The Facts:
Capital: New Delhi
Currency: Indian Rupee
Time Zone: GMT +5.5
www.incredibleindia.org
Introduction:
Mystical, spiritual, bamboozling and mind-boggling, India is many things. Sacred cows wander the streets, holy men sit naked in their ghats and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment is almost a national pastime. The time-honoured traditions of Hinduism, the dominant religion are woven within the fabric of every day life. But with its billion plus population India also marches forwards into modernity. This land of the Maharajas, of ornate palaces, stoic fortresses, and snow-capped mountains as well as laid back beaches and designer boutiques can overwhelm the senses in every possible way with sights, sounds and smells that jostle and juxtapose. Colour, contrast and contradiction seem almost to be at every corner. Come to India and be prepared to love and hate it. Come prepared to be challenged and come being prepared that you will never be prepared - something will always surprise you in India.
Where To Go:
India is the seventh-largest country in the world with the second highest population. Bounded by the Indian Ocean to the south, the Arabian Sea to the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east, it has a coastline of 7,517 kilometres. It is bordered by Pakistan to the west, China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the northeast, and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia are also close by in the Indian Ocean.
What To Eat & Drink:
- Curries are the iconic dish of India. Their contents may vary widely but generally involve the blending of spices such as cumin, turmeric, cardamom, ginger, coriander, nutmeg and poppy seed.
- Dhal is a mainstay of the Indian diet. Made from curried lentils it is usually mopped up with some form of chapatti.
- In the south try Iddlis (steamed rice cakes), Vadas (deep fried lentil cakes) or Dosas (rice pancakes) often served with a coconut chutney.
- In Goa try a Vindaloo, the most famous of its dishes.
- In Kerala seafood makes a big mark on the menu.
- Gulab Jamuns are deep-fried dough balls in sweet syrup.
- Chai (tea) is the drink of the nation.
- A Lassi is an iced yogurt/buttermilk beverage.
- Kingfisher the most popular beer.
Unmissable India:
5 things you really should do in India
1. Go for something palatial
Explore Rajasthan the region of the maharajas by jumping aboard the luxurious 'Palace On Wheels' train. Discover the Jaisalmer desert, the pink city of Jaipur, the romantic city of Udaipur with its lake palace Hotel, as well as hill top forts and beguiling temples.
www.palaceonwheels.net
2. Take a slow boat
Let the world slip by in the backwater canals of Kerala. Stay aboard one of the converted rice boats and explore this verdant part of southern India, often dubbed the 'rice bowl' of the nation.
www.keralatourism.org
www.transindus.co.uk
3. See an architectural masterpiece
Visit one of the most well known buildings in the world and see the beautiful white domes of the Taj Mahal at Agra.
www.tajmahal.org.uk
3. Make time for tea
With some of the world's most famous tea varieties originating here you can learn a lot about the liquid stuff. Stay on a working tea plantation like the Glenburn Estate near Darjeeling or the Windermere Estate in Munnar in the western Ghats. Alternatively, a tea trek can take you into the foothills of the awesome Himalayas.
www.windermeremunnar.com
www.glenburnteaestate.com
www.timbesttravel.com
4. Get spiritual
Explore the city of Varanasi draped along the banks of the river Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This is the oldest city in India and one of the holiest Hindu locations, its colourful temples and famous ghats throng with holy men and pilgrims.
www.varanasicity.com
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