India

A dazzling kaleidoscope of colour

By Sharell Cook , Mariellen Ward , Lakshmi Sharath , Mark Stratton , Somdyuti Datta Ray & Rachel Bracken-Singh

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Over one billion people and 23 major languages — India is one of the world's most diverse places. You could visit every year for a lifetime and still not see all of it.

Many come for its colourful history and tongue-tingling food, or to find themselves at the feet of a Yogi. However, the list of adventures in India is never-ending. You can trek in the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, hunt for tigers deep in the jungle, head out to watch a desert sunset on camelback or get lost in aeons-old temples — many of which are still used for worship today.

The contrasts in this kaleidoscopic world can be extreme, particularly in the cities where you'll see sleek skyscrapers on one street and people sleeping on pavements on the next. It's the kind of destination that you have to respond to: the intensity of the experiences will challenge and enthral you. Some find it a little overwhelming, but many more get utterly hooked and come back time and again.

Hidden gems in India

Bundi

Chaurasi Khambon Ki Chhatri

Lakshmi Sharath

Place

Built in the 17th century by Rao Raja Anirudh for his foster brother Deva as a dome-shaped memorial, this cenotaph is famous for its 84 pillars (although legend says you can’t count them all). The cenotaph has several ornate sculptures and a linga (a form of Shiva) built in the centre.

Bundi

Raniji Ki Baori Stepwell

Lakshmi Sharath

Place

Stepwells are an architectural feature of Rajasthan and Gujarat. With water being a scarcity, stepwells were designed not only as sources of drinking water, but also places to bathe, pray and relax. Often sculpted as temples with gates, arches and pillars, there are about 50 stepwells in Bundi, but most of them are in ruins. The Raniji Ki Baori is the best known, built in the 17th century by Queen Nathavati, wife of Rao Raja Anirudh Singh. It is 46m (150ft) deep and each level has carvings of deities.

Bundi

Sukh Mahal and Jait Sagar Lake

Lakshmi Sharath

Place

Built along the banks of the Jait Sagar Lake in the 18th century during the reign of Ummed Singh, the Sukh Mahal was home to Kipling and inspired him to write Kim. Meaning the palace of bliss, the Sukh Mahal is home to Mughal art and statues, a marble cenotaph and gardens.

Jodhpur

Mandore

Lakshmi Sharath

Place

The former capital of the Rathore clan lies in ruins amidst a beautiful garden filled with a fort, cenotaphs, temples, rock terraces and sculptures. Don’t miss the cenotaph of Maharaja Dhiraj Ajit Singh, which combines Jain and Buddhist architecture. This chattri also commemorates the ritual suicide of his 64 queens and concubines, who threw themselves on his funeral pyre in 1724. Located 9km from Jodhpur, visit for the Hall of Heroes (dedicated to folkloric characters), the Temple of Gods and the many monkeys roaming around.

Udaipur

Bagore Ki Haveli

Lakshmi Sharath

Place

Located at Gangaur Ghat on the banks of Lake Pichola, this 18th-century palace belonged to the then prime minister of Mewar, Amar Chand Badwa. The Rajput architecture has been preserved and there is a museum dedicated to Mewar culture, including jewellery boxes, royal clothing and mural paintings.

Udaipur

Saheliyon Ki Bari Park

Lakshmi Sharath

Place

A beautiful park filled with sculptures and statues, Saheliyon Ki Bari (Garden of Maidens) was created by Maharana Sangram Singh for his queen and her 48 female attendants as a refuge from court life. It’s now a popular meeting spot. Look out for the lotus pond and elephant fountains.

Udaipur

Monsoon Palace

Lakshmi Sharath

Place

Another beautiful royal palace, the Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh Palace) sits atop the Aravalli Hills overlooking Fateh Sagar Lake. Built in the 19th century as a refuge from the annual monsoon, the palace was also used as a hunting lodge. Visit the palace in the evening for sunset views, or head here during the monsoon and watch the clouds float over Udaipur.

