Discover India: From the Taj Mahal to Kerala’s Backwaters

India: A Vibrant Tapestry of Culture and Adventure

India is an exotic country where ‘Kaleidoscope of colours’ ‘Garden of variety’ ‘Treasure house of experience’ India; a country rich in its cultural and historical heritage, abounding in variety of ‘religion, culture, cuisine and landscapes’, exuding ‘romance and adventure’. India is perhaps ‘nothing less than a painting on the most colourful canvas of nature’, offering ‘an amazing collection of experiences’ in its ‘unparalleled grandeur.’ In this magnum opus travelogue, we have mapped the entire stretch and saturation of India’s ‘dazzling variety’ as a holistic grid to gain an insight into the ‘prime locations for any adventure’, the ‘best spiritual encounters’, and the ‘breath-taking exoticism’ that India offers, so that India can truly be a one-stop destination for any traveller.

1. The Taj Mahal: A Testament to Love and Architecture

The Taj Mahal in Agra in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site.Taj Mahal, a love monument with a treasure-filled hidden world The majestic landmark of the Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved late wife Mumtaz Mahal, situated in Agra in northern India, was completed in 1653. How did they accomplish such greatness, both in terms of workmanship and symmetrical majesty? Marvel at exquisite sculptures in white marble, the surrounding gardens and breathtaking symmetry that make the Taj Mahal a recognised global icon of eternal love.

Agra in India is famous for the beautiful marble mausoleum named the Taj Mahal. Emperor Shah Jahan built it in 1632 to commemorate his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child. The Taj Mahal has attracted a large number of tourists each year and it is a world-known symbol of love and romantic mausoleum. The entire mausoleum is made of white marble and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and fountains. It impresses visitors with its lavish marble work and breathtaking symmetry. The 40-metre high dome and four telliminar towers reflect the blue sky and therefore form a magnificent silhouette. The tomb is located in the centre, with eight small gardens around it, representing the eight paradises mentioned in the Koran. The Taj Mahal is also surrounded by four reflecting pools that echo the gardens, and each pool has four fountains. The Taj Mahal conveys a sense of eternity and thus a visit to this place is an experience of India’s cultural heritage.

2. Jaipur: The Pink City of Rajasthan

Or spend your time learning about Jaipur’s regal past, the city of fairy-tale forts and palaces and manic markets. The splendid Amber Fort that crowns a hill above the city. The City Palace and stately Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind) that ignore a roadside rumpus below. Or the nearby Jantar Mantar, or astronomical observatory.

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan known as the Pink City of India, was one of our stops. This place is rich in history and culture, filled with breathtaking palaces, forts and colourful markets. Start by visiting the magnificent Amber Fort situated on a hill with an amazing view of the city below. Tour the grand City Palace and the intricate Palace of Winds, better known as the Hawa Mahal. Do not miss out on experiencing the lively hustle and bustle at the infamous Jaipur markets where local artisans display multicoloured handicrafts along with traditional Rajasthani merchandise. Jaipur is one of India’s precious gems waiting to be discovered.

3. Varanasi: The Spiritual Heart of India

Here are the millenary and traditional riverside city of Varanasi, alive with colour, tradition and spirituality, where the Ganga Aarti (priestly ritual offering to the river on the Ganges riverbanks) is celebrated at Dashashwamedh Ghat with singing, praying and chanting prayers with traditional music; and ghats (a series of stone steps leading down to the holy water) of Varanasi by pontoon boat at dawn, when the daily ritual of purification, bathing and cremation of corpses on the opposite riverbank swamp the riverbanks with devotees from all over India.

Varanasi, known as India’s Spiritual Heart, was like no other place I’ve ever been. Sitting beside the holy Ganges River, and a stop for many Hindus who flock to the city to be cleansed of their sins and purified on the banks of the sacred river, Varanasi is undoubtedly a holy place for pilgrims. From dawn to dusk, all along the ‘ghats’ or steps down to the holy river, devotees perform sacred rituals, pray and even cremate bodies. The experience of watching the dramatic Ganga Aarti ceremony at dusk, where priests pray to the river by lighting lamps, is a memorable one. The lanes of the city are lined with old temples, revealing the rich heritage of spirituality in India.

4. The Backwaters of Kerala: Serenity amidst Nature’s Bounty

Stay on traditional houseboats and cruise the backwaters, an intricate system of canals and lagoons dividing villages and tropical bush and slow arcing palms. Visit small villages, farm huts, stay with the local community and eat traditional cuisine.

This simply sums up the majesty of the Backwaters of Kerala as one of the superb places in India to relax and take a break from the heady commercialism of city life. The Backwaters are so named because they are a network of a hundreds of canals, lakes and lagoons that snakes through the southwestern region of Kerala connecting the cities of Kochi and Kollam in Karala’s capital Trivandrum as the major cities along the Arabian sea.

Gliding through the backwaters of Kerala on traditional houseboats or locally known as kettuvallams is the preferred way of exploring this place where nature has fulsomely engulfs both the traveler and the townships standing tall on the edge of the effervescent backwaters, with lush green paddy fields on one side and swaying coconut palms on the other. The backwaters are lined up with azure water villas resembling the Venetian canals, beautiful willow trees adding to the calm of the region and quaint little traditional homestays dotting the region. Being accommodated in a local house or a homestay in the backwaters means getting acquainted with the culture, food, people and their local flavours.

5. The Golden Temple: A Sanctuary of Peace and Harmony

Visit Amritsar (Pool of the Nectar of Immortality) in Punjab, northern India to witness the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib or ‘Abode of God’, temple in the middle pool). This is the holiest Sikh shrine and ‘the throne of the Sikh religion and the holiest of the holies for them’ – a place of universal spiritual fraternity and brotherhood. See the shimmering gold of the temple amid the water of the surrounding pool (Sarovar or ‘sea’). Meals are prepared and given free to all by volunteers at the Golden Temple langar (communal kitchen) and are served for thousands of pilgrims daily, castes, religions or creeds notwithstanding.

The Golden Temple at Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, Punjab. Photo courtesy the writerThe Golden Temple in Amritsar (Harmandir Sahib) is considered the centre of the human universe for Sikhs. This masterpiece not only represents the Sikh ideals of equality, compassion and the mandate to serve humanity, but it is also a perfect example of those ideals at work. Covered in gold leaf, the golden glow of the temple reflects a spiritual light inwardly. All are welcome, with dignity and equality, without condition or question. Langar, the Sikh community kitchen, serving thousands of free, vegetarian meals daily. Food prepared in the langar is served alongside ideas.

6. Ranthambore National Park: Wildlife Safari in the Heart of India

Go on a wildlife safari in a jeep or on the back of an elephant through Ranthambore National Park — home to Bengal tigers and a veritable zoo of other flora and fauna. Spot tigers, leopards and deer in the wild, as well as dazzling varieties of peacocks and other exotic birds. Gain insight into the conservation efforts that go into protecting Ranthambore’s tigers, and hear all about the successful breeding stories that have made the beautiful species survive into many generations.

In the heart of India, Ranthambore National Park offers breathtaking wildlife safaris. It is a wildlife lover paradise with a diverse variety of flora and fauna. Spot tigers, leopards and other rare species of animals as you embark on a safari ride through the rugged terrain and steep cliffs of this scenic place. Ranthambore National Park also allows you to spot numerous species of rare birds. Besides, the ruins of the Ranthambore fort’s majestic walls give an insight into the area’s history, while conservation projects aim to help conserve the area’s unique plants and animals for future generations to appreciate.

7. Hampi: The Forgotten Empire of Vijayanagara

Think back to Hampi, medieval capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Trot round its ruins, the broken remains of the empire’s temples, palaces and monuments: go to the site of the Virupaksha Temple and the Vittala Temple Complex. Look at them, carved buildings and stone edifices, rocks and archways, eternal reminders of the life and complexities of the Vijayanagara people, pages of history carved in stone. They demonstrated the sophisticated elegance of Vijayanagara life.

Hampi, the Forgotten Empire of Vijayanagara, is a testament to India’s rich and glorious past. Part of the grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage site Hampi, Karnataka, India. Photo by Bangladesh Military, Wikipedia Hampi, in the Indian state of Karnataka, used to be the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the Vijayanagara kingdom stretched across all of south India and was one of the most prosperous countries in Asia. The magnificence of the city is testament to the sophistication and glamour of its modern-day founder, King Bukka Raya. The evocative and dramatic ruins that remain today are spread, like ancient children’s toys in an abandoned playground, across a surreal landscape of rock formations and boulders. Carved temples appear to rise out from the rocks, while the remnants of once-mighty palaces and immense monuments adorn the rugged terrain. The experience of visiting Hampi is like a journey into the past as you trace your steps through the winding streets and catch a glimpse of the structures that once defined the pinnacle of south Indian culture and power.

8. Delhi: A Melting Pot of Culture and History

Visit chaotic Delhi, a city of contrasts – of ancient monuments, crammed bazaars and modern skyscrapers. Visit the sites in old centre Delhi, homes of the majestic Red Fort, the Jama Masjid  India’s largest mosque, the historic Chandani Chowk bazaar and several other equally interesting architectural masterpieces from the 17th-century Mughal era. Visit India Gate, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb to witness the beauty of architectural marvels and find out the history of Delhi and its colonial past.

