Why Travel to India? 11 Reasons Why India is so Incredible
India is a bright, bustling country that many people long to visit even if they can’t quite put their finger on their reasons why. Its culture, history, food, and landscapes lure people in with the promise of vibrancy and variety, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint!
Why Travel To India?
India is unlike anywhere else in the world with its sheer volume of people, its insane variety, its colour, food, and its many festivals. These are just a few things I cover about why India is a must visit for the avid traveller.
There is no doubt that India will be a shock to the system when you first visit, but it is a shock that you will learn to love and crave when exploring new places. While some sights and smells may make you somewhat uncomfortable, all that will be forgotten when you try the delicious cuisine, receive a smile from a friendly local or marvel at a work of architecture that truly takes your breath away.
I could go on all day about why you should travel to India, but instead, I’ll break it down into 11 failsafe reasons you should travel to this incredible country.
1. The Food - Indians Take Food Very Seriously
The food in India is hands down one of the best reasons to travel to this wonderful country. While Indian cuisine has travelled far and wide and become a much-loved favourite in all parts of the world, this is often a watered-down version of Indian food rather than the big, bold flavours of authentic dishes. Plus, it’s far too easy to stick to a handful of dishes that you know and love from your local Indian restaurant rather than trying a wide variety of food that is on offer in the country itself.
From street-side snacks to full Indian banquets, the food here will have your mouth watering on a daily basis. Breakfast dosas, stuffed samosas, mixed thalis, and hearty biryanis are just a snapshot of the cuisine you will get to enjoy on your Indian adventures.
Plus, each and every city and state in India has their own specialities and takes on the firm favourites so you can continue to try new dishes everywhere you go!
2. The People - Warm and Caring
India’s citizens are some of the friendliest people I have ever encountered on my travels with everyone smiling, saying hello and stopping to help you out at every available opportunity. Whether its children in the street waving as you pass by on a bus or friendly locals pointing you in the right direction, it’s clear that Indians really love their country and want to prove that it is a wonderful place to visit.
While there will always be certain people that act unlawfully or hold their overfriendly stare for a few moments too long, on the whole India’s people are warm, welcoming, kind and caring.
3. The Architecture - The Architecture in India is Amazing
With the Taj Mahal being one of the most famous buildings in the world and perhaps the biggest attraction of any visit to India, it’s clear that the architecture here is a pretty big deal! No matter how much you have heard, read or seen about the Taj, you will still be blown away by its beauty and structure.
Plus, this isn’t the only stunning building in the country! From the Temples of Hampi and the Red Fort in Delhi to the Mysore Palace and the Portuguese-influenced churches of Goa, there is a wealth of architecture to explore.
Jodhpur, India’s ‘Blue City,’ is another such example of spectacular architectural planning. Standing above the city taking in the vibrant blue hue is an experience truly unique to India!
4. The Variety - You Could Travel for Decades and Still Be Suprized by India
India is such a huge country that it comes as no surprise to hear that there is a whole host of variety across the country that will keep you discovering more every time you visit. Whether you start in the bustling cities of Delhi and Mumbai or begin with a gentle introduction via the beaches of Goa, you’re sure to fall in love with India’s charm on your very first trip. Then, each time you delve a little further into the country, you’ll encounter something new that keeps you coming back for more.
With different communities, religions, cuisine, dress, and landscapes, every part of India has its own character that is worth exploring in its own right. Whether you enjoy a multi-stop trip around the country that allows you to take in the variety in one go, or explore at a slower pace, discovering the similarities and differences across the country is a fascinating feature of any trip to India.
5. The Colour - The Pride of India
India is known for being a shock to the senses, and one of these pleasant shocks comes in the form of colour. From stunning saris to mounds of spices stacked up in markets, India’s vibrant colours make for an exciting change to the black and silver palettes of many western cities we are used to!
This country certainly isn’t afraid to use colour with pride which is shown in the painted palaces and temples, the bright colours of Bollywood and the mixture of hues seen in everyday life. Seeing ladies walking down the street in shades of gold and green, magenta and maroon, will really put a smile on your face.
