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Introduction to India

History of India

The city of lakes and also called as the romantic city, Udaipur, has always been a honeymooners’ paradise. You may opt to stay at a luxury hotel with a view of famous Lake Pichola. The massive Mehrangarh fort is located in the blue city of Jodhpur, where you can spend your vacation in an amazing hotel overlooking the fort. Jaisalmer offers unique luxury desert tent accommodations under the stars. 

The southern region of India covers the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Stay at a heritage property in Pondicherry (Tamil Nadu) depicting the French-influenced architecture in India. Luxury backwater resorts, overnight houseboat cruises, beach resorts and treehouses make for interesting accommodation options. You can also stay in a tea plantation resort in Munnar.

With so much diversity across the country, central India too offers astonishing jungle stays in Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks. The temple view of Khajuraho from the comfort of your room will make your journey enthralling.  

Hop on a boat over Lake Pichola in Udaipur and you will reach the stunning Jag Niwas which is today’s magnificent Taj Lake Palace of Udaipur. This hotel is world-renowned as the James Bond film ‘Octopussy’ was filmed here. The hotel, located in the middle of the lake, manages to offer a breathtaking view of the City Palace, Aravalli hills, Machla Magra hills and Jag Mandir from every room. Festooned with traditional Indian silks and dark teak furniture, the luxury lake view rooms also offer views of the quiet waters of Lake Pichola.

Relax at a safari lodge located near Bandhavgarh National Park in central India. The mud cottages, locally called as ‘kutiyas’, are built in the local style of architecture. Experience the charm of exotic cottages modelled around traditional central Indian homes featuring stylish en-suite bathrooms and private courtyards. Feel the happiness in picking fresh vegetables and fruit from the lodge’s private organic gardens for your salad.

Discover the nature when you stay at a treehouse at the Wayanad hill station in northern Kerala. Vythiri Resort is a beautiful jungle getaway located in Wayanad. The treehouses are well-equipped and have charming thatch roofs and bamboo walls that have been built by members of indigenous tribes with locally-sourced materials.

With a winding river on one side and the sapphire blue sea on the other, Leela Palace is one of the most beautiful luxury beach hotels in Goa. The spacious rooms and balconies of the hotel open up to majestic views of the lagoons and the Arabian sea.  The lagoon terrace room comes with an added touch of Portuguese architecture, complete with wood-panelled floors.

Experience the soulful Golden Temple in Amritsar that is the spiritual nerve-center of the Sikh faith. Located in the foothills of Himalayas on the banks of the River Ganges, visit Rishikesh – a city known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’. The city is known for its ancient temples, Ganges ghats, yoga ashrams and beautiful views of Himalayas. Visit Varanasi – the oldest living city in the world. Take an early morning sunrise boat ride on the River Ganges in Varanasi and experience the peace and spirituality in the air. 

Travel to the city of Bodhgaya where Buddha attained enlightenment. A beautiful tranquil Mahabodhi temple is the focal point of the town. The town forms an important part of the Buddhist circuit of India. One of the oldest national parks in India, visit Jim Corbett National Park, mainly known for royal Bengal Tigers, Asiatic Elephants and many migratory birds.

Visit the coastal city of Cochin in Kerala. It is a captivating mix of giant fishing nets, a 400-year-old synagogue, ancient temples, mosques, Portuguese houses and amazing beaches. Take an Ayurvedic massage at the Kumarakom backwaters in Kerala. See the famous coffee plantations at Coorg and get mesmerized by the breathtaking views of misty hills and lush forests. Visit Hampi in the state of Karnataka – a town known for the ruins of the medieval city of Vijayangar empire.

Visit the shore temple of Mahabalipuram that has remarkable rock-cut sculptures and monolithic shrines. Visit Pondicherry – a well-planned city with French heritage, vibrant beaches and impressive churches.

Home to the one-horned rhinoceros, experience the Kaziranga National Park on elephant and Jeep safaris. Visit the Konark Sun temple situated in the state of Orissa. It is another UNESCO World Heritage site in the eastern region of the country.

Marvel at the view of the magnificent snow-capped Kanchenjunga mountain ranges from Pelling, Sikkim. Hop on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (toy train) which is also recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. 

Explore the jungles of the Sasan Gir National Park in Gujarat on open Jeep safaris, and see the only wild habitat of Asiatic lions in the world. Participate in the kite festival in Ahmedabad which is held annually in the month of January. 

Visit the “the wine capital of India” – Nashik in Maharashtra. Go on wine tasting tours in the various vineyards of Nashik. Experience the most beautiful caves of India – the ancient Ajanta & Ellora caves in Aurangabad – both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Enjoy a ferry ride to Elephanta Caves in Mumbai. Try some Bollywood dance moves under a professional choreographer, also in Mumbai. 

