Reasons India Should Be Your Next Trip
Vibrant, exuberant, boisterous, chaotic, maddening…it’s hard to say what you will think of India. Each experience ends up being completely unique because of how much India has to offer. At the very least, everyone that visits India will be able to say they have been on an adventure. These are the top 6 reasons India is a place you should visit in your lifetime.
People: Will Make You Feel at Home
The further off the beaten path you travel, the friendlier the locals seem to become in India. You might be invited to partake in children’s games on the street, or welcomed for a meal at a local’s house. In any case, you are likely to experience the warmth of the people soon after you reach India.
Food: You will never Forget
The diversity in India is astonishing and, food is pretty high up on the priority list. As a traveller, this means endless local dishes to sample. As you head North, you encounter delicious creamy curries that warm up your stomach. A few must-try recipes are mutton Rogan josh, Parathas, and tandoori chicken.
Southern Indian food makes use of coconut, seafood, and rice. Be careful, the food tends to be spicier in the South than the North. If you are vegetarian, India will be a haven for you as much of the population is Hindu and offers vegetarian options.
Spirituality: You’ll Find Yourself
If you are interested in religion and spirituality, India is a mecca for all the major world religions. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism originated in India, and you will experience daily practices regularly. You may find opportunities to take part in a meditation retreat, during which you will live a life like the Buddha. Or you can learn about both the body and mind through yoga.
Folk Art: Learn through Art
The folk art of India is still thriving in the local communities and is slowly making a return to the big cities. Artists often use whatever they have on hand for their creations and most pieces have a story behind them. There is something new to learn in each region, as they all have their own styles and they can offer insight into Indian culture.
Ganges River: More than Just a River
The Ganges River runs from the Himalayas all the way to the Bay of Bengal, a distance of 2,525 kilometres. Hindu's rely on the river for fishing, agriculture and industry, but it has a meaning beyond practical use. It is considered to be the transporter of prayers of a believer to heaven and, if you swim in the river, it is said to purify the soul.
Varanasi is the oldest city in India, and this is where Hindu's travel to participate in ceremonies, or cremate bodies along the Ganges riverbed. It is believed that if the ashes are washed away in the river, the soul is guaranteed to be transported to heaven, escaping the cycle of rebirth.
The Taj Mahal: One of the 7 wonders of the world
One of the most famous monuments in the world, this building is a symbol of India. It was commissioned in 1632 and mostly completed by 1643, although new construction took place for another ten years. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife. It is widely believed to be one of the most remarkable architectural wonders ever created. You won't regret visiting this building.
India is a land of wonder. No matter what you choose to explore there, you will find you’ve learned something about the world and about yourself when you leave.