India is one of the most colorful and distinctive countries in Asia. You can only laugh at those who claim to know everything about her, having visited, for example, Goa. After all, the heart of India is not at all beautiful beaches, but alluring caves where you can meditate for hours, the fascinating Golden Triangle, the magnificent Taj Mahal.
India Attractions
There are even more attractions in India than beaches. The most popular among curious tourists is the route through the so-called Golden Triangle. During such a trip, you can see the sights of Old Delhi, and the Taj Mahal, located in the fabulous city of Agra, and Ancient Jaipur, where you can get acquainted with traditional Indian culture that has developed thousands of years ago. These three cities are the “peaks” of the golden triangle.
India, Taj Mahal.
If you deviate from the usual route and go to explore other parts of India, you can also meet a lot of interesting things. On the border with Pakistan is one of the most beautiful sights of India - Jaisalmer fortress. Particularly impressive are its yellow sandstone walls look at sunset. Due to the distance from the usual tourist routes, there are not too many guests, which makes visiting the fortress even more attractive.
India, Jaisalmer fortress.
India is one of the most interesting countries, whose history is full of mysteries. Here, according to historians, is the oldest city in the world - Varanasi. Today, pilgrims come here to take a dip in the waters of the Ganges River and worship the shrines stored in local temples.
Search for truth in the mountains
India is not only about sights and beaches. Many come here in search of truth and in the hope of knowing a higher mind. Yoga tours are becoming increasingly popular, not only in Russia but throughout the world. The best place for this is the center of the country with numerous caves and the mountain part is mysterious and even a little mysterious. It should be borne in mind that a yoga tour can be purchased in Russia as an independent trip, and you can order a short-term program during your stay in India.
Beaches of india
Of course, despite the abundance of attractions, the first thing India associates with tourists is the beaches. The most popular region from this point of view is Goa. By the way, many mistakenly believe that this is an island in the Indian Ocean. In fact - just a small state located on the coast. Conventionally, it is divided into two parts: southern and northern. The first is more suitable for a quiet and relaxing holiday, which, albeit with a stretch, can be called elite. The second is endless open-air parties, nightclubs and bars, world famous DJs at the controls. In general, a place for those who are not used to sleeping at night.
On the beach in india.
Having decided to spend your vacation on the beaches of Goa, many of which resemble a picture from a Bounty advertisement, it is worth considering that the level of many hotels leaves much to be desired. Most of them do not reach announced stars. But the prices are encouraging - they are quite affordable, which makes India a popular beach destination after closing the beloved of Turkey and Egypt.
Facts about India.
As a gesture of "yes" (instead of nodding our heads), the Indians shake their heads to the sides, like our "ah-ah-ah." At first, subconsciously, there was a feeling that they were reproachfully shaking their heads in response to a question, saying, "Well, you have white questions." So it is at a meeting - often they begin to talk with their heads from side to side, like tumblers, very funny))
The traffic here is left-hand, a concept such as traffic rules, if it exists, is very arbitrary, the main rule on the road is a beep. Moreover, unlike, for example, the indicator by the direction indicators, the horn is more of a warning character, i.e. he started beeping and immediately begins to turn, and if he didn’t give in - your problems, you were warned \u003d) Especially the frantic traffic in major cities - Delhi, Chennai, Calcutta, aggravated by an incredible number of tuk-tuk, scurrying here and there - the buzz of signals does not stop there not for a minute.
Close friendships are common among men, to such an extent that here you can often meet them, walking holding hands or hugging. We were surprised at first, but then we read that it was just such a friendship, without sexual connotation.
Indian cuisine, especially southern, is very spicy, with lots of spices. Requests "no spicy", "no chilly" rarely lead to the expected result, despite the zealous nods of the waiter's head. There is a certain set of dishes, initially not very spicy - they can be eaten with complete rejection of spicy foods.
In most cases, the word Hotel is used to indicate where to eat. However, most hotels are called Lodge, but some, especially large ones, also use Hotel in the name.
The most common fruits are papaya, pineapple, tangerines and bananas, with the latter a huge number of varieties - large and small, thick and thin, yellow, red and green. Apples are also often sold, but incredibly expensive.
