One of the most dazzling places in the world, India has a charm that very few other countries possess. Unimaginably chaotic and vividly colorful, it has everything from exquisite beaches to be a colorfulthingness of deserts. Visited by thousands of tourists every year, India is one of those destinations where one trip will not satiate your curiosity and will leave hundreds of amazing spots throughout the country unexplored. So, to help you, we’ve created a list of the five best places in India that you must check out on your first trip.
by Rohit Agarwal
- Delhi
Lotus Temple, Photo by Arian Zwegers, CC BY 2.0
The capital city of India is famed for its sprawl of monuments like Red Fort, Humayun’s tomb, India Gate, Qutub Minar and Akshardham Temple etc. Delhi can be best described as tightly packed and perpetually buzzing. Best in the country for serving varied cuisine, Delhi also tops the list for being the least expensive city for clothes and food in India. A must visit for a healthy dose of the rich Indian history, spellbinding architecture and a clamor of markets.
- Hampi
Photo by Vinoth Chandar, CC BY 2.0
A trip to India is incomplete without a visit to utopic Hampi in the state of Karnataka. Credited as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins in Hampi will leave you stunned. A majestic city once upon a time, but all that’s left of this great place now are the ruins of ancient temples and architecture amidst a calm and undulating landscape spotted with rice fields and banana plantations. Intricately carved and sculpted sites here will mesmerize you. Easily covered in a day or two, the relaxed atmosphere of Hampi will force you to spend more days in this wonderland.
- Rajasthan
Photo by Dennis Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0
From a vast landscape of the Thar desert with nothing as far as the eye can see to the blue and pink cities of Jodhpur and Jaipur, Rajasthan is a tourist paradise. Rajasthan’s exotic architecture is evident and world renowned through its forts and palaces. A visit to Amer Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Mehrangarh Fort, Chittorgarh Fort etc. will be an evidence of the cultural beauty of Rajasthan along with its charming lakes and intricately carved temples. This Indian state is also famous for its delicious cuisine. A visit to Rajasthan’s mighty palaces and a bellyful of its amazing “thali” will be nothing short of a dream come true.
- Ladakh
Photo by Margarita, CC BY-SA 2.0
One of the most breathtakingly beautiful places in India is the northern region of Ladakh in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. With gorgeous valleys, Rocky Mountains, views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks, Ladakh is easily the most stunning place you’ll ever see. A name that translates to the “land of high passes”, Ladakh’s thick vegetation, snow covered peaks, frozen rivers, exotic wildlife, shimmering lakes, silent valleys and meditative monasteries are just some of the perks of visiting this northern paradise.
- Kerala
Photo by Mehul Antani, CC BY 2.0
God’s own country Kerala, is a heaven for nature lovers. The thick cover of the forest of the Western Ghats and the backwaters make this state a pollution free and green bliss. From the white sandy shores to the dense woods and sparkling river and streams, Kerala is the perfect land to spend your holidays and achieve a rejuvenating experience. Famous for ayurveda and its spa treatments, this Indian state promises a most relaxed stay served with a most delicious cuisine.
Five of the most promising places in India that will liven up your first trip here. A few of the honorable mentions not included in the list are places like Goa and Agra. A sprawling tourist destination, India is one of the highly-visited places in the world. The above are the reasons why.
Author’s Bio:
Rohit Agarwal, a globe trotter and an architect, combines his two passions into his travel blog Transindiatravels.com where he recounts his journeys to amazing places in India and the world to others like him.
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