BMC Election Results: For the first time in 25 years, the Thackeray fortress in the BMC has crumbled. Despite a high-profile reunion between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, the BJP-led Mahayuti has secured a historic majority. BMC Election Results: For the first time in the history of the metropolis
Suppliers of parts for Nvidia's H200 have paused production after Chinese customs officials blocked shipments of the newly approved artificial intelligence processors from entering China, the Financial Times reported on Friday.Reuters could not immediately verify the report
The legendary Indian screenwriter, lyricist, and poet Javed Akhtar turned 81. Mumbai: Living a simple, grounded life has always been a core principle for veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar, regardless of his fame and success. The legendary Indian screenwriter, lyricist
In a landmark reaffirmation of constitutional equality, the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that candidates from reserved categories—Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC)—must be adjusted against unreserved seats if they secure higher marks than
The government continues to introduce new rules and schemes aimed at making everyday life easier for citizens. One such rule related to home loans is currently drawing significant attention, and for good reason, as it can potentially put a substantial amount of money back in your pocket
India's astrotourism boom draws urban stargazers beyond city limits
India's astrotourism boom draws urban stargazers beyond city limits
On a cold winter night, around 200km (125 miles) from the Indian capital Delhi, dozens of people huddle around telescopes, waiting for darkness to settle over the landscape.
Over the next few hours, more than 150 meteors streak across the sky - a spectacle all but impossible to witness from India's sprawling light-polluted cities. For many travellers, experiences like this are becoming as compelling as visits to monuments or wildlife sanctuaries. Dark skies, once taken for granted, are now a reason to travel.
Stargazing in India has long been the preserve of amateur astronomers and science clubs. But as air pollution and city lights obscure the night sky, the hobby is breaking into the mainstream, sparking a new wave of astrotourism.
The trend is still niche, constrained by the high cost of organised trips and the challenge of reaching remote, light-free locations. But with more urban residents now willing to journey hundreds of kilometres for a glimpse of the cosmos, tour organisers say demand is surging.
In Ladakh's cold desert, the remote, high-altitude village of Hanle once received around 5,000 visitors a year, according to Dorje Angchuk, engineer-in-charge at the Indian Astronomical Observatory. After it was designated India's first dark-sky reserve in 2022, that figure rose to more than 30,000 last year.
Similar growth is being reported elsewhere. Astroport Global, a private company that offers stargazing experiences and astronomy workshops at five of its resorts across Indian states, says visitor numbers have climbed to around 20,000 a year, up from just a few hundred a few years ago.
One of the main drivers is visibility. Astronomers measure sky clarity using the Bortle dark-sky scale, which runs from one to nine. Delhi typically ranks between eight and nine, meaning only the brightest stars can be seen.
When PM2.5 (fine particulate matter that can clog lungs) levels rise above 100, visibility drops sharply and most constellations and deep-space objects disappear, says Jasjeet Singh Bagla, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Punjab.
In contrast, higher-altitude regions such as parts of Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Ladakh offer far darker skies and clearer air, as colder night-time temperatures push pollutants closer to the ground.
On 13 December, more than three dozen participants gathered near Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve to watch the Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular events in the celestial calendar. The reserve's skies rank four on the Bortle scale, allowing the Milky Way and dense star fields to be seen without telescopes.
"We hold regular astronomy workshops and most of our guests come from Delhi, where deep-space observation is nearly impossible," says Navjot Singh, a space educator at the resort.
A basic stargazing workshop lasting a few hours can cost around 1,200 rupees ($13; £10) per person, excluding food, accommodation and travel. Longer stays at offbeat resorts typically range from 8,000 to 12,000 rupees, with prices rising further for premium facilities. Interest peaks in winter, when low humidity and clear night skies significantly improve visibility.
For many participants, these trips offer more than a science lesson - it's a chance to relive the night sky of childhood.
Experts say astrotourism in India is still at an early stage, but it is already opening new pathways for learning.
When people look through a telescope or watch a meteor shower, space science stops being abstract," says Dr Sachin Bahmba, founder of the Space Group of Companies. "The experience sparks curiosity, questions and learning.