Many products are labeled MRP (maximum retail price) - the maximum retail price at which this product can be sold. This is especially noticeable in bottled water, which is sold on every corner and costs almost everywhere 15 rupees per 1 liter both in shops and in cafes.
In many small local restaurants there is no menu - people come and order dishes that have long been known to them.
Dishes for different meals are usually clearly separated for breakfast (before 11), lunch (from 12 to 15) and dinner (from 19 to 21). The time, however, is rather arbitrary and can vary, but to order something from the breakfast menu during the day, and most often it will not work out from dinner in the afternoon. Despite the fact that from 15 to 18-19 part of the cafes are generally closed.
The most common lunch among not well-off residents is “meals”: \u200b\u200ba mountain of rice, usually on a banana leaf (very convenient, free disposable tableware, and even beneficial in waste disposal) with several sauces and seasonings in bowls. Most often, this dish is unlimited - sauces are almost always added, sometimes they add rice, cheaply and cheerfully. Meals is more popular in southern India.
Tipping in cafes is customary to leave at will from 3-10%, but most often it is 10-20 rupees.
There is no alcohol on sale. those. it is not prohibited, but it is not particularly welcome - you can buy only in specially designated places. In most cafes, it is also officially not available (sometimes they are sold "from under the floor"), only in restaurants.
Staff at guesthouses and cafes, especially inexpensive ones, are rarely friendly. They are not aggressive, but they talk, as if they have this work sitting in the liver, perhaps it is. Moreover, local residents are often very smiling and friendly.
Rickshaws and other "helpers" for a client’s drive to a hotel usually receive a fixed amount, and for each night spent by a client in this hotel. So from a room for 250 rupees a rickshaw will receive 50 rupees, and for 300 already 75 and so on. Each city has its own fees. The owner of the guesthouse in Allepi shared this with us in secret \u003d)
There is no central hot water supply anywhere. In the cheapest guesthouses there is no hot water, in principle, in some it is brought in the tank in the morning (sometimes for extra money), in more advanced ones there are boilers.
Indians do not use toilet paper, instead, in advanced places, next to the toilet, a small shower hangs, and in places easier - a water tap and a ladle.
Hindu temples begin to work at 5 in the morning and this is usually accompanied by loud howls (prayer) into the microphone for the whole district, huge speakers are put out onto the street)) It is especially fun if such a temple appears under the windows of the guesthouse \u003d)
Most Indians are very devout, believers. Queues are everywhere in the temples, there are many pilgrims everywhere, and as a result, the business of selling offerings is widely developed - as a rule, this is a set of flowers and fruits (bananas, coconuts). Some even have a small prayer room with an altar and deities, visiting one of the couchsurfers who witnessed his daughter’s evening prayer - she rang the bell and waved incense sticks.
In most Hindu temples or in separate prayer parts of them, only Hindi is allowed, while the Europeans can bless the Indian “pop” (put a dot on the forehead, wash with holy water), if only the money was paid)
Apparently due to the heat, here most people get up at 5-6 in the morning. So at 7 am on a normal weekday we witnessed a crowding on the beach - the locals played football, volleyball and just sat in piles or walked, the same thing in the evening - after 5 hours.
The majority of Indians do not like to swim in the sea, prefer lakes with fresh water and without waves. Women never bathe at all, at least in public places.
Often local, mostly young people from non-tourist areas are asked to take pictures with us. Children just say hello and wave their hands or ask them to take a picture. People aged are also willing to pose in front of the lens, and then with innocent eyes ask for “mani-mani”.
A typical local dating procedure consists of two questions: “HIV country ?, name?”. Sometimes they just ask "name?" and satisfied go further.
When children see us, they often ask for "Sculpen." At first they did not understand, and then they sorted it out - a school pen (school pen), apparently, tourists often give it to them.
The most common clothes among women are saris, young men go in jeans and T-shirts, and the older generation often prefers longs - a rag wrapped around the legs, wound around a naked body.
In trains, in general wagons (general class), if there are no empty seats, people quietly ride on luggage racks. Tested first-hand - up to 3 people + luggage \u003d) can be placed on the luggage rack
Up to 5 people can be accommodated in sleeper class wagons on two side shelves - two on the top, 3 on the bottom, and in the reserved seat where we have four in Russia, there are 6 shelves but they are not sleeping and sitting on them is six, but 9-10 people and they sleep in heaps, they also sleep in the aisles right on the floor and in the vestibules at the toilets and entrances. Each carriage has 2 types of toilets - Western style (toilet) and Indian (hole in the floor).
