Attractions in India – a crazy amount. Of the 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in South Asia, 31 are located here. First, it is worth listening to the heartbeat of the country, the tireless Delhi. Admire, throwing your head back, the world’s highest minaret Qutub Minar. Reflect on the frailty of being in Humayun’s tomb. Find 10 differences between India Gate and Arc de Triomphe. Take the kids to the city zoo.
And then – rush to Agra to see the legendary Taj Mahal with your own eyes. Huge, white stone, luxurious inside and out, it is unlikely to deceive even the wildest expectations. But no less impressive is the Agra Fort: palaces and manicured lawns lurk behind monumental red sandstone walls.
In India, both man-made masterpieces of architecture and creations of nature are equally beautiful.
You can plunge into the world of Indian cinema in Bollywood – the tourist pearl of Bombay. An excursion to the colorful backstage is a walk through the pavilions where famous films were shot, and a visit to the existing film sets: the main thing is that the head does not go round from songs, dances and colorful saris.
There is something to dilute a beach holiday in Goa. Fort Aguada, built in the 17th century, is still used as a prison to this day. Spice plantations – an explosion of bright colors and tart aromas. The best places for children are the small Bandla nature reserve, full of exotic inhabitants, and the large Kotigao – a real jungle.
“Mast-si” of the state of Bihar – Mahabodhi Temple, built on the site of the reincarnation of Gautama Siddhartha in the Buddha. The state of Karnataka is full of Hindu beauties. Among them is the city of Aihole, where more than 70 shrines of 5-12 centuries survived. You can also admire the ruins of an ancient civilization in the city of Pattadakal. And the monasteries and temples of Little Tibet give the opportunity to touch the mysteries of the sacred mountains without leaving India. See other countries beginning with I.
The richest temple in the world is Padmanabhaswami, located in the city of Trivandrum. His fortune is estimated at about $20 billion.
In the village of Hampi, the ruins of the ancient capital of Vijayanaga have been preserved with very impressive palaces and temples, many of which are still active today. Stupa in Sanchi, where, according to legend, a piece of Buddha’s relics is placed, surprises not so much with its external decoration as with its sacred meaning: the base symbolizes the earth and worldly temptations, the central pillar is the axis of the world, and the dome is nirvana. The features of the Meenakshi temple are a motley facade and hundreds of columns and sculptures in the interior.
Only the most stubborn will get to the temple complex of Ajanta, and they will be rewarded: the cave monastery is an incredible sight.
The millennia-old history of India is a source of inspiration for a variety of museums. The National Museum of Delhi introduces the cultural heritage: there are sculptures, cult artifacts, and traditional household items. The Indira Gandhi and Gandhi Smirti Museums dedicate in the biographies of legendary political figures. And the International Puppet Museum. Shankara is a unique collection of toys from around the globe.
In India, not only man, but also nature did their best. Unforgettable will be a trip to the Dudhsagar waterfall: swift water streams fall to the ground from a height of 310 m, surrounded by Bhagwan Mahavir protected forests. The Arvalem waterfall is less high, but no less beautiful: a mountain lake and mysterious caves with tunnels and stone halls delight and fascinate.
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Holidays and events
Each Indian holiday turns into an incredible action, full of colors and rituals. With the advent of the colonialists, they began to celebrate the New Year on January 1: families gather at large tables, the facades of houses sparkle with bright illumination. January 13-15, Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal – a harvest festival with fun street feasts, where they treat themselves to sweet rice with cashew nuts. January 26 is Republic Day, commemorating the founding of the first official constitution. The biggest celebrations are, of course, in Delhi. In January-February, the Kumbh Mela takes place – a mass pilgrimage to Hindu shrines with obligatory bathing in the Ganges.
The most spectacular part of the Kumbh Mela is the procession of half-naked sadhu ascetics.
The end of February and the beginning of March is the time for the celebration of Holi, the crazy festival of colors. In honor of the arrival of the long-awaited spring, locals and tourists generously shower each other with handfuls of colored powder, and then pour water over each other. On the eve, an effigy of the demon Holiki, the opponent of the god Vishnu, is burned. And the next day in Jaipur, the Elephant Festival is held with magnificent parades and folk entertainment.
At the beginning of summer, the holy city of Puri celebrates Ratha Yatra, the festival of chariots: huge carts with images of deities lead a crowd of believers to the foot of the Jagannath temple. August 15 – Independence Day in honor of the liberation of India from British oppression. The end of August and the beginning of September is a special time for devotees of Vishnu: Krishna Janmashtami is the magnificent birthday of Krishna. Around the same time, Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated, dedicated to everyone’s favorite god of wisdom and prosperity, Ganesha. The brightest fun in Bombay.
The beginning of autumn is the time of the grandiose celebration of Maha Navaratri: honoring the 9 forms of the Vedic Mother Goddess. Closer to November, the Diwali festival of lights is held, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Thousands of paper lanterns lit up by festive fireworks soar into the sky. Read more about all the significant events in the country on the Holidays and Events of India page.
