INDIAN DESTINATIONS
Erin Reese
Leo Tolstoy
Chris Martin
Arundhati Roy
Elizabeth Gilbert
Mark Twain
Khalid Masood
Ruskin Bond
Erin Reese
India – a land where the last thing one needs to bother with is looking good. In India – at least in the circles I moved in – it’s natural to look beautiful by the smile in your heart and the way you move through the world
Leo Tolstoy
India, which is the nursery of the great faiths of the world.
Chris Martin
To me, India’s always represented ‘everything’; it represents ‘all.’ Everything is here. You can stay here forever, and you’ll never feel like you’ve missed out on life.
Arundhati Roy
India lives in several centuries at the same time.
Elizabeth Gilbert
Don’t we each have the right to not stop seeking until we get as close to the source of wonder as possible? Even if it means coming to India and kissing trees in the moonlight for a while?
Mark Twain
The world is the body and India is its life. – Khalid Masood
Khalid Masood
The world is the body and India is its life.
Ruskin Bond
The India I Love, does not make the headlines, but I find it wherever I go – in field or forest, town or village, mountain or desert – and in the hearts and minds of people who have given me love and affection for the better part of my lifetime.
TOP MOST VISITED DESTINATIONS IN INDIA
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
TAJ MAHAL DURING SUNRISE OR SUNSET OR FULL MOON NIGHT | AGRA FORT | ITMAD UD DUALA | MEHTAB BAGH | WILFLIFE SOS | AKBAR’S TOMB | SIKANDRA FORT | BABY TAJ MAHAL
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/EVENTS: TAJ MAHOTSAV
MUST EXPERIENCE:
SOUND & LIGHT SHOW AT AGRA FORT | EXPLORE HANDICRAFTS /TEXTILES/ MARBLE WORK /LEATHER ITEMS /SCRUMPTIOUS DELIGHTS LIKE PEETHA /MUGHLAI /DALMOTH/PARATHA | MOHABBAT – THE -TAJ SHOW | DAY OR NIGHT WALKING TOURS IN AGRA LANES | BOATING IN RIVER YAMUNA
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
PANGONG LAKE | KHARDUNG LA | CHANG LA | SAND DUNES AT HUNDER | TSO MORIRI | ZANSKAR VALLEY | GURUDWARA PATHAR SAHIB |TURTUK | SANGAM AT NIMMU | KARGIL | HANLE VILLAGE | MAGNETIC HILLS
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/EVENTS: HEMIS FESTIVAL | LOSAR | SINDHU DARSHAN
MUST EXPERIENCE:
BIKING | CAMPING| BACTERIAN CAMEL SAFARI | TREKKING | RAFTING | SNOW LEOPARD TREK | HOMESTAY EXPERIENCE | BIRD WATCHING | TASTE FLAVOURS OF LADAKHI CUISINE | HORSE RIDING | JEEP SAFARI
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
PINK CITY – JAIPUR | VENICE OF EAST – UDAIPUR | THE DESERT TOWN – JAISALMER | BLUE CITY – JODHPUR |INDIAN WILDLIFE – RANTHAMBHORE & SARISKA | BIKANER | OSIAN DESERT | CHITTORGARH/KUMBHALGARH FORTS | BUNDI | PUSHKAR | AJMER | MANDAWA HAVELIS | MOONLAND OF RAJASTHAN – KISHANGARH DUMP YARD | KULDHARA | BANSWARA | THE ONE & ONLY HILL STATION – MOUNT ABU | LUNI | BUNDI | BANSWARA