The growth has also brought economic benefits to some remote regions. In Hanle, the number of small hotels has risen sharply over the past three years. The boom has created new jobs for local youth, with residents trained as guides and astro-ambassadors.
Angchuk says the shift has been doubly beneficial. During the day, visitors explore Ladakh's landscape, and by evening, the sky. "Once the sun sets, we dim the lights. That's when they head out to watch the stars and planets," he adds.
As interest grows, state authorities are also getting involved, offering training in telescope use and skywatching, says Bagla. Such programmes can be seen in the Himalayan states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
But scaling up remains a challenge. Reaching remote destinations such as Ladakh or Sariska involves high travel costs, limiting who can take part. Even for those who make the journey, options are scarce: India currently has just one officially recognised dark-sky reserve at Hanle, with another emerging at Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
At the same time, expanding cities and unchecked lighting continue to eat into natural dark skies, making it difficult to develop similar experiences closer to urban cities.
Unlike many Western countries, India also has few organised dark-sky advocacy groups, though awareness is slowly growing.
There are early signs of change, including government-led initiatives, observatories working with local communities and resorts adopting low-light practices. Still, experts say the sector has a long way to go.
For now, for many city residents, these short trips are about more than leisure. They offer a rare chance to reconnect with a night sky that has quietly disappeared from everyday life.
Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Over 50 Startups Are Being Recognised In India Per Day Beyond Period Problems Is ‘Pax Silica’ invite a high-tech trapdoor or breakout moment for India Air India Passenger Slams Airline For ‘Narrow Seat’ With No Window Or Elbow Room Wheel Of Fortune India Investigation after Air India jet engine sucks in cargo container at Delhi airport Motorola Signature confirmed to launch in India on 23rd January Central Bank of India Q3 results Sheltering stray dogs is impractical when evidence shows India’s animal birth control rules work Why India’s struggling wool economy offers a cautionary tale for policy makers
Venezuelan Opposition leader María Corina Machado said on Friday (January 16, 2026) she's confident of her country's eventual transition to democracy after the U.S. military ousted former President Nicolás Maduro. But she acknowledged the challenge of holding free elections after decades
3 minutes ago
Reliance's quick commerce business JioMart clocked a daily order run rate of 1.6 million by the end of December 2025, as per the company's Q3 FY26 investor presentation. This marked a sharp 53% quarter-on-quarter jump and an over 360% year-on-year growth in average daily orders.For comparison
2 minutes ago
Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio delivered a robust performance in the latest quarter, driven by strong subscriber growth, rising data consumption and expanding margins. Revenue from the telecom arm climbed 12.7 per cent year-on-year to Rs 43,683 crore, while EBITDA increased 16.4 per cent to Rs 19
2 minutes ago
While most of us were gearing up for the new year, something happened quietly toward the end of last year. The founders of Google — Larry Page and Sergey Brin — began moving parts of their business and investment structures out of California
2 minutes ago
Amazon's Republic Day Sale 2026 brings a strong opportunity for buyers planning a monitor upgrade for work, gaming, or everyday use. This year's top-rated options cover a wide mix of screen sizes, resolutions, and panel types, catering to home offices, creative setups, and casual desks alike
2 minutes ago
In 1997, the Andhra Pradesh government, which was then a single entity, started a new experiment. They gave land for an institution, but then they backed off and didn't act like a typical overlord. This led to the founding of IIIT Hyderabad, which does not accept the idea of ‘private tyranny'
2 minutes ago
The Supreme Court of India issued a notice to actor Karisma Kapoor regarding an application filed by Priya Sachdev Kapur, the widow of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor on an application filed by Priya Kapur
2 minutes ago
A 4.1 magnitude earthquake jolted Gujarat's Kutch district early Saturday, causing panic but no reported casualties or damage. The tremor's epicenter was located 55 km north northeast of Khavda. Kutch, situated in a high-risk seismic zone, regularly experiences such events
2 minutes ago
JEE Main exam date for West Bengal was recently rescheduled by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The testing agency has postponed the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 exam slated for January 23 in view of clash with the auspicious festival of Saraswati Puja. As per the initial schedule
2 minutes ago