The prices for visiting various parks, palaces, reserves often differ for local and foreign tourists, usually 10, and sometimes 15 times, for example 10 and 150 rupees.
Yoga and Ayurveda are two great myths about India. In Russia, many believe that in India, all Hindus are doing yoga all over and are treated with Ayurveda, but both are more common outside of India, and here it is popular mainly among tourists.
India is a colorful and diverse country with a rich history and amazing ancient culture. The country is the only one on earth whose religion and traditions have not been interrupted for many centuries and have been preserved in their original appearance.
General information
India is a federal republic of 28 states and 7 union islands. The territorial area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 3.3 million square meters. km, which is home to more than 1.2 billion people. The capital of the country is the city of New Delhi.
India is located in southern Asia on the Hindustan Peninsula. The state has borders with Pakistan, Tajikistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. The Republic is washed by the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The most important rivers are the Indus and Ganges. The territory of India has a diverse relief: in the south - plains, in the north - glaciers, in the west - desert and in the east - rainforests. The republic is included in the list of seven largest countries in the world by area.
India, by right, is considered one of the most ancient civilizations in the world. The first, mentioning the country, appeared in the middle of the third millennium BC, when the Dravids lived on the territory. From 2500 to 1500 BC Indo-Aryan tribes inhabited India. Until 1398, Muslims ruled the country, until the army of Tamerlane conquered the country. His descendant founded the Mughal Empire on the territory of India. The period from 1828 to 1857, India was colonized by Great Britain until August 15, 1947 gained independence, although it was divided into two parts, India and Pakistan. On January 26, 1950, India received official status - a democratic republic.
India is the second country in the world in terms of population. The country has officially registered 18 languages, the most common are English and Hindi.
It is worth noting that India is a multi-religious country, mainly Hindus and Muslims. Christianity is professed by about 18 million people.
Weather in India
The climate of the country is quite diverse, since a rather large territory and weather conditions in its different places are very different.
India has a tropical monsoon climate. There are mainly three seasons: winter (lasts from October to February), summer (March to June) and monsoon season (June to September), their duration depends on the specific area. Important factors that influence the country's climate are the mountain systems in the north and the Thar desert in the northwest. In the summer it is very hot and dry, the temperature ranges from +35 ºС to +45 ºС. In winter it is dry and cool, the approximate temperature is +20 ... + 25 ºС.
The best time to visit India depends on the destination route. In the winter season, you should go to Rajasthan, Goa, about. Andaman, Kerala, Orissa and other coastal areas of the Indian peninsula.
The summer season is best spent in Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Ladakh, Kashmir and other states in the Himalayas.
Transport India
Airplane
In India, air traffic between cities is very well developed. Flights are operated regularly from local airports by companies such as Indian Airlines, Jadsen Airlines, Jet Airlines, Alliance Air, Sahara Airlines, Archana Airlines. The cost of tickets is approximately, such as a train of an expensive class, but with less time. Also recently in India there are “air taxi services”, which are serviced by local private firms and are dispatched throughout the country.
Train
The most popular form of transport in the country. There are different categories of trains from the most expensive class, which is equipped with air conditioning, to the general class with a ticket without a seat. The cost of tickets depends on the distance and internal amenities of the train (air conditioning, fan, two-seater compartment, passenger cars, etc.)
Bus
Public and private buses run in the country. State departures regularly from official bus stations and train stations. Private buses are of two types: tourist and night. In tourist buses, water is included in the ticket price, and night buses are equipped with upper beds. Such buses depart from stations and their own stops. The ticket price depends on the route direction and distance.
Taxi
Taxis in India are public and private. The cost of the trip depends on the distance traveled and the direction. All cars are equipped with counters, but the fare is better to negotiate before leaving.
Rickshaw
Rickshaws are a popular public transport. There are two types: moto and bicycle. Cycle rickshaws are a small double crew, which is designed for walking along the pedestrian zone at a short distance. Motor rickshaws are a kind of scooter with a cabin, designed for three passengers. Some rickshaws are equipped with counters, but the fare is better to agree in advance.
