Amritara Hotels has strengthened its presence in Varanasi with the launch of Amritara The Samagam, a riverside retreat located at the confluence of the Ganga and Gomti rivers. The property marks the group's second hotel in the destination and reflects its continued focus on offering deeper and more meaningful travel experiences within culturally significant locations.

Situated in Kaithi village, around 35 kilometres east of Varanasi city, the retreat is surrounded by one of the region's oldest sacred landscapes. The area is home to the historic Markandey Mahadev Temple, a revered Shiva shrine that has stood on the riverbank for centuries.

Offering a quieter alternative to the bustling ghats of Varanasi, the property allows guests to experience evening aarti ceremonies in a more peaceful setting. The surrounding landscape is also known for its natural beauty, with freshwater dolphins occasionally visible in the river and serene riverside walks that offer a close connection with nature.

The launch reflects Amritara Hotels' decision to deepen its presence in Varanasi rather than expand into a new destination. The company believes that the future of hospitality lies in understanding and interpreting destinations with strong cultural and spiritual significance rather than simply increasing geographic reach.

Amritara's first property in the city, Amritara Suryauday Haveli, offers guests an experience immersed in the vibrant energy of Kashi, with its ghats, rituals, and spiritual traditions. In contrast, Amritara The Samagam has been designed for travellers seeking a slower and more reflective journey.

Guests at the new retreat can explore lesser-known spiritual experiences, including aarti ceremonies at the Markandey Mahadev Temple, boat rides along the confluence of the Ganga and Gomti rivers, and opportunities to discover the region's rich natural surroundings.

Together, Amritara Suryauday Haveli and Amritara The Samagam offer visitors two distinct perspectives of Varanasi, one rooted in the energy and devotion of the ancient city, and the other in the tranquillity and spiritual depth of its surrounding countryside.

With this addition, Amritara Hotels continues to strengthen its portfolio of experiential stays while catering to travellers seeking authentic cultural, spiritual, and nature-based experiences.

Chennai’s iconic dining destination, Golden Dragon, has unveiled Dragon Bowls, a new weekday lunch experience designed to bring together the comforting flavours of Asia in a contemporary and convenient format.

Located at the renowned Taj Coromandel, the restaurant’s latest offering caters to modern diners seeking wholesome, flavourful meals without compromising on authenticity. Inspired by the Cantonese philosophy of harmony, each bowl is crafted to balance colour, texture, flavour, and temperature, creating a complete dining experience.

The menu features a range of thoughtfully curated bowls showcasing premium ingredients and traditional Asian cooking techniques. Highlights include the Emperor’s Fried Rice Bowl, featuring wok-tossed prawns over fragrant jasmine rice finished with chilli garlic oil and a soft-cooked egg, and the Silk Route Noodle Bowl, which combines flat wheat noodles, slow-braised pork, bok choy, and Sichuan pepper broth.

Guests can also enjoy the Clay Pot Treasures Bowl, where sticky rice, shiitake mushrooms, and soy-glazed chicken are finished tableside with hot oil for added aroma and texture.

Vegetarian diners are equally well catered to with the Jade Garden Bowl, a nourishing combination of edamame, lotus root, water chestnut, and tofu served in a delicate ginger-sesame broth over brown rice. Those looking for bolder flavours can opt for the Fire Dragon Bowl, available with Mala chicken or Mapo tofu, accompanied by pickled cucumber to balance its signature heat.

Each Dragon Bowl is completed with crispy wonton strips, toasted sesame, fresh scallions, and Golden Dragon’s house-made chilli crisp, adding layers of flavour and texture.

With Dragon Bowls, Golden Dragon continues to blend culinary tradition with contemporary dining preferences, offering Chennai diners a vibrant and satisfying weekday lunch experience.

Osho Dham marked International Yoga Day on June 21, 2026, with a day dedicated to meditation, breath awareness, and inner transformation. The celebration brought together participants seeking to experience yoga beyond physical practice, focusing instead on mindfulness and deeper states of consciousness.

The day began with Dynamic Meditation from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM, energising participants through Osho’s signature active meditation technique. The morning set the tone for a deeper experiential journey into awareness and inner balance.

The celebrations continued with a special Pranayoga Meditation session held in the Meditation Hall, facilitated by Swami Chaitanya Keerti. The session explored the concept of Pranayoga, rooted in Patanjali Yoga philosophy and Vigyan Bhairav Tantra, focusing on the science of breath awareness.

Participants were guided to observe the natural rhythm of their breath, gradually moving from mental activity toward stillness and heightened awareness. The practice emphasised breath as a bridge between body and consciousness, aligning with Osho’s teachings on inner transformation.

Speaking on the occasion, Swami Chaitanya Keerti highlighted that yoga is not limited to physical exercise but serves as a doorway to deeper transformation. He emphasised that meditation helps individuals move beyond surface-level living into a more conscious and inward-focused way of being.

He further shared Osho’s perspective that breath penetrates both body and soul, and that a deeper understanding of breathing can lead to profound self-realisation.

The event concluded with a live band performance, bringing participants together in a moment of shared celebration and reflection. The strong turnout reflected a growing interest in holistic wellness practices and reinforced the significance of meditation-centric approaches to yoga in contemporary life.