The new domestic terminal 1D at Delhi Airport is all set to open tomorrow. Airlines will be shifting there in phases. Kingfisher Airlines, Kingfisher Red, and IndiGo Airlines are to be the first airlines to operate from the terminal.

The new terminal has been built as part of the upgrade of Delhi Airport. It sounds pretty impressive. The highlights are an in-line baggage screening system (so no need to get your bags x-rayed before check in anymore), 72 check in counters, and eight entry gates. Hopefully, these improvements will reduce a lot of the delays at the airport.

If you’ve flown out of the new terminal, I’d love to hear what you think of it.

Indian Railway has decreased its passenger fares by 2% on Mail Express Trains and Ordinary Trains, effective from April 1, 2009.

The reduction applies to all classes of travel from 1AC to second class unreserved. It doesn’t apply to travel on Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi, Garib Rath and Rajdhani trains though.

Refunds are being offered to those who booked their tickets in advance of the fare revision. However, Indian Railways is yet to determine the procedure for refunds on e-tickets booked over the internet.

In contrast to India’s declining tiger and leopard population, the number of rhinoceroses is on the up and up. There’s been a 10% increase in the rhinoceros population at Kaziranga National Park over the last three years. The park now has over 2,000 of these endangered creatures.

Isolated and picturesque Kaziranga National Park in Assam is home to many threatened species, not just the rhinoceros. The park does however afford a special opportunity to see the prehistoric looking rhino because it’s only one of two parks in India that has them. Sightings are common, and you can explore the park on elephant back.

Chithirai Festival is actually a 10 day festival and this is one of the biggest celebrations in Madurai. It commemorates the wedding of Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi (Lord Vishnu’s sister).

Legend has it that Lord Vishnu came to Madurai, mounted on a golden horse, to witness the wedding. The festival recreates this event. This year it is being held from April 26 to May 7, at the Meenakshi Temple.