India is arguably one of the most beautiful countries in the world, which is why it attracts millions of tourists annually. It’s also one of the most diverse places in the world; the state has more than 14 official languages, but Hindi and English are the most widely used. The country also has a surprisingly stable economy and modernized financial institutions, which allow you to easily send money to India, visit an ATM or your local bank branch.
The delicious food alone is more than enough reason to visit India. The country has some of the most delicious foods in the world. Indian cuisines come in many colors, which is why the food is just as incredibly diverse as the country itself. The food may vary depending on which region you’re visiting; in North India, they will commonly serve thick, creamy, somewhat moderately spicy curries which are heavily influenced by the Persian style cooking. In southern parts of India, their cuisine is commonly prepared with coconut, rice, and seafood but the food tends to be a bit spicier than that of the north. Some of my favorite dishes include Coconut Chicken Curry, Yellow Dal, Cucumber Raita, and Chicken Tikka Masala. If you’re not a meat lover, you’re probably in the right place; nearly 40% of the country’s population is vegetarian. This means there are plenty of delicious vegetarian dishes, such as Spicy Vegan Potato Curry, Vegetable Biryani, and Creamy Indian Vegetable Korma.
India is a place of extraordinary beauty and one of the most architecturally diverse countries in the world. It is filled with accent palaces, mosques, temples, monuments and plenty of ancient ruins. Home to the oldest civilization in the world, this is why its architecture is rooted in its history and culture. The various architectural styles of India have influenced countless cultures and people from all walks of life. There are currently more than 38 World Heritage-listed historic landmarks stretched across the country, which is why if you’re a history buff, you should consider visiting India. The country also has plenty of breathtaking modern architecture and skyscrapers. There is the Lotus Temple, which is located in New Delhi and gets its name from its flowerlike shape, and the British Council Building, which is also located in New Delhi. There’s also the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai. This architectural masterpiece covers nearly 1,850 acres and is the 14th largest airport in Asia.
Everyone at one point or another has dreamt of living in a palace. In India, you can easily make that dream a reality. The country is full of former palaces. There are more than 100 palaces stretched across the country. Many of these have been converted into lavish hotels, which means you spend a week living like a Mughal King. The Taj Lake Palace, which was built in 1783 for Maharana Jagat Singh and later converted into a hotel in the 1960s, is one of the most beautiful structures in the world. The palace sits on the water and is only accessible by boats. It features marble walls and has over 83 rooms to accommodate guests.
Many people visit India just to get a glimpse of the country’s amazing wildlife. There are more than 100 national parks that cover nearly 15,500 sq miles. These national parks include the Desert National Park, Hemis National Park, and Gangotri National Park. There’s also Bandipur National Park, which is one of the country’s premier tiger reserves and protects numerous species of endangered wildlife, including, tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and thousands of Chital or spotted deer. The park is the largest protected area of wild elephants in Asia.
India is also home to the Himalayas, which is located between Nepal and China. The vast mountain range stretches more than 2,300 kilometers, which makes it one of the highest mountains in the world. There is nothing more rejuvenating than climbing a mountain!
India is considered by many to be the birthplace of spirituality. People often travel from around the globe in their quest for self-discovery. The country is home to a variety of major spiritual centers, including Rishikesh, Pushkar, and Dharamshala, which is home to the Dali Lama, and it’s also where thousands of Tibetan exiles call home.