If you wish to have journey through ages, then you are most welcome to India. This contry’s history and