6. The History - Learn a Little Before You Go
India’s long and varied history has led to a diverse country with a huge range of religions, traditions, literature, and architecture that make it such a fascinating place to visit. From ancient civilisations to invasions and colonialisation, India has been a melting pot of cultures for centuries. Not only is this shown in the range of communities still around today, but also in the wealth of UNESCO World Heritage sites and spiritual traditions that live on to this day.
Whether you’re interested in the Indus Valley Civilization, the Vedas, the Mughal Empire or present-day India as a burgeoning economic power, you’re sure to learn all about the country’s history and development with a visit to this inspiring nation.
7. The Beaches - India has 4570 Miles of Coastline After All
It often seems as though the beaches of India are overlooked in favour of the spirited cities or the amazing architecture of inland India. In actual fact, India’s coastline is home to some beautiful beach destinations that are well worth a visit.
South Mumbai, Goa and Pondicherry are incredible coastal spots, not to mention the Andaman Islands which are truly picture-perfect. India’s beach destinations boast palm-fringed sandy shores, fish-filled restaurants where you can dine with your toes in the sand and glorious temperatures for much of the year.
The Andaman Islands are one of the best places for snorkelling, with a whole host of marine life making for an exciting underwater adventure.
8. The Energy
India definitely has a certain ‘je ne sais quoi,’ and many people think this comes down to the country’s unique energy. It has been a spiritual birthplace for many religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism to name but a few as well as the practice of yoga and meditation.
Many travellers feel a deep connection to India the first time they visit, especially its nature and warmth. It’s, therefore, no surprise that it has become a hotspot for those seeking retreats and getaways as well as those wanting to undertake their yoga qualifications.
There are ashrams all over the country that aim to give you an authentic insight into India’s spirituality and keeping calm while travelling through this chaotic country can be the perfect time to practice inner stillness and gratitude.
9. The Festivals (this is where reasons 1, 2. 5, 6 & 8 all come together)
India is known to be a country that features a different festival pretty much every day of the year! Whether these are simple affairs with offerings and shrines or full-blown festivities featuring parades, dancing, food, and fun, you’re sure to encounter some sort of celebration when you visit India.
Some of the favourite festivals include Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours (usually in March) and Diwali also called The Festival of Lights (usually in October or November). While there are now versions of these festivals celebrated all over the world, there’s nothing quite like taking part in the festivals in their home towns. Festival calendar.
10. The Shopping
Souvenir shopping in India is something else, with pretty much anything you can imagine being available for purchase around the country. Whether you’re looking for well-made clothes and scarves at low prices, pungent herbs, and spices, natural rocks, and crystals or stunning singing bowls, you’ll be sure to find it at one of India’s bustling markets. Plus, they pride themselves on hand-tailored clothes so if you’re seeking an extra special outfit this may be the place to go.
Even if you don’t have much space in your luggage, experiencing India’s markets is still worthwhile, and there are always some tasty treats that won’t take up any room (apart from in your waistband of course!).
11. The Cost - The Ultimate Inexpensive Vacation
This may be one of people’s top reasons for visiting India, but I personally feel the country’s character and history deserved a mention first! However, that is not to say that I’m disputing the fact that the rock bottom prices in India don’t play a part in deciding to travel to this amazing country.
Transport, food, shopping and accommodation in India are all super cheap, even in popular tourist destinations like Rishikesh and Goa. Of course, you can live the life of luxury in India if you’re willing to pay a bit more, but it’s great that it can also be explored on a backpacker budget!
With a double beachside bungalow costing less than $25 a night and a full vegetable thali often costing less than $2.50, you simply can’t go wrong!
Other things you might want to know about india
How Long Should I Travel To India For?
As with everywhere in the world, the length of time you wish to travel for depends on your budget, time available and how much you want to see. India is a huge country, so it is simply impossible to see it all, but the great transport links throughout the country allow you to visit a number of destinations in one trip with relative ease. If you only have a few weeks available it’s best to stick on one area such as the southern beaches, the foothills of the Himalayas of the famous Golden Triangle. This will give you a good taster of India and will leave you longing to come back for more!
Is India Safe?
India’s reputation in terms of its lack of safety often proceeds it, and while there are certain things you need to be careful about while travelling in India, it is not true to say that the whole country is unsafe. As long as you use common sense and take basic precautions while travelling, you’re unlikely to run into trouble during your time in India. For more details check out our other blog post on Indian safety.
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