India, the land of colours and aromas, is truly one of the most wonderful places in the world to visit. A country so vast that one cannot see even half of its beauty in just one visit. Here we will take a look at some of the reasons you should visit India, the land you will fall in love with if you do.
1. Taj Mahal
With eight million visitors per year, the remnant of the Taj Mahal is definitely the most recognizable building throughout the history of India. The white marble-made mausoleum located in Agra was built by Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Taj Mahal has become the burial place of Shah Jahan’s tomb as well, after his death. The name, however, means the crown of the palaces, which is absolutely befitting.
2. The Himalayas
Home to the highest mountains in the world, the Himalayas run through the East of India, as well as Tibet and Nepal. Although the highest mountain in the world, Everest is not in India, there are still very tall mountains, offering breathtakingly beautiful panoramic views.
3. The Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle consists of the three most popular tourist destinations of India, Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, all located in North West of the country. It is called Golden for being rich in history and culture, and the triangle is the shape they have on the map.
The transportation and the roads between these three cities are of acceptable quality, and attractions such as the Taj Mahal and Amber Palace are placed within them.
4. Festivals
No matter where you are in the vastness of the country when you visit India, you will see that the festivals are in the heart of the people almost everywhere. There are a variety of festivals such as Holi (Festival of Colors), Ganesh Festival (The birthday of Lord Ganesh, an 11-day festival), Diwali (honoring the victory of good over evil and brightness over darkness), and Onam (Harvest Festival), all full of music, colors, and joy.
5. Diversity
India is a Country of over 100 ethnicities and home to around 1.37 Billion people. What can be expected from India but diversity? India is a combination of everything you can imagine, in every way you can imagine them. It is an ocean of beauty from every aspect. There is no way that you cannot find what you like, somewhere in India.
6. Food
As a vast country with different cultures, there are a variety of cuisines to be found in India which are the same in essence, but completely different in taste and form.
Indian food has its own fans worldwide, but if you have tried Indian food in places other than India and the experience was not a pleasant one, simply give it another chance and try the Indian dishes inside India and you will see that the food will taste remarkably different.
7. Music
One of the most amazing attractions in Indian culture is music. Apart from traditional music, Indian Pop music has become widely known in the world as well and can be heard almost everywhere in the country.
The energetic music of Indians spreads positive vibes, and the traditional instruments used in their music will help to create a unique atmosphere.
8. Bollywood
Based in Mumbai, and formerly called Bombay cinema, Bollywood is a huge Indian film industry that is a must-see when you visit India. Although the language is mainly Indian, it has gained worldwide attention, has several celebrities, and has produced record-breaking movies throughout the years.
Not only because of the entertainment it has caused, but also for the culture it has established, Bollywood is a must-have experience in the list of the things you should visit in India.
9. Pondicherry
Also called Puducherry, this is a former French colonial settlement in southeastern Tamil that is now a peaceful town, showcasing its romantic, fabulous French nature with its buildings and its tree-lined streets. Pay a visit to this souvenir of France deep inside India in order to see a different side of the country.
10. Beaches
With almost 7,500 Kilometers of coastline, India is home to some of the most popular beaches, such as Goa, which are known worldwide.
A combination of the golden sands, turquoise waters and pleasant locals has made Goa incomparable with any other beach in India. Tourists gather here from all continents of the world in order to spend some quality time under the bright sun of Goa, why not join them?
11. Prices
If you are looking for a cheap destination to travel to, India is definitely the most beautiful one you can pick. All the delicious foods, unforgettable events, and fabulous experiences will not cost you more than $50 per day.
This is one of the best reasons why you should visit India.
12. The Ganges River
Personified as the Goddess Ganga, the holy river of Ganges is another reason why you should visit India. The river starts its journey from the Himalayas and flows through India. The Ganges plays an important role in Indian culture. There are several cities like Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Varanasi in which some religious traditions, such as worship are being held in the vicinity of this majestic river.
13. The Red Fort
The Red Fort of Delhi, also known as the Lal Quila, is a valuable jewel left over from the Mughal era. In 1638, when Shah Jahan moved the capital from Agra to Delhi, he ordered the construction of the Red Fort using the experience of previous constructions.
This place is significantly different from its counterparts in Agra. The impressive entrance of the fort, known as the Lahore Gate, which is even bigger than the Delhi Gate, was used by the emperor for ceremonial celebrations. The special lighting of the castle at night, along with special music, will bring 300 years of history to life in front of the visitors. Due to its historical, architectural, and cultural value, the Red Fort of Delhi has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
14. Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar is a part of the Qutub Minar complex in New Delhi and with a height of 73 meters, it has a spiral staircase with 379 steps. This building, which is considered one of the famous sights of the city, dates back to 1192. This structure is mentioned as one of the first and most impressive examples of Hindu-Islamic architecture.