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS/EVENTS: PUSHKAR CAMEL FAIR | DESERT FESTIVAL | ELEPHANT FESTIVAL
MUST EXPERIENCE:
FLAVOURS OF RAJASTHANI CUISINES | HANDICRAFT & ART WORK SHOPPING | ADVENTURE ACTITIVIES LIKE PARAGLIDING, DUNES JEEP SAFARI, CAMEL SAFARI, HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE,ZIPLINING | WILDLIFE SAFARIS |GLAMPING| SUNRISE OR SUNSET BOATING ON STUNNING LAKES | ETHNIC CULTURAL SHOWS | ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS OF JAIN & HINDU TEMPLES | TRIBAL VILLAGE TOURS | DESERT HORSE SAFARI | TREKKING | VINTAGE CAR RALLY | ARCHITECTURE EXPLORATION |
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
MUNNAR | COCHIN |KOZHIKODE | WAYANAD | MARARI BEACH | CHERAI BEACH |KOVALAM|TRIVANDRUM| KANYAKUMARI | THEKKADY | ALLEPPEY & KUMARAKOM BACKWATERS | VARKALA | KOLLAM | THRISSUR | KASARGOD |GURUVAYUR |PALAKKAD
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS/EVENTS: ONAM | VISHU |SNAKE BOAT RACE | CHRISTMAS| THRISSUR POORAM
MUST EXPERIENCE:
CARAVANNING | SAMPLE KERALA’S MOUTH WATERING DELICACIES | TREAT YOUR BODY, MIND & SOUL WITH KERALA’S CENTURIES OLD AYURVEDA | CULTURAL SHOWS SUCH AS KATHKALI SHOW, KALARIPAYATTU SHOW | TRADITIONAL KERALA HOUSEBOAT | FOREST CYCLING | FOREST BIKING | WILDLIFE SAFARIS | TEA PLANTATION | EXOTIC SPICE PLANTATION
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
SRINAGAR |GULMARG |PAHALGAM | SONAMARG |YUSUMARG| ARU VALLEY | HOLY AMARNATH CAVES | SANASAR | KUPWARA | ANANTNAG | BETAAB VALLEY | VERINAG | DRUNG WATERFALL
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS/EVENTS: TULIP FESTIVAL | SHIKARA FESTIVAL
MUST EXPERIENCE:
SKIING | PARAGLIDING | RIVER RAFTING | SHIKARA RIDE | TREKKING | GONDOLA RIDE | FISHING & ANGLING | WILDLIFE SPOTTING | HORSE RIDING | MOUNTAIN BIKING | RELIGIOUS RETREATS| HOUSEBOAT EXPERIENCE | SHOP AUTHENTIC KASHMIRI HANDICRAFT ITEMS & AROMATIC KASHMIRI TEA | MOUTH WATERING KASHMIRI CUISINE | CAMPING | JEEP SAFARI
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
GOLDEN TEMPLE | JALIANWALA BAGH | THE PARTITION MUSEUM | GOBINDGARH FORT | AKAL TAKHT | ATTARI WAGAH BORDER | KHALSA COLLEGE | MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH MUSEUM
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS /FAIRS/EVENTS: LOHRI | BAISAKHI | GURUPARAB | BASANT PANCHAMI
MUST EXPERIENCE:
FLAG CLOSING CEREMONY | NIGHT VISIT TO GOLDEN TEMPLE | VIBRANT PUNBAJI VILLAGE | DELICIOUS AMRITSARI MEAL AT PUNJABI DHABA | SHOP PUNJABI HANDIRCAFTS SUCH AS PHULKARI DUPATTA OR SUIT, JUTTI, PAPPAD, PICKLE
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
