ISKCON Dwarka Blends Devotion and Flavor with Mango-Themed Rath Yatra Festival

ISKCON Dwarka Blends Devotion and Flavor with Mango-Themed Rath Yatra Festival

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 28, 2025

ISKCON Dwarka is gearing up to celebrate Rath Yatra 2025 with a unique and flavorful twist—a grand Mango Festival beginning June 27 at the Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadhish Temple in Delhi. This vibrant celebration will blend devotion, tradition, and fruit-filled joy in honour of Lord Jagannath, a deity known for his eternal affection for mangoes.

The highlight of the festival is the sacred offering of 1,100 kilograms of 108 mango varieties—including popular types like Alphonso, Langda, Dasheri, and Safeda—to Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. This divine offering will be followed by a grand aarti and distribution of mango prasad to thousands of devotees, making it a spiritually rich and community-focused event.

Festivities will begin at 8:00 AM with a spiritual narration of Lord Jagannath’s divine appearance, setting a sacred tone for the day. As evening falls, the temple will come alive with soulful kirtans during a Kirtan Mela, accompanied by traditional Vedic rituals like Yagna.

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A Maha Abhishek will also be performed using sacred waters drawn from the divine well of Jagannath Puri, which symbolizes the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Traditional Odia bhog offerings and a concluding Maha Aarti will cap the spiritual celebration, followed by prasad distribution.

Visitors will also be treated to a curated mango exhibition, featuring over 108 unique varieties. Adding a touch of fun and community engagement, a mango-eating contest is planned, allowing participants to indulge in the Lord’s favourite fruit in a light-hearted way.

“Mangoes hold a special significance in our tradition and are deeply cherished by Lord Jagannath,” said Shri Gaur Prabhu, Vice-President of ISKCON Dwarka. “Through this festival, we hope to celebrate not just the fruit, but the spirit of offering, joy, and unity it brings.”

The outreach doesn’t stop in Delhi. As part of the wider Rath Yatra celebrations, ISKCON Dwarka will also extend its service to Jagannath Puri, the Lord’s sacred abode. In collaboration with the Adani Group, ISKCON will distribute over 3 million glasses of juice and prasadam to devotees. This builds on their earlier partnership during Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, where they jointly served free meals to over 50 lakh devotees.

“The Rath Yatra reminds us of essential values—humility, service, faith, and detachment,” added Shri Gaur Prabhu. “These teachings help us find direction in today's uncertain world.”

The Mango Festival at ISKCON Dwarka promises to be a multi-sensory celebration that captures the spirit of Rath Yatra with a refreshing and meaningful twist, reinforcing devotion through taste, tradition, and togetherness.


From the Maldives to the World: Atmosphere Core Sets Its Sights on Global Expansion

From the Maldives to the World: Atmosphere Core Sets Its Sights on Global Expansion

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 17, 2025

Set against the backdrop of a thriving international travel and hospitality sector, Atmosphere Core, a fast-growing hospitality group, gathered its top 30 senior leaders in Dubai on 9th and 10th September 2025 for the annual leadership summit. The central message of the two-day event was clear: global expansion.

During the summit, senior leaders aligned on strategic priorities and reinforced collaboration as the group looks beyond its current presence in the Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal to new destinations across Asia and Europe. The sessions emphasized Atmosphere Core’s progressive approach to leadership and its commitment to creating exceptional guest journeys.

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Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Salil Panigrahi, Managing Director of Atmosphere Core, said, “Global expansion is our new direction. As global nomads, we carry with us the Joy of Giving philosophy, the spirit that defines our brands and our people. This annual gathering ensures we remain united, focused, and motivated to move forward. Leadership is about knowing when to push with clear goals and when to pull by guiding and inspiring. Reliability builds trust, and emotional intelligence connects us to our teams and guests. Together, these qualities will drive us as we extend our vision across continents.”

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Founded in the Maldives just 12 years ago, Atmosphere Core has grown to nine private island resorts and one heritage hotel in India. The group has an ambitious pipeline of 17 hotels across India and upcoming projects in Italy, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. In 2026, Atmosphere Core is set to launch six new properties, further strengthening its international presence.

Atmosphere Core is also credited with reshaping the all-inclusive resort experience in the Indian Ocean through its pioneering ‘Holiday Plan’ concept, which elevated the standard of indulgence and personalization for global travelers.

The 2025 Leadership Summit reaffirmed the company’s commitment to cultivating strong leaders who can build resilient teams, deliver exceptional hospitality, and reinforce Atmosphere Core’s position on the global stage.


