India

Continent

Asia

Best States to Visit

Kerala
Rajasthan
Goa
Himachal Pradesh
Punjab

Best Cities to Visit

Bangalore
Mumbai
Jaipur
Sri Nagar
Shimla

Size

3,287,263 KM²

Population

1,395,086,950

GDP

$2,160,000,000,000

Spending Budget

$1,050 - $1,225

Famous For

Diverse Culture
Spices and Food

Best Time to Visit

January
February
October
November
December

History

India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal on the southeast, it shares land borders with Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north; and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. In the Indian Ocean, India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka and the Maldives; its Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia. From being a comparatively destitute country in 1951, India has become a fast-growing major economy and a hub for information technology services, with an expanding middle class. Its nominal per capita income increased from US$64 annually to US$1,498, and its literacy rate from 16.6% to 74%. It has been a federal republic since 1950, governed in a democratic parliamentary system. It is a pluralistic, multilingual and multi-ethnic society. India's population grew from 361 million in 1951 to 1.211 billion in 2011.

Present Day

India's land is megadiverse, with four biodiversity hotspots. Its forest cover comprises 21.7% of its area. India's wildlife, which has traditionally been viewed with tolerance in India's culture, is supported among these forests, and elsewhere, in protected habitats. But in addition to lush greenery, India is also rich in cultural and heritage sites, an effect of its welcoming history. A country that vows secularism in its Constitution, India marries the customs of more than five unique religions, creating a harmonious blend of a myriad of societies. Each state also has its own form of dance, food, clothing, language, and rituals. It is this striking display of unity in diversity that makes India such a vibrant place to visit. Listed as one of the top ten industrial nations of the world, India has numerous trades, including both large scale and cottage scale lines of activity. These industries utilise India’s rich deposits in minerals, as well as forest and water resources. These sectors employ a large number of people and are highly beneficial to the country’s economy. The country has well developed shipping ports and airports, providing a perfect opportunity for exporting goods.

Future

It is calculated that India will achieve its projected GDP of USD 9 trillion and per capita income of USD 5,625 by 2030 due to its sharp rise in working population. It will account for nearly 75% of the GDP and Indian cities will act as engines of economic growth for the country’s built environment. This will also vast development and expansion opportunities for the real estate sector. On the other hand, a high density of population and fast-paced economic growth has made India extremely susceptible to climate change; however, the country is working towards minimising this impact by launching several green initiatives at the national, state and local level. India has great potential to become the next superpower country due to its rising economic power, wide range of scientific developments, carefully planned policies to improve the living conditions of its citizens and reduce the disparity between the rich and the poor, the educational and medical facilities provided to all and create more employment opportunities for the youth so that it reduces the problem of unemployment.

Must Visit Places ------------

Taj Mahal, Agra

One of India’s most recognizable buildings, the Taj Mahal is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved, Mumtaz Mahal, this mausoleum was built after her death. It took 17 years and 20,000 workers to complete. The white marble structure, built by the banks of the river Yamuna, incorporates multiple facets of Islamic architecture such as minarets, arches, calligraphy, and florals.

Golden Temple, Amritsar

The temple is an important aspect of Sikh culture and is often considered one of their holiest places of worship, though people of other religions visit the place. Formally known as Harmandir Sahib, it is more commonly called the Golden Temple due to the vibrant gold color its structure boasts. It is built in a mixture of Hindu and Islamic styles with marble, and animal and flower patterns. A significant feature is the free meal the temple offers to its visitors everyday.

Red Fort, New Delhi

Built by Shah Jahan, to act as the epicentre of Mughal rule, the fort is named after the brilliant red sandstone. The entire structure is surrounded by a moat. The most striking features are its two largest gates - the Lahore Gate, which is the main gate, and the Delhi Gate, which remains elaborately decorated. Inside is a quaint marketplace, Chatta Chowk, that sells jewellery, souvenirs, silks, and food. In the evenings, a beautiful sound and light show is held.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Aurangabad

These ornately carved caves are Buddhist in origin, with representative paintings and sculptures displayed inside. Visitors say the cave feels magical and has a meditative effect. The caves are rock cut and house temples and monasteries devoted to Lord Buddha. The most impressive excavation is that of the Kailasa Temple which is the largest monolith structure in the world and attracts pilgrims till date.