Rajasthan

Karni Mata Temple

Lakshmi Sharath

Place

For a change of pace, visit the Karni Mata temple in Bikaner, which holds more than 20,000 black rats. Each time a rat dies, a statue is built inside the temple complex.

Pushkar

Take a holy dip in Pushkar Lake

Experience

Other notable temples include the Brahma Temple in Pushkar, which is one of the few in India dedicated to Brahma. This Hindu god was said to be cursed with having no places of worship on earth. Take a holy dip in Pushkar Lake before offering your prayers in the temple.

Rajasthan

Delwara Temple Complex

Place

Rajasthan’s temples date back to the 4th century, although more ornate and architecturally interesting temples began to develop from the 9th century. These typically had sculptures and marble carvings, such as the stunning Delwara complex at Mount Abu.

Jaisalmer

Explore ornate havelis

Lakshmi Sharath

Experience

Havelis (mansions) were the homes of rich merchants and traders in Rajasthan’s cities. Decorated with stone carvings and interiors of murals and frescoes, each merchant tried to outdo the next to show their importance and wealth. Every major city in Rajasthan will have havelis worth visiting, but Jaisalmer is a particular hotspot. Look out for the Patwon Ki haveli and the elephants of Nathmal Ki haveli.

Jaisalmer

Rajasthan's chattris and baoris

Lakshmi Sharath

Experience

The history of Rajasthan is shown through its many forts, palaces and historical buildings. Almost every major city — and many minor ones — will have some form of architectural wonder to explore Built to commemorate the region’s maharajas and nobles, chattris (cenotaphs) are a frequent feature of Rajasthan’s architecture. Chattri literally translates as umbrella, which references the dome-like structure that covers the cenotaph. Originally built as a garden complex, the yellow sandstone domes of Jaisalmer's Bada Bagh cenotaphs are an excellent example. Rajasthan’s desert location means that conserving water has always been a major issue. Baoris are stepwells that were traditionally built to provide drinking water. Over time, they became meeting places and temples, decorated with sculptures and carvings. The 46m deep Ranji Ki Baori in Bundi is a fine example, showcasing carvings of Lord Vishnu.

Chaurasi Khambon Ki Chhatri

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Raniji Ki Baori Stepwell

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Sukh Mahal and Jait Sagar Lake

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Mandore

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Bagore Ki Haveli

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Saheliyon Ki Bari Park

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Monsoon Palace

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Karni Mata Temple

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Take a holy dip in Pushkar Lake

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Delwara Temple Complex

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Explore ornate havelis

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Rajasthan's chattris and baoris

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Fort Palace Museum

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Patwon Ki Haveli

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Desert Cultural Centre and Museum

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Explore Rajasthan's hill forts and palaces

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Jaigarh Fort

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Jaipur

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Safari in Ranthambore National Park

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Explore Ranthambore Fort

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Spot tigers in Sariska National Park

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Birdwatching in Keoladeo National Park

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See Bundi art in Chitrashala

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Bundi Palace (Garh Palace)

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Bundi

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Jaswant Thada

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Umaid Bhawan Palace

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Jodhpur

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Take a day trip to Chittorgarh

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Jag Mandir Island

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Cruise around Udaipur Lake Palace

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Udaipur

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Visit Jaisalmer's Jain temples

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Camel rides on Sam Sand Dunes

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Gadisar Lake

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Jaisalmer

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Jal Mahal

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Hawa Mahal

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Nahargarh Fort

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Taragarh Fort

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Mehrangarh Fort

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City Palace

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Jaisalmer Fort

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Visit the Golden Triangle & Taj Mahal

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Amer Fort

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Goecha La

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Chadar Frozen River trek

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Markha Valley trek

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Tosa Maidan trek

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Parang La trek

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Pin Valley

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Bedni Bugyal & Bagwawasa

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Nanda Devi East & Milam glacier

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View all 60 India experiences

India travel guides

Article

Saving Pushkar's historic camels

Mariellen Ward

Pushkar is a small and peaceful town, one of the most sacred in India. It’s the site of one of the only temples devoted to Brahma.

Article

Loved to death

Karam Filfilan

The Taj Mahal is one of the wonders of the world. The mausoleum, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century to house the tomb of his wife Mumtaz Mahal is seen as a symbol of love, while its 42-acre complex is admired as an exemplar of Mughal architecture and Indian history.

Article

The arts and crafts of Rajasthan

Rachel Bracken-Singh

Rajasthan is among the richest states in India when it comes to the quality of its textiles, artwork and clothing. But how do you ensure you’re buying authentic craftworks from responsible sources — and where can you visit local artisans?

Guide

Off the beaten path in Rajasthan

Lakshmi Sharath

The history of Rajasthan is shown through its many forts, palaces and historical buildings. Almost every major city — and many minor ones — will have some form of architectural wonder to explore.

Guide

How To See India's Golden Triangle

Lakshmi Sharath

First, a fairly major caveat: only Jaipur is actually located within Rajasthan. Delhi and Agra (home to the iconic Taj Mahal), the other two corners of India's famous Golden Triangle, are outside the state's eastern border.

Guide

What to eat in Rajasthan

Rajasthani cuisine is well-known across India for its richness and abundance of spice. Its desert location plays a huge part in its food scene, with cured, pickled and dried foods all popular.

Guide

Rajasthan travel FAQs

All you need to know to begin planning your trip to Rajasthan. What currency does India have? How easy is it to exchange money?The currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR).

Guide

The Best Time To Visit Rajasthan

Lakshmi Sharath

The best time to visit Rajasthan is the cooler, drier period between October/November and February/March. This period avoids the peak summer months of April-June when temperatures soar and things become uncomfortably hot, and also the monsoon season of July-September, which can bring significant disruption.

Article

Who will save India’s monuments?

Somdyuti Datta Ray

The Qila-i-Mubarak (Red Fort) in Delhi has been the seat of trials and bloodshed ever since its commissioning by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1638. Set in the walled city of Shahjahanabad, the red sandstone complex was the empire’s home of administrative affairs, of celebrating art and its artists, feasts and festivities.

Article

Kerala’s ancient art forms

Karam Filfilan

Look beyond Kerala’s houseboats, tea plantations and Ayurvedic retreats and you’ll see a more primal side to the state. Kerala is home to many different types of classical dance, built out of traditional religious stories and filled with dynamic performances and elaborate costumes.

Guide

When to visit Kerala

The appealing thing about Kerala is that it's a year-round destination, with things to do even during the rainy season.

Guide

Cruising Kerala's backwaters by houseboat

Sharell Cook

The 'backwaters' is the name of the enchanting palm-lined waterways that are synonymous with Kerala. This 900-odd kilometre labyrinth of canals connects large regions of Kerala and was constructed centuries ago for transporting cargo, such as spices and rice.

Guide

Best Beaches In India—Other Than Goa

Sharell Cook

Goa is world-renowned as India’s major beach destination, with everything from luxury resorts to makeshift huts, but its popularity has come at the cost of overdevelopment, Westernisation and a sometimes over-rowdy party culture. However, there is much more to India’s beach scene than trance parties and commercialised towns.

Guide

How to visit the holy Indian town of Maheshwar

Sharell Cook

The holy town of Maheshwar sits alongside the sacred Narmada River about two hours south of Indore in Madhya Pradesh. It is often referred to as the "Varanasi of Central India" because of the many temples and ghats that line the river.

Article

Experiencing India's great Kumbh Mela pilgrimage

Mark Stratton

The boatman’s face is swaddled by a scarf against the early morning chill as we drift amid a low silvery mist hugging the Ganges’ surface. We’re approaching the Sangam where the Ganges meets the Yamuna: a sacred confluence revered in Hindu mythology, where the nectar of immortality fell from the heavens.

Guide

Trekking the Indian Himalaya

Shikha Tripathi

Growing up in the mountains in India, when the Himalayas were little more than a scenic backdrop, I never realised the privilege of calling them home. The youngest mountain chain in the world cradles ten of the world’s highest peaks and is the source of the Indian subcontinent’s mightiest rivers.