Regions and cities of India
North india
North India - the location of Buddhist monasteries, in the territory are the Himalayas and Hindu Kush. Also in this area is the famous Spiti Valley, the holy Mount Kailash, which according to ancient Indian manuscripts is the center of the universe. A huge number of national reserves, unpredictable mountain routes, ancient forgotten cities and the capital of India, Delhi - all this can be found in northern India.
The cultural, economic and historical center of the country. The city very harmoniously preserves the traditions and culture of past centuries and builds a variety of skyscrapers and supermarkets of the 21st century. Transport is very well developed in Delhi, which makes it possible to easily reach any region of India. Also in the city the most profitable shopping. Among the most visited attractions it is worth noting: the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and the Arch, built to honor the soldiers who died in the First World War. Favorable time for visiting is from September to November.
Himalayas - a mountain system that is located in the northern part of India. On the mountain slopes are many temples and monasteries, there are all conditions for outdoor activities. There are also schools of yoga, meditation and martial arts.
West India
The West of India is a territory with a very diverse relief: the forests of Gujarat, the mountains of Ghat, the deserts of Rajasthan. Here are the major cities of India: Mumbai and Goa.
Center of the state of Maharashtra. A city of contrasts, which combines luxury and poverty, and elite houses with slums and garbage dumps. Well-developed infrastructure, the largest number of hotels, shops, restaurants are in the Kolaba area. Among the cultural attractions worth visiting: the gates of India, Mahalakshmi, Victoria Station, Elephant Island, the Prince of Wales Museum, Gandhi National Park, Tower of Silence. The best time to visit is from November to February.
The famous resort of India, which is divided into two areas: North and South. In the Northern region there are numerous towns and villages, the rest of which is suitable for young people. In South Goa there are hotels, restaurants, recreation centers for tourists with large wallets. The infrastructure of the resort area is well developed and there are all conditions for a varied vacation. The most interesting sights are: Arch of Vice Kings, Jesus Basilica, Mahalaxmi Temple, St. Catherine's Cathedral, Hindu temples of Mangeshi and Mahals. The favorable season for a vacation is from November to February.
South india
South India is the most populated part of the country with a rich history. Many ancient cities, colonial forts and many temples have been preserved here. Among the famous attractions: The complex of temples of Mahabalipuram, the complex of the temple of Shiva and Madurai - the center of worship.
Kerala is the cleanest state of India, which is located in the southeastern part of the country, with a well-developed infrastructure, 3 airports and hotels with a high level of service. The resort is famous for its healing springs. Among the attractions worth noting: Beipur, Lake Pukot, Moppila Bay, Fort Sant'Angelo, Javhar National Park, bird sanctuary in the village of Kumarakom, Kochi Synagogue, Krishna Temple in the village of Guruvayur and St. Francis Church in Fort Kochi. The holiday season is the period from October to March.
East india
East India is a territory with a rich variety of natural conditions.
Kolkata (Calcutta) is the administrative and industrial center of West Bengal with well-developed infrastructure and transport links. Regional points of interest include National Library, Memorial Museum. Queen Victoria, Indian Museum, Botanical Garden, Kali Temple, Mission of Mother Teresa, Howrah Bridge.
Nature of india
India is a country with an unusual relief and natural areas. Flora and fauna is very diverse and has many representatives of all kinds. The country has 75 national parks and about 420 reserves.
Among the most popular and most visited natural attractions are:
- "Kanha National Park" - rightfully considered the most beautiful place in all of Asia. The park area is about 950 square meters. km The park was founded in 1995 and immediately received the status of a national reserve. Thousands of species of animals and birds live in the park, many plants grow.
- "Jim Corbett Park" - a national reserve, which is located at the foot of the Himalayas, near the city of Delhi. The reserve area is 600 square meters. km The park has a huge variety of birds, animals and reptiles, but the main inhabitants are the Royal Bengal tigers.
- Sawai Madhopur National Park is a successful implementation of the Tiger project, which was designed to protect and preserve the tiger population. The park also has a panther population and many other animals.
