India’s largest city, Delhi, has been one of the country’s commercial and economic hubs for centuries and, as a result, is incredibly rich in culture and history. Comprising the ancient walled city of Old Delhi and the more modern entity, New Delhi, the city encompasses a staggering array of stunning architecture, notable monuments, and age-old temples, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Red Fort complex, Qutab Minar and its attendant monuments, and Humayun's Tomb. Other key attractions include the 17th century Chandni Chowk marketplace – still one of the city’s most tradtional wholesale and popular retail centers today, particularly for jewelry and traditional Indian saris; the iconic Bahà’i Lotus Temple – an award-winning architectural gem; and the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque.
Fringed by the rugged Aravali Hills, Jaipur is the capital and largest city in India’s northern state of Rajasthan. This city is famed for being India’s first planned city featuring a multitude of pink terracotta buildings within the walled historic center, earning it the nickname,’ The Pink City. Jaipur falls within the Golden Triangle, a popular tourist circuit, which includes Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, and serves as a gateway to the neighboring desert cities of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. This colorful city is a combination of tradition and modernity and offers visitors vibrant bazaars, lavish palaces, and ancient temples. The salmon-hued old city is home to the opulent City Palace, encompassing an impressive assortment of palatial structures, sprawling gardens, courtyards, and buildings. Don’t miss the fairy-tale splendor of the Amber Fort, set against the backdrop of the arid landscape.
Home of the world-famous Taj Mahal, Agra is one of India’s prime tourist destinations for specifically this reason, though its attractions also extend to an array of other impressive historical sights. These include the red-hued Agra Fort, the sacred Jama Masjid mosque, and Itmad-ud-Daulah’s tomb, with its white marble facade embellished with intricate inlaid designs and semi-precious gems. The Taj, however, is in a league of its own and needless to say is a must-see for any visitor to the city. Commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 15th century as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, it is an architectural masterpiece of exquisite craftsmanship and perfect proportions.
Located in Uttar Pradesh, near Kanpur and alongside the Ganges River, Kannauj is a town rich in history and tradition. Once the capital of Emperor Harshvardhana, it has evolved into a globally recognised centre for the distilling of scents, particularly attar, and serves as an international market hub for tobacco, rose water, and perfumes. Popularly called the "Perfume Capital of India," Kannauj has a legacy that dates back to the Bronze Age and has been the torch-bearer of perfume craftsmanship in India for over 400 years. The region's favourable climate and soil are ideal for growing the herbs and flowers crucial to the creation of aromatic perfumes, often referred to as "liquid gold." In addition to its perfume heritage, Kannauj is home to the Archaeological Museum, which showcases ancient clay idols, and the serene Gauri Shankar and Annapurna temples. For nature lovers, the Lakh Bahosi Sanctuary offers a glimpse of wildlife, including birds, jackals, and monkeys, while the 52-pillar mosque mesmerises with its distinctive architecture.
Known as the Constantinople of the east, Lucknow was a hub of Nawabi art, music, dance, and architecture. Now the busy capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow sits in the center of the state on the north-western shore of the Gomti River. A major center of the Indian rebellion of 1857, Lucknow’s population participated actively in India's independence movement, cementing its role as a major city in north India. Dining out in Lucknow is highly recommended, and a local delicacy is the traditional North Indian kebab is king, with many variations to feast on. Spend your days here admiring British-era buildings, mausoleums, and the bazaars of the bustling old town.
An ancient and deeply sacred city, Varanasi rests along the banks of the holy River Ganges and encompasses a wealth of beautiful riverside temples, stately old forts, and vibrant markets. It’s considered the spiritual capital of Hinduism, and it’s widely believed that dying here will bring salvation. As a result, the city is home to a multitude of ghats – stone steps leading to the river –some of which are used for bathing rituals and others as cremation sites. An early morning boat ride along the Ganges offers an excellent way to take in the ghats and the bustling activity centered on them.
As previously described