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

In the middle of the Thar desert, the city of Jaisalmer is built upon a breathtaking foundation of yellow sandstone, earning it its name of the Golden City of India. The sunlight glints on this beautiful yellow making the hue much more brilliant. The city is filled with strategically placed forts, intricate architecture and sculptures, and even deserted towns that incite feelings of awe.

Gateway of India, Mumbai

The Gateway of India is an arch-monument built in the early 20th century in the city of Mumbai, India. It was erected to commemorate the landing of King-Emperor George V and Queen-Empress Mary, the first British monarch to visit India. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, the imposing arch is a confluence of Indian, Arabic, and Western architecture.

Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad

The Mecca Masjid boasts being one of the oldest as well as the largest masjids in India. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, commissioned bricks to be made from the soil brought from Mecca, the holiest site of Islam, and used them in the construction of the central arch of the mosque, thus giving the mosque its name. It is considered to be one of the best architectural works of the Qutb Shahis. It is constructed entirely of dressed stone, rather than rubble or plaster.

Amber Fort, Jaipur

Amber Fort, also called Amer Fort, is known for its artistic style elements. With its large ramparts and series of gates and cobbled paths, the fort overlooks Maota Lake, which is the main source of water for the Amer Palace. Nestled at the peak of the Aravalli Hills, the pink and yellow sandstone fort is a sight at night, decked in softly twinkling lights.

Goa

Goa is a state of the south western coast of India, famous for its white sand beaches, parties, food, and water sports. Over 450 years of Portuguese rule and the influence of Portuguese culture presents to visitors to Goa a cultural environment that is not found elsewhere in India. Additionally, Goa has two World Heritage Sites: the Bom Jesus Basilica and churches and convents of Old Goa. The basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as the patron saint of Goa.

Agra Fort, Agra

Agra Fort is a historical fort in the city of Agra in India. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Before capture by the British, the last Indian rulers to have occupied it were the Marathas. In 1983, the Agra fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. There are a multitude of historic sites inside the fort, such as Jahangir's Hauz, Shahjahani Mahal, Ghaznin Gate, etc.

Mysore Palace, Mysore

The Mysore Palace, officially known as Mysuru Palace, is a historical palace and the royal residence (house) at Mysore in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. The palace is in the centre of Mysore, and faces the Chamundi Hills eastward. Mysore is commonly described as the 'City of Palaces', and there are seven palaces including this one; however, 'Mysore Palace' refers specifically to this one within the Old fort.

Pangong Lake, Ladakh

Pangong Lake, situated at a height of almost 4,350m, is the world’s highest saltwater lake. Its water, which seems to be dyed in blue, stands in stark contrast to the arid mountains surrounding it. Extending to almost 160km, one-third of the Pangong Lake lies in India and the other two-thirds in China. Pangong Lake, one of the most famous lakes in Leh Ladakh, derives its name from the Tibetan word, “Pangong Tso”, which means “high grassland lake”.

Hampi, Karnataka

Hampi or Hampe, also referred to as the Group of Monuments at Hampi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in east-central Karnataka, India. Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. Chronicles left by Persian and European travellers, particularly the Portuguese, say that Hampi was a prosperous, wealthy and grand city near the Tungabhadra River, with numerous temples, farms and trading markets. The location is a backpacker’s delight, with numerous sights to see.

Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (PNP) is a protected area located in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in Kerala, India. It is notable as an elephant reserve and a tiger reserve. The protected area encompasses 925 km². The park is a repository of rare, endemic, and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala: the Periyar and the Pamba.

Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya

The Mahabodhi Temple (literally: "Great Awakening Temple"), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient, but much rebuilt and restored, Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. The site contains a descendant of the Bodhi Tree under which Buddha gained enlightenment, and has been a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Buddhists for well over two thousand years.

