Things to see in India

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India Attractions

India is possibly the most thrilling tourist destination of them all. It contains an astounding diversity of people, landscapes, sights and sounds. From lush jungles to sun-bleached deserts, from soaring mountain peaks to golden beaches, India has something to offer all her visitors.

Famous sights such as the Taj Mahal, Amber Palace and old Goa seldom fail to instil a sense of wonder in visitors, while the modern face of India evident in the crowded cities and chaotic traffic are also thrilling. It is the people, however, that live longest in the memory. They are renowned for their warm welcome, engaging conversation and obsessive-compulsive love of bargaining.

Visitors seem to be divided between those on organised tours, seeking to make the most of their time in relative comfort, and backpackers on 9 month visas and flexible agendas. Despite recent incidents in Mumbai, India is one of the safest countries to visit, and it remains one of the best value.

India’s vibrant culture remains distinctive and unique despite years of colonial and western influence. One reason for this is the centrality of religion to Indian life so that wherever you go the sacred and profane exist side by side, in perfect harmony. The key to enjoying India is to have an open mind and an open heart, a good dose of Immodium.

Red Fort

The Red Fort, known locally as Lal Quila, is Delhi's signature attraction, rising high above the clamour of Old Delhi as a reminder of the wealth and power of the Mogul empire. The massive sandstone walls were built in the 17th century to... see full details

Rashtrapati Bhavan

After his visit in 1911 the Emperor of India, King George V of England, decreed that the capital should be moved from Calcutta to Delhi. Edwin Lutyens was commissioned to plan the new government centre, which he focused around Rajpath, the grand, tree-lined boulevard... see full details

Chandni Chowk

No trip to Delhi would be complete without a visit to one of the bazaars that surround Chandni Chowk (Moonlight Square), in Old Delhi, where shops and stalls display a wonderful array of goods and offer a pungent and colourful insight into Delhi... see full details

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is one of the world's most recognisable and evocative sights and a visit here does not disappoint. Set overlooking the River Yamuna, visible from Agra Fort in the West, the Taj was built by Shah Jahan to enshrine the body... see full details

Amber Palace

Situated on the crest of a hill seven miles north of Jaipur is Amber, capital of the Kuchwaha Rajputs from 1037 to 1728. The city-palace is protected by towering outer walls, a further wall runs for miles along the hills surrounding the palace.... see full details

Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal)

The Palace of the Winds is Jaipur’s most acclaimed attraction. Built in 1799, it is situated on the edge of the City Palace complex overlooking one of the city’s main streets and was constructed to offer the women of the court a vantage... see full details

Jain Temples of Ranakpur

Forty miles (60km) north of Udaipur is the Jain temples of Ranakpur. It is the largest of its kind in India and boasts some staggering marble work, on a par with any in Asia. The main temple was built in 1439 and is... see full details

The Ghats

There are over 100 bathing and burning ghats (literally 'steps') at Varanasi but the most sacred is the Manikarnika Ghat, which is the most auspicious place that a Hindu can be cremated. Outcasts, known as chandal, carry the bodies through the alleyways of the... see full details

Old Goa

Old Goa was the State Capital until 1843 when it moved down river to Panaji. Once a byword for splendour, with a population of several hundred thousand, Old Goa was virtually abandoned from the 17th century as the river silted up and a... see full details

Fatehpur Sikri

The deserted city Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1585. It was built under the personal supervision of the Emperor Akbar; he was childless and, having tried all sorts of solutions to his plight, visited a Sufi... see full details

Victoria Memorial

This astounding marble building is probably the most impressive colonial structure in India. It was built to commemorate Queen Victoria and completed after 20 years of work in 1921. Inside is a fascinating museum of Indian history including some wonderful sculptures. The monument is... see full details

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