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 6 Magical experiences I had in India that you can’t find anywhere else At Bestway, we have a turn of phrase we often use—as soon as you visit India for the first time, we say, you already start thinking of when you’ll be back. I have certainly found this to be true for myself. A few years ago, I jumped at the opportunity to take one of our most popular routes through Northern India. With its lavish monuments, colourful culture and history dating back thousands of years, visiting India felt worlds apart from anything I had experienced before. Inevitably, I’ve already started thinking about where I want to go when I visit next! Here are 6 experiences I treasured during my time there that I truly believe you cannot get anywhere else:
1. The fragrant spices of Delhi India’s capital offers the hustle and bustle that only a sprawling mega city can provide. But even the busyness has its charm. The highlight of my time in Delhi was a visit to Chandni Chowk, the city’s busiest and oldest market. This wholesale bazaar is a feast for the senses. Bicycle rickshaws pedal by, hawkers shout out their wares, and shoppers wander between stores set up with every product under the sun, including my favourite, piles upon piles of fragrant, colourful spices. The spices of India offer a true rainbow—the rich red of chili powder, the deep green of cardamom and the intense yellow of turmeric are just the start. Spices seem to taste different in India. They’re more potent and flavourful. They’re combined in unique ways not found in other cuisines. I’m generally not one to purchase souvenirs, but I made an exception for a set of classic Indian spices that gave a special flavour to my cooking for many months!
2. Having your excursion disrupted by a cow Hindus see the cow as a sacred symbol of life. They even celebrate the “cow holiday” of Gopastami, where cows across the country are washed and dressed in flower garlands! Beef is never on the menu, and it is illegal to harm or kill cows in most states. Because of their holy status, cows are generally left to wander, well, wherever they want. During my explorations in India, I saw cows roaming through busy markets, making their way through dense crowds of people, and, my personal favourite, blocking traffic by laying down in the middle of the road. The situation can be frustrating or comical, depending on your perspective, but it is undoubtedly a uniquely Indian experience!
3. Watching the pilgrims of Varanasi Above all other experiences in India, visiting Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities on Earth, truly made me feel as if I had stepped into another world. Varanasi is one of the holiest cities for Hindus, and millions of pilgrims make the trip here every year. During a sunrise boat ride, we watched as scores of pilgrims bathed in the divine waters of the Ganges River, cleansing their sins according to Hindu beliefs. The smell of incense, the sound of chanting, the lap of the sacred river, all worked together to create an otherworldly aura, the feeling one can only get in a deeply religious and ancient place. The crown jewel of my visit was the chance to take in the fervent Aarti ceremony, where Hindu priests wave flaming candelabras in an intricate dance along the shores of the river after sunset—truly a special experience.
4. Friendly faces at every turn I’ll admit, friendly locals aren’t unique to India. They are, however, a highlight. Be prepared for all ages to greet you, asking where you are from and what you’re doing—as well as for the occasional picture or selfie. I even got invited to one passer-by’s house for tea! Many locals are incredibly friendly and curious about you. It can be a rich and rewarding experience to be just as curious in return. Participating in conversations with locals is a unique way to learn about the culture, traditions and daily lives of those you come in contact with.
5. A rainbow of colourful saris One site that is quintessentially Indian, seen everywhere you visit, is the beautiful rainbow of saris. The sari is a traditional garment of women on the Indian subcontinent that can be folded and draped in different ways. Coming in reds, purples, blues, yellows, and every colour in between, these beautiful garments can be seen on women at temples, participating in celebrations, or even just completing their daily activities. Their lovely shades and intricate patterns bring flare and festivity to daily life. What’s more, the more elaborate saris worn on special occasions are often passed down over generations! A highlight of my trip was on a visit to one of the temples in Udaipur, where I got to take in a group of women performing a traditional dance. Dressed in saris of all shades, they made a splendid site!
6. Sunrise at the Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal is perhaps the very first thing to come to mind when someone mentions India. Considered one of the most well-known wonders of the world, this immense mausoleum of gleaming white marble was built between 1631 and 1648 in memory of the Moghul emperor Shah Jahan’s favourite wife. The Taj Mahal is seen as a crowning jewel of Muslim art, and only an in-person visit allows you to experience its full majesty. I travelled in India during the hot and dry season, which I would only advise for those who don’t mind the heat. The payoff, though, was a stunning morning of the Taj almost free from other people. I can honestly say that the view of the empty Taj Mahal bathed in the warm reds and oranges of the rising sun makes the list of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen. Of course, the Taj is far from India’s only stunning monument. The lavish palaces of Udaipur rivaled any in Europe, and the view over Jaipur from ancient Amber Fort was spectacular! However, the Taj holds a special place in the heart of anyone who travels to India. My journey to India showed me how unique of a country it really is. Each corner offers new sites, traditions and experiences. If you haven’t been there, it should earn a place near the top of your future travel plans! If you have already experienced the wonders India has to offer, I hope that, like me, you can’t wait to go back! If you’d like to start researching or planning your future India journey, you can browse through our full offering of India tours here. Our curated selection of Special Value Tours to India have departure dates and prices available up until the end of 2022!
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Posted by Kierra Jones