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Regions of India
The North: Glittering peaks and Palaces
India’s crown is the world’s mightiest mountain range, the Himalayas. Here are the highest peaks on earth, but also the famous valley of Flowers and lush hills and waterfalls; it’s a wonderland for trekking, skiing, gliding, and rafting. Far below are the immense, fertile plains where the sacred Ganges flows through timelessly fascinating holy cities. In neighboring Rajasthan, you enter a glittering desert world of palaces, temples, festivals, and fairy‑tale hotels.
Five thousand years of civilization, from the Aryans and the Moghul Princes to the British Raj, have shaped this magical heartland of India;
Highlights
Delhi, the capital. Victorian splendor and the amazing Red Fort with 2 km of battlements.
Rajasthan, the land of Maharajas’ palaces and the desert with its fortified cities - Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner.
The “Golden Triangle”, the essential tour to Agra (site of the Taj Mahal, one of the world’s greatest treasures and the finest monument to love ever built); Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted imperial city; and Jaipur, the Pink City, capital of Rajasthan.
Varanasi, the legendary holy city on the Ganges.
Lucknow, where ancient Moslem culture and etiquette live on at their most refined.
In the Punjab, the Golden Temple of Amritsar, holiest shrine of the Sikh religion; and the town of Chandigarh, planned by the French architect, Le Corbusier.
Hill stations at Kulu, Manali, Simla, Nainital and Mussoorie in the cool pine forests of the Himalayas.
The plateau of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, with its lunar landscapes. 0 The “Palace on Wheels”: your chance to travel and sleep in the picturesque luxury of a Maharaja’s train.
Festivals
Northern India is always celebrating something. But at least remember these:
January: Delhi; Republic Day, January 26 th.
February-March: Holi, “Festival of Colors” celebrates Spring.
July-August: Beautiful Teej festival in Jaipur. 15 August, Delhi, Independence Day.
September-October: Diwali and Dusserah, nationwide, spectacular festivals.
November: Pushkar desert fair.
The East: Breathtaking views and timeless wisdom
West Bengal is the only state in India to stretch from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. Its capital, Calcutta, is one of the largest cities in the world, crowded and hectic but with a unique and poignant beauty. The Bengalis are the poets and artists of India. For contrast, drive North through the healing calm of green rice fields and villages of a bygone age. Take the train to Darjeeling, for stupendous views of the Himalayas: trekkers are near to heaven here.
Further north, orchid-strewn Sikkim is almost a forgotten land with wild flowers in bloom all year round. Then for another kind of enchantment, move South to Orissa, with fabulous temples and endless beaches. Pause in Bihar at Bodhgaya, where Buddha sat under the Bo tree and attained Enlightenment. The Eastern region has great natural beauty with peacefulness and grandeur. It is good for the soul.
Highlights
Calcutta: possesses one of the finest museums in Asia. Bhubaneshwar, Puri, Konarak in Orissa: three legendary temple cities. Puri is also well known as a beach resort. Chilka Lake, a spectacular bird sanctuary. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, has one of the country’s finest golf courses. Kaziranga Wild Life Sanctuary. 0 Darjeeling, the Queen of Hill Stations. Sikkim, the trekkers’ paradise.
Festivals
Feb-March: “Shivaratri” dedicated to Lord Shiva June-July: Spectacular Chariot Festival, one of India’s biggest (Puri). October: “Sadarang” music festival. (Calcutta) November-December: Konarak dance festival.
The West: Relaxing Goa and Gujarat Festivals
Bombay is the traditional gateway to India and instantly overwhelms its visitors with the raw energy that vibrates in its wildly congested streets. This is a city dedicated to commerce, a treasury of Victorian architecture interspersed with amazing food markets and spice, antique, and jewellery bazaars. It also has the largest cinema industry in the world; yes, you really will find it referred to as “Bollywood”. For an awesome experience go East from Bombay into the arid Deccan plain for the fabulous Hindu cave temples at Ellora and the legendary Buddhist mural paintings and sculptures at Ajanta, dating back to the second century BC. To the North of Bombay lies Gujarat, an unspoiled state full of colorful fairs and festivals. Visit its extraordinary capital, Ahmedabad, and the Ashram founded by Gandhi. Then for something truly exotic go on to the fantastic walled city of Bhuj hidden in the Rann of Kutch and surrounded by nesting flamingos from December to February. Cross the border into Madyha Pradesh, the largest state in India, where the mighty fort of Gwalior and superb National Parks, such as those at Kariba and Bandhavgarh, vie for your attention. But Western India’s most popular place is surely Goa, with 100 km of marvelous uncrowded beaches offering a wide variety of water sports and guaranteed winter sun. The old capital, Velha Goa, was founded by the Portuguese and still has a special charm on its own. The temptation to linger here in the idyllic peace that only India can offer will be almost overwhelming.
Highlights
Bombay: the Hanging Gardens, the Prince of Wales museum and the Elephanta caves.
Gir Forest: the last reserve of the Asian Lion.
Ellora and Ajanta: breathtaking cave temples.
Palitana: 863 temples reached by stairways which climb nearly 2000 feet.
Chorvad: stay at the Maharaja’s summer palace.
Goa: some of the world’s longest, perfect beaches.
Khajuraho: famous for temples with exquisite erotic art.
Festivals
February-March: Goa, unique Mardi Gras celebrations
March: Khajuraho dance festival.
July-August: Raksha Bandhan. Naag Panchami, dedicated to a thousand-headed serpent.
August-September: Bombay, spectacular festivals for Krishna and Ganesh.
December: Christmas in Goa.
The South: See ancient India
The South is different; an idyllic region of tranquil palm groves, fabulous temples, and dream beaches. It is here that the devout Dravidians preserve their ancient religion in countless magical temples almost submerged by sculptures of gods and animals, and hold extravagant festivals of dance and mime.
Tamil Nadu, the most relaxed of India’s major states, is the center of Hindu tradition. From here you can fly to some of the Andaman Islands, a paradise archipelago with unrivalled waters ports. Or you can go inland to extraordinary Hyderabad, once the seat of the fabled Nizams, or to the “perfume city” of Mysore where the scents of sandalwood and jasmine fill the air. In the west is Kerala, whose exotic Malabar coast has some of ‘the finest golden beaches in the world. This is the peaceful, ancient India. Almost untouched by the Moghuls of the North, it has remained the legendary tropical land that captivated medieval Europe.
Highlights
Madras, Bangalore, Mysore, and Hyderabad. Temple cities of Madurai, Srirangam, Tirupati, and Mahabalipuram with its temple on the beach. Ooty hill station reached by a “toy train” and Kodaikanal, both in the Blue Mountains. Pondicherry, where the French influence lingers. Kovalam, one of the world’s most magnificent beach resorts. The Lakshadweep or Andaman islands for wonderful fishing and snorkeling. Kanchipuram, whose silk weavers make this a great address for saris. Cochin, in Kerala, with the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth (1568). The backwaters of Kerala, with palm‑fringed lagoons and fascinating wildlife.
Festivals
There are more festivals here than in any other part of India. You are sure to be able to see a celebration of some sort, even if it’s not one of these major events:
January: Pongal, the 3-day Tamil harvest festival. Floating festival (Madurai): the Great Elephant March. February: Huge Jain Festival (Sravanabelagola, every 12-14 years). April-May: Pooram, with a spectacular elephant parade (Trichur). August-September: Onam, snake boat races (Kerala). Diwali National festival, the Hindu New Year. October: Dussehra festival, Mysore, 10 days of celebration and parades.
