Best Travel to India by Grand, populous, and unique. India is like that: full of qualities. They say that a trip to this gigantic country makes the traveler a new person, more human, and with a more open mind. Perhaps this change happens because of the mysticism that hangs in the air, the colors and aromas that dominate the busy streets, or because India is the land of inspiring figures like Gandhi and Buddha. Maybe it’s simply because beauty and poverty coexist in one place – and that can be transformative.
Best Travel to India’s greatness has several facets. The first of these is the size of its population: India is the second most populous country in the world, with more than 1 billion inhabitants. Secondly, comes its territory: it is the seventh-largest country by geographic area in the world. All this grandeur in population and territory presents the visitor with different activities since each region of India meets a different profile and has different attractions. You may prefer to visit historic temples, practice yoga, or study Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medicine. And how about staying in an ashram, like in the movie “Eat, Pray, Love”. These spiritual retreat centers are a great option for those who want to slow down and practice meditation. If you prefer luxury, wonderful palaces full of comfort will be waiting for you.
Is this your first time traveling to India? Our suggestion is to start with the Golden Triangle, which includes Delhi, the capital of India, Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, and Jaipur, the pink city and capital of Rajasthan. It is also worth visiting the Rajasthan region, which is home to Udaipur, one of the most romantic cities in India, and the desert. The northern region of the country has beautiful cities for hiking, trekking, and hotels with breathtaking views of the Himalayas. In southern India, you will have the chance to rest on beautiful beaches, with lots of nature, coconuts, and Ayurveda massages. Best Travel to India as there is no shortage of variety of destinations in India, you can also go on a safari in Ranthambore, a balloon ride in Jaipur, or even visit Calcutta, the city that made Mother Teresa famous after the Catholic nun built hospitals and nursing homes, schools, orphanages, and leper colonies. Anyway, get ready for an unforgettable trip!
In Best Travel to India, when you land in vibrant and chaotic Delhi, you’ll notice some contrasts right away. The capital of India is divided into two cities: the new and the old. Ancient Delhi was the capital of Muslim India and is still home to mosques, monuments, and forts worth visiting. Start at the Red Fort, a beautiful building made of red stones that marks Mongol rule. At the Raj Ghat memorial, it is possible to visit the place where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes are located. There, in front of the Red Fort, is also Jama Masjid, the largest and most beautiful Muslim mosque in India. In Old Delhi, there is also Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest markets in the old city. The place has existed for more than three centuries and merchants from Turkey, Holland, and China have visited there.
In New Delhi you will find many parks and low-rise colonial-style buildings, as well as government buildings, such as the Parliament, India Gate (World War I Memorial) and, the Presidential Palace “Rashtrapati Bhawan”. Be sure to visit the Qutab Minar Complex, a group of monuments and buildings that are examples of Indo-Islamic architecture and which, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Among the most famous buildings in the place are the tallest brick minaret in India (73 meters high!) and the Iron Pillar, the only relic of the ancient Hindu temple that inexplicably remains rust-free.
Another city that should be on the itinerary of anyone visiting India is Jaipur. The capital of Rajasthan is also known as the “Pink City” and is home to interesting tourist attractions, such as the Galta Temple, also known as the Monkey Temple. One of the highlights of the tour through the region, however, is the monumental Amber Fort, a fortress located eleven kilometers from Jaipur. Access to the place also guarantees a unique experience: it can be done in a jeep or on the back of an elephant.
Still in Jaipur, there is the Maharaja’s Palace, a royal residence that was converted into a museum, the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory, built in stone and marble, and the Birla Mandir Hindu temple.
And what about Agra? The city is home to one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world, the Taj Mahal mausoleum. The beautiful building was built at the behest of Emperor Shah Jahan as a symbol of his love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child. The novel does not end there and the story continues in the fort of Agra, where Emperor Shah Jahan’s sons decided to arrest him after learning that their father had decided to build a mausoleum similar to the Taj Mahal, but this time in black marble.
Khajuraho, in turn, houses an interesting temple complex. There, all attention must be on the details! This is because the temples of Khajuraho, built between the 10th and 11th centuries during the Chandela dynasty, were carved into rock with designs that portray everyday life and social life at the time – often through sexuality and the Kama-Sutra.
In Varanasi, a city considered sacred by Hindus and one of the oldest inhabited, it’s time to take a rickshaw ride, a means of transport that uses human traction. On the banks of the Ganges River it will be possible to watch the aarti ceremony, which takes place every day in the late afternoon and is impressive due to the use of candles and oil lamps lit in offerings to the gods. It is fascinating!
A boat trip along the sacred Ganges River will give you an insight into the spirituality of the Indian people: while enjoying the sunrise, you will also be able to observe the cremation sites and Hindu purification baths. Buddhism, in turn, gains prominence in the city of Sarnath, located a few kilometers from Varanasi. There, Buddha would have given his first sermon to his disciples, expounding the principles of Buddhism.
Next stop: Rishikesh. In the region, there is a lot to visit! Start at the Vashishtha Gufa cave, where the sage Vashishtha lived in seclusion and deep meditation for many years. More adventurous travelers will enjoy the chance to go rafting on the Ganges River. The tour takes on a mystical air with a visit to the Kunjapuri Temple, high on one of the Himalayan peaks, to enjoy the sunset.
Still in the Rishikesh region, visit the holy city of Haridwar, one of the oldest and most sacred pilgrimage centers in India. In the area full of Hindu temples, there are numerous religious festivals where you can experience a bit of the complex Indian culture.
Then it’s time to visit Udaipur, in Rajasthan. The beautiful and romantic city, also known as “Venice of the East”, is almost a mosaic of marble buildings. A must-see is the City Palace, built in the 16th century on the banks of Lake Pichola which is a mix of Rajput and Mongolian influences. Afterward, head to the Jagdish Temple, built in the 17th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. And how about a trip to Sahelion-ki Bari? The place also known as the “Garden of Friends” functioned as a leisure space for the ladies of the court and has lakes, rose gardens, and elephants carved in marble.
When taking a boat ride on Lake Pichola, you will be surprised to see Jag Mandir, a palace located on an island in the middle of the lake. Finally, don’t miss the ancient temples of Eklingji & Nagda, dedicated to Shiva and carved in marble and sandstone.
In Jodhpur, visit the impressive Mehrangarh Fortress, five kilometers long, situated on a hill 125 meters high above the city and from which you can see the blue citadel. Another must-see building is the Jaswant Thada, a white marble memorial built by Sardar Singh in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.
The Umaid Bhawan Palace is truly magnificent, which houses a luxurious hotel and also serves as the main residence for the Royal Family. Even today, the place is one of the largest private residences in the world. You can get to know a little about the interior of the building by visiting the small museum where traditional objects from Jodhpur’s royal heritage are on display.
More information about Best Travel to India:
- Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
- Language: Hindi and English
- Best time to visit: Each region of India has a best time to travel.
- In general, the best time is from mid-September to early April (late autumn and winter). Avoid the rainy season (June to August). In the mountains of northern India, it is recommended to visit from April to September, when the climate is milder, as it is intensely cold during winter and it can snow.
During the months of April to July the heat can be very intense, so it is not recommended.
Best Travel to India by Delighted Journey