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India Tourism Home >> North India - Land of Romance NORTH INDIA - Land of Romance
Delhi - the Old and the New Delhi is above all an historic city, a stylish capital, content to leave to Calcutta and Bombay the roles of profit-making and business supremacy. It is actually two distinct cities; the energy and color and the thronged bazaars and Moghul architecture of Old Delhi gap with the formal magnificence of New Delhi, whose wide boulevards offer ever-changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped city. Delhi has several world-famous comfort hotels, with the comfort and style to make sure relaxation after your journey; from here, set forth to experience the sights and sounds of the city. The cordial Red Fort, the Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India), and the Qutab Minar compound with its tall tower - all are waiting to be explored. Allows some time to stroll round the inexpensive modern shops and handicraft centers. Magicians and dancing bears amuse crowds in the marketplaces, while fortune tellers might offer glimpses of the future. The heat of the day gives way to pleasant evenings; enjoy a meal in one of the many superb restaurants, the striking music of sitars and veenas and the subtle rhythms of the tabla associated the delicious cuisines from throughout the country. Flights and trains and buses run from Delhi all over north India, so it is always simple to reach the next destination. THE ROMANCE OF THE 'GOLDEN TRIANGLE' There are many wonders in the area south of Delhi known as 'the Golden Triangle'; in this area is the inspiring, world famous Mahal, the old ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri, and the interesting pink city of Jaipur in Rajasthan. Agra can be visited first, as it is only 200 kilometers south of Delhi, Weep at the prettiness of the Taj where love created the world's most gorgeous building, and spend a day wandering around the enormous and truly superb Red Fort. Here the romantic monarch who built the Taj was imprisoned by his own son, and one could sit in the room where he died looking at his own masterpiece. The road from here leads to Fatehpur Sikri. The magnificent Moghul courtyards and palaces conjure up dreams of the mysterious wonders of the past - a golden age of disaster and love, the harem of beautiful wives enclosed in the women's quarters, of influential emperors, of magical prophesies and strong charms. Southeast of Delhi, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, are the sculptured temples of Khajuraho where vast friezes of entwined human figures practice the 'arts of love'. Nowhere else in the world is mankind's sensual nature renowned in such fascinating and graceful tableaux, by now one will understand a minute part of India, but even this would not plan the traveler for the exotics fantasy of the State of Rajasthan, The region was controlled for thousands of years by a soldier race of honor and valor who will fight to certain death to defend their homeland, and the landscape is scattered with their inspiring battle-scarred forts. A proud and gorgeous people in their many-colored garments would extend a warm welcome in this powerful land of kings. Nowadays, anyone could be a king or queen for a while by staying in a fairy-tale palace on one of the attractive lakes in Udaipur. From here, the 'Arabian nights' fantasy could be extended to magical Jaisalmer - a yellow city with each building radiating the color of the sun. Every dream of' riding a camel or seeing a tiger pestering in the distance would come to life in glorious Rajasthan. THE TIMELESS GANGA It is generally believed that bathing in the Ganges (Ganga) at certain holy places purifies the soul. The Ganges is a blessed and holy river, worshipped by the Hindus, and many holy towns line its banks, all waiting to be explored: Varanasi, Allahabad, Rishikesh and Haridwar are some of the most well-known, and it is a pleasant experience to mingle with the thronging throng of pilgrims. This is yet another experience of India, no less charming and no less strange. It is inspiring to see one of the oldest religions in the world still so alive and keenly followed. The 'eternal' city of Varanasi is quite different again a group of winding thin alleys and charming lanes full of colorful pilgrims, wandering sadhus (holy men), Hindu priests (Brahmins) benevolent offerings to the gods, sights and sounds all mingling with the aroma of anger wafting from antique Hindu temples. In the clear early morning glow pilgrims perform their devotions on the steps foremost down to the river, women cleanse discreetly in their colorful saris and groups of children, no less colorful with flashing smiles and dark shining eyes, play nearby. The pleasant holy towns of Rishikesh and Haridwar can be visited in the way up to the cool of the mountains, the sparkling grandeur of towering peaks, the fragrant fresh air... THE MAJESTY OF THE HIMALAYAS On the journey towards the peaks of