India is home to a multitude of cultures, a melting pot of about 2,000 (or even more) distinct ethnic groups, and 1,600 known languages. India is incredible, travel and explore and you’ll find every place is unique in itself.
According to the data released by the Government Of India, there has been significant development in the country’s tourism sector post-Covid.
The Press Information Bureau stated that “In 2023, India recorded 9.24 million (mn) foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs), a growth of 43.5% compared to 6.44 mn in 2022”.
The Bureau also stated, “In 2023, 2509.63 million Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) were recorded (provisionally) compared to 1731.01 Million DTVs in 2022”.
This signals towards a rapid growth in India’s tourism. The State Governments as well as the Central Government are strategizing the growth of tourism in their respective areas of governance.
With its vast diversity – in languages, cultures, food, and geography, exploring India is not a task achievable in a mere week or even a month.
It’s a slow, healing process of exploring the beauty of the land and its people and gently peeking into its cultural tapestry.
Here’s us telling you why India is an incredible ‘travel and explore’ hub.
“A country whose people are a confluence of diverse faiths, where the mind seeks truth and the heart bows to love, that is my India.”
– Sarojini Naidu
India’s Seasons: An Experience In Itself
With a mostly tropical climate in the mainland, India might not have 6 different and distinct seasons, but they are intertwined seamlessly.
India experiences mainly three seasons – summer, winter, and monsoon.
Seasons like spring and autumn are usually not much noticeable, but many places like Kashmir, Himachal, and the North East experience them more distinctly.
Summers
The first impression that most people have of India’s summers is that the heat is unbearable and even fatal. While this has become a reality thanks to rising pollution levels, Indian summers are quite enjoyable.
The most vivid memory most Indians have of the season is the joy of visiting their native places and devouring juicy mangoes and tamarinds.
Speaking of mangoes, India has a whopping 1,500 species of mango. In fact, each state has its own distinct varieties of mangoes – Hapus, Totapuri, Payas, Sindhura, and many others.
Monsoons
When traveling and exploring India, you must not miss out on the county’s monsoon season. The southern half of India is particularly famous for its pleasant rain, lush green landscapes, and abundantly flowing waterfalls.
Many places like Cherrapunji, Ooty, Munnar, Amboli, Chikhaldara, Goa, and Bhubaneshwar as well as plenty of ghats are famous spots for experiencing some of India’s best monsoons.
The season holds practical importance to India’s millions of farmers as their crops significantly rely on the rainfall.
Pre-monsoon is marked by tilling the land and sowing seeds, and the rains take charge of the rest of the process.
Winters
India’s winters transform the entire subcontinent into a dreamy winterland. While the south is covered with dewy mist, the north experiences snowfall.
Temperatures throughout most of the country go in singular digits. This season is also known to have plenty of festivals as people celebrate their hard-earned harvest.
The season is widely celebrated as a means of showing gratitude to the earth. From Pongal to Lohri and Makar Sankranthi, India has plenty of winter festivals.
The winters in the north attract plenty of tourists from across India.
Think of Kashmir, Gulmarg, Manali, Shimla, and Leh – they experience massive crowds.
But, the south doesn’t lag much behind. Mussoorie, Kodaikanal, Mahabaleshwar, Ooty, etc see plenty of tourists too.
With such variety in the seasons itself, do you see why India is an incredible travel and explore destination?
India’s Culinary Canvas Is Just As Diverse!
A lot has been said about Indian food – from all of it being categorized under an umbrella term ‘curry food’, to it being called high on calories.
But the truth is that India’s food is more than what meets the eye. Each state has different regions, and these regions too have their own cuisines.
Let’s take the example of India’s richest state, Maharashtra. The state’s west coast, called Konkan, has its own distinct ‘Konkani’, ‘Malvani’, and ‘Saraswat’ cuisines.
As you move towards the east, there are more cuisines like the ‘Khandeshi’, ‘Varhadi’, and ‘Deshastha/Deshi’ that are all within the state. This shows the incredible culinary diversity each state has.
Just like any other country, India’s cuisines are all dependent on the crops grown in that region. The south mainly grows rice and harvests fish, so you are more likely to see these items served up in their plates.
On the other hand, the north has an abundant harvest of wheat, ragi, millets, and milk so you are more likely to see them in their diet.
Beverages In India
There’s always a good drink to accompany your food wherever you are in India – either alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
You have drinks like chhaas/taak (buttermilk), aam panna (ripe mango beverage), kokum juice, solkadhi (a drink made from dried kokum and coconut milk), and Kahwa (Kashmiri tea with saffron) among plenty of others.
However, one thing you’ll find almost everywhere you go in India is tea or coffee.
These beloved beverages are like a daily dose of serotonin to fellow Indians. In fact, many can’t even begin their day without a hot cup of tea.
India’s Street Food
Did we even talk about food if we didn’t mention India’s street scene? This food has been a result of years of colonial influence, surprising inventions, and globalization.
For example, the beloved ‘paav’ or ‘pao’ (a kind of bread) that is a part of tons of street food dishes is actually from the Portuguese who colonised the southern parts of India.
India’s street food is lively, spicy, sweet, and most importantly addictive! Available at affordable prices, it is also accessible to a wide group of people.
Taste Atlas, the renowned global food guide, recently released its list of the 100 best food cities worldwide. Mumbai ranked on the 5th position worldwide, Amritsar ranked in at the 43rd, Delhi at the 45th, and Hyderabad at the 50th position.