Spectrum@Metro Mall Hosts Energetic Zumba and Dance Sessions

Spectrum@Metro Mall Hosts Energetic Zumba and Dance Sessions

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 16, 2025

Spectrum@Metro Mall came alive with energy and excitement as it hosted a lively Zumba Dance Workshop in association with Trikaal Art Studio. The free-for-all session drew enthusiastic participation from visitors of all age groups, creating an evening filled with music, movement, and fun.

Certified Zumba instructors Nisha Chauhan and Shwet led the high-energy session, keeping the crowd engaged with easy-to-follow routines set to upbeat music. Alongside the Zumba workout, a dynamic dance session was also held, encouraging participants to explore various dance styles and express themselves freely. The combined activities turned the evening into an unforgettable celebration of rhythm, fitness, and joy.

This initiative forms part of Spectrum@Metro’s ongoing efforts to promote health and wellness in engaging and inclusive ways. By blending fitness with entertainment, the mall aims to inspire its visitors to stay active while fostering a vibrant social experience beyond conventional workouts.

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Ajendra Singh, VP, Sales and Marketing, Spectrum@Metro, expressed his delight, saying, “The response to our Zumba Dance Workshop has been truly overwhelming. Spectrum@Metro has always strived to offer more than just shopping, it is a lifestyle destination where our community can come together to celebrate fitness, culture, and joy. We look forward to bringing more such exciting experiences for our visitors.”

With its mix of retail, lifestyle, and community-driven events, Spectrum@Metro continues to position itself as a hub for enriching experiences that go far beyond shopping.


IndiGoReach and InterGlobe Foundation Host ‘My City My Heritage’ Walk in Ahmedabad

IndiGoReach and InterGlobe Foundation Host ‘My City My Heritage’ Walk in Ahmedabad

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 16, 2025

IndiGoReach, the CSR arm of IndiGo, and InterGlobe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe Enterprises, jointly hosted an engaging ‘My City My Heritage’ walk in Ahmedabad. The event, titled “Tracing Stories Through the Lanes of Old Ahmedabad”, offered participants an immersive journey into the city’s vibrant past and living heritage, showcasing its cultural and historical richness.

The three-hour heritage walk began at the iconic Ahmed Shah Mosque and concluded at Manek Chowk, leading participants through bustling squares, narrow lanes, historic homes, and traditional pols. Curated to provide a holistic experience, the trail highlighted the layered architectural beauty and cultural legacy of Ahmedabad. The walk was guided by heritage expert Khushi Shah, who brought alive the stories of the city, drawing enthusiastic participation from the local community, government officials, and senior leadership of both IndiGo and InterGlobe Foundation.

‘My City My Heritage’ is an ongoing initiative launched by InterGlobe Foundation in collaboration with Sahapedia. The campaign is dedicated to raising awareness about India’s diverse cultural and historical legacy through immersive experiences and meaningful partnerships. It aims to inspire citizens to rediscover and take pride in their communities while promoting the preservation of both tangible and intangible heritage.

As part of the campaign, heritage walks have been successfully conducted across eight cities, including Prayagraj, Bhubaneswar, Shillong, Nashik, Hyderabad, Kozhikode, Lucknow, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Each walk celebrates the unique cultural fabric of its region and fosters a deeper connection to India’s diverse heritage.

Speaking on the occasion, Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson of InterGlobe Foundation, said, “Our 'My City My Heritage' walk in Ahmedabad provided a unique opportunity for participants to connect with the city's soul, appreciate its layered past, and engage with the vibrant communities that continue to bring its history to life. Through fostering community participation and highlighting Ahmedabad's unique marvels, our aim is to cultivate a deeper appreciation for its cultural heritage and promote tourism that directly benefits the local economy.”

Both InterGlobe Foundation and IndiGoReach continue to support projects for cultural preservation across India. InterGlobe Foundation has been involved in major initiatives such as the conservation and revival of Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khanan’s mausoleum in Delhi, cultural mapping of ten cities, restoration of the Indra Kund stepwell in Delwara, and heritage fellowships. IndiGoReach has supported conservation efforts at Qutb Shah’s Mausoleum in Hyderabad and the restoration of Lal Bagh Palace interiors in Indore.

Through such initiatives, IndiGoReach and InterGlobe Foundation reaffirm their commitment to preserving India’s heritage while engaging communities in celebrating their roots.

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