7 reasons to visit India

For those of you who have not been to India yet and don’t know what to expect, here are 7 reasons why you should visit Incredible India.

1.The Taj Mahal

Yup, the Taj Mahal really is as pretty as it looks on the pictures. According to many travel experts, the Taj Mahal is one of the most, if not the most beautiful building in the world. Besides the building being extremely beautiful, especially with sunrise and sunset, the story behind it is also very interesting. If you’re coming to India, a trip to the Taj Mahal is a must. (small tip for everyone: Taj Mahal is actually pronounced as “Taj Mahel” instead of “Taj Mahall”)

2. Indian food

In no other country have I seen so much variety in food as I have seen in India. From chicken and mutton dishes to many many vegetarian dishes, India has it all. The range of cuisine is incredible.

With that comes that India does not necessarily have its one or two typical dishes.  Italy has its pizza and pasta, Japan has its sushi and noodles, the UK has its Sunday roast- what about India? Sure there are a few popular dishes that you can get anywhere in the country. Think of a Chicken Tikka or a Tandoori Chicken. However, in India, every region has its famous food. Food in South India, like Idli and Dosa for example, is very different from the food they serve in cities like Delhi, such as Momos.

3. Festivals

There’s a festival about every month, every time celebrating something different. Popular festivals among travellers and locals are Diwali and Holi. Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in Autumn every year. People generally do a Pooja (prayer) after which they celebrate the whole night. Days before the festival, all houses are decorated with lights, and on the day even more lights are added. On the night itself, fireworks are lit up, although this is getting less and less every year to avoid even more pollution. The other favourite, Holi, or the Festival of Colours, is celebrated in March. People celebrate by throwing colours and water at each other and eating and gifting sweets.  

One of my personal favourites is Ganesh Chaturthi. This festival takes place in September and celebrates the birth of Ganesha. A few days of Pooja are followed by music and dance on the final night, to celebrate the end of the festival.

4. Hill stations and the Himalayas

Even though I have not had the chance to visit the Himalayas yet myself, I have heard that taking a trip there is phenomenal and definitely a must. What I can recommend though, apart from the Himalayas, are the many Hill Stations that India has. If you want to relax for a few days and enjoy the nature and the cooler temperatures, then Hill Stations are the perfect place to visit. Popular destinations are Mussoorie, Nainital and Shimla.

5. Shopping

Shopping in India is very different from what we know. Besides the big shopping malls and busy shopping streets, there are also many markets in India. A trip to the market (or bazaar in Hindi) is a full experience. The markets are incredibly busy, lively and very colourful. And you will find everything you need there. From spices, to clothes, to accessories, to souvenirs, name it and you’ll find it on the markets. And of course, part of the shopping trip is bargaining. Bargaining is a must in India and part of daily life. They expect you to do it. People genuinely enjoy bargaining here, so don’t let it scare you off and just dive in and try it out. Its like a game.

6. Variety

India has a lot to offer for travellers. From Hill stations, to beaches, to small towns to major cities, India has it all. This variety makes travelling through the country very interesting. If you enjoy the chaos of big cities then you’ll love Delhi and Mumbai. In terms of beach destinations, Goa is very popular amongst travellers.

7. Culture

India’s culture is very different from the Western culture and while exploring India, you’ll be able to learn a lot about its culture. Especially the Hindu religion is very interesting with all its different gods and definitely something you should read into. Moreover, through having guides show you around the temples and historic buildings such as the Red Fort and the Amber fort, you will learn about India’s history and its culture. Also, locals love talking to travellers and will be more than happy to tell you about their culture and religion.

These are my 7 reasons to visit India. Want to know more about India? Keep track of my blog, more to come soon.