India is the world’s largest democracy, seventh largest country by area and the second most populous nation in the world. With so much diversity in every aspect and a great deal to offer to the tourism community, you simply cannot miss out on adding India to your bucket list. The stark contrast between rural towns with traditional ideals and cities with more modern and straightforward opinions just blend seamlessly and come together to form a whole. Here is a list of reasons you might want to look at so that you don’t miss out on this gem.
A warm welcome
Indians strongly believe in ‘Athiti devo bhava’ which literally translates to ‘Guest is God’ and therefore you can guess the level of hospitality you will receive all through the country. You will always feel at home with Indian hospitality. The locals in rural places are some people that will treat you with the utmost warmth and kindness. To live and feel like a king, a stay at one of Udaipur’s famous palace hotels is a must. Places like the City Palace of Jaipur or Taj Falaknuma Palace of Hyderabad are ideal if you just want to treat yourself to a royal stay.
Rich history
All history geeks are in for a treat with the rich history of India. Be it extravagant palaces or archaeological sites, every location has a story of its own. UNESCO has declared 38 places in India as World Heritage Sites. India also prides housing one of the Seven Wonders of the World that is the Taj Mahal. India is also home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world and the architecture of these monuments is a witness to that. Taj Mahal in Agra, Red Fort and Qutub Minar in Delhi, Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, Sanchi Stupa in Sanchi and Gateway of India in Mumbai are a few places that are worth the visit.
Diversity in geography
India is blessed with so much diversity in its landscape, you will find a picturesque view in every state of the country. From mountain ranges in the north to the backwaters of the south and from the deserts of the west to the forests of the east there are plenty of options to explore. The variety in geographical aspects causes a wide range of flora and fauna to grow and flourish. A great way of experiencing nature at its finest is going on wildlife safaris or camping. Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, Kaas Plateau of Maharashtra, Mount Abu in Rajasthan, Backwaters of Kerala, Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, Dudhsagar Falls in Goa are some of Mother Nature’s best creations.
Pathway to spirituality
On a quest to find inner peace? Look no further, India has you covered. With places like Uttarakhand known as ‘Devbhumi’ which literally translates to ‘The Land of Gods’ you know where to begin your journey to self-discovery. You will find people of all religious beliefs living in complete harmony in the country. India is the origin place of the meditation form called ‘Yoga’ that has now taken the West by storm. The evening ‘aarti’ (worship) on the banks of the river Ganga or the annual Kumbh Mela holds a very special place in the hearts of believers. Varanasi, Haridwar, Dharamshala, Rishikesh are all places to visit if you need some peace of mind.
Adventure sports for an adrenaline rush
The diversity in nature and geography guarantees a wide range of adventure activities all throughout the country. From scuba diving to bungee jumping one will find all sorts of fun and adventure filled activities to try out while in India. Name an adventure sport and I guarantee that you will find at least one place that organizes it. To be honest traveling to India is one big adventure on its own as it is but you can always count on these adventure sports to give you your share of thrill and adrenaline rush. Scuba diving in Andaman Nicobar, bungee jumping in Rishikesh, paragliding in Manali and river rafting in Sikkim are just a few options.
A foodie’s paradise
If you are a die-hard foodie at heart then you should definitely visit India. From fine dining to street food, the mouth-watering cuisines of this country know no end. Mumbai’s famous ‘vada-pav’ to Hyderabad’s flavourful ‘biryani’ your taste buds are in for a treat. Indians take food very seriously and perhaps the wide variety of cuisine speaks for itself. There is a plethora of options available for vegetarians and non-vegetarians as well. Indian food is well loved all around the world for its use of spices and flavors. When in India make sure that you try the local cuisine of that place. ‘Makke ki roti aur sarso ka saag’ — a delicacy from Punjab, Bengal’s reputed ‘Roshugulla’ and Konkan’s ‘Sol kadhi’ are some delicacies loved by everyone.
Land of festivities
Festivals truly bring out the unity among Indians. During Holi, you will see everyone enjoy the festival of colors no matter what their religion is or during Eid you will see many non-Muslims indulge in ‘Sheer-kurma’ which is a delicacy made specially on Eid. These festivals perfectly portray how despite the fact that so many cultures reside in one country, there is nothing but respect and love for everyone. No matter when you decide to come to India, we are always celebrating something or the other all year round. Fairs like the Kumbh Mela and Pushkar Mela of Rajasthan attract a lot of tourists from all over the globe.
Happening nightlife
In India, Mumbai is known as the city that never sleeps. Goa is the ultimate party destination and also the place that organizes Sunburn — Asia’s largest music festival, every year. Big cities like Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Kolkata really come alive at night as all the youngsters are partying the night away at popular clubs. Get in the groove and enjoy some good music and dance it out to the beats of your favorite dance party numbers.
Shopping
The joy of bargaining and shopping from road side stalls is a different experience altogether. To get your fix of junk jewellery Colaba Causeway in Mumbai and Sarojini Nagar in Delhi are some of the top picks. With a little scouting you will find some unique and fun pieces that will add that extra spice to your wardrobe.
Value for money
If the above reasons aren’t convincing enough, then here’s another one as to why you should add India to your list of ideal travel destinations. Traveling in India is really pocket friendly and you will definitely get the most out of your money’s worth that is for sure. There are a bunch of options and alternatives catering to all price ranges so you are most likely to find your fit. If you are on a tight budget then backpacking trips to the North are comparatively cheaper as to splurging on a dream vacation in Udaipur.
These are some of my top reasons as to why you should be planning your next trip to this beautiful country.
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Do let us know in the comments what other reasons make India an ideal destination for any kind of trip.
Author : Rachel D’souza