Global economic conditions are expected to weaken, according to World Economic Forum chief economists. Despite this, the outlook has improved modestly. Artificial intelligence, mounting debt, and shifting trade patterns present both challenges and opportunities
2 minutes ago
The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday urged Indian citizens to leave Iran amid the anti-government protests in the country. The ministry said it had issued advisories asking Indians to avoid travelling to Iran and citizens already residing in the West Asian country to leave “by available
2 minutes ago
Rio Olympics gold medallist swimmer Michael Phelps has said that when an individual has a dream, he or she should also have a plan to execute it, because without the plan, the individual is lost, adding that he was afraid to let go of all other sports to swim
2 minutes ago
On a cold winter night, around 200km (125 miles) from the Indian capital Delhi, dozens of people huddle around telescopes, waiting for darkness to settle over the landscape. Over the next few hours, more than 150 meteors streak across the sky - a spectacle all but impossible to witness from India's
2 minutes ago
Counting of votes polled in elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra began on Friday morning with the spotlight on Mumbai, where the BJP-led Mahayuti bloc is locked in a prestige battle with the reunited Thackeray cousins for control of India's richest civic body
2 minutes ago
At 45, Venus Williams is set to become the oldest player in Australian Open women's singles history. She expressed surprise at the record, focusing instead on her comeback and the attitude required in sport. Williams, a seven-time major winner, will face Olga Danilovic in her first-round match
2 minutes ago
An Indian travel influencer recently amazed netizens with some surprising insights about Singapore. In her video, she highlighted the city-state's lush greenery, luxury shopping destinations, efficient public transport, safe neighbourhoods and most notably
2 minutes ago
A road near President Donald Trump's Florida club has been renamed in his honor. This marks the latest in a series of projects and buildings bearing his name since he returned to office. The renaming is symbolic and does not affect official addresses. Trump expressed his honor at the gesture
2 minutes ago
Zimbabwe has bolstered its preparations for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 by appointing West Indies legend Courtney Walsh as bowling consultant. Walsh, with extensive subcontinent experience, will mentor the team as they aim to perform strongly after missing the previous edition
2 minutes ago
An already hard-pressed Election Commission (EC) of Nepal had been working overtime, not just because of the scheduled March 5 parliamentary elections, but also due to a high-stakes case it had to resolve by January 20. Two factions of the Nepali Congress (NC), the country's oldest party
2 minutes ago
Today Gold, Silver Rate January 17: Check 18, 22, 24 carat Gold prices in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata Gold has been regarded as one of the safest investments for many years because it has a proven track record of preserving wealth during periods of inflation and market volatility
2 minutes ago
This year's Republic Day parade on January 26 will celebrate 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'. The event will highlight India's military might and rich culture. Special guests from various fields will attend. The parade will feature advanced military equipment and cultural displays
2 minutes ago
India's Forex Reserves: Value of the gold reserves jumps by $1.568 billion to $112.83 billion during the week ended January 9, according to the RBI. India's forex reserves increased by $392 million to $687.19 billion during the week ended January 9, the Reserve Bank of India said on Friday
2 minutes ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a two-day visit to Assam on Saturday, combining infrastructure projects with cultural engagements, underlining the BJP's push to retain power in the state for a third consecutive term in the 2026 Assembly elections
3 minutes ago
The University Grants Commission's newly notified University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 have sparked a debate on social media, with critics questioning whether the rules, aimed at preventing caste-based discrimination
3 minutes ago
A dense toxic smog engulfed Delhi, with AQI hitting 402 at ITO and Anand Vihar at 442. GRAP-III restrictions reimposed as flights and traffic faced major disruptions. A dense layer of toxic smog engulfed large parts of the national capital on Saturday
2 minutes ago
The man who brought Crystal Palace's eternal dream of major silverware to reality, will walk! Oliver Glasner, who led the Eagles to their maiden trophy in 119 years with their historic FA Cup triumph over Man City last year, confirmed on Friday that he would leave Crystal Palace at the end of the
3 minutes ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran on his birth anniversary. Modi lauded MGR's outstanding contributions to Tamil Nadu's progress and his role in popularizing Tamil culture
3 minutes ago
