When I was approached by Globe Travels of the United Kingdom to outline the attractions of India for tourists from their country, I was slightly confused. Not because I did not know my country’s attractions, but because I did not know where to start and where to end. What is the lure of India? For me, of course, it’s my home, sweet home! But beyond that is the magnificent array of colour, geography, ethnicity, history, wildlife, adventure and culture.
There are countless places to visit in India, but India’s main attraction is perhaps its way of life. The cosmos amidst the chaos! The harmony amidst its sharp contrasts and diversities. No land in the world perhaps can claim to have such a wide range of ethnic diversity as India does. While cataloguing places of visit, I can’t help but mention the enduring appeal of the Himalayas at the outset.
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The Himalayas in the north of my country forms a formidable belt of protection. Stretching from the northeast to Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh to Jammu and Kashmir, the Himalayan Mountains are a trekker’s paradise and a storehouse of rare flora and fauna. The origins of the Ganges and the Yamuna are a rafter’s paradise.
While the biggest mountain ranges in the world are an attraction in the northern fringe of the country, the oceans on the three sides of the peninsula are a real treat to watch. Chennai, Puducherry, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, Kovalam all provide a rare treat for the sea lover. The backwaters of Kerala provide a truly wonderful experience. The seashore has its unique appeal in tourist hot spots like Mumbai, Kutch and Goa. On the eastern side, the coast offers unique spectacles in several places like Orissa.
Rajasthan in the west provides a unique glimpse of royal and brave history, culture and sandscapes. The Pink City of Jaipur, the forts of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer offer the tourists a peek into the extravagant and majestic times of a bygone period. The ‘Palace on Wheels’, a luxury train, allows travellers to enjoy a glorious journey through Indian deserts.
Historical sites abound in India. From the ancient civilisations to Mughal kings and queens, the capital city of Delhi, and Agra are replete with history and ancient architecture. Besides the great mausoleum of Taj Mahal, there are other places to treasure as well like the Agra Fort, Jama Masjid, and Fatehpur Sikri etc. Finally, India is the land for jungle safaris and tiger reserves. For tiger lovers, the Sunderbans in West Bengal, Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Bandhavgarh and Kanha in Madhya Pradesh, give exciting opportunity to see this most majestic of animals.
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From seasides to mountains, reserve forests to historical sites, serene waterfalls to ancient cities like Varanasi, I feel India has it all. Come to India to discover a really incredible country: a rare blend of spirituality, history and nature! In fact a single brochure is perhaps not enough to do justice to its attractions.