The small Kumbhalangi village near Cochin is the place where you can do crab catching with locals. Experience the ancient martial art form of Kerala, the Kalaripattu show in Cochin. The traditional Kathakali dance show retells the great stories of the past, mostly from Indian epics, and leaves you awe-struck. Cycle through the tea plantations in a private tea estate located in one of the most beautiful areas of Munnar. Go on a nature walk offering an excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife in Thekkady.

Get a chance to dress in the traditional Kodava attire at Coorg and try some culinary delicacies. Go on an authentic food tour in Madurai, known as a city of temples; this ancient city also has noteworthy food courts, stalls and eateries. Ride through the Tamil quarters, Muslim quarters, white town and visit a church during Pondicherry cycle tour. 

4. Hyderabadi biriyani in Telangana – An authentic dish of rice and meat traditionally cooked together in an earthen pot with spices, yogurt, fried onions, mint and saffron. 

5. Litti chokha in Bihar – Stuffed wheat balls, tossed with lost of ghee (clarified butter) and served with curry. 

6. Petha in Agra – Sweet made from ash gourd vegetable. A translucent dish which is eaten dry or with sugar syrup. 

7. Masor tenga in Assam – Made from fish cooked in tangy gravy with generous amounts of spices and mustard. 

8. Thalipeeth in Maharashtra – A flatbread made using a mix of grains and spices.

Top restaurants in India

India is home to some top-rated restaurants. One such restaurant is Indian Accent in Delhi. This restaurant was featured in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2019. The restaurant showcases inventive Indian cuisine by complementing the flavours and traditions of India. Bukhara Restaurant is a multi-award-winning restaurant offering a wide-ranging menu of succulent kebabs, vegetables and breads. Do you know many celebrity guests have visited this restaurant including former U.S President Mr. Bill Clinton and Russian President Vladimir Putin? 

To savour some seafood, visit the Wharf Restaurant in Mahabalipuram. It serves fresh seafood, grill-fired steaks and crisp, seasonal produce. Enjoy your unforgettable meal with a view of the Bay of Bengal. Another famous restaurant in South India is The Karavalli Restaurant in Bangalore. It is an award-winning restaurant serving South Indian cuisine. You can enjoy traditional South Indian food inspired from heritage age old recipes. 

The Indian railways are one of the largest rail networks in the world, ranking fourth on the list. There are more than 20,000 trains running on a wide network of rail tracks. India’s first metro rail services started in Kolkata and today other cities like Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Cochin and Lucknow have a functional metro rail network. You may also plan to embark on luxury train journeys like the Palace on Wheels, Maharaja Express, the Golden Chariot and Deccan Odyssey. 

India also has toy train rides to reach the famous hill stations. The historic Kalka-Shimla toy train is a popular way to reach Shimla (Himachal Pradesh, North India). The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the oldest toy train that offers the travellers a ride through the rolling hills and lush green tea plantations of Darjeeling (West Bengal, East India). The Nilgiri mountain railway is the highlight to reach Ooty and Coonoor Hill stations (Tamil Nadu, South India). Matheran Hill Railway is a narrow-gauge heritage railway in Maharashtra (West India). The Kangra Valley Railway lies in the sub-Himalayan region of Kangra Valley (North India). 

An advantage of travelling during the monsoon season though, is that the scenery transforms into an oasis of green forests and rushing rivers, offering some of the most beautiful landscapes to be found anywhere in the world – perfect for cruising the Kerala backwaters.

In November and December, various parts of North India experience cold weather and fog. December marks the beginning of peak season, when the crowds begin to arrive, so November is a good bet for a more relaxed holiday.

Useful items to carry 

• Passport and India travel visa (needs to be obtained in advance) 

• A sufficient quantity of medications that you may have been prescribed. You may also carry OTC medications like painkillers etc. 

• Sunscreen lotions, facial tissue and face towels 

• Swimsuit, hat and sunglasses

• Comfortable walking shoes 

• Credit cards and other important financial items

Travellers are advised to wear light, informal clothing during when touring India. In winter (October to March), the temperatures in North India get cold and hence packing light woollens is recommended. The temperatures would vary during the day – in the mornings and evenings, the temperatures would be cold and in the afternoon the temperatures would be hot – hence, wearing woollens in layers is recommended so that you can remove or add them based on your comfort level. 

In Summer (April to June), India is hot and travellers are advised to carry sunscreen lotions and wear light clothing. Females should avoid revealing attire as this may get unwanted attention and may make you feel uncomfortable. During your visit to certain temples, the shoulders and head should be covered. 

Do not wear shoes inside a local home or a temple. Accept any offerings from the temple priest with your right hand. Do not drink alcohol or smoke in public areas. Do not show affection towards your partner in public. 

Weather in India

Visiting India soon? Being such a large and varied country, the weather can vary from one region to another See below for the latest weather forecast for a number of different regions in India.

RAJASTHAN WEATHER

ASSAM WEATHER

KERALA WEATHER