India is a country which is the world’s largest democracy. It is also a veritable treasure house of varied experiences for the traveler. Whether you are interested in losing yourself in spectacular landscapes or being awed by heritage structures that date way back in history, India is the place to head to. India is a vast country with its sights and attractions spread across the length and breadth of the country. However the country is well connected by rail, road, and air. Delhi is the Capital of India. It is easy and convenient to say book flights from Delhi to Mumbai or any other major city or town of India.
Here are our 5 top reasons why India should be on your bucket list.
Reason One- The Monuments of India
If you had only one reason to visit India and that were to visit its monuments, that reason is more than enough. On top of that if that list of monuments includes the Taj Mahal, then I am sure most people would head to India just to visit the Taj Mahal. Of course it would be nothing short of blasphemy if one were to visit India and not pay a mandatory visit to the Taj Mahal situated in the northern town of Agra in India. But if you were to look beyond the Taj Mahal, you will realize that India is virtually dotted with magnificent monuments and heritage sites which are unique and real gems not to be missed. Some of the monuments that one must see when in India include the Qutb Minar in Delhi, the Char Minar in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, the Gateway of India in the western Indian city of Mumbai, the Ajanta Caves in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, the Konark Sun temple in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, and so on. Actually the list is endless and would take chapters to list down each of the monuments that decorate India and stretch across its surface like a carpet strewn with precious stones.
Reason Two- The Natural Wonders of India
India is a country with very diverse and varied natural landscapes. You can experience the wild beauty of the arid deserts of Rajasthan in India. Contrast that with the snow clad mountains of the Himalayan ranges.
So it is only in India you that you can watch a spectacular sunset on the sand dunes of the Thar desert in Rajasthan and be off next day hiking in the snow trails of the Himalayas. It is in India that you will be enchanted by cruising on a luxurious house boat on the serene backwaters of Kerala one day and on the next be thrilled by the biodiversity of the UNESCO World heritage site of the Western Ghats. It is only in India that you can laze on the gorgeous beaches of Goa on one day and be on a boat cruising the Mangrove forests of the Sundarbans in West Bengal on the other. Again this is just a few glimpses of what India has to offer to the nature enthusiast. Needless to say India is a haven for those looking to have different and unique experiences in nature.
Reason Three- The Wildlife of India
India may not be Africa in terms of wildlife, but it is an impressive destination for wildlife alone. It has a rich spectrum of wildlife which is preserved and protected in more than five hundred wildlife sanctuaries, more than a hundred and twenty National Parks and eighteen Bio-reserves. The world has a total of thirty six identified bi-diversity hotspots and India has three of these.
The wildlife that is teeming in India includes the Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Leopard and Snow Leopard, the Great Indian Rhinoceros, different species of deer, the Indian Elephant and many more. Some of the must visit hotspots for spotting wildlife in India are Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, Jim Corbett in the northern state of Uttarakhand, the Kanha National Park situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh, and the Kaziranga National Park that is located in the North-Eastern state of Assam. Indeed India is a country where your wild dreams crystallize into reality.
Reason Four- The Rich Culture of India
India is a virtual melting pot of culture. Across history India has had successive impacts of culture from across the world. The Dutch, The Portuguese, the British, the Persians, the Moghuls and many others have left their influence in the country. While at the same time the indigenous culture too has been nurtured and thrives. India has a rich culture of music, dance, drama and handloom and handicrafts. Dances like Bharatanatyam and Kathakali from the south of India mesmerize with their rhythm while at the same time strains of the Sitar resonate throughout the land. The intricately woven silk sarees of Kanchipuram and Varanasi enthrall with their brilliance while the colourful handcrafted fabrics of the Kutch district in the western state of Gujarat captivate with their brilliance. Coming to popular and contemporary culture the Indian film industry known as Bollywood is the World’s largest film industry when it comes to film production. The colourful culture of India is nowhere more evident than its numerous festivals that are celebrated across the country. Some of the notable Indian festivals are Diwali which is known as the festival of Lights, Holi also known as the festival of colours, Ganesh Chaturthi, Uttaran or Kite festival. The culture of India needs to be experienced immersively and getting out to India exclusively to understand and celebrate its culture is always a great option.
Reason Five- The Cuisine of India
The intriguing diversity of India is visible in all its facets and also its cuisine. This is why it is one of the best travel spots. India has a mind-boggling array of food which varies from north to south and east to west. Whether you are a vegetarian, vegan, or non-vegetarian, you are sure to be overwhelmed with the spread of food that you will find across the country. Some of the dishes that you must taste in India are its famed Biryani in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, the Masala Dosa in Bangalore or any other town or city in the southern part of the country. Of course you need to sweeten your mouth with tantalizing Indian desserts like the Gulab Jamun and Gajar ka Halwa which are available throughout the country.
So do you think these reasons are enough for you to want to head to India? What are your thoughts?