- "Valley of Flowers National Park" is a sacred place on whose territory there is a whole variety of existing flowers. The length covers an area of \u200b\u200b8 km long and 2 km wide. The national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- "Shimla National Park" - a city that is famous for its healing air, many Tibetan monasteries and buildings of the colonial era of India. The main attraction of the city is Lake Revalsar, the banks of which are the places of worship of Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs.
- The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is a unique place with about 200 species of Indian birds. Also, from October to March, the reserve serves as a nesting site for about 100 species of birds from Siberia and Central Asia that fly for wintering.
- "Pichola Lake" is one of the most fabulous reservoirs in the state of Rajasthan. On the territory of the lake you can see palaces, temples and ghats, stone steps built for ritual baths.
- The Kotigao Nature Reserve is the second largest park in Goa, with an area of \u200b\u200b86 square kilometers. In the reserve you can see multi-tiered jungle and rare plants. Also inhabited by many insects, animals and birds.
- The Mandovi River is the largest river in Goa, the length of which is 77 km. A variety of fish and reptiles live in the waters of the river.
- “Dudhsagar Waterfall” is a picturesque place that is famous for its legend of “milk” water. Near the pond you can feed the monkeys and see the railway from the time of British colonization.
- Anjuna Beach is a series of cafes, restaurants and night clubs. Also on the beach is the flea market "Anjuna Market", and every Wednesday there is a carnival of colors.
India Attractions
- Taj Mahal - the mausoleum, the construction of which lasted for 20 years. The Taj Mahal was erected from white polished marble to honor the beloved wife of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The height of the building along with the dome is 74 meters. Nearby are 4 towers, whose height is 42 meters. Indoors, the mausoleum is decorated with carvings, openwork lattices and precious colored stones.
- Ajanta Caves - a unique creation of mankind. The caves were carved out of stone in the 2nd century BC. For 9 centuries, Buddhist monks used them as monasteries and prayer halls. Today, all the caves are connected by a terrace, but in the past a separate passage led to each of them. There are 29 caves in total, in the interior of which you can see the throne, traces or images of the Buddha.
- Fort Jaisalmer is a fortress that was built on an 80-meter hill. The territory of the fort is dotted with streets, and also on the territory are: the gate, the palace of Maharaja, the courtyard and decorated temples of Jain.
- Harmandir Sahib Golden Temple is the oldest temple in India. The construction of the mosque was begun in the 16th century by the Guru. In the XIX century, the upper floors of the building were covered with gold. The Golden Temple is located in the middle of an artificial lake and is connected to the shore by a marble bridge. The temple complex includes the central building - the Golden Temple, and several dozen minor buildings.
- Virupakshi Temple is a religious building that dates from the 7th century. The temple complex is the main building - the temple, and the adjacent buildings - the entrance gate, columned arcade, small sanctuaries, courtyards and other buildings. Mass festivals and vibrant carnivals are held on site.
- Palace of Lake Pikola - in the past - the royal residence, today - a five-star hotel. The building was built of precious white marble, which changes color depending on the time of day. The total area of \u200b\u200bthe hotel is 16,000 square meters. m. The interior decoration of some rooms is executed in the style of the Taj Mahal.
- Lakshmi-Narayana Temple is a building built in the first half of the 20th century to honor Krsna (Narayana) and his wife Lakshmi. The temple was built of white and pink marble and is a collection of concentric squares. In the inner square is the main altar, and under the walls - the rest, dedicated to various deities. On the territory of the temple there is a park with a fountain, caves for meditation, yoga rooms, a library.
- The Qutb Minar Minaret is a complex of monuments from different eras. Qutub Minar is the tallest tower in the world, built of brick. The height of the minaret is more than 72 meters, and you can climb to the very top with the help of 379 steps. At the very top of the tower a dome was built, but as a result of an earthquake at the beginning of the 19th century, it was destroyed. The diameter of the base is 14 meters, but with each floor it narrows. The walls are decorated with Arabic script.
