TIME Magazine Named These As The Top 3 Unmissable Experiences In India
Unravel India’s modern cultural tapestry with three immersive experiences at the Manam Chocolate Karkhana, the Museum of Solutions, and the mountain-cradled restaurant Naar.
Earlier this year TIME Magazine released 100 extraordinary destinations to explore in 2024. India with its rich mosaic of sensations and landscapes was included thrice on this list. We found that each destination, while while distinct, shares a common thread of storytelling, innovation and a deep respect for tradition.
1. Take A Bite of History at the Manam Chocolate Karkhana, Hyderabad
For over six decades, India has been growing cacao, yet we aren’t known for fine-flavoured craft chocolate and Manam Chocolate is here to flip the script. Inside the bustling heart of Hyderabad, on a busy road in Banjara Hills, lies the flagship Manam Chocolate Karkhana. Walking into this 10,000 sq. ft. experiential haven is like being embraced by a Charlie and The Chocolate Factory fever dream come alive. Here, retail meets craft in a seamless blend, inviting visitors to discover and interact with chocolate in all its forms. The air is brimming with the scent of freshly baked croissants, toasty macarons and the decadent aroma of chakkarakeli banana soft serve swirling into cones before wide-eyed visitors.
Downstairs, the Manam Café is an airy, glass-walled atrium where tables cluster around a cacao tree—its presence is a silent tribute to the ingredient that makes it all possible. From the Malt Truffles made with 43% Single Origin West Godavari Chocolate to their bonbons filled with ganache from fruits as vibrant as the land they grow in, each creation is a testament to the diversity and richness of Indian cacao. Whether it’s one of their Snacking Collection thins—delicate chocolate squares that melt softly on your tongue—or a subtly tart Blueberry Dragee, you are soaking in more than just an ingeniously layered confection.
Also read: This Valentine’s Day Meet The Willy Wonkas Of India Craft Architectural Chocolates, And Cake Art
2. Trace The Evolution of Learning At MuSo, Mumbai
The Museum of Solutions (MuSo) is a place where children are empowered to think critically and creatively about the world around them, preparing them to be mindful citizens who can contribute meaningfully to society. Sprawled across 100,000 square feet in Mumbai’s Lower Parel district, MuSo is an experiential haven that challenges the status quo of what a museum represents, moving away from being a repository of historical artefacts to becoming a dynamic space where knowledge and creativity are continuously cultivated. The building’s design is divided into thematic areas such as Engagement, Reading, Play, Discovery, and Making; each crafted to stimulate hands-on learning. Whether they’re engineering sailboats or debating over complex environmental challenges, children at MuSo are equipped with resources to turn their ideas into action.
The first six floors, open to the public, house essential infrastructure, including a children’s library. The museum’s immersive experience begins on the seventh floor with the Play Zone—a carnivalesque realm where science comes to life. This floor is compartmentalised into robust sections like ‘Air Play,’ ‘Build It’ and ‘Water Play,’ each laid out carefully to instil STEM concepts in a tangible, exciting way. A beloved highlight is the ‘Luckey Climber,’ a towering three-story maze that coaxes kids to climb while picking up spatial navigation skills and team building in the process. Through interactive technology and an open-plan layout, the museum creates an ecosystem where architecture recedes, allowing the exhibits and activities to take the spotlight.
3. Soul Search among the Himalayas with Naar, Kasauli
Where the mist curls around old-growth pines and the air hums with the whispers of bygone legends, the culinary haven Naar perches upon a serene promontory in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. The architecture, a mellifluous symphony of four blocks, appears to grow organically from the forest floor overlooking a constellation of majestic ranges. This is a 16-seater sanctuary where every element is meticulously crafted to tell the story of the mountains, their people and their produce. Each dish is a chapter in the grand narrative of the mountains—a tale told through salvaged herbs, aged fruits, and hand-grown vegetables from their two-acre farm at the Amaya boutique resort.
Here, the land’s bounty is not just harvested but celebrated, with ancient techniques like fermentation, smoking, and curing, breathing life into each element. Chef and Founder Prateek Sadhu’s journey to create Naar is rooted deeply in his Kashmiri heritage and his relentless curiosity about the culinary arts. The menu beautifully flourishes with the seasons, offering six distinct iterations. This spirit of serendipity extends to the crafting of an equally imaginative beverage menu, where meticulously curated wines and flavourful cocktails harmonise with the dining experience.
