To Truly Experience the Breadth of Indian Culture and History, Travel is Key: 10 Must-Visit Places in India for All Travellers. Head to as Many as You Can in 2019

The geographical diversity in the Indian subcontinent makes it one of the best tourist destinations for people all over the world. Do you want mountains and snow? We have it. If you like beaches and warm tropical climate; we have that too. There is the vast Thar Desert for those who like miles upon miles of undulating sandy landscape and there are beautiful lush green forests for wilderness lovers. But of course there are certain seasons that bring out the natural beauty of a certain landscape and if you want to make the most of your trip then you must plan accordingly. Then there are also climatic hazards, like heavy rain or snowfall, extreme heat etc. which make certain parts of the country inaccessible during certain seasons. Each travel destination in India, therefore, has a season, which is the best time of the year to visit that particular place. For example, most hill stations are popular getaways during the summer months but are avoided in monsoon because of landslides caused by heavy downpours.

There are festivals to celebrate political events, like Republic Day on 26th of January and Independence Day which falls on the 15th of August. There are parades and flag hoisting ceremonies. Then there are religious and seasonal festivals, like Durga Puja, Diwali, Holi, Id, Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Pongal and Navratri.

These festivals are celebrated by people all over India, but each one is indigenous to certain regions. For example, in West Bengal, especially the city of Kolkata, Durga Puja is an enormous festival, attracting visitors from all over the world. Huge statues of the Goddess are worshipped, in temporary structures which are called pandals. Similarly, Holi is best experienced in Mathura, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, which is where Lord Krishna is believed to have resided. Makar Sankranti/Pongal Is celebrated all over the Southern region. There are festivals like the Goa Carnival which brings to life the colonial heritage of India. Then there are fairs like the Pushkar Camel Festival and the Kumbh Mela.

India has something to offer every kind of traveller. Apart from being the perfect destination for photography and social media enthusiasts, India also has niche places for people with particular interests. Music is an important part of the culture in our country and therefore people who like regional and folk music can visit different destinations to both learn music and enjoy the performances of local artists. Buying musical instruments is also a great idea for people who enjoy music and want to learn to play unique instruments. Indian handicrafts are famous all over the world and each state has its own unique merchandise to offer. Therefore India is also a shopper’s paradise for people who love textiles, antiques, art and knick-knacks. There are places with beautiful architectural marvels and wonderful natural wonders. There are beautiful hiking trails for adventure junkies, activities for water sports lovers in places like Rishikesh and Goa, mountaineering institutes in hilly regions like Darjeeling.

Kochi is a picturesque port town in the state of Kerala. It has a colonial past and was resident to Portuguese, Dutch and British travellers. This beautiful coastal destination has a quaint charm that attracts travellers looking for peace and tranquillity. Kochi also is known as Ernakulam and is famous for its rich culture, beautiful buildings, calm backwaters, churches and charming cafes. The port is the highlight of the place. The Kochi Muziris Biennale is an art festival that is held in Kochi every two years. This festival attracts a large number of tourists to this small seaside destination. The event goes on for a few months and includes exhibitions, poetry sessions and musical performances. The best time to travel to Kochi would be anytime throughout the year except for maybe the hot summer months because it can get exceptionally humid during that time. There are flights to Kochi from almost all major cities and also trains.

Goa is perhaps the most popular beach getaway in India and also attracts a large number of travellers from all over the world. Goa is a small state on the Konkan coast and is the travel destination for beach bums, party and water sports lovers. Goa was inhabited by Portuguese merchants in the past and is steeped in colonial history. Goa hosts a number of festivals. The most popular ones are the Goa Carnival, the International Goa Photo Festival, Feast of St. Francis Xavier and of course Christmas. Goa has a large Christian population. There are several churches and cathedrals in the state, the most famous ones being the Bom Jesus Basilica, where the remains of St. Francis Xavier are still preserved and the Se Cathedral. There are several beaches in Goa. Anjuna is famous for its famous flea market held every Wednesday. Goa has an international airport with scheduled domestic and international flights. One can also travel to Goa by road. There are buses leaving from Mumbai and Mangalore.

Pondicherry is the capital of Puducherry which is a union territory in the Southern part of the country. Pondicherry housed the headquarters of the French East India Company in the past. The French history of the town is still very much evident in its culture and the whole vibe of the place. There are various quaint buildings, cafes and settlements in the part of the place popularly known as White Town. Not far is the area is known as Auroville, which is a spiritual community, set up by Mirra Alfassa in collaboration with Sri Aurobindo, the well-known Indian philosopher and nationalist. Pondicherry also has a number of beautiful rocky beaches, handicraft centres, boutiques and yoga studios. It’s the place to go to if you are looking for some quiet contemplation. Pondicherry can be reached by bus from Chennai or Bangalore. There are trains also from most major cities. Pondicherry airport has direct flights to Bangalore and Hyderabad, and chartered flights to Chennai.

