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One of the hallmarks of the tradition is its use of the “<i>kadhua</i>” and “<i>phenkua</i>” techniques. The former refers to when threads are woven in one-by-one, whereas the phenkua (which literally means “to throw”) involves weaving in threads by passing a shuttle machine—which holds yarn—back and forth.<br/>

Longreads

The Silk Weavers of Varanasi

In India’s holiest city, an ancient community of handloom weavers faces an electrically powered future.

February 23, 2023 12:39 PM

Outdoor Adventure

The Tallest Mountain in the World May Not Be What You Think

It’s all depends on whether you measure from sea level, sea floor, or even the planet’s center.

July 1, 2024 06:27 PM

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Susan Portnoy

Everything You Need to Know About Holi, India’s Festival of Color

Festivals + Events

What to Know Before the Start of Holi, the Hindu Festival of Color

Before this festival begins, there are several things to keep in mind.

March 7, 2023 05:14 PM

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Nikhita Venogupal

The legendary Crossroads, the intersection of Routes 49 and 61 was made famous by blues musician Robert Johnson in the Mississippi Delta.

Where to Travel Next

5 Great American Road Trips For Music Fans

Get on the road again to experience these tuneful itineraries through the Mississippi Delta, along the California coast, and more.

February 7, 2024 06:01 PM

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Nicholas DeRenzo

Stay Here Next

The New Raffles Udaipur in Rajasthan Is Fit for Royalty

The first Raffles hotel in India sits on its own private island on Udaipur’s Udai Sagar Lake.

March 31, 2023 04:37 PM

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Sarika Bansal

Colorful people fill the streets in the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade.

Cities We Love

What to Eat, See, and Do When Exploring Toronto’s Little Jamaica Neighborhood

Here’s what to eat and do in this lively and historical area.

August 2, 2023 02:10 PM

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Natalie Preddie

Tips + News

U.S. to Begin Restricting Travel From India Amid Virus Surge

A ban on travel from India is set to go into effect on Tuesday, May 4.

April 30, 2021 05:18 PM

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Zeke Miller

Peter Knego with the former <i>Augustus</i> Italian liner of 1952 in Alang, India. Much of the ship is now with Knego in his home in Oceanside, California.

Longreads

This Is Where Cruise Ships Go to Die. Meet the Man Saving Them

Peter Knego has gone to extremes salvaging at-risk history. He says it’s worth the gamble.

October 24, 2024 10:26 AM

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Jen Rose Smith

the façade of Mount Rushmore, with a purple sky illuminated by an array of orange fireworks behind the presidents' faces

America 250

America 250 Celebrations in the Midwest: Mount Rushmore Fireworks and the Famous Iowa State Fair

In the nation’s heartland, the Semiquincentennial inspires reflection, reinvention, and community spirit.

December 3, 2025 03:07 PM

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Ashlea Halpern

Outdoor Adventure

In India, Astrotourism Is Looking Up

The country’s vastness means opportunities abound to better see the stars.

May 4, 2022 01:40 PM

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Agnee Ghosh

AFAR-Birchbark-Bookstore-MN-Jaida-Grey-Eagle-Photography.jpg

Art + Culture

6 Bookstores Across the U.S. That Give Back

From raising up underserved communities to fighting book bans, these indie shops are on a mission.

April 8, 2024 03:09 PM

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Nicholas DeRenzo

Aerial view of country roads in South Dakota

Road Trips

The Best Road Trips in the Midwest

These 12 road trips across the American Midwest highlight the region’s best drives, from Ohio’s Lake Erie coast to Wisconsin’s Driftless Area and Nebraska’s wide-open plains.

March 18, 2026 09:11 AM

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Ashlea Halpern

Cities We Love

Toronto’s Must-Visit Neighborhoods Reveal the Real City

Whether you’re looking for bustling nightlife or a music-lover’s paradise, Toronto’s unique neighborhoods offer plenty to explore.

May 31, 2023 01:43 PM

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Michael Kaminer

View of Kelvingrove Park full of people enjoying the Scottish summer with the main building of Glasgow University on the top of the hill.

Where to Travel Next

This Crowd-Free Scottish City Offers Buzzy Restaurants, Free Museums, and Shaggy Highland Cows

Glasgow is turning 850 years old this year, but it’s more creative and forward-thinking than ever before.

August 20, 2025 09:28 AM

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Nicholas DeRenzo

People sitting in the food court at Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport with a graphic brown-and-white ceiling overhead

Air Travel News

Which North America Airports Are Truly Best in Class? Travelers Have Spoken

A new J.D. Power survey ranks airports in North America based on passenger satisfaction. These airports came out on top across three categories.

September 18, 2025 07:30 PM

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Michelle Baran

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