India is a land of mesmerizing diversity, where ancient traditions seamlessly blend with the vibrant energy of modern life. There is an incredible variety of life and experiences of a lifetime to have which you simply can’t get enough of and feel the need to return over and over again for more. Beyond its reputation as a hub for business in India, this South Asian gem offers an enchanting array of destinations that beckon travelers from all corners of the globe.
From the bustling streets of Delhi to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, and from the grandeur of the Taj Mahal to the spiritual serenity of Varanasi, there’s an adventure awaiting every type of wanderer. Join us as we embark on a journey to discover five captivating places that promise not only to satisfy your wanderlust but also to reveal the incredible tapestry of experiences that make India an irresistible travel destination.
Here we have curated 5 of the best and most interesting places to visit to get the best out of the Indian culture.
Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal or the “Water Palace” was built on Man Sagar Lake. The palace seems to be just one-story high but there are 4 more levels below sea level. Although it is named the Water Palace, it was never intended to be one. It was initially built as a hunting lodge for the Raja.
Its landscape was changed in the 16th century when a severe drought caused the locals to create a dam. The dam gave rise to the lake and the lower portions of the lodge.
Unfortunately, the building is inaccessible to tourists. You can view the building from the land which is even more amazing in the evenings.
Hampi
Hampi is truly a destination one must not skip when in India. It is located in Tungabhadra, Karnataka where the Vijayanagara Kingdom once stood. It had its rule as the Hindu capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in the Southern part of India. Archaeologists believe that the kingdom must have had a population of 2,50,000 people. That would have made it the largest city in the world at that time.
In the year 1565, it witnessed a fall when it was invaded by the Muslim colonizers from the North. The site is home to many wonderful architectural wonders and the archaeological building is more Indo-Saracenic. Which means it has a combination of the Vijayanagar style and the Islamic style of architecture. Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The best way to explore is to walk through the countless architectural wonders like the abandoned cities of Palmyra or Teotihuacan, by checking out the wonderful carvings and beautiful paintings to reminisce about how the glory of Hampi was once.
The Great Wall of India
This is the wall that surrounds the ancient fort of Kumbhalgarh. The fort complex is really huge with over 300 ancient temples. The complex is often referred to as the Kumbhalgarh Wall or simply Kumbhalgarh Fort as a whole. It extends over 36 kilometers around the fort. Making it to be known as the second-longest continuous wall on the planet after the very famous Great Wall of China.
The wall is breathtakingly huge and astoundingly impressive with beautifully structured stone bricks decorated on the top. This fort as well as 5 other forts have been registered as designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visitors must however be aware the wall may be well protected but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t busy. Therefore those who visit need to be well aware of the accidents that may have the potential to take place.
Hanuman Temple
Hanuman Temple of Galtaji in Jaipur is more like a sanctuary than a temple. It’s famous for the tribe of the deity Hanuman’s present-day monkey relatives that reside there. Hindu pilgrims gather there to bathe in the pools of spring waters located on a hill, high above the flatlands of Jaipur.
This temple as the name evidently suggests is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is well known for its monkey tribe inhabitants. They are well known for being mischievous and creating chaos for the people. The monkeys have also come to be featured in a National Geographic TV show named “Rebel Monkeys”
Golden Temple
No trip to India is complete without visiting the very famous Golden Temple. The beautifully gold-coated gurudwara in Amritsar is the most sacred place for Sikhs. Thousands of pilgrims, tourists, and followers arrive daily to worship, pray, and get peaceful vibes.
Every gurudwara offers langar, a free communal kitchen. And it serves up to 50,000 free meals to all these visitors who show up. You really have to witness and volunteer in the communal kitchen to get a true experience. It was started by Guru Nanak who was a Sikh Guru and upheld the principles of equality regardless of gender, caste, religion, color, etc. Truly a magical experience that teaches us the ethics of community and inclusiveness.
Bonus: Travel Tips
Countries are in a phased manner lifting up the travel ban due to the pandemic and everything is undergoing changes to come to the new normal. Amidst all of these changes, safety is the most important concern now, especially in travel.
If you decide to travel, opt for an airline that maintains high standards of safety and hygiene. They should carry out absolute safety and disinfection measures at the airport as well as on your flight.
Choose a convenient booking platform or business in India from which you can get your reservations done seamlessly. We recommend using a platform that also provides updated travel information like travel trends, safety protocols, and airline advisory, which makes it easier to make an informed decision about traveling.
