Homecoming

October 2026

Even as borders shrink and the world becomes more accessible, allowing us to roam far and wide, there is something inexplicable about the quiet joy of coming home.

That spirit is beautifully reflected in the theme of this issue—Homecoming. Whether it is returning to loved ones during the festive season, revisiting cherished traditions that have survived centuries or rediscovering flavours and memories that evoke a sense of belonging—homecoming is less about a destination and more about a feeling. As musician Shankar Mahadevan, who celebrates several multicultural festivals, tells us, “Homecoming is deeply connected to family, music, and those familiar experiences that transport you back in time.”

It is this search for connection and rediscovery that shapes the journeys we share in these pages. We take you to Varanasi, this time away from the ghats, to the craftspeople keeping traditions alive; in Goa we show you a totally different side of the coastal state, which may have earned the moniker of being a party place, but hides in its leafy fronds a rich local culture; in Bhopal, navigate a page in history through the unique namak wali chai; and if gastronomy is your passion, read our piece on Japan’s layered cuisine where true luxury is found in restraint. Every story goes beyond the obvious to find real connection.

Carrying this forward, we bring you our onboard culinary innovation, the Cutting Chai, served at 35,000 feet so you can feel the warmth of home in a sip every time you fly Air India. It is just one small way of making your homecoming journey more personal.

It is a feeling that we have had the privilege of carrying across continents and generations. As we embark on the festive season, we hope the stories in these pages remind you of the many ways we all find our way home.

Happy Reading!