the Himalayas yet another completely different and glorious experience beckons. Imagine standing alone in the top of the world with the swirling white clouds underneath you and yet another snowy ridge towering ahead. Journeys could easily be made to silvery Kashmir, cool and gorgeous Shimla, or the thriving green Kulu Valley, Relax sitting on the balcony of one of the good-looking hotels in the mountains, breathing in the clear mountain air and idly watching the sparkling river cascading down the mountainside. The ancient Moghul emperors, once the greatest dynasty on earth, devoted their entire resources to the task of harmonize the natural beauty of Kashmir with gardens and waterways to make a 'Paradise on Earth'. Later, the British popularized the use of houseboats moored in the calm Nagin and Dal lakes. Many travelers join groups trekking into the heart of the Himalayas and come back to laze in their houseboats. Shimla, the 'Summer Capital' of India for the British, is a place intended for total relaxation, a pleasantly situated hill station retreat. Wander down the Mall, to watch an 11 the local people doing the same; breathe the pine perfumed air in the tall and gorgeous forests with the sun casting light through the trees on the luminous brooks. North of Shimla is the attractive forested Kulu Valley, with its flowing rivers and flower strewn walks, known as the 'Valley of the Gods'. You could bite into a crunchy apple plucked from one of the many orchards, or watch the local people in their homespun woolen clothes and brilliant Kulu caps drying apricots in the sun. There are so many wonders, so much to feel and see, so dissimilar and so interesting. Sri Paramahansa Yoganada, a well-known Indian guru, observed how mankind is occupied in an eternal quest for that 'something else' he hopes would bring him happiness, complete and unending. We don't assure India would totally fulfill this, but she would surely put you on a new and different path. You would never be quite the same again. SIGHTSEEING The subcontinent of India lies in south Asia, between Pakistan, China and Nepal. To the north it is surrounded by the world's highest mountain chain, where hill valleys cover the northernmost of the country's 26 states. Further south, plateaus, tropical ruin forests and sandy deserts are surrounded by palm fringed beaches. Side by side with the country's astounding topographical variations is its cultural variety, the result of the coexistence of a number of religions in addition to local tradition. Thus, the towering temples of south India, easily known by their elaborately sculptured surface, are linked with a great many crafts and performing arts of the region. In the desert of Kutch, Gujarat, on the other hand, a dispersion of villages pit themselves against the overwhelming forces of nature, resulting in Spartan lifestyles made lively by a abundance of jewellery and ornamental sewing used to gild apparel and household linen. In the great north is the high height desert of Ladakh. Local culture is obviously shaped by the faith - Buddhism - plus the harsh terrain. Yet another facet of Indian culture is experimental in the colorful tribal lifestyles of the north eastern states of Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur with their folk culture. In the central Indian states of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh, ethnic village life has resulted in a diversity of creatively executed handicrafts. India's mountains give heli skiing, river running, trekking and mountaineering.
Its beaches give lazy sunbathing with wind surfing and snorkeling, and its jungles give shooting wildlife - with a camera. India's history goes cut to 3,200 BC when Hinduism was first founded. Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism. Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Islam all stay alive within the country today. As a result of India's size, the history of the country has rarely been the same for two next-door territories, and its great natural wealth has lured a series of traders and foreign influences to it, each having left their impression in the country, however faint or localized. Thus, Chinese fishing nets in Kerala are a throwback to that country's ancient marine trade, while in the north; terra-cotta figurines of the centuries BC bear definitely Greek traces. Modern India is home alike to the ethnic with his anachronistic lifestyle and to the complicated urban jet-setter. It is a land where temple elephants exist good-naturedly with the microchip. Its ancient monuments are the background for the world's largest democratic state where atomic energy is generated and industrial growth has brought the country within the world's top ten nations. Today, fishermen along the country's shoreline fashion simple fishing boats in a centuries elderly tradition while, a few miles away, motor vehicles slither off conveyor belts in state-of-the-art factories. sTATES OF NORTH INDIA |
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