Travel To India – 8 Reasons Why You Should!

Travel to India from the USA is something that many Americans fear. Most have heard of Delhi belly, sanitation concerns, pollution, etc. As an evolving country, India does not have the modern infrastructure we all take for granted. However, India is one of my favorite destinations ever – here’s why!

India is a beautiful subcontinent in Asia. This country is home to many natural resources such as rivers, mountains, forests, islands, lakes, deserts, beaches, plateaus, etc. Mawsynram in Meghalaya is the world’s wettest place, with more than 11,871mm of rainfall. This Peninsular country is also the seventh-largest in the world by landmass. It is also the second most populated country in the world, next to China.

Over 17% of the world’s entire population are Indians. This country is famous for its diversity in religions, languages, culture, and heritage. People speak more than 427 languages in India. India has had an exciting history of its heritage and culture for thousands of years. The different civilizations and dynasties have given this country the gift of immense cultural aspects. Many of the discoveries found in this country give us a clear picture of human evolution. Many civilizations, such as the Indus Valley civilization, the Mesopotamian civilization, the Aryan civilization, and the Dravidian civilization, ruled the different parts of India. In addition, The British Empire and the Mughal dynasties also ruled this country during a specific period. Here are some reasons to visit India to learn about its cultural heritage. Read further to know more.

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Land of Festivals

We all love festivals. But in India, they incredibly celebrate every festival. The land of colors celebrates more than two thousand festivals yearly, such as Diwali, Holi, Pongal, and Onam. In March of every year, Indians celebrate Holi to signal the arrival of spring. Holi is a colorful festival. People exchange their happiness by throwing colors at each other. Kids spray colored water on their friends using toy guns. Diwali is the festival of lights.

Diwali is a celebration to mark victory against evil forces. People burst crackers, light lamps, and burn incense in their houses. Pongal is a traditional festival that people in South India celebrate. They celebrate to honor the farmers and the crops that they harvested.

People also worship cows as gods because they help them in farming. Onam is another festival of harvest that people in Kerala celebrate. At this festival, locals practice traditional dances. Not only these, but India also celebrates many other celebrations such as Christmas, New Year, Ramzan, and Bakrid. If you can visit India, visit during the festive season!

Taj Mahal – Most People’s Main Reason To Travel To India

The Taj Mahal is arguably one of the most popular reasons to travel to India from the USA. The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s seven wonders. It was built in 1631 by Shahjahan.

This white wonder is famous worldwide for its architectural achievements and facts. Shahjahan’s wife, Mumtaj, was the love of his life. But unfortunately, Mumtaj died due to health issues in 1631. Shahjahan became very sad after losing his wife. He wanted to do something as a mark of his love for his wife. He decided to build a monument around his wife’s burial. In 1631, he started building the great Taj Mahal. It took me more than 20 years to finish this giant masterpiece.

In 165,3, this spectacular art piece was finally accomplished. People say the Taj Mahal was more beautiful than it looks today. The Taj Mahal is recognizable to all with its milky white color. Also, the techniques used in building this monument have not yet been completely decoded. Many experts have tried to rebuild a structure like the Taj Mahal but couldn’t succeed. This fantastic structure in Agra is a must-visit place for all tourists.

Ajantha and Ellora Caves

The Ajanta and Ellora caves are cut into hillside rock in the center of nowhere. This is a spectacular find in India. And it helped me learn more about ancient civilizations and our ancestors. It is also an important UNESCO World Heritage site. Ellora has over 34 caves carved between the 6th and 11th hundreds of AD. Between the 2nd century BC and the 6th century AD, more than 29 caves in Ajantha were carved. The caves at Ajanta are all Buddhist, while the caves at Ellora are a mixture of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain.

Various rulers provided funds for the construction of the caves. The astonishing Kailasa Temple (also called the Kailasha Temple), the 16th cave in Ellora, is unquestionably the most popular attraction. The temple is a tribute to Lord Shiva and his holy dwelling at Mount Kailasha. Its enormous size includes twice the Parthenon area in Athens and is one plus a half times as high! The giant life-sized elephants stand majestically as a stunning masterpiece.

The Brihadeshwara Temple

Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur was built thousands of years ago by Raja Raja Cholan. It determines the cultural heritage of the Cholan Empire. People also call it the big temple, a symbol of Tamil architecture. The temple has the world’s tallest temple tower. Its top is a single stone weighing 80 tons. We still wonder how the stone was taken to the top without technological support. Many experts say that an 80-ton stone with all kinds of technical support is still tricky even to this day. Another important fact is that you cannot find the temple’s shadow. Many architectural techniques have been used to build it in such a manner. If you ever get a chance to visit south India, don’t miss seeing this shore temple in Thanjavur.

Elephanta Caves

This historical monument was built between the 5th and 8th centuries. The collection of five Hindu and two Buddhist caves is the Elephanta caves. This island and its caves received the name ‘Elephanta.’ The Portuguese invaders named this island after discovering a black stone sculpture. While the caves’ creators are unknown, the local people credit various mythical and non-human characters with their creations. It is an excellent resource with enormous cultural and artistic facts. If you ever get an opportunity to visit Maharashtra, visit this place to travel to the olden era.

The Churches and Convents of Goa

The Churches and Convents of the Goa area continued in the Portuguese Indies’ ancient capital. These seven monuments exercised major significance in the 16th to 18th centuries to advance significant art and carving by spreading different art forms such as Manueline, Mannerist, and Baroque and designing buildings throughout Asian countries. Catholic missions were established to support the Christian missionaries in India. Many grand and majestic churches, convents, cathedrals, and chapels were built following European religious amenities. These structures are famous for their architectural designs and stunning techniques.

Agra Fort

Agra Fort is another important tourist attraction near the gardens of the Taj Mahal. This mighty red sandstone fortress is a masterpiece of the Mughal emperor Akbar the Great. It is an excellent piece example of Mughal architecture. It is also one of the UNESCO world heritage sights in India. The fort has four gates. At present, the visitor’s access is via the Amar Singh Gate. As soon as you enter, the Jehangir Mahl welcomes you with a beautifully carved exterior.

Akbar built it as the Women’s quarters. He especially made it for his favorite queen, Jodha Akbar. Shahjahan built another white structure called the Khaa Mahalal. Shahjahan died on this monument while gazing at the Taj Mahal. The next is the Sheesh Mahal, or thGlass Palacece. It was built using water engineering. Its walls are decorated with mirrors. It is a fantastic specimen for the glass mosaic in India. Near this is the Mammam-E-Shahi or the Shah Burj, used as the summer resort. It is an excellent place to learn much about ancient architecture and construction.

Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram is an ancient city in the southern coastal region of Tamil Nadu. On the outskirts of Chennai, this historical place attracts many tourists every year due to its sculptural and architectural variations. These are spectacular masterpieces of the Pallava dynasty. Krishna’s butterball is very popular for its colossal appearance and its ability to withstand the force of gravity. Many rulers have tried to pull it down using multiple elephants. But the reason behind its presence is still unknown.

The seven Rathas are another attraction with enormous stone carvings and sculptures. Most of these carvings were from a huge single rock. The next attraction is the Shore Temple. It is known for its vast history and traditional values. It is also said that few temples are yet to be found as it is deep under the sea. Many witnesses are said to have seen the tower of the temples during high tides and tsunamis. Don’t forget to visit this place if you visit Chennai.

It would be best to visit These famous places at least once in your lifetime. 

Author Bio: Charlotte Lin is a content creator at escaperoom.com. She’s a passionate young woman, a mother to a fantastic nine-year-old, and an avid reader. Over the years, writing has helped her explore and understand the world and herself. She loves to travel, meet new people, and spend quality time with her daughter. You can find her on LinkedIn.

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