Anjali Phougat says monsoon makes her feel like nature is giving the earth a fresh start

For US-based Indian designer and actress Anjali Phougat, the monsoon isn't just a season - it's a mood. She says the rains bring a quiet sense of renewal that she looks forward to every year, from the smell of wet earth to the cooler air and the lush greenery that takes over.

According to Anjali, monsoon has a way of softening everything around it. She describes it as a time when nature seems to wrap the earth in an embrace, breathing new life into it.

When the rain starts pouring, her routine doesn't change much - it just slows down. She likes to put on some music, get lost in a good book, and curl up with a hot cup of chai. Catching up on her favourite movies and shows is part of the ritual too, along with journaling and stepping out occasionally to photograph the season, something she considers one of the most rewarding parts of monsoon.

Music plays a big role in how she experiences the rains, and one song in particular stays on repeat for her: the classic Rimjhim Gire Sawan. She finds that it captures romance and nostalgia in a way that makes the rain feel almost cinematic, with a melody gentle enough to turn any rainy afternoon into something dreamlike.

Food is where Anjali doesn't need a second thought. Crispy pakoras paired with masala chai top her list without question - a combination she calls pure comfort, especially while watching the rain fall outside.

As for getting away during the season, Lonavala is her pick every time. The hill station's waterfalls, fog-draped hills, and overall calm make it feel almost otherworldly to her, and she considers it the ideal spot to unwind and reconnect with nature during the monsoon months.