India - a mysterious land

India is a very big & vast nation, profoundly varied, and brimming with cultural richness, promising to delight those who seek novel experiences.

Upon arriving in India for the very first time, the eye is immediately drawn to the ancient architectures, not just in New Delhi and its neighboring regions but also seen all across the nation.

Starting from the capital , the most renowned edifices in India are the brilliant examples of architectural style sculptures and the exquisite marble mausoleum of the Taj Mahal located in Agra 300 kms from New Delhi , celebrated as one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World, constructed by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife. Additionally, there are numerous splendid forts and palaces, including the Red Fort in New Delhi, Agra Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, and Amber Palace in Jaipur, all of which are highly recommended for exploration near the capital.

Most temples, richly decorated with sculptures of gods, dances and epic stories, reflect the ancient architecture. The Akshardham temple, a complex of Hindu architecture with thousands of exquisitely carved white stone statues, is the most famous in New Delhi. Other must-see ancient temples include the Temple of the Sun in Konark, Orissa, and the Temple of Khajuraho, a UNESCO site in central India known for its erotic sculptures of men and women. In southern India, the Tirupati Balaji Temple is the world's richest Hindu temple. This temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, attracts about half a million pilgrims daily during festivals, making it India's most visited Hindu holy site.

A famous Sikh monument not to be missed is the Golden Temple, located in the state of Punjab. It is inlaid with pure gold donated by Sikhs. Also worth seeing are the step wells, such as the "Queen's Step Well" Rani ki Vav in Patan, north of Gujarat, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Buddhists often make pilgrimages to the Four Holy Places, including Bodhgaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment; Vanarasi, where the Buddha preached; Lumbini (Nepal), where the Buddha was born; and Kushinagar, where he died and attained final nirvana. Besides, other masterpieces of Buddhist architecture cannot be overlooked, such as the complex of Buddhist monasteries carved into the rock in the Ajanta and Ellora areas near Mumbai, or the Great Stupa of Sanchi, built by Emperor Ashoka near Bhopal in central India.

What is the best time of the year to visit India? In general, India is very hot in the summer, both in the south and the north, although it is cooler in the central highlands such as Pune and Bangalore. Therefore, the best time to visit India is during the winter, from October to the end of March. This is also when India's vibrant festivals take place, starting with the Ganesh Festival in August , Dussehra festival in October, when plays are staged to retell the story of the Ramayana, and followed by the Diwali festival of lights, which is celebrated as grand way with colored lights everywhere, fireworks in the sky, and people excitedly giving each other gifts. Other popular traditional festivals celebrated throughout much of India in February include Vasant Panchami, in honor of Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, and the Holi festival in March, when caste is set aside and revelers throw colors at each other. During festivals, women often paint heena on each other's skin, not only for beauty but also for spiritual significance, sending each other good wishes. Winter is also an ideal time to explore hard-to-reach states in summer, such as Rajasthan, where special camel festivals are held in the desert.

Winter is also the time for sipping a cup of milk tea, 'chai', which is sold in every corner of India and helps to warm up in the cold. Indian cuisine, in general, is very spicy, and each dish has a very specific masala smell, which is difficult for foreigners to enjoy right away, but if you want to explore, you can start by trying a simple, easy-to-eat and delicious dish: "Nan" made with white flour, baked in the oven and topped with a layer of very fragrant onion butter, served with a red bean sauce called dal. You can expand your Indian culinary explorations with other easy-to-eat dishes like Indian fried chicken or potato pies. Once you fall in love with Indian food, you can explore Indian curries non vegetarian or paneer vegetarian (Made up of milk cheese). These dishes are rich in nutrients and have healing properties. When introducing Indian desserts, one must include cakes made of beans and milk, bean cakes, but sweeter, milkier, and sometimes even inlaid with a thin layer of sparkling gold or silver, which is great for detoxification.

Removing shoes before entering a sacred space is a vital custom since foot wear can carry dirt into a pure and sacred area. The crown of the head is viewed as the most significant part of the human form. Touching an individual's head is deemed disrespectful and thoughtless. This sentiment is particularly strong regarding infants, youths, seniors, spiritual leaders, or deities’ statues. Feet are regarded as the 'most unclean' portion of the body; thus, never direct the bottoms of your feet toward another person, a temple, or a deity. To prevent this, sit in a cross-legged position or kneel when in a sacred space. If you need to extend your legs, steer clear of holy symbols. Never face away from a religious figure.

A unique gesture in India, unlike many other cultures, is the head bob, which conveys acceptance, gratitude, or comprehension, depending on the conversation's context; it does not imply refusal. If you're looking to bond quickly, discussing cricket, a beloved sport in the country, is a great approach. When parting ways, saying 'goodbye' may seem too final, so Indians frequently prefer saying 'see you later.

Don’t be astonished to encounter cows in the streets; even if they obstruct traffic, kindly wait for them to pass. Cows are cherished in India as a benevolent representation of Mother Earth, supplying the milk essential for life. Consequently, slaughtering cows or consuming beef is considered unlawful in various states.

These are merely a few insights to keep in mind when traveling through India. Regardless of how many days or visits you make, it will never feel sufficient.

Don’t hesitate any longer; pack your backpack and set off on an adventure to uncover the one and only remaining enigmatic land on our planet.

It will be not suited to make such a short introduction to India as mysterious country. Come & enjoy India. Its a not short but with a long stories of culture , food , history with brave stories , full of mythological stories. List will not end .

Welcome To India - A Land Full Of Mysteries