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India. The very word conjures up images of saints, kamasutra, women wearing bright clothes, and ostentatious jewellery, perhaps a lot of poverty, some jungles, some wildlife and lots of spirituality. Of course there is so much more to India than just this. There has to be, for it attracts people from all walks of life and different parts of the world to come and savour its charms.
Every nation has a history unique to itself and the history of India is truly unique. Two hundred years of slavery have left an indelible impact on the socio-economic and cultural character of the country. As much as the original inhabitants of the subcontinent were diverse in their way of life, the foreigners contributed no less in this diversity. The historical character is therefore a myriad of civilizations that came to India, settled, ruled a few years and then went back, ranging from Portuguese and British to the Afghans closer home. The remnants of all these cultures is still alive and kicking in India
One of the first things that will probably strike you soon after you get out of the airport will perhaps be the huge numbers of people, a poignant indication of the ballooning population of the country. This is one single major problem that plagues this country and is responsible for the fact that, despite all the positive factors, India still remains a developing nation. This is the mother of all problems that range from illiteracy and poverty to unemployment
All its problems notwithstanding, India can still be a mesmerizing experience for the first time visitor. Some people come from a purely tourism point of view, while some are lured by the spirituality that India promises and for some people it is not an option. They come here because their work brings them here.
India can be a favourite tourist destination with the entire historical and natural extravaganza it has to offer. The world famous Taj Mahal tops the list. In fact there are several monuments that are mute testimony of their glorious past. While most monuments in the north are reminiscent of the Mughal and British architectures apart from those built by the indigenous rulers, the architecture in a few western coasts has also the Portuguese effect.
The gardens and palaces in the southern part of the subcontinent are contributions of the nawabs and other dynasties like the cholas and chalukyas. Some of the monuments have turned to ruins while others have been revamped and given a new lease on life in the form of luxury hotels, while some others are preserved and maintained for their architectural, cultural and historical values.
Nature has given India mixed blessings. It has absolutely pristine mountains you can visit. The superb Himalayas provide you with trekking, climbing, and camping pleasures. Beautiful valleys, gushing glaciers, snow capped peaks, clear and serene rivers to raging torrents, forests of oak, pines and conifers, orchards and religious places these entirely dot the various trekking routes. Just be sure to check out the routes with the appropriate authorities in advance for a safe journey. These mountains are supposed to be the abode of gods and they are the places where, since times immemorial, saints and sages have gone in search of nirvana. They have an alluring quality and a beauty so emphatic it fails to leave you untouched.
But these towering mountains are not the only attractions. In fact there are several beaches, backwaters, rivers, forests, reserved wildlife sanctuaries, and islands which are worth visiting. The place most famous for its beaches is Goa and truly some of its beaches are spectacular. The usual souvenirs available in beach towns are available aplenty here also. In fact, the whole of southern part of India has a coast along the Arabian sea, Indian ocean and bay of Bengal and thus beaches abound here. Some of the finer beaches are in Kerela. The islands off the southern coast like Lakshdweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also a tourist’s paradise but a visit to these places requires advance planning. In fact, during the holiday season bookings including air or ship and hotel reservations have to be made six to seven months in advance.
The geographical diversity of India is the reason why there is a rich spread of varied flora or fauna all over the subcontinent. While some of the species of these are commonly seen all over but there are others that are characteristic to a particular region. India is home to several exotic animals ranging from the Asiatic lion to the one-horned rhinos. Similarly beautiful orchids abound in the Himalyan region and the northeastern part of country where orchid fairs are also held.
Then there is the Indian spirituality that brings people from all over the world in search of mental peace and God. There are many gods and goddesses that are worshipped in India and there are countless religious festivals that are an intrinsic part of Indian culture. All these are not necessarily Hindu. In fact, a host of religions thrive in India ranging from Hinduism to Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and several others. Over the past few years India has also been taken over by the acquisitive culture and westernisation. But the traditional values still remain. There are several things that are difficult to change. These include the dress and food of the common man. The sari, which is the quintessence of feminism, continues to enthral and mystify even as the western gear is finding base. The culture vibrant in its various hues includes dances in colourful dresses. While most classical dances have a religious orientation, the folk dances are earthier with their lilting tunes and local charm. The same applies to music both vocal and instrumental. The handicrafts of India are world famous and there is a wide assortment available. Every state, every tribe, every village has something unique and beautiful to offer.
Of course with all its magic a visit to India can still be an infuriating experience especially if you expect everything to happen in clockwork precision. Keeping an open mind and a flexible attitude will help you go a long way in exploring the magic of India
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