A TRAVEL TO THE MYSTIC LAND OF INDIA

India, the land of amazing diversity and culture and vibrant incredibility, is one of the most fascinating places to visit in the entire world. I was at my final corporate meeting before the summer vacation. During the meeting, I was wondering about the various places that I could visit around the world and suddenly the idea of going to India struck me. I had never traveled to India and from many days, I had the burning desire to go to the mystic land of India.

India , the land of vibrant incredibility

Buddha , one of the many ancient sages of India

Hence, it was decided by my mind to go straight from New York to New Delhi, the capital of India by flight. It was a tiring 15 hours flight but once I landed on the incredible land of India, I could feel the positive vibes going into my body and mind. I checked in at a hotel and the very next day,  I was ready to explore the heart of India, Delhi.

1 . DELHI

The capital of India, Delhi is a cosmopolitan city which includes the traditional Old Delhi as well as the modern city of New Delhi.

The narrow, winding lanes and bylanes of old Delhi are a testament to the former Mughal rule. Old Delhi is the home of one of the world’s largest and busiest market Chandni Chowk.

New Delhi houses some of the modern marvels built during the British rule in India such as the Connaught Palace, the Parliament House, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (which loosely translates into the President’s house) and most importantly the majestic India Gate.

It took me some time to explore the extra magnificent monuments in Delhi built during the Sultanate rule and the Mughal rule such as the Qutub Minar, Humayun’s tomb, Jama Masjid, Purana Qila to name a few.

Qutub Minar , sky-touching monument built by the Sultanate ruler Qutub-ud- din Aibak

Red fort , majestic fort built by the Mughal Emperor Shah-Jahan

The people in Delhi primarily speak Hindi but they can speak good English as well. The people are lovely to talk to in Delhi.

The people in Delhi love to eat. They are mad to eat ‘Chole Bhature’ , ‘Samosa ‘ , ‘Chaat’ , ‘ Pav Bhaji ‘ and other Indian dishes. The foods are much cheaper in India than in the US.

Delhi is a  hub of various shopping complexes and malls. The things I saw there , for instance,  shoes ,shirts ,denims etc were very much expensive compared in the US in my point of view.

Well, I had a very good time in Delhi and it was the point of time where I had to take the flight from Delhi to Agra, the tourist hotspot destination of the state of Uttar Pradesh.

2. AGRA

I had spent 5 days in Delhi and then I was sure of going to Agra, home to one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is known as a symbol of love and romance. It was built by the Mughal ruler Shah-Jahan in the memory of his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is located on the bank of river Yamuna. And my first job was to cherish its beauty and romanticism.

The city of Agra also includes UNESCO World heritage sites such as the Fatehpur Sikri and Agra fort. Agra is a perfect combination of history ,romance and architecture.

Beauty and romance ! Who can teach better than this wonder of the world ?

Fatehpur Sikri , the symbol of victory

Besides its architectural excellence, Agra is also known for its shopping centers and Bazaars, the most famous being the Sadar Bazaar. I bought some ethnic footwear, accessories, and handicrafts. I realized that I could test my bargaining skills here which I hardly used to test in the US

The people in Agra also speak Hindi and other regional dialects. Very few people speak fluent English but I had a good time with the people. They are extremely cooperative.

From Agra, I headed straight to Rajasthan. I reached Jaipur (the capital of Rajasthan) within half an hour by flight.

3. RAJASTHAN

Rajasthan, one of the most incredible states of India is known as the land of the kings. Rajasthan has more history than the entire country of India itself. It is steeped in the past filled with bravery, honor, and heroism. Rajasthan has traditional handicrafts, golden-sand deserts, and beautiful royal palaces all over.

I was very interested in knowing about Rajasthan and its culture. Most importantly, I wanted to explore the palaces of Rajasthan. First I visited the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur followed by Amer fort and Jantar Mantar.

Then I continued my journey through Jaipur to Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Ajmer. The Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Nathdwara Temple in Udaipur and the Moinuddin Chisti Dargah in Ajmer continued to remember me of the rich cultural heritage Rajasthan has got.

