India has innumerable things to offer tourists, and each city, each place has a story to tell. Indian culture is extremely diverse, elaborate, and colorful. Whether it is a big fat Indian wedding or an Indian festival, everything is celebrated with great pomp.
Law and order are in place in India, and tourists will feel safe here and are free to explore the country according to their wishes.
Contrary to popular opinion, India is not just a land of superstitions, snake charmers, and abject poverty. The tourism industry is flourishing in India, generating substantial revenue. There are many reasons why India is a special country, and an India tour will be an enriching experience. With the support of a reliable India tour operator, travelers can explore the country more comfortably and efficiently.
1. Diversity in Topography/Natural Beauty:
India is a country where one can find all types of topography, ranging from mountains to small hills, a plethora of rivers, seas, forests, deserts, valleys, plateaus, islands, and the list is endless. If you are a beach person, you have the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, offering you some picturesque beaches. If you are a mountain person, then several hill stations will cater to your desire, like Darjeeling, Kashmir, Shimla, Manali, Nainital, Mussoorie, Ooty, Kodaikanal, Munnar, and Shillong. If you want to experience some desert life, then India has the Thar Desert spread across the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and Gujarat. India is home to many major rivers, such as the Ganges, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra, which have facilitated the growth of many Indian cities along their banks. To sum it up, India has every geographical feature and natural beauty that you can think of.
2. Diversity in Culture and Language:
India is often called the country of many nations and is politically divided into 28 states and 8 union territories. The reorganization of states has been done based on language, which means that each state in India has a separate regional language. This is why India does not have a single national language, but 22 recognized national languages and thousands of minor languages and dialects. The culture, though similar, has significant differences as you move from one state to the other.
One has to visit India to celebrate a wide variety of Indian festivals. Indians have a thousand festivals to celebrate throughout the year, and each festival has a historical or mythological significance. Festivals like Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Eid, and Christmas are celebrated all over the country with much enthusiasm. Each region/state also has its cultural festival, like people in Kerala celebrate Onam, and Assam celebrates Bihu. Festivals of India bring families and friends together, as this is a great opportunity to have get-togethers and reunions. One should plan their visit accordingly, keeping in mind the festivals they wish to experience.
3. Diversity in Religion/Birthplace of Eastern Religions:
India may have an overwhelming majority of Hindus, which is more or less 80 percent of the total population. But the country is also home to the third-largest number of Muslims in the world after Indonesia and Pakistan. Significant minorities include Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and other tribal religions.
India has given birth to the eastern religions of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, and that is why we have many important religious pilgrimage spots that are visited by thousands of tourists each year. Some famous religious/holy places include the Vaishnodevi Temple for Hindus, Bodh Gaya for Buddhists, the Golden Temple for the Sikhs, the Lotus Temple for the Bahais, etc. Not just that, due to British, French, and Portuguese colonialism, the spread of Islam, Mughal, and the sultanate rule, many religious sites belonging to Muslims and Christians too. Haji Ali in Mumbai is a very famous tourist attraction as well as a religious place for Muslims. This is one of the major reasons why everyone should visit India to see the religious history and diversity of the country.
4. Rich Indian History
Be it the Maratha Empire, Mughals, Sultanate, British Rule, or any other dynasty, they have left their traditions and customs in the country, which have an immense impact in today’s India. At different periods, different rulers ruled the Indian subcontinent, making Indian history a rich and varied one. These rulers have built innumerable monuments and buildings all across the country, which are all an integral part of Indian heritage. The Taj Mahal in Agra, which was built by emperor Shah Jahan, is one of the eight wonders of the world and is visited by tourists worldwide.
5. Rich Culinary Traditions
India is extremely proud of its diverse food culture. Indians, as a nation, love to eat. Each city in India has something special to offer you. From Punjab’s butter chicken to Kolkata’s sweets, Hyderabadi biryani, and Mumbai’s vada pav, everything is worth a try. The street food culture is very popular all over India. Indore in Central India is commonly known as the street food capital of India because of the midnight food markets and its one of the best street foods. Indians love home-cooked food where the cooking is done by using a variety of spices to make it tastier. Kerala, a state in southern India, is a leading manufacturer of different types of Indian spices. Indians also believe in sharing food, where the whole family and guests are seated together and take great joy in their food.
6. Best Hospitality
Indians are known for their hospitable nature all over the world, as it is simply a part of the Indian culture. Family values are very important in any Indian family, where we have our ways of showing respect to the elders. Guests are treated with the utmost love and respect when they come to someone’s home. There is a saying in Sanskrit, which reads as follows: “Atithi Devo bhava,” which means “Guest is equivalent to god.” Hence, foreigners visiting India will be treated with the utmost politeness and gentleness. From the very first gesture of folding hands and saying Namaste to the final goodbye, you will find the touch of the generosity of Indians throughout.
7. Blend of Western lifestyle and traditionalism
21st-century India can be called both Western and traditional, where you will see a unique blend of both as you travel across states. On the one hand, Indians follow their traditions fully; on the other hand, they are also updated with Western culture. Indians will celebrate Diwali (an Indian festival) and Halloween with the same vigor. Indian women love to wear their traditional sarees and Kurtis, but you will also see them in the most fashionable Western wear. Indians love Indian food as much as they love Italian or Continental. Indian culture will give you to witness both worlds. The most beautiful thing you will see is that Indians today are influenced by the West in many spheres of their life, but they have not forgotten their roots. This unique fusion will give you a memorable experience of a lifetime.
8. A Vibrant nightlife
India is not just about the rich culture and great food, but it also has an amazing nightlife, contrary to many opinions. While nightlife can be anything, from a nightclub to a long drive, the nightclub culture is restricted to the big cities and tourist places. Bombay, Goa, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Daman, and Diu are among the best when we talk about nightclubs/discotheques. There are other cities, too, where such nightlife is present. But if your idea of nightlife is different, like a long drive having food at a highway restaurant/Dhaba, or spending some time by the beach, then your options are widened. No matter what, nights in India are not that dull and can be enjoyed to the fullest.
9. Land of Yoga, Ayurveda
Yoga has gained widespread popularity across the West, but having a yoga experience in the land of yoga will be a different experience. Yoga is not just a physical activity, but it is also a mental and spiritual activity, where it is said to have numerous health benefits. There are many renowned yoga and spiritual centers in India where one can go and get training from expert yoga gurus.
Ayurveda has also originated from the Indian subcontinent. Ayurvedic therapies and treatments are associated with general wellness and also medical use. Ayurvedic medicines having been made from natural sources, are widely used as alternative sources of treatment to cure many diseases. The side effects of ayurvedic medicines are believed to be less than those of other types of medicines. To get first-hand Ayurvedic therapy and treatment, one should opt for Kerala.
10. Adventure Sports/Activities:
India is the perfect place for adventure sports and activities at reasonable rates, as it has all the necessary resources to facilitate such activities. Be it trekking in the Himalayas, scuba diving in the ocean, kalarippayattu (Kerala Martial Art) in Kerala, or River Rafting in Rishikesh, you’ve got it all. One can also opt for a desert camel safari in Rajasthan or a motorcycle tour across the nation. All your adventurous wishes will be fulfilled once you land in India. Many new-age travel agencies are focusing on the youth, and they have come up with many adventurous trips. Choosing well-designed India tour packages can help travelers enjoy these experiences in a more organized and convenient way.
