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| Reviews and photos of India attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for India sightseeing. Map |
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The REAL India is found in the old quarters: in Delhi, around Chandi Chowk in the old city,life still goes on, much the way it has for centuries. There are old, often neglected monuments & building everywhere in Delhi, and although most travellers are aware of the famous ones,like the Red Fort and Hamayuns Tomb, its worthwhile exploring the lanes & parks. There are still unknown treasures hidden to be discovered, although so many relics from the past have been neglected, overlooked or destroyed in the name of "progress & modernization". Delhi was once a aesthetically beautiful, vibrant , elegant multicultural city, where the residents of different religions lived peacefully side by side. It is still a beautiful city, but much has changed;
Take time to discover some of the past in India. There are walking tours of old quarters available. Many fine museums give a glimpse of the past.Talk to older people, especially in the old parts of the cities, they often have fascinating stories to tell. Leave a Comment Directions: In Old Delhi - The Old City around Red Fort & Chandi Chowk- Lodhi Gardens- Nizzamuddin In New Delhi - Rajpath , Connought CircusWebsite: www.incredibleindia.org
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A good side trip to make if you are in Bikaner, Rajasthan. About 30kms South of Bikaner, there is a village called Deshnok.....quite unremarkable except for the amazing temple dedicated to Karni Mata. This temple is commonly called the "Rat Temple"
Now I entered this temple with much trepidation.......thousands of rats, running helter skelter everywhere. Across feet, under feet, everywhere. But these are not just rats.....they are considered to be reincarnations of the souls of all dead storytellers.........thanks to the Goddess KarniMata (incarnation of Durga). The rats are fed "prasad" or tiny sugar pebbles, and milk with honey,and pilgrims come in the thousands to worship them (ancestors maybe?) I was awed by the sight of a very old man sitting on his haunches talking gently to them, they seemed to be listening. In amongst the thousands of grey rats, there are a handful of white ones, and it is considered to be auspicious to see a white rat. I was lucky.I am not usually a superstitious person, but we have been blessed with good luck since then.
This place is really worth a visit. BUT WEAR SOCKS!!!!!
The temple itself is quite beautiful-it has a marble facade and solid silver doors.The inner courtyard has mesh overhead to prevent birds from grabbing the rats.
Please have a look at the photos- they will give you an idea of why this temple is so interesting.
Bikaner is in northern Rajasthan- an interesting city to visit.
- Leave a Comment Address: Deshnok -south of BikanerPhone: 0151-544125Directions: 30 km south of Deshnok is 30 minute busride(hourly) from BikanerOther Contact: tourist reception- Bikaner
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India is a spiritual country of many religions. Hinduism is the most widely practiced, and Hindu temples are everywhere, in every city, and in every village. They are easily recognizable by their bright facades and deieties, which are displayed inside and out.
The mosques in India are almost always beautifully designed in Mughal style, with graceful arches, rich mosaics and marble tiles(Jama Masjid in Delhi is a wonderful example). The minarets tower above each mosque, and the muezzin can be heard at times, calling the faithful to pray. These mosques are exquisitely ornamented as Muslim faith does not allow depiction of idols or human faces.Koranic text surrounds the walls,which are very ornate.
Jain Temples are very ornate and made from marble. The Jain Temple at Ranakpur is breathtaking-it has thousands of hand carved pillars, and every single pillar is different. The Jain religion holds ALL forms of life sacred-down to the tiniest insect,and hence one has to remove any leather (shoes, belts, bags etc) before entering.
Christian Churches are ornate, and were mostly erected during the period of British rule. Their design is eclectic, but they are historically very interesting, and still have pews filled with Christian Indians at every service. St Johns Church in Kolkata has memorial plaques lining its old walls with poignant reminders of the short life-span that many endured.
There is a very small Indian Jewish community in a few places in India. Cochin has an ancient synagogue which is still in use by this rapidly dwindling religious community.
The Golden Temple at Amritsar is the Sikh temple that is most visited by foreign travellers- I have not yet seen it, but hope to very soon. By all accounts, it is awesome to behold. Leave a Comment
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Also called The Red Taj Mahal, this mausoleum in the outskirts of Delhi really reminds by its shape to the famous Taj Mahal, although the surroundings are not as beautiful.
It also is smaller and not so delicate. The gardens around are a nice place to walk about in the hot Delhi's summer. Leave a Comment Address: Mathura Road (Delhi)
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At 11 kms north of jaipur you can visit this magnificient fortress.
Is located on top of a hill and the typical way to climb up is by elephant. The way up is fantastic and the views from the top are great, but the interior of the Fort is amazing too. It was the residence of the Mahraja so is richly decorated with tiles, mirrors...
There are public buses from Jaipur (at Hawa Mahal), though most of the people come by organised tours. To avoid this crowds, come here early in the morning, before the buses arrive. Leave a Comment
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Being the capital, Delhi is almost unavoidable in a trip to India. Is a very chaotic and stressed city at first, but once you start to know its old quarters and visit its many tourist attractions, Delhi gets nicer and at the end may result almost attractive... Leave a Comment
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Jaipur is a very interesting city located in the east of India. Its main highlights are the Palace of Winds, the Maharaja's city palace, the observatory of Maharaja Jaisingh...
The Amber Fort is another highlight around Jaipur and is a nice daytrip from the city. Leave a Comment
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This holy city was one of my strongest emotions I had in a country full of them. Being an indian Holy City on the Ganges (holy river), Varanasi is the "final stop" for many hinduist believers. Many come here just to die in peace, some as pilgrims.
Being such an spiritual city, its streets are always busy with pilgrims, cremations, prayers, beggars, Holy Men...
A ride along the Ganges River early in the morning is an unforgettable experience, you can see the city awake, the morning prayers by the river... kind of mystic!! Leave a Comment Directions: Varanasi is located in the north of India, just below Nepal, on the banks of the Ganges River.
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This mughal ghost town is located on the way from Agra to Delhi (37 kms from Agra).
It was built in the 16th century by mughal emperor Akbar and was suddenly abandoned when the capital moved to Lahore. Since then it has remained amazingly well preserved.
There are many beautiful buildings, all built in red stone, several floors, huge patios and incredible carvings. Leave a Comment
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This open air astrological observatory is located in the south courtyard of the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). It is the only open air observatory I have ever seen. Most of the mechanism and astrological artifacts were made by the Jai Singh mahraja in 18th century.
It is a good idea to pay for a local guide, as otherwise you won't understand the original use of all the items.
If you don't, anyway, is a nice place to walk around, to me it reminded a giant mini golf course ;-)))) Leave a Comment
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on November 8, 2008
on March 9, 2004
