It is extremely difficult to provide the 'right' perspective about India, as there is no single perspective. Every 50 kilometres you travel in any direction will lead you to an ethnically and culturally different zone. What will remain common is that, which ever direction you look in, you will notice an unending sea of humanity!
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It is not just the sheer quantity of people, but the quality of experience to be found find in India, with a multitude of languages, religions, festivals, gods, sub-cultures and food habits, that makes a visit well worth while. States in the east, west, north and south vary in lifestyles, languages and cultures as much as many countries differ!
The world famous Taj Mahal, in the city of Agra and known for its beautiful architecture and romantic atmosphere, can be reached via Delhi, the capital of India.
Jaipur, also called the 'Pink City', is the capital of the state of Rajasthan. This city entertains tourists with its ornate palaces, exquisite jewellery, elephant rides and gemstone shops, where shopaholics can get rubies, emeralds and sapphires at bargain prices.
Going south is the coastal paradise of Kerala, where lush coconut palms sway over houseboats lazing on breathtaking backwaters and the lure of Ayurveda and other ancient health remedies beckon the visitor to relax and rejuvenate away from all worries.
The cuisine in each area is also very different and must be sampled. India was the country that taught the rest of the world the benefits of using spices in cooking. Most of the dishes have a combination of turmeric, cloves, cardamom, chillies, tamarind, black pepper and many more. However, it may be wise to stay away from roadside food stalls unless you have a strong constitution!
Mumbai, the ancient port of India, with its Gateway of India monument, Elephant Caves, Crawford Market and Chor Bazaar, is another favourite. For your resort vacation destination, get discounts on luxury Mumbai hotels.
Goa, a coastal city known for its sun, sand, food and drinks, is also a haven for nude beach goers.
For those visitors who wish to see examples of Indo-Aryan architecture, try the Khajuraho temples with their erotic sculptures depicting scenes similar to those in the Kamasutra, the manual of love written about 2,000 years ago.
Almost all of the major airlines in the world have flights to the four major cities in India, Delhi, Mumbai (Bombay), Chennai (Madras) and Bangalore. There are several companies offering month-long or week-long tours that take visitors through the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur), the bustling cities in the north, the exquisite temples of the south and into the houseboats anchored in the breathtaking backwaters of Kerala.