The minaret is divided into five floors, each floor has a belt-shaped porch around the building. Also, on each floor, you can see inscriptions with the theme of Quranic verses, the names of Qutbuddin Aibak, Muhammad bin Sam and other kings and princes. Qutb Minar is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site as well.
15. Elephanta Caves
Elephanta Caves are another reason why you should visit India. These caves include a series of stone caves carved into the heart of a mountain on Elephanta Island and registered in the UNESCO World Heritage list. This complex dates back to the fifth century and consists of five Hindu temples and two Buddhist temple caves, which were among the pilgrimage areas of the city until the 1500s.
Some of these structures have turned into ruins today; But this complex is still among the best and most spectacular attractions of the city due to its special statues, architecture, and historical and cultural value.
16. Basilica of Bom Jesus
Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa is considered one of the most popular churches in India, and along with other churches in the region, it is a sign of the Portuguese colonial era. The mummified body of Saint Xavier, the Portuguese missionary of Christianity in Goa, is kept in this basilica.
Built in the early 17th century, the church is 408 years old and its building is considered the best example of baroque architecture in India. The Basilica of Bom Jesus has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
17. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, is a railway terminal in Mumbai Metropolis. This terminal was built by the then-British government during the British Empire on the Indian subcontinent. With its Victorian architecture, this train station has withstood events such as horrific attacks for over a century. In 2004, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
18. Ajanta Caves
Ajanta Caves are another reason why you should visit India. These caves along with Ellora Caves have been amazing places to visit in India for centuries. The sculptures and paintings found in the corners of these ancient caves will take the visitors on a fascinating journey to the past. There are about 29 caves in Ajanta, which were built between the 2nd century BC and the 6th century AD, and all of them are dedicated to Buddhism. Ajanta Caves are registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
19. Khajuraho Group of Monuments
The Khajuraho temple complex is located in Madhya Pradesh, India, and was built between 950 and 1150 AD by the kings of the Chandela dynasty. This complex includes 25 temples that are located in an area of about 23.5 square kilometers. The fame of this collection is due to the presence of various sculptures. These sculptures are made of sandstones with shades of pink, pale yellow, and pea yellow, and are joined together using tongue and groove joints instead of mortar.
Each temple has an entrance, hall, and retreat, and their exteriors are beautifully decorated with intricate carvings. These engravings show the traditional lifestyle of women in the Middle Ages as well as the daily life of musicians, farmers, potters, and other people. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site as well.
20. Sundarbans National Park
Sundarbans National Park is home to the largest mangrove forests in the world. It is also the largest tiger reserve and protected area in India and houses a significant population of tigers. For these reasons, Sundarbans National Park is considered one of the best places to experience the diverse wildlife of India. The park welcomes visitors all year round; However, to see the unique tigers of this region, it is better to visit the area from October to April.
21. Ellora caves
Ellora caves are another reason why you should visit India. These caves are located 30 km from Aurangabad, in the Hindu state of Maharashtra, and were built between the 5th and 10th centuries. This collection includes 12 Buddhist caves belonging to the 6th and 8th centuries AD, 17 Hindu caves belonging to the 6th and 9th centuries, and five Jain caves belonging to the 8th and 10th centuries AD, which were built in the vicinity and show the common religious harmony in this area.
22. The Queen’s Bath
The Queen’s Bath is a gigantic building that is an example of traditional architecture during the Vijayanagar Empire era. The architecture used in the building is Hindu-Islamic and while the simple exterior is simple, it comes with a richly decorated interior. The bathing place with a depth of 1.8 meters is located in the center of the building and is surrounded by arches, columns, and ornate porches. Despite being 500 years old, this building still fascinates visitors. As part of Hampi Village, the Queen’s Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
23. Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri, dating back to the 16th century, is a historical city located near Agra. This city was founded by Akbar Shah, who was considered one of the most powerful Mughal rulers. Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire of India and held this position for many years before Agra. Each and every structure of this old city, including shrines, palaces, gardens, roads, and mosques, were built by the order of Akbar Shah. Due to its historical, cultural, and architectural value, Fatehpur Sikri has been registered in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Final Word
India is the seventh largest country in the world and the second most populous country with a rich heritage of different cultures and religions. Traveling to India is an opportunity to experience and visit a series of sacred places and spiritual encounters as well.
Nature lovers can enjoy sunny beaches, magnificent national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries. Traveling to India, from the beautiful Taj Mahal in Agra to the holy places of Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar and Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, is a truly unique experience. In this post, we gave you 23 reasons why you should visit India.