India remains an enigma of a country with its many colorful cultures and practices. To truly know India, you should visit it. It is the best way to experience a place and this second article concludes the ten most memorable places to visit in India.
5. The Hypnotic City of Pushkar
The town of Pushkar is built on the edge of the Thar Desert and around a lake that divides into ghats that are considered of great importance to Hindu pilgrims. The town’s most significant attraction is its Hindu ceremonies of Kartik Purnima and the accompanying camel festival which run concurrently. The festival and the camel market were meant to encourage trade during the religious celebrations.
Apart from the display of attractively attired camels; there are other contests such as best mustache, sports matches, and historical cultural shows as well. With an action-packed 8 days of entertainment, the city leaves you with memories you won’t want to forget, ever.
6. Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab
Built in close proximity to India’s border with Pakistan, Amritsar is regarded as the beating heart of Punjab in addition to being a principal place of worship for Sikhs. Amritsar is host to the Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple, which is considered the holiest shrine in Sikhism, attracting people from across the world to marvel and worship at it. At night, many tourists return to the temple after darkness falls to listen to the sounds of prayer coming from it.
Besides the awesome Golden Temple; free meals, known as langar and served by hundreds of volunteers are served to all who visit the temple, with over 50,000 people served by volunteers every day. And because the amount of food prepared daily is so much; they are prepared in vats, and each plate used in serving is washed 5 times afterward. Also, there is an intricate military ceremony performed by the Indian and Pakistani military to show the friendship between the nations.
7. The Beautiful Plunge of Nohkalikai Falls
Cascading from an impressive height of 335 meters, Nohkalikai Falls is India’s highest plunge waterfall, located close to Cherrapunji, one of the world’s wettest places. The picturesque waterfall is set off at the bottom of the amazing falls by a beautiful turquoise pool surrounded by rock outcrops and forest which is typical of Meghalaya state.
With steps that allow you to view the fall from different angles because of the parallel stairs set into its side; the area is a paradise for waterfall lovers as many lines the Route 5 highway.
8. Jaipur’s Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds
Although the pink city houses a number of beautiful buildings, like the City Palace and Jantar Mantar, it is, however, the Hawa Mahal that is the star of the city. This landmark five-storey frontage was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh to allow the Royal ladies to watch the comings and goings of the city streets.
But the views are also striking from the rooftop cafes that are situated opposite the palace where you could order coffee and take in the intricate details of the windows.
9. Darjeeling: The Tea Growing Town of West Bengal
Darjeeling, often considered one of the world’s most beautiful valleys, is famous for its tea production and stunning scenery. Situated in the Indian State of West Bengal; Darjeeling draws in thousands of tourists who find the natural environment very accommodating and unforgettable.
The ebullient green terrain, refreshing cool breeze, and spectacular views make Darjeeling an atmospheric and photogenic destination. As a matter of fact, Darjeeling is the only place in eastern India that attracts large numbers of tourists. For those tourists who feel very adventurous; most come here for hiking and river rafting, while many others come to Darjeeling just to enjoy leisurely scenic walks and take in the amazing views.
10. The Bustling and Vibrant City of Mumbai
To visit India and not see Mumbai is to be likened to visiting America and not seeing New York or France without seeing Paris. This city has a kind of attraction of its own. Previously known as Bombay, Mumbai is the most populated city in India; and like most densely populated cities; it is noisy, high-paced, and polluted. Mumbai is a potpourri of different cultures, religions, and wealth extremes that contrasts extreme wealth against extreme poverty.
A visually impressive city, Mumbai has a large metropolitan area comparable to the size of New York’s skyline and a fine but eclectic mix of colonial buildings, stylish bars, colorful bazaars, and shiny new malls. Finding something to do here would not be a problem. Besides its sprawling nature and population, the city is also the origin of Indian cinema with many theatres to watch movies from all over the world including the world’s largest IMAX dome theatre.
Like many countries in the world; it is impossible to tell you everything about India. But one thing is certain; you are sure to love the country and certain to be wowed by it in many degrees of excitement.
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