Jaipur also is known as the Pink City is the largest city and capital of the state of Rajasthan. It’s a beautiful old city housing architectural marvels. The city is full of old palaces which once housed kings and queens. Some of the most prominent structures are the Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort. Nahargarh Fort and Jantar Mantar, which is an astrological landmark housing a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II, and completed in 1734. A major event held in Jaipur every year is the Jaipur Literature Fest, which attracts authors and book lovers from all over the country and also abroad. Jaipur has a rich cultural and artistic heritage. It’s a shopper’s paradise, being the birthplace of various embroidery and printing techniques. There are domestic and international flights to Jaipur and also trains. You can also travel to Jaipur by road from Delhi via highway.

When you think of visiting Agra, the first thing that comes to mind is, of course, the Taj Mahal. But Agra also has other Mughal era buildings like the Agra Fort, Jama Masjid and Fatehpur Sikri, and tombs of various Mughal rulers. Each site is a beautiful work of architecture and artistry. Agra is the place for you if you enjoy visiting old monuments and enjoy getting lost in their history. If you want to buy things to take home from Agra then there are plenty of those too. You can shop for sweets like Petha and Gajak, fabrics with rich Zardosi embroidery, artifacts made of marble with rich inlay work, carpets etc. at Sadar Bazaar Market. Some of the important festivals held in Agra are the Taj Mahotsav, Ram Baraat, the Taj Literature Fest and the Agra Balloon Festival. Agra can be reached by road from Delhi and other major cities in Northern India. There are Air-India flights to Agra Airport.

Shimla is probably the most popular hill station in Northern India. It’s the capital of the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh and is a place perfect for family holidays. Shimla was inhabited by the British in the days of the Raj and it’s still evident in the European style of architecture which is prevalent in the place. If you like mountains, thick coniferous forests, beautiful blue skies, bubbling streams and quaint chalet-style buildings then Shimla would be the place to visit. Shimla has a market known as Lakdi Bazaar which sells exquisite wooden artifacts and utensils. Shimla is well connected by road to most cities in North India. There is an airport as well located 23 Kms from the city, with flights to Delhi. There is also the Kalka Shimla Rail which is a narrow gauge track and goes uphill.

The ancient town of Varanasi is the city of temples and has been a pilgrimage spot for Hindus for a long time. The city situated on the banks of the Ganges is also famous for it’s ‘Ghats’. These ‘Ghat’s’ are what gives the city its character. These riverbanks are the places where all the action takes place. There are Puja rituals, music and the antics of holy men or Sadhus. Bodybuilders and daily bathers also throng the place. The Manikarnika Ghat is the crematorium, in fact, the largest open one in the world. The city is also famous for its narrow characteristic alleys, its delicious street food and most of all its unique vibe which is hard to find anywhere else on the planet. You can reach Varanasi by train, by road or even by plane. The airport is situated 26 km from the city centre.

Darjeeling is also known as the Queen of the Hills is a very popular hill station located in the state of West Bengal, in the North Eastern part of the country. It shares its border with Nepal and is home to a large Nepali population. Darjeeling like Shimla has a lot of colonial influence which can be seen in the architecture and culture of the place. Darjeeling offers beautiful views of the Himalayas, with the view of the Kanchenjunga peak being an all time tourist attraction. The small hill town is characterized by beautiful flora, low temperatures, quaint buildings and an atmosphere of coziness. If in Darjeeling, it’s recommended that you try the local Nepali and Tibetan cuisine, with Momos and Thukpa, which is a kind of dumplings and soup respectively, being the most popular specialties. You can reach Darjeeling by taking a train to New Jalpaiguri and taking a car from there. The airport is located at Bagdogra, and flights to most major cities.

Dharamshala is famous for one main reason…it’s the residence of the Great Dalai Lama. But apart from this, it’s also a breathtakingly beautiful place just on the border of Tibet. Therefore it’s the place to go to if you want to travel further and go to Ladakh or Leh. It’s located in the Kangra Valley and can be reached by road, air or rail. This place was made the second capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh and is home to many beautiful monasteries.

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest reserved forest in India housing the endangered Bengal tiger. It’s named after Jim Corbett, the famous English author, hunter and naturalist. If you like dense forests and the call of the wild, then Jim Corbett would be the perfect destination for you. They have conducted tours of the park in vehicles from where you can observe the wildlife in complete safety. Apart from tigers, the park houses other various flora and fauna. You can reach Jim Corbett by road from the small city of Ramnagar. Ramnagar is connected to all major cities in Northern India.

India is the country of diversity and contradictions. If you are confused about the kind of place you want to visit, then you should definitely come to India. India has something for every kind of person. Whether you are the fun boisterous kind or looking for a quiet getaway from people, there are places which can offer you both.