Formerly known as Bombay, the bustling city of Mumbai sprawls along India’s West Coast and is the largest city in the country. This thriving metropolis is a go-to destination for travelers curious to experience a modern Indian city. It serves as the heart of India’s world-renowned film industry, the incomparable ‘Bollywood’, and offers a kaleidoscope of culture, colour and flavours to enjoy. Lapped by the Arabian Sea, this urban seaside peninsula is a melting pot of old and new India. Towering office blocks and shiny apartment buildings shoulder crumbling grand dames of architecture. People play cricket in the leafy central parks, taxis navigate the jam-packed streets, and families stroll along the seaside promenades of Mumbai. Visitors can look forward to viewing the iconic Gateway of India stone arch at the Mumbai Harbour waterfront, visiting the ancient cave temples on the nearby Elephanta Island or hopping on a tuk-tuk tour to experience the magic and madness of this incredible city.
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.
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.
Amritsar is located in Punjab, 30 kilometers from the Pakistan border. This is the spiritual capital of the Sikhs and gained its name, meaning ‘Holy Pool of Nectar’, from the body of water around Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple. The temple itself is a must-see, receiving well over 100 000 people every day, who come to worship at the holy shrine. It is located just 28 kilometres from the Pakistani border post, and a highlight of the area is the Wagah border ceremony that occurs every evening at sunset. Full of pomp and flair, soldiers from both sides parade and lower the two nation’s flags in a ceremony punctuated with theatrics.
Nestled in the mountains of northern India, on the banks of the mighty Ganges, Rishikesh is a holy town and spiritual centre for local and international pilgrims alike. Ashrams, yoga centres and temples make up the bulk of the buildings, with the revered Parmarth Niketan Ashram taking centre stage. Labelled as the World Capital of Yoga, the town welcomes visitors to a relaxing, reviving and spiritual experience. One of the area's interesting things to do is the Ganga Satri ritual (pujah), which is performed on the steps of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram overlooking the river every evening at sunset.
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.