SHRI KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE | SARNATH STUPAS | DASASWAMEDHA GHAT | ASSI GHAT | MANIKARNIKA GHAT | TULSI MANAS TEMPLE | SANKAT MOCHAN TEMPLE | BHU UNIVERSITY | HOLY GANGES RIVER | RAMNAGAR FORT| HARISHCHANDRA GHAT | DARBHANGA GHAT
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS/EVENTS: MAHA SHIVRATRI | DEV DEEPAWALI | GANGA MAHOTSAVE | BUDDHA MAHOTSAV
MUST EXPERIENCE:
SUNRISE OR SUNSET BOATING IN THE GANGES RIVER | HOLY BATH IN RIVER GANGES | SUNSET STROLL ALONG THE GHATS | EVENING GANGA AARTI CEREMONY | WEAVERS VILLAGE | SHOP FOR SILK SAREES & ORNATE JEWELS | RELISH MOUTH WATERING DELICACIES OF VARANASI | RAMNAGAR FORT | WALKING TOUR OF NARROW LANES OF VARANASI | JANTAR MANTAR | STREET FOOD & DRINKS SUCH AS BHANG LASSI, BANARASI PAAN, CHAAT | SANSKRIT SCHOOLS | SHOP BANARASI SILK ITEMS SUCH AS SAREE OR DUPATTA & CRYSTAL OR STONE SHIVALINGA
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
GANGOTRI |YAMNOTRI | KEDARNATH | BADRINATH | RISHIKESH | UTTARKASHI | RUDRAPRAYAG
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS/EVENTS: DIWALI | BADRI KEDAR FESTIVAL | VINAYAK CHATURTHI
TOP THINGS TO DO OR EXPERIENCE:
HELICOPTER RIDES | CABLE CAR RIDE | MANA – LAST INDIAN VILLAGE | VASUDHARA WATERFALL | TREK TO TUNGNATH TEMPLE | TREK TO SAPTRISHI KUND
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
LAKSHMAN JHULA | RAM JHIULA | PARMARTH NIKETAN ASHRAM | BEATLES ASHRAM | TRIVENI GHAT | SHIVPURI | NEELKANTH MAHADEV TEMPLE | KUNJAPURI TEMPLE | TERA MANZIL TEMPLE | NEER GADU WATERFALL | RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS/EVENTS: INTERNATIONAL YOGA & MUSIC FESTIVAL | INTERNATIONAL KAYAK FESTIVAL |
MUST EXPERIENCE:
RIVER RAFTING | MOUNTAIN BIKING | PARAGALIDING |WATER RAPPELING | FLYING FIX | GIANT SWING | KAYAKING | CAMPING | BUNGEE JUMPING| HOT AIR BALLOONING | TREKKING | ROCK CLIMBING | YOGA & WELLNESS PROGRAMS | DIP IN HOLY RIVER GANGA | EVENING GANGA AARTI CEREMONY | AYUVRVEDA RETREAT THERAPIES | SPIRITUAL WALK TOUR | MORNING & EVENING NATURE WALK | DELICIOUS FOOD | GANGA VIEW CAFES / RESTAURANTS HOPPING
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
MALL ROAD | THE RIDGE | CHRIST CHURCH | JAKHU TEMPLE | VICEREGAL LODGE | BOTANICAL GARDEN | KUFRI | CHAIL PALACE | ROHTANG PASS | GULABA VALLEY | SOLANG VALLEY | KULLU | INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCE STUDIES | SCANDAL POINT | TATTAPANI HOT SPRING| CHADWICK FALLS| MANU TEMPLE | HIDIMBA DEVI TEMPLE | MANIKARAN GURUDWARA | JOGNI WATERFALLS | KASOL| TIBETAN MONASTERIES | OLD MANALI | NAGGAR CASTLE
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS/EVENTS: KULLU DUSSHERA | WINTER CARNIVAL MANALI | SUMMER FESTIVAL SHIMLA | ICE SKATING FESTIVAL|
MUST EXPERIENCE:
TOY TRAIN RIDE | TREKKING | CAMPING | COZY HOMESTAY | PARAGLIDING| RIVER RAFING | SKIING | ZIPLINEING | SNOW ACTIVITIES
