight person, the focus should be on healthy weight gain from the beginning while slowly adding light muscle-building exercises,” she explains. The body needs enough fuel to grow stronger, so both should happen together in a balanced way.. it is very important to consult a doctor or nutrition expert to create a safe and personalized plan that supports steady weight gain, builds muscle gradually, and protects overall health. (Image: Pexels). Also Read | Why your metabolism slows down after 30: Orthopaedic experts warn of ‘silent’ muscle and bone loss you can’t feel yet. What kind of diet works best?. A simple, easy-to-digest diet is ideal, especially early on. Foods like rice, oats, bananas, cooked vegetables, eggs, dairy or plant-based alternatives, lentils, chicken, or fish can support steady progress. Adding nuts and seeds in small amounts helps boost calories without causing digestive discomfort.. Story continues below this ad. Raj recommends eating smaller, frequent meals instead of large portions to improve absorption and prevent bloating, while limiting very oily, spicy, or processed foods.. Ease into strength training. “Strength training is very important for building muscle,” Raj says, but beginners should start slow. Simple exercises like squats, push-ups, lunges, and light weights done 2–3 times a week are enough at first. The fo  

 ​The actress admits to sleeping at 7 in the morning (Image: Instagram/krystledsouza). Actor Krystle D’Souza recently opened up about her unusual sleep routine, revealing that her day begins when most people are halfway through theirs.. In an interview with FilterCopy, when asked about waking up late, she said, “Bahut late. Mai uthti hu regularly 12 pm qunki mai soti hu 7’o clock. Mujhe achcha lagta hai jab daylight bahar aajata hain to mujhe neend aati hai. When I can hear thodi thodi birds chirping.” (I wake up very late. I usually get up at 12 pm because I go to sleep at 7 o’clock. I like it when daylight starts coming in outside—that’s when I begin to feel sleepy, when I can hear the birds chirping a little.). She also shared that she lives alone and prefers to stay up late. When asked if that ever scares her, she said, “isilie to daylight ka wait karti hoon aur poori poori rat logo se baatein karti hu..”. While such reversed routines may work for some lifestyles, experts say they can come with health implications if followed consistently.. 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.. View this post on Instagram. What happens when you sleep from 7 am to 12 pm?. According to Dr Harish Chafle, Senior Consultant, Chest Physician, Bronchoscopist, Intensivist and Sleep Disorders specialist, Gleneagles Hospitals, Parel, Mumbai, getting just five hours of sleep during the day can take a toll over time.. “Consistently sleeping from 7 am–12 noon (5 hours) can lead to chronic sleep deprivation, increasing risk of fatigue, poor concentration, and mood issues,” he tells indianexpress.com.. A completely reversed sleep cycle can also interfere with the body’s internal functions. Dr Chafle says, “A reversed sleep cycle disrupts the circadian rhythm, impacting metabolism, increasing insulin resistance, and altering hormones like cortisol and melatonin.”. Story continues below this ad. He adds, “It can be linked to mood instability, anxiety, lack of focus, and depression due to misalignment between body clock and daily life.”. Also Read | ‘I stay up all night and sleep in the day; been doing it for a while now. My life is built around it. Will this affect my health in the future?’. Is daytime sleep harmful in the long term?. Over time, staying awake at night and sleeping during the day may affect overall health beyond just fatigue.. He notes, “Regularly sleeping in the day and staying awake at night disrupts the circadian rhythm, leading to poor sleep quality, fatigue, and heart attack.”. He further adds, “It’s also linked to higher chances of depression, anxiety, and weakened immunity due to hormonal imbalance and lifestyle misalignment.”. Story continues below this ad. While individual routines can vary, experts stress that aligning sleep with the body’s natural clock—and getting e  

 ​Mahavir Jayanti 2026 Date: Lord Mahavir was born on the Trayodashi Tithi during the Shukla Paksha of the Chaitra month. Mahavir Jayanti 2026 Date: Mahavir Jayanti, or Mahaveer Janma Kalyanak, is one of the most important festivals of Jainism, marking the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankara.. Also known as Vardhamana, Lord Mahavir established the fundamental principles of Jainism, which continue to guide millions of followers today.. The festival is widely celebrated among Jain communities in India, Nepal, the United States, and the United Kingdom.. Mahavir Jayanti 2026: Date and Timings. Lord Mahavir was born on the Trayodashi Tithi during the Shukla Paksha of the Chaitra month, which is the 13th day of the rising moon of March and April as per the Gregorian calendar, resulting in different dates each year.. This year, in 2026, Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 31, marking the 2624th birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir.. According to drikpanchang.com, the Trayodashi tithi will begin at 07:09 AM on March 30 and end at 06:55 AM the next day, that is, March 31.. Mahavir Jayanti 2026: History, Significance and Celebrations. Born as Vardhamana into the royal family of Queen Trishala and King Siddhartha in Kundagram, present-day Bihar, India, in 599 BC, Mahavira, which translates to “the great hero”, renounced his royalty and worldly pleasures to achieve Kevala Jnana (omniscience or supreme knowledge), marking his transformation as a spiritual leader.. Story continues below this ad. He spent the next 30 years travelling across India, teaching his philosophy of Ahimsa (nonviolence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (chastity), and Aparigraha (non-attachment), which later became the essential principles of Jainism.. People celebrate Mahavira Jayanti by visiting temples to give prayers, meditate, and read scriptures, as well as perform acts of charity.. Rath Yatra is one of the major highlights of the festival. (File/Express Photo by Pavan Khengre). One of the notable celebrations includes Rath Yatra, which is a spectacular procession through the streets with Lord Mahavira’s idol on a chariot with followers accompanying it while chanting hymns and performing prayers.. 📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram. © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd