India

Agra Taj mahalIndia, the name conjures up images of mysticism and maharajas, tigers and elephants, Gandhi and the British Raj. But there’s more, much more. It’s a country of endless variety that offers you a stupendous range of colors, scents, styles, customs, languages, architecture and geography. India is home to the longest surviving civilization on Earth, and the birthplace of four major religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, an ancient religion unique to India, and Sikhism. India’s history began on the banks of the Indus about 5000 years ago. Since then it has seen the vast Mauryan empire which was at its peak in the 3century BC; the Dravidian empires which extended to South‑East Asia; the Moghuls in the 16th and 17th centuries; and later the Portuguese, French, and Dutch. Most recently; India was part of the British Empire from the early 19th century until Independence in 1947. Today, with over 1 billion people, it is the world’s biggest democracy.

India StatueIf you have a sense of history you’ll love the legendary palaces, temples and forts. If you enjoy cultural traditions you can see a spectacular music, dance and folklore show almost every day of the year. Another of India’s special charms is the food. With many highly refined regional styles, eating in different parts of India is a voyage of discovery. And shopping is unlike anything in the West, with an amazing array of arts, crafts and materials, often at bargain prices.

In this vast country, you can virtually choose your weather and temperature. Basically, there are three seasons, hot, wet and cool. The heat begins to build up in February and the hot season extends from May to July. Whilst temperatures may hover above the 40’s in central India, it’s the ideal time to breathe in the bracing air of a hill station. And in most cities, air conditioning means that life continues as normal. This is also the trekking season, with the Himalayan passes open for a few short, precious months. In early June, the monsoon starts in the South and works towards the North, reaching it in July. It doesn’t rain all day however, and you may agree with those who say that in Rajasthan, that thirsty desert state, this is the most beautiful season of all. Around October, the best time for traveling begins. Blue skies, mellow sun and delightful temperatures, not too hot and not too cool. In December and January, it can become almost crisp at night in the northern cities. The Himalayan states even have an increasingly popular skiing season.

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