India is a sensory overload thanks to its vibrant culture, the origin of yoga, and kaleidoscopic beauty. Imagine exotic spice shops, complex cultural festivals, stunning architecture, stray cows ambling through crowded streets, wildlife-rich woods, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
15 Best Places to Visit in India
1. Agra
The stunning view of the Agra Fort made of red sandstone and marble at sunrise. Image source: Roop_Dey/Shutterstock.com
The Taj Mahal is the most famous landmark in Agra, India, and maybe the whole of India.
The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal to house the ashes of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, also known as “The Chosen One of the Palace.”
According to historians, many years of labour and maybe a thousand elephants were required to construct this magnificent palace of marble and semiprecious stones.
According to legend, the Taj Mahal’s exterior colour shifts from pink in the morning to a dazzling white in the evening.
Naturally, you’ll have to figure out for yourself whether or not this is accurate.
2. The Ganges
The ancient city architecture of Varanasi along the Ganges river ghat. Image source: Roop_Dey/Shutterstock.com
If you are a devout Hindu in India, you should know that the Ganges River is one of the holiest sites in the country. It also provides food and water to millions of people who make their homes along its banks.
You can’t miss this incredible sight, which stretches for 2,500 kilometres.
Stone platforms called Ghats line the Ganges and are used for a wide variety of religious and cultural activities, from ritual baths and minor gifts to massive cremation rites that draw crowds of thousands.
3. Rishikesh
A stunning view of the Ganga River embankment, Lakshman Jhula bridge, and Tera Manzil Temple. Image source: tscreationz/Shutterstock.com
Rishikesh, India, is often the first stop for visitors to India who are looking to connect with their spiritual side and find some quiet time in the country.
The Beatles’ historic visit to Rishikesh in the 1960s increased the city’s already substantial number of yoga and meditation institutes’ popularity among tourists.
Both conventional Hatha yoga and alternative therapies like crystal healing are available to guests.
Attend the sunset ganga aarti, a Hindu fire ritual, on the banks of the Ganges.
Rishikesh, on the other hand, is a favourite starting point for treks in the Himalaya when the downtime is too much to bear.
4. Hampi
The famous Stone Chariot monument at Hampi, India. Image source: Anubhav Raikar/Shutterstock.com
Hampi is a mystical place of temples, ruins, and palm groves that will transport you back in time.
At the Virupaksha Temple, an old architectural marvel, may be seen in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hampi Bazaar is a bustling village in front of the Virpaksha Temple where you may spend many days visiting the temple, the ruins, and the area on both sides of the river.
5. Mumbai
A stunning view of the Gateway of India at Mumbai. Image source: Vivian Pereira/Shutterstock.com
Over 18 million people call the sprawling metropolis of Mumbai, India, home. It is home to everyone, from slum dwellers and workers to Bollywood stars and millionaires.
The massive Gateway to India arch, the temples in Elephanta Caves, the ISKON Temple, and the Siddhivinayek Temple dedicated to Ganesha are all must-sees for culture and architectural buffs.
Mumbai has a thriving restaurant industry, and foodies will love the city’s abundance of dining options.
Take a tour of a Bollywood studio if you have an interest in filmmaking.
6. Jaipur
The majestic Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur, India. Image source: Panuvat Ueachananon/Shutterstock.com
Because of its many palaces and forts built of red sandstone, Jaipur has earned the nickname “Pink City.”
The Amber Fort, the Sheesh Mahal’s glasswork and mirrors, the peaceful Birla Mandir Temple, and the City Palace of Japur are all worth seeing, as is the possibility of meeting Indian aristocracy.
Get out of the temples and explore the various marketplaces offering dazzling blue ceramics, exquisitely crafted gold and silver jewellery, and shimmering sequined garments.
7. Goa
A beautiful sunset on a palm beach along the Pacific Ocean in Goa, India. Image source: Rossana Gatti/Shutterstock.com
India’s most popular beaches and psychedelic culture may be found in Goa.
Goa’s northern section is known for its nonstop nightlife, and its more relaxed southern part for its beach culture.
Traveling from end to end and stopping at whatever interests you is the best way to see this cultural hub.
The beaches of Palolem, Anjuna, and Madrem each provide their own unique experience for visitors visiting Goa.
8. Varanasi
The ancient city architecture of Varanasi at sunset. Image source: Roop_Dey/Shutterstock.com
The thousands of Hindu pilgrims that visit Varanasi each year give rise to the city’s reputation as India’s spiritual centre.
In this city, which is also known as the City of Life, pilgrims wash the bodies of the dead in the sacred waters of the Ganges before they are cremated.
Over 2,000 Hindu temples may be found in the city, with the most well-known being Kashi Vishwanath, an elaborate shrine dedicated to the deity Shiva.