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
GATEWAY OF INDIA | ELEPHANTA CAVES | CRAWFORD MARKET | HANGING GARDEN | CHATTARPATI SHIVAJI TERMINUS | MARINE DRIVE | JUHU & CHOWPATTY BEACH | PRINCE OF WHALES MUSEUM | SIDDHIVINAYAK TEMPLE | STOCK EXCHANGE | GLOBAL VIPASANA PAGODA | BANDRA WORLI SEALINK | HAJI ALI | COLABA | JAPANESE TEMPLE | CHINESE TEMPLE
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS: GUDI PADWA | GANESH CHATURTHI | MUMBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | DAHI HANDI FESTIVAL | KALA GHODA ART FESTIVAL |
MUST EXPERIENCE:
BOLLYWOOD TOUR | SHOP LATEST TRENDING FASHION CLOTHING | SUNSET AT MARINE DRIVE | RIDE FERRY AT GATEWAY OF INDIA | DHOBI GHAT | STAY IN A CAPSULE HOTEL | DHARAVI SLUM TOUR | COOK & DINE WITH A LOCAL | NIGHT LIFE | CENTUARY OLD CAFES & RESTAURANTS | STREET ART WALK | LOCAL TRAIN RIDE | LIP SMACKING STREET FOOD & SEAFOOD | CELEBRITY SPOTTING |
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST: NORTH & SOUTH GOA CHURCHES | NORTH & SOUTH BEACHES | DUDHSAGAR WATERFALL | FORST | SATURDAY NIGHT MARKET | TITO’S STREET | CASINOS | TROPICAL SPICE PLANTATION
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS: GOA CARNIVAL | EASTER | CHIRSTMAS | NEW YEAR | GRAPE ESCAPADE | FOOD & CULTURAL FESTIVAL |
MUST EXPERIENCE:
NIGHT ROYAL CASINOS | MANDOVI RIVER CRUISE | ADVENTURE SPORTS LIKE PARASAILING, PARAGLIDING, BUNGEE JUMPING, WIND SURFING | GRAND ISLAND TOUR | BUTTERFLY BEACH | SCUBA | SUNSET CRUISE | NIGHTLIFE | FLEA MARKET | GOAN CUISINE & DRINK
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
VICTORIA MEMORIAL MOTHER HOUSE | PARK STREET | DAKSHINESWAR KALI TEMPLE | HOWRAH BRIDGE | PRINCEP GHAT | MOTHER TERESSA HOUSE |BOTANICAL GARDEN | ISKCON TEMPLE | THAKURBARI
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS: DURGA POOJA | KALI POOJA | POILA BAISAKH | KOLKATA BOOK FAIR | KOLKATA FILM FESTIVAL
MUST EXPERIENCE:
BOATING IN HOOGALI RIVER | TRAM RIDE | RIDE IN KALI PEELI TAXI | WALKING TOUR TO NARROWEST LANES OF KOLKATA | CRAFTS OF KUMARTULI | FLOWER MARKET AT MALLIK GHAT | STREET FOOD TOUR | KOLKATA DELICACIES SUCH AS ROSOGULLA, SONDESH, GHUGNI, FISH FRY, KATHI ROLLS | NIGHT WALK | SHOP BENGALI SAREE, CONCH SHELL BANGLES, TERACOTTA SOUVENIRS, SHOLAPITH HANDICRAFTS
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
RADHANAGAR BEACH | ELEPHANT BEACH | KALA PATHAR BEACH
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS /FAIRS:
ISLAND TOURISM FESTIVAL | MUSIC FESTIVAL | FILM FESTIVAL | FOOD FESTIVAL
MUST EXPERIENCE:
KAYAKING | SNOERKELLING | SCUBA DIVING | GAME FISHING | CANDLE LIGHT DINNER ON THE BEACH | SEAFOOD DELICACIES | SEA PLANE RIDE | SEA FERRY RIDE
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
SIX DIFFERENT GOLDEN TRIANGLES OF INDIA COVERING DIFFERENT REGIONS OF INDIA.
1 – DELHI – AGRA – JAIPUR
2 – CHENNAI -MAHABALIPURAM – KANCHIPURAM
3- BHUBANESHWAR – KONARK -PURI
4- MUMBAI -PUNE – NASHIK
5- BANGALORE – MYSORE – OOTY
6- GANGTOK – DARJEELING – PELLING
MUST EXPERIENCE:
INDIAN HERITAGE | SPIRITUAL INDIA | ADVENTURE | NATURE &WILDLIFE | INDIAN FOOD & CUISINES | SHOPPING HANDPICKED & CRAFTED ARTS | MELODIOUS INDIAN FOLK MUSIC & FOLK DANCE | DIVE DEEPER INTO INDIAN HISTORY
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
KALA DONGAR | WHITE SALT DESERT | INDIAN WILD ASS SANCTUARY | KOTESHWAR MAHADEV TEMPLE | GREAT RANN OF KUTCH | MANDVI BEACH | KUTCH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY | SEEMA DARSHAM | LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH | MODHERA
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS: RANN UTSAV | INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL |
MUST EXPERIENCE:
RANN OF KUTCH UTSAV | INDULGE IN FAMOUS KUTCH FOOD – KACHCHHI CUISINE | CAMEL RIDE | WATER SPORTS
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
MAHABODHI TEMPLE | BODHI TREE | GREAT BUDDHA STATUE | THAI MONASTERY | ROYAL BHUTAN MONASTERY | TIBERTAN RUFUGEE MARKET | CHINESE TEPLE | MUCHALINDIA LAKE
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS: BUDDHA JAYANTI | BUDDHA MAHOTSAV | MAHA KALA CHAKRA POOJA
MUST EXPERIENCE:
COMMUNE WITH NATURE| EXPLORE GREAT OUTDOORS | CONNECT WITH YOUR SPIRITUAL SIDE | MEDITATE IN THE TRANQUIL & DIVINE ENVIRONMENT
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
MANGROVE FOREST | NETHIDHOPANI |SAJANKHALI WATCH TOWER
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS: SUNDARBANS HILSA FESTIVAL | GANGASAGAR FAIR
MUST EXPERIENCE:
BOAT CRUISE | BIRD WATCHING | HOLY DIP AT GANGASAGAR | WALK WITH TURTLES AT ISLAND OF KANAK | ELEPHANT SAFARI |SPOT THE ROYAL MEJESTIC BENGAL TIGER
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
DAWKI RIVER |ROOT BRIDGE | UMNGOT RIVER | BURHILL WATERFALL | JAFLONG ZERO POINT | MAWLYNNONG VILLAGE – CLEANEST VILLAGE IN ASIA | RIWAI VILLAGE
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS / FAIRS: UMNGOT RIVER FESTIVAL
MUST EXPERIENCE:
BOATING IN UMNGOT RIVER | LIVING ROOT BRIDGE | CAMPING | TRIBAL VILLAGE TOURS | SNORKELLING | ZIPLINE | KAYAKING
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
RANTHAMBHORE NATIONAL PARK | PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE | BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK | NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK | KANHA NATIONAL PARK |PENCH NATIONAL PARK | JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK | SATPURA NATIONAL PARK | TADOBA NATIONAL PARK
BEST MONTHS TO SPOT TIGER: OCTOBER TO MARCH | ALL NATIONAL PARK REMAINS OPEN FROM OCTOBER TO JUNE EVERY YEAR
MUST EXPERIENCE:
JEEP SAFARI | CANTER SAFARI | ELEPHANT RIDE | FOREST STAY| BOAT SAFARI |WATCH TOWER FOR WILDLIFE SPOTTING
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
AJANTA & ELLORA CAVES | NALANDA BIHAR | SANCHI BUDDHIST MONUMENTS | GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLES | MAHABALIPURAM GROUP OF MONUMENTS | KHAJURAHO GROUP OF MONUMENTS | ROCK SHELTERS OF BHIM BHETKA | NANDA DEVI & VALLEY OF FLOWERS UTTARAKHAND | WESTERN GHATS
MUST EXPERIENCE:
ALL THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES ARE WORTH VISITING. A VISIT TO THESE PLACES WILL TAKE YOU DEEP INTO INDIA’S RICH HISTORY THAT SHOWCASE INDIAN CULTURE, ART & HERITAGE.
POPULAR PLACES OF INTEREST:
KANDARIYA MAHADEV TEMPLE | LAKSHMANA TEMPLE | DULHADEV SHIVA TEMPLE | CHITRAGUPTA TEMPLE | MATANGESHWAR TEMPLE | CHATURBHUJ TEMPLE | RANEH FALLS – MINI GRAND CANYON OF INDIA
MUST ATTEND FESTIVALS/FAIRS: KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL
MUST EXPERIENCE:
SOUND & LIGHT SHOW | SHOP FOR HANDICRAFT, SCULPTURES, SILVERWARE ITEMS
