The waterways of the Indian state teem with birdlife and the rhythms of rice production. But beneath the surface, the Periyar National Park and the tranquil Vembanad lake are finding a balance between the needs of agriculture and nature.

Mumbai’s spectacularly diverse neighbourhoods are home to everything from glitzy Bollywood studios to grand architecture and a national park that’s famed for its leopards. 

William Dalrymple didn’t set out to become Britain’s leading chronicler of Indian history, but a chance trip to the subcontinent started a lifelong obsession. Thirty years on, he’s still living in Delhi — a city with a “tangible sense of history”.

Chef and food writer Romy Gill sought inspiration from the food of her childhood in West Bengal for her debut cookbook, Zaika. It celebrates regional, vegan Indian dishes, from warming dhals to zingy salads.

We round up the best stress-free experiences at Ananda in the Himalayas.

The bright blue walls of Jodhpur are a striking, improbable contrast to the umber sands of the Thar Desert. Capital of the ancient kingdom of Marwar and the second-largest city in Rajasthan, the ‘Blue City’ has a fascinating heritage, having played a crucial role in the history of India, from the days of the Mughal Empire to the British Raj. The Jodhpur of today has a young, energetic population whose vibrance is matched only by the colour of the city walls.