- Red Fort - a fortress built of red brick during the reign of the Great Mongols. The building was erected in the shape of a crescent and is surrounded by an additional protective wall of red stone. The height of the wall is 21 meters, and the construction area is 2.4 km. In 1983, the Red Fort was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Culture of india
The culture of India was formed under the influence of religion, as the country is highly religious. Most of the population are Hindus (80%), also in India the population professes Islam (more than 100 million), Sikhs (18 million), Buddhism (6.6 million), Jainism (4.5 million) and other religions . Such versatility of religion over the centuries has influenced the traditions of the country. Some traditions of India have been lost and forgotten over time, but most of them are observed to this day.
For example, a greeting. The most respectful greeting in the country is namaste - this is the connection of two palms in front of you. A handshake will be relevant only if you greet a long-familiar person. Not a decent gesture is a pat on the shoulder, hugs or walks under the arm. A sign of respect is considered to be touching fingers of the feet or lower leg of the acclaimed.
Disrespect can be shown by showing the interlocutor the soles of the shoes. Before entering most churches, offices, houses, shoes are usually taken off. Women need to attend the temple only with their heads, shoulders, and in loose clothing.
In the process of eating food, Indians use the right hand, as the left hand is considered unclean. During the transition to the next dishes, wash your hands. You should also eat up all leftover food from the plates, otherwise you can show a sign of disrespect for the owners of the house. During farewell, you need to raise your palm.
In India, animals and birds cannot be harmed, as many of them are considered sacred.
Indian art is also closely associated with religion. Architecture and painting are imbued with the holy spirit of ancient Indian civilization, which fully reflected the culture and traditions of India.
An integral part of the culture of India is music. Initially, music was perceived as a way of oneness with God and gave peace during meditation and prayers. The most famous trend in music is samanga, which is based on verses of the Rigveda. To our time, poems have come in the form of an anthem - adobe.
It fully reveals the coloring of India - the Bharata-natyam dance, which originated in Hindu temples and is considered the oldest in the world. No less popular types of dance, such as manipuri, katham, kakhtakhali, which later acquired national significance.
Indians pay special attention to holidays and festivals. They are mainly dedicated to gods or agricultural work and reflect the rich thousand-year history, religion and culture of India.
Indian cuisine
The modern cuisine of India displays the centuries-old experience of dozens of peoples inhabiting its territory. Indian cuisine is a kind of complex of diverse traditions, recipes and dishes that vary from region to region.
Indian Cuisine Ingredients
Indian cuisine is a vegetarian dish based on cereals and legumes, dairy products, nuts, as well as many spices. A variety of cakes made in a traditional tandoori clay oven are very popular. They are usually served rice or a mixture of fried vegetables.
Vegetarianism in India is common in districts, and you can often find dishes from chicken, pork and fish.
Indian spices
India is a country of spices. The right selection and combination of spices plays a huge role in India. Since ancient times, the healing properties of spices such as cloves, ginger, coriander and asafoetida have been known.
The most popular around the world is a mixture of ten spices based on turmeric - kari. I mainly add it to vegetables, rice and meat. “Masala” is also in demand - a mixture of spices fried in oil, which is added to enhance the aroma and taste of dishes.
Indian dairy dishes
Since a cow is considered a sacred animal in India, milk and butter occupy an important foundation of Indian cuisine. Dahi yogurt, homemade panir cheese, ghee ghee and warmed milk are used in almost all Indian dishes.
Indian sweets
Indian sweets are no less popular product. They are prepared on the basis of dairy products, rice, flour, fruits, honey, nuts and spices. In India, one can find the most unusual flavor combinations, for example, “burfi” fondant with aroma of saffron and pine nut or Indian halva.
Indian drinks
Indian cuisine is rich in a variety of drinks. In addition to the well-known tea and coffee, the “lassi” drink based on homemade yogurt with the addition of fruits, sweet and sour lemonade with ice “nimbu punch”, fruit juices, as well as ginger drink “adrak tea” are also popular.
Alcohol is not accepted in the country, but in the districts you can find specialized shops with popular types of Old Monk rum and Aristokrat whiskey.
Shopping in India
Shopping in India is a fascinating activity and an integral part of any trip. The main property of shops and markets in India is the lack of a fixed price, which makes it possible to bargain. It is also worth considering that each district or city of India produces its own unique products.
In India, all goods can mainly be purchased at markets, small shops and roadside shops, as there are very few large supermarkets.
Among the popular products include: handmade carpets, fabrics that are considered the best in the world, ceramics, leather, products from which are of excellent quality, jewelry. In most stores you need to pay in rupees.