Hawa Mahal , the palace of winds

Mehrangarh Fort , one of the most formidable forts of Rajasthan

I greeted everyone ‘ Khamma Ghani ‘ (which means hello in Rajasthani language) as per the suggestions of the local people. I got to experience the delicious local food such as the ‘ Bikaneri Bhujia ‘ and ‘ Dal Bati and Churma ‘. Shopping is one of the best things to do in Rajasthan. From stunning portraits to vibrant textiles and multi coloured pottery , Rajasthan is just a hub of shopping. The things are far more cheaper here than in the US . Here also, I tested my bargaining skills and I came to know that I was good at bargaining.

Now, it was time to experience nature. So I booked my flight from Jaipur to Kullu-Manali. It was a 1 hour flight. When I reached Manali, I could experience the blessings of mother nature.

4. KULLU – MANALI

Kullu Manali, one of the most beautiful hill stations of India is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. When I explored Kullu, I felt like I had come to heaven on the earth. The beautiful mountains, the amazing forests, the breathtaking waterfalls were only a glimpse of what Kullu had in the box for me. I explored the Naggar Castle, Raghunath Temple, Parvati valley Trek and of course the Great Himalayan National Park. If you are adventurous, then Kullu is the right place for you.  I did river rafting, trekking, horse riding and paragliding which were absolutely amazing to experience.

Now it was time to visit Manali. Manali had very much to offer. I explored the valleys,  the most prominent being the Solang Valley. The various passes such as the Rohtang pass and Lachung La pass , were very fascinating. The Hidimba Temple, the Manikaran Sahib gurudwara (religious place of Sikhs)  and the Vashisht Baths all were very amazing. Here also I got a little bit adventurous. I did all sorts of thrilling activities such as paragliding, rafting , horse riding etc.

The breath – taking forests and mountains of Kullu- Manali

The majestic snow mountains of Kullu- Manali

I did all sorts of shopping here. I visited the old Manali market and the Tibetan market. They offer various types of carpets, silver jewellery ,antiques and much more at a very low price.

The people here are very sweet and cooperative. They primarily speak Hindi and some say English too . They are very wonderful to have.

Now I had explored all of these fascinating places and it was time to get holy. And what could be better than Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari located in Southern India in the state of Tamilnadu. So, I took a flight from Kullu Manali to Madurai, the nearest airport from Rameshwaram.

5. RAMESHWARAM AND KANYAKUMARI

Now I had reached the holy land of Tamilnadu. I checked in at the Madurai Airport. I travelled from there by car to Rameshwaram. I explored the holy places of this mythological place filled with historical importance and scenic beauty. The holy Rameshwaram Temple reminded me of the spiritual duties that I have. Then, I visited the Dhanushkodi Temple and the beach near it. They were simply amazing. After that , I travelled by car through the Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge (The longest road bridge in Southern India) .

Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge , the longest road bridge in Southern India

Rameswaram is known for its silk markets. I shopped for premium quality silk at very low rates when compared to the rates in the U.S.

Then it was the time to go to Kanyakumari by car . Kanyakumari, where three seas meet is home to the statue of Saint Poet Thiruvalluvar, standing at a massive height of 133 feet.  I spent a lazy afternoon at the Kanyakumari beach after the tour. I enjoyed the gorgeous waterfalls in Kanyakumari after that.

The statue of Saint Poet Thiruvalluvar, standing at a massive height of 133 feet .

While Kanyakumari is not a traditional shopping destination,  I bought various souvenirs, with decorative seashell trinkets being a must buy. These goods are offered at a very good price.

The people in Rameswaram as well as in Kanyakumari speak very good English along with their regional language, Tamil. I liked the people very much here. I have made some friends in Rameswaram and Kanyakumari as well.

Now it was  time to go back to Madurai Airport and from there I went straight to Delhi. I got a flight and went back home New York.

Everything feels different in India. I felt alive. I learnt that we should sometimes take out some moments from our lives to enjoy the scenic beauty of nature and every gorgeous thing as I did in India. I felt in love with India. After visiting India, I always dream about returning to India at every opportunity.

TRAVELING WITHIN INDIA

WHAT DOES TRAVELING IN INDIA FOR A FIRST-TIME VISITOR LOOKS LIKE?

