Imagine waking up to a gorgeous view of the sun rising over the Taj Mahal right outside your hotel window. Or perhaps you’d prefer walking on the frozen surface of the still running Zanskar river, where temperatures can go as low as –30 degrees Celsius. You may even be looking for a place to gather your thoughts, to rejuvenate yourself after chasing that paper trail for so long…
India is a country that titillates all the senses; sight, sound, taste, touch and hearing, not to mention your mental, emotional and spiritual senses. It’s certainly a country like no other.
Here are just some of the reasons you would be crazy to miss an opportunity to breathe in the sights and sounds of this inspiring destination!
The Festival of Colours
The Holi Festival, (also known as the Spring Festival, Festival of Colours or the Festival of Sharing Love), which takes place between February to mid–March, is a veritable feast for the eyes and the skin. Participants get “coloured” with powder to celebrate the end of winter. Check out the towns of Mathura and Vrindavan for a more “traditional” feel of how Holi is celebrated.
Majestic Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, you could spend an entire month visiting its many wonders and not even scratch the surface of its beauty. Visit one of the many wildlife parks, have desert adventures in Jaiselmer, and explore a rich architectural heritage from the days when it was known as the “Land of Kings.”
Fantastic Food
For foodies, skip the roadside stalls and check out the dhabas instead! These are roadside restaurants serving India’s version of fast food. Here’s a tip: take the extra time to ensure the establishment is clean and and eat only the cooked food. They might surprise you with how delicious they are. And if you’re stumped on what to try, Buzzfeed has an excellent list of 26 traditional Indian foods to try!
Yoga, Meditation and Ashrams
And if at the end of it all, you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, check out the ashrams and spend a week or two simply slowing down. With meditation, yoga, and vegetarian food on offer, ashrams are a good place to slow down and detox your body before your next trip. Rough Guides has an excellent primer on the different kind of ashrams you can find to help you select the best one for you.
Diverse Beauty
And that’s just the most mainstream things you could do in India. Some say that India isn’t a country, but a continent, and that’s certainly true! Where else could you experience a winter trek on a river in the same country you could cross bridges made of living tree roots?
India is one of those places that transforms everyone who passes through. It’s notjust the youthful backpacker or middle–aged solo traveller who should visit India,but families and those seeking to change the way they view the world.
These are just a few of the reasons why we’ve put India at the top of our travel wish list. Is it on yours?
