QCD thermodynamics with HISQ action

We present recent results on chiral and deconfinement aspects of the QCD transition using lattice calculations with the Highly Improved Staggered Quark (HISQ) action. We will discuss the role of taste symmetry violation, inherent in the staggered formulation, in several observables including the trace anomaly, fluctuation of conserved charges, chiral condensate and its susceptibility. We will compare the lattice results with the prediction of the Hadron Resonance Gas model and give an estimate of the chiral transition temperature.