India is the brightest and most interesting country in the world. This is an amazing world of ancient temples, forts and palaces, beautiful snow-white beaches and mountain peaks. This is the birthplace of four world religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism), as well as yoga and martial art Kung Fu.
India is a colorful, beautiful, mysterious country, which everyone probably wanted to visit at least once. Despite the tales of poverty, wandering cows, dirt and various diseases, India attracts and the popularity of this tourist destination is growing every year. Of course, to travel to a colorful and ambiguous country, you need to prepare in order not to be disappointed.
You can go to India at any time of the year, but the most suitable time is from October to March, but the summer months are also suitable for alpine regions. As for vaccinations - they can not be done if all hygiene rules are strictly observed:
- tap water must not be drunk;
- fruits and vegetables need to be washed;
- purchased products should be consumed only after heat treatment;
- to get used to local food gradually, you need to start eating in restaurants.
For a comfortable stay and communication in the country it is not necessary to know Hindi, just a few on-duty phrases in English are enough. Indians will always ask to be photographed with you, do not be shy about this, you need to agree because the Indians believe that taking a photo with a European person brings good luck.
Indian bazaars and beggars
Do not go to Indian bazaars, then do not go to India. Famous Indian bazaars filled with flavor and aromatic spices are what you need. The most colorful and original is Chandi Chowk. It must be remembered that in Indian bazaars, as in Turkish, you need to bargain, because here prices are overvalued by 10 times.
You should not succumb to plaintive requests to help beggars, if you help one of them - the crowd of beggars will not give a pass. There are a lot of monkeys here, so you should always stay alert, as these thieves are mainly trained by local hooligans and steal expensive equipment from tourists. Take more photos and get new experiences. We also advise you to watch a video that tells about this amazing country of India.
India is a wise and colorful country where every traveler will find something of his own. Everyone comes here: well-off and not very much, party-goers and seekers of sacred truths, lovers of measured relaxation on snow-white beaches and tourists eager to ride on elephants.
Beach vacation
A huge number of beach lovers come to India, because here are some of the best and most beautiful beaches in the world. All over the world, beaches located in the state of Goa are famous. Advocates of a civilized holiday choose the southern coast. It is here that comfortable hotels and the best water sports centers in India. The most fiery parties take place on the beaches of Mumbai. Not only representatives of the local elite flock here, but also well-known personalities of Europe.
In the northern part of the state stop tourists who prefer a "light" budget holiday. Lovers of solitude and wildlife choose the beaches of Lakshadwip Islands. It is believed that this is the best place in India to explore the underwater world. Kerala offers not only beach activities, but also relaxation on inland rivers and lakes, where you can make a close acquaintance with the exotic nature of India.
Tours and attractions
A person who first came to India should visit the Golden Triangle excursion, which covers the country's most famous and largest attractions. Delhi, Agra, Jaipur are the cities that are the vertices of the triangle. Also, the tourist will be able to get acquainted with other points located along the route to each of the cities.
Jaipur- A city where you can fully enjoy the ancient Indian culture and architecture. Here, the tourist route runs through the Palace of the Winds - a unique place that was built in the form of honeycombs by the special order of the sheikh. More than half a day is spent on a tour of the museums of the City Palace Complex. There you can see small copies of Indian monuments, musical instruments of all time, the national clothes of the Indians and much more.
Delhi- One of the most modern cities in the country, where you can not only enjoy the original culture of old India, but also get acquainted with new streets and buildings. Jama Masjid Mosque, Chatt Chowk Market, Fort Museum, modern Connaught Square - this is just a small list of interesting places in Delhi. At the end of January, there is a festival of folk songs and dances, which attracts lovers of ethnic music both in India and other countries.
Agra, another point of the Golden Triangle, is famous for the famous Taj Mahal. Everyone wants to look at the tomb of the Empress, made of white marble, complemented by precious stones and patterns of black marble. 22 domes located above the gate symbolize the time spent on the construction of this masterpiece of architecture.
India - A multifaceted country, which involves a lot of different types of recreation and excursion programs. In order not to get confused among such splendor and diversity, it is better to decide in advance what you expect from India and decide on the route.