India, one of the most beautiful countries in the world has everything and more, all at once. India, the place where imagination turns into reality has many wonders in its beautiful land. From the Himalayas in the north to the Indian ocean in the south, from the Thar desert in the west to the beautiful forests in the east,from the Taj Mahal in the north to the Meenakshi Temple in the South, from the Hawa Mahal in the West to the Konark Sun Temple in the east ,this country is full of marvelous monuments built with architectural excellence, beautiful landscapes of mother nature and amazing people.

Taj Mahal- One of the seven wonders of the world . A must- visit place for the first-time visitor to India !

India – the land of incredibility

India is such a marvelous country that every visitor has to visit India at least once in his/her lifetime. A month’s time would be ideal to make the most out of India. At a stretch, you could taste incredible India’s magic in 2 weeks.

A few expert tips will definitely help you to explore this fascinating and magnificent country with ease.

MODE OF TRAVEL WITHIN THE COUNTRY OF INDIA

1. RAIL

The Indian rail network is the third largest rail network in the world. The Indian trains cover almost the entire country except for some extremely hilly areas. The Indian trains ferry almost 20 million people every day with the tracks running over 60,000 kilometers.

The traditional Indian train

The Indian railways provide the best experience for foreign visitors. The tourist gets to experience the rich culture of India within the train itself. There is no better way for visitors to make friends with the local people. The visitors could also see the beautiful landscapes of India such as the high rising mountains, fast-flowing rivers, and the spectacular and diverse Indian countryside while traveling by train.

While there are different types of trains, traveling by AC class and avoiding non AC class is strongly recommended for the first time foreign visitors to experience comfort and the best services. For a distance of 100 to 500 km, the train fares are about INR 1000 to 2000.  For distances over a thousand kilometers, the train fares reach up to INR 5000. You can book the tickets at the IRCTC website at a fair price.

If you are planning to experience luxury in Indian rail, then luxury trains like Maharajas’ Express are highly recommended. Here, the train fares could reach up to a whopping half-million INR. Here you could feel like the king of this world. In Maharajas’ Express, you get to experience royal food in the two dining rooms on the train. Here, you could also take a spa and feel fresh. Moreover, there are saloons for the passengers where they can take various types of hair cuts. In addition to all these, the services provided by the butlers of the train are exceptionally good. If you visit India, make sure that you travel by these luxurious trains, especially the Maharajas’ Express.

The luxurious Maharajas’ Express

2. CAR

Traveling by car on Indian roads is an absolutely fantastic experience, especially when you drive in snowy and hilly areas where the Indian rails generally cannot reach. Make sure you have an international driving licence. If not, you could also hire a driver.

The most beautiful Indian roads were traveling by car for the first time visitors are highly recommended are Manali-Leh highway, Mumbai-Pune expressway, Shimla-Manali road and a lot more.

Mumbai- Pune Expressway

Manali-Leh Highway

Traveling by car has a lot of advantages.  For example you could take some breaks between your car driving and enjoy some photography sessions as it is quite likely that visitors get attracted to the natural scenery as well as the marvelous monuments.

If you hire a car or a driver, the prices are usually low, for example in the range of INR 5000 to 10,000. You also need to bear the expenses of the car fuel, but that would not cost too much.

There are various places for stopovers and eating along most Indian highways including McDonald’s and Cafe Coffee Day.

3. BIKE

Taking a bike tour is one of the most exciting and fascinating ways to explore this land of scenic beauty. Bike is one of those very few modes of transport where you could get very close to nature and explore every nook and corner of it.

India has practically all kinds of terrains to make the biker’s day a delight. There are snow-peaked mountains, lush greenery, the sandy areas, the coastal areas and many more for the bikers to explore. Here also, you need to make sure that you have an international driving license to enjoy your adventurous biking.

The places where you can enjoy biking are Spiti Valley, Rann of Kutch, Manali-Leh highway, Bangalore to Bandipur Forest road to name a few. You need to pay as low as INR 5000 to hire a bike and also you need to bear the expense of the bike fuel which is very affordable.