In this city, the focus is on the meaning of life; therefore, locals celebrate life and remember the deceased every day.
9. Ladakh
A stunning view of the Thiksey Monastery in Leh-Ladakh, India. Image source: suchitra poungkoson/Shutterstock.com
Ladakh is a sparsely inhabited area between the Kunlun and Himalayan mountain ranges in India, and it’s a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Buddhist temples with prayer flags strung outside, isolated farms, and bubbling streams dot the landscape against a background of craggy mountains.
Pangong Tso is a rough lake surrounded by massive mountains, and it makes for a great camping spot between June and September, when the weather is mild enough to enjoy the area’s various trekking paths.
10. Madurai
A beautiful drone shot of the Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai at sunset. Image source: Pranavan Shoots/Shutterstock.com
Hindu influences can be seen throughout Madurai, and the city’s thriving IT economy coexists with historic structures to create an intriguing contrast.
The Meenakshi Amman Temple is so packed with colourful sculptures that you could spend days there and yet miss half of them.
The Chithirai Festival is a ten-day-long party that celebrates the union of Shiva and Parvati, two deities in Hinduism.
The Gandhi Memorial Museum is a comprehensive and engaging memorial to Ghandi that highlights his impact on India’s journey to freedom.
Access to the Ghandian Literary Society bookstore and the Madurai Government Museum are both conveniently located near the museum.
11. Sikkim
A beautiful huge statue of Lord Buddha located in Rabangla, Sikkim, India. Image source: Rudra Narayan Mitra/Shutterstock.com
If you bring up the green state of Sikkim, you can be sure that any traveller who has ever been there would sing its praises.
The major metropolis vibes of the rest of the nation are balanced by the Buddhist-influenced nirvana that is Sikkim in the Himalayas.
Hiking, animal viewing, and picture-perfect photo ops galore await you in Sikkim.
Kangchejunga, the third highest peak in the world, is reachable by experienced mountaineers.
12. Bikaner
A majestic view of Junagarh Fort in Bikaner, India. Image source: Marcos del Mazo/Shutterstock.com
Bikaner is an exciting desert town in Rajasthan, covered in orange dust, far from the beaten path and known for its camel safaris.
The ancient royal fortification of Junagarh, built in the fourteenth century, was besieged often but only held for a single day.
There are more examples of desert architecture, such as the Jain Temple Bhandasar, the Royal Cenotaphs, Lalgarh Palace, and Shri Laxminath Temple, which should not be missed.
Visit Gajner Lake, a natural spot with a temple nearby, and stroll along the lake’s edge.
13. Delhi
A stunning night-time view of Akshardham Temple in Delhi, India. Image source: Sean Hsu/Shutterstock.com
Delhi, India’s capital, is a sprawling metropolis home to more than 25 million people and has both high-tech malls and ancient monuments.
Many travel publications liken it to Rome, noting that it has been ruled by a seemingly endless succession of civilizations.
If you’re a tourist in Delhi, you should give yourself at least three days to see the city: one day for Old Delhi, one for New Delhi, and one for South Delhi.
New Delhi is home to India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, and Khan Market, while South Delhi is home to the Lotus Temple and Qutab Minar.
Because of the constant traffic and the millions of people jostling for little space, the city is not a place to speed through or expect things to go well.
The city may surprise you positively if you give it a chance.
14. Kochi
A busy street in Kochi, Kerala, India. Image source: Vladimir Zhoga/Shutterstock.com
Kochi, in the verdant state of Kerala, is a bustling metropolis that offers the best of both the beach and the forest, but is less often visited by tourists.
Visit Fort Cochin, Mattencherry Palace, the Jewish Ghetto, and see if you can catch your dinner with a Chinese fishing net while you’re in town (for a price, of course).
Be sure to gorge yourself on Kochi’s regional specialties.
Every dish in the area has been given a special Kochi twist thanks to the city’s unique cuisine.
In India, it is popular to consume essentials like rice and lentils with the addition of coconut, tamarind, and banana.
15. Bangalore (Bengaluru)
A panoramic view of Bangalore city skyline. Image source: Noppasin Wongchum/Shutterstock.com
The Garden City of India is a stylish and tranquil must-see destination, known for its pleasant climate, clean streets, and well-maintained public parks.
Along MG Road, you’ll find both international chains and independently owned establishments, while the Koramangala district is known for its abundance of duty-free shopping bags.
However, it serves as a wonderful home base for day visits to the Bheemeshwari Fishing Camp, as well as nearby waterfalls, hiking pathways, and natural hills.
You will get the most out of the city of Bangalore and the conveniences it provides if you go there in the middle or at the conclusion of your time in India.
Plan your trip with ontravelx and get ready for a journey full of breathtaking sights and priceless memories.
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