Tourism In India
If we were to write an essay on ‘India is incredible, travel and explore’, we’d surely be either writing too much or be at a loss of words.
Such is the magnanimous diversity of India! India, thanks to it being a cradle of several major religions, has emerged as one of the most popular destinations for spiritual tourism.
Also, can we forget the hundreds and thousands of heritage sites that define India’s cultural tapestry?
Heritage Tourism
Heritage tourism includes everything from visiting local monuments, landmarks, museums, and knowing more about the region’s culture.
India has plenty of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that hold centuries of rich history. Some of these are as follows:
- Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra)
- Humayun’s Tomb (Delhi)
- Khajuraho Group of Monuments (Madhya Pradesh)
- Rani-ki-Vav (Gujarat)
- Taj Mahal (Uttar Pradesh)
- Kaziranga National Park (Assam)
While many forts, monuments, and caves are in desperate need of renovation and maintenance, local governments are taking notice and working to boost tourism at these places.
Spiritual Tourism
With a majority Hindu population and considerable Muslim, Sikh, and Christian populations, India is constitutionally a secular nation.
The country is home to some of the most elaborate temples like those at Kedarnath, Kamakhya, Rameshwaram, Puri Jagannath, Dwarka, and Ayodhya.
There are plenty of famous mosques and Sufi shrines such as the Ajmer Sharif, Jama Masjid, Haji Ali, Hazrat Nizammudin Sharif, and others.
The Chaar Dhaam Yatra, the Shakti Peeth Circuit, and the Maha Kumbh are some of the most prominent pilgrimages in India.
Thousands of devotees take part in them, generating millions in revenue for the tourism industry.
Nature-based tourism
India is home to thousands of species of both flora and fauna, and it is a known fact that each region has its own treasure of wildlife.
With around 1.35% of India’s geographical land being covered with its 106 national parks, one can only imagine the unprecedented abundance of wildlife.
The country is also home to rare, elusive species like tigers, lions, rhinoceros, Nilgiri tahr, and the Great Indian Bustard among others.
Some of the most important national parks and tiger reserves in India are as follows:
- Kaziranga National Park (Assam)
- Pench Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)
- Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand)
- Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)
- Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan)
Adventure Tourism
India’s diverse terrain only makes it suitable for adrenaline-pumping action. With plenty of hills, snow-capped peaks, and beaches, adventure sports in India have grown exponentially over the years.
On the coastline, you can try activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, surfboarding, kayaking, speedboating, parasailing, and paragliding.
Goa, Tarkarli, Mulki, Gokarna, and Andaman Islands offer some of the best water adventure sports in India.
If you are looking for activities that don’t necessarily involve water, you can head to the hills and mountains. The hilly regions of India are famous for their paragliding, bungee jumping, rappelling, and rock climbing.
On the other hand, the snow-laden peaks of Kashmir are famous for snowboarding, skiing, and gondolas.
Practical Tips When Touring India
- Respect local culture, customs, and traditions
- India is vast, so if you’re planning to tour the entire country, make sure you space out your plan and give enough time to each spot to avoid getting overwhelmed
- Carry your original documents with you and keep them handy
- Check local weather conditions before visiting any place, as the weather might become unpredictable
- Carry essentials like a water bottle, hat, sunscreen
- Dress according to the place you’re visiting. If you’re visiting a temple, try to dress modestly instead of modern clothes.
- Keep cash handy
Summing Up
India is incredible – travel and explore its rich culture, heritage, natural wonders, and people. With diversity running in its veins, the beauty of India lies in our giant cultural tapestry.
Be it our languages, customs, or regional differences, there are many factors that divide us into separate groups. But with a huge heritage treasure lies a great responsibility of maintaining these places as they are.
And this responsibility is majorly on the shoulders of eager travelers and tourists. So, be a responsible traveler and explore the whimsical land of India!
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Here are some frequently asked questions about why india is incredible travel and explore its beauty and culture:
Q1. What Is Special About Traveling In India?
No two places in India are the same. It is geographically and culturally diverse so you can experience multiple climates and cultures. This makes traveling in India a uniquely new experience every time.
Q2. What Is The Beauty Of Indian Culture?
The beauty of Indian culture lies in its emphasis on tangible and intangible heritage. This includes everything from our languages, handicrafts, music, arts and crafts, handloom, and our customs and traditions.
Q3. When Is It A Good Time To Visit India?
It is recommended to visit India mostly between October and March. During this time, you can get to experience the receding monsoon, pleasant winters, and mild summers. If you wish to experience the Indian summers or monsoons, you can do so in the months between April to September, and you’ll have an equally rewarding experience.
Q4. Which Language Is Spoken In India?
While English and Hindi are the official languages in the country, each region has its own language, dialects, and sub-dialects. Some of the most widely spoken languages mentioned below:
- Bangla
- Urdu
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Marathi
- Kannada
- Malayalam
- Sindhi
- Gujarati
Q5. Which Is India’s No. 1 Beautiful Place?
There are so many beautiful places in India that it is really difficult to rank any one of them as the most beautiful. So, here are some of the most beautiful places you can visit in India:
- Kashmir’s snowy and alpine landscapes
- Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
- Udaipur’s lakes and palaces
- Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala’s beaches
- Taj Mahal, Agra
- Sikkim