The capital of India, Delhi, is a hectic metropolis with its head full of experiences from the past, a multitude of cultures and a hive of modernity. Perceived soaked in antiquity and yet jumping with the present day, a city of contrasts and a brew of traditions and innovations.

Experience Old Delhi, reverberating with the clamour of bazaars and beggars, where alongside grand Mughal-era monuments such as the Red Fort and Jama Masjid – you don’t need to seek forlon and forgotten remnants, because all these emblems of India’s regal past are here – weave in and out of the chaotic Chandni Chowk lanes that once made this the largest trading hub in Asia.

In comparison, the Indian capital, New Delhi, with its wide avenues, imposing administrative structures and the monuments of India Gate, Qutub Minar and the tomb of Humayun, harbours old-world charms and historical sites. The architectural legacy of Dilli’s bygone eras — Mughal and colonial — is revered in the city.

From ruin hunting to street food tasting, shopping for handicrafts to attending cultural festivals, from relaxing at parks and picnic spots to delighting on the adventurous rides at fun parks, Delhi has something for everyone. The ultimate tourism tagline captures it best: ‘Let the experiences of Delhi enchant you’. Bon voyage!

9. Goa: Sun, Sand, and Portuguese Flair

Lie under the sun on the sandy beaches of Goa, scenic with palms and picket fencing, sunburnt tourists, driftwood strudels and wooden Jesuses. Surf, beach-party, bonanza on seafood on the beaches of Calangute, Baga and Anjuna. Learn colonial gentility in Old Goa.

With its gilt churches and cathedrals, and Portuguese-era architecture showcasing the area’s multi-cultural legacy.

Goa. Sunshine and beaches; goa, g Thread Goa’s biggest attraction is its coastline. With sun-kissed stretches of sand at Calangute, Baga and Anjuna, this coastal state invites holidaymakers to sunbathe and party on its golden sands, or indulge in water sports in its sea. Delve into its colonial past at Old Goa’s churches and icons. Take a stroll through the buzzy markets and haggle for souvenirs or taste local delicacies. And sink your teeth into sea food at the local beach shacks. With Goa’s nightlife being legendary, at night, dance under the stars at some of its global clubs in India’s warm tropical paradise. Goa’s cultural heritage, cuisine and beaches are the perfect package for a remarkable getaway.

10. Darjeeling: Tea Plantations and Himalayan Views

Go to the hill station Darjeeling, in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas – revered for its natural grandeur and for being the headquarters of the world-famous tea plantations: ride the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (known as the Toy Train), ascend the forests to the foothills of the Himalayas, take a cup of the finest Darjeeling-grown tea at any plantation in the area, peering into the valley from where the third-highest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga, emerges from the clouds.

Darjeeling in the Eastern Himalayas is known for its tea plantations and mountain views. As the sun rises above the cloud-covered peaks, the fog begins to clear from the steep tea estates that cover the rolling hills. The green plantations stretch for miles. Tourists can take guided tours through the gardens, learning about tea cultivation processes, and then savour the delicate brews in onsite tea houses. The summits of the Himalayan giants can also be viewed from Darjeeling. Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world, and the world’s fifth-highest, stand before the visitors’ eyes that they can reach by going to Darjeeling. It is the destination for anyone who wants to see nature in its unadulterated form and to be close to lush landscapes while experiencing serenity and tranquility.

11. Mumbai

Mumbai, the bustling metropolis of India, is a city of dreams and contrasts. As the financial capital of the country, it pulsates with energy, drawing people from all walks of life. From the iconic Gateway of India overlooking the Arabian Sea to the vibrant markets of Colaba Causeway, Mumbai is a melting pot of cultures, cuisines, and experiences. Explore the historic landmarks like the Elephanta Caves and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, or immerse yourself in the Bollywood glamour with a tour of Film City. Whether you’re savoring street food at Chowpatty Beach or marveling at the city skyline from Marine Drive, Mumbai never fails to captivate with its dynamic spirit.

What lies on offer is an intensely concentrated mix of India’s overlapping histories of empire and faith and, above all, place, the kind of memory-jolt that will keep an itinerant coming back. If you seek the laying bare of the empires of a bygone era, India offers the monuments: palaces, forts, cathedrals and tombs that reverberate with the remnants of the grandeur and decadence of their inhabitant-rulers, characterised by either unbounded hubris or unabashed competitiveness. If you wish to witness a pulsating cross-section of tradition, a pageant of modernity and resistance, you will be presented with the living vibrances: the people and their vibrant creative expressions as a contemporary response to the inevitable passing of time. If you need to tell the parable of growth and a gradual blossoming of the physical landscape — of communion with its elements, the oceans and hillocks and forests, flowing rivers and fertile wetlands, summits and backwaters — these places are also to be found in India, reminding its international guests how they have been blessed to be a part of that.

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