Spiti valley – the biker’s delight

Rann of Kutch – a place where everyone wants to switch on the biking mode

BASIC ACCOMMODATION IN INDIA

1. HOTELS

Hotels are the most basic accommodation in India for foreign visitors. There are various types of hotels from seven-star fancy hotels to livable budget-friendly hotels which are ranged according to the budget of the visitors.

Hotels are the most recommended accommodation for foreign visitors. The fair prices for accommodation in these hotels range from 100 dollars to 10,000 dollars per night. They provide all types of services such as food, bath and entertainment as well. 

There are a lot of reasons why visitors should stay in hotels. Hotels are almost always conveniently located near major transport links such as railway stations, motorways, and airports. You could also hire a car, taxi or bike always near a hotel.

There are often many restaurants and bars in the hotel itself, so you don’t need to worry about the catering.

In addition, hotels can be booked easily online by the foreign travelers. Hotels are always good for last-minute stays. Moreover, hotels provide utmost security and safety to the travelers.

2. GUEST HOUSES

Foreign visitors in India can stay in guest houses in hilly or forest areas or in places where there are no good hotels. The visitors have to pay as low as 100 bucks per night stay along with good delicious local food.

There are various advantages to staying in guesthouses. In guest houses, the time taken for check-in and check-out is very less compared to the hotels. The main aim of the guesthouses is to make the visitors comfortable.

Also there would be more personalised service in guest houses. As fewer guests stay in guest houses, the level of attention to the visitors would be more than in a hotel.

Also, guest houses make you feel that you are in your own home, giving you a feeling which hotels cannot provide. So, basically a guest house is a home away from home.

3. RURAL VILLAGES FOR TOURISTS

If you are traveling in hilly and forest areas, you could come across a lot of villages. These villages offer a variety of services starting from delicious local food to recreational activities like swimming, camping etc. The expenses here are extremely low, sometimes even below $100 per night stay.

In tourist villages, you can experience nature. You can meet people of various cultures and see the rich cultural heritage India has got. Here, they tell folktales in the night, therefore you can have a nice time listening to these wonderful stories.

Some such villages are Poovar in Kerala, Malana in Himachal Pradesh, Almora in Uttarakhand and many more.

HEALTH CARE FOR THE FIRST TIME VISITORS IN INDIA

The first time foreign visitors to India may become injured or get sick during their tour. But don’t worry this wonderful country has a solution to every problem.

 India has 24X7 healthcare facilities in hospitals and medicals all over the county for the visitors. If the visitors need some medicines, they can easily purchase from any one of the thousands of certified medicine stores. And the medical facilities in India are very inexpensive when compared to that of US.

SHOULD A TRAVELER GET SOME KIND OF MEDICAL INSURANCE?

Without a doubt, a traveler should get some kind of medical insurance. This is because, if you have insured your journey, all your medical expenses will be covered and taken care of in case you encountered an accident in India or suddenly fell sick.

A good medical insurance policy will ensure that you have all bases covered and that there are no loopholes.

Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere so it’s best to get medical insurance for yourself as well as your family to be safe as well as secure.

SOME DO’S AND DON’TS FOR THE FIRST-TIME VISITOR IN INDIA

DO’S

Do carry proper maps or keep Google maps handy during the visit to India. There may be some places where no signboard is available, hence maps are necessary at that point in time.

Do get yourself and your family covered with travel insurance for any kind of theft or loss.

Do handle your passport and Indian Visa safely during the visit to India.

Do remove footwears and hats and dress conservatively while worshipping a religious place such as a temple, dargah, gurudwara, etc

Do enjoy the delicious local food of India. Always eat cooked and clean food.

DON’TS

Don’t wear black clothes while visiting a Jain temple.

Don’t carry leather articles in Hindu and Jain temples.

Don’t take photographs of the deities in temples.

Don’t leave your cash and valuables in your hotel room lying here and there. Always keep your cash and valuable articles safely.

Don’t take photographs of women without their permission.

And one more thing, don’t forget to enjoy India and its scenic beauty. The beautiful landscapes, the marvelous monuments, and the wonderful people all are waiting for you. Once you visit this country,  you will definitely fall in love with the “Incredible India”.