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai

Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwar, a form of Shiva. It is an important place of worship for Hindus, with multiple weddings also taking place here. The Meenakshi temple hosts a festival in each month of the Tamil calendar. It marks the divine marriage of Meenakshi, and is the most attended festival.

Victoria Memorial, Kolkata

The Victoria Memorial is a large marble building in Kolkata, which was built between 1906 and 1921. It is dedicated to the memory of Empress Victoria, and is now a museum under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture. The memorial is one of the famous monuments of Kolkata. It is constructed of magnificent white marble and houses a museum.

Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar

Jallianwala Bagh is a historic garden and ‘memorial of national importance’ in Amritsar, India, preserved in the memory of those wounded and killed in the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre that occurred on the site of the festival of Baisakhi, 13 April 1919. It houses a museum, gallery and a number of memorial structures. The 7-acre (28,000 m2) garden site of the massacre is located in the vicinity of the Golden Temple complex, the holiest shrine of Sikhism and is managed by the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust, which was established as per the 'Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial’.

Cellular Jail, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Cellular Jail, also known as Kala Pani (Black Waters), was a colonial prison in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. The prison was used by the British government for the purpose of exiling political prisoners to the remote archipelago. Many notable independence activists, including Batukeshwar Dutt, Yogendra Shukla, V.O. Chidambaram Pillai and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar were imprisoned here during the struggle for India's independence. Today, the complex serves as a national memorial monument.

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Literally, the Palace of Winds, the structure was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, who was the founder of Jaipur. Its five floor exterior is akin to honeycomb with its 953 small windows called Jharokhas decorated with intricate latticework. The original intent of the lattice design was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life and festivals celebrated in the street below without being seen, since they had to obey the strict rules of "purdah", which forbade them from appearing in public without face coverings. This architectural feature also allowed cool air from the Venturi effect to pass through, thus making the whole area more pleasant during the high temperatures in summer.

Qutub Minar, Delhi

The Qutb Minar, also spelled as Qutub Minar and Qutab Minar, is a minaret and "victory tower" that forms part of the Qutb complex. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mehrauli area of New Delhi, India. It is one of most visited tourist spots in the city due to it being one of the earliest that survives in the Indian subcontinent. The surface is elaborately decorated with inscriptions and geometric patterns. It was built on the command of Qutb Ud In Aibak.

Ashoka Pillar, Sarnath

The pillars of Ashoka are a series of monolithic columns dispersed throughout the Indian subcontinent, erected or at least inscribed with edicts by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka during his reign from c. 268 to 232 BCE. The pillar of Ashoka at Sarnath is famous for its edict. It bears one of the edicts of Ashoka. The edict has an inscription that is said to target schism within the Buddhist community. The date of erection and commissioner of this pillar is also confirmed by the edicts of Ashoka that are engraved on it.

Bara Imambara, Lucknow

Bara Imambara, also known as Asfi Imambara is an imambara complex in Lucknow, India built by Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh in 1784. This imambara is the second largest after the Nizamat Imambara. Construction of Bara Imambara was in a year of a devastating famine, and one of Asaf-ud-Daula's objectives in embarking on this grandiose project was to provide employment for people in the region for almost a decade while the famine lasted. It is said that ordinary people used to work in the day building up the edifice, while noblemen and other elite worked at night to break down anything that was raised that day. The Imambara is primarily known for its incredible maze, known as Bhul Bhulaiya locally, which is located on the upper floor of the monument.

Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a town in the southeastern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, best known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of 7th- and 8th-century Hindu Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram. The town was named after Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, who was also known as Mahabali. Along with economic prosperity, it became the site of a group of royal monuments, many carved out of the living rock.

Sanchi Stupa, Sanchi

Sanchi is a Buddhist complex, famous for its Great Stupa, on a hilltop at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh, India. The Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest stone structures in India, and an important monument of Indian Architecture. It was originally commissioned by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. Sanchi Stupa is depicted on the reverse side of the Indian currency note of Rs 200 to signify its importance to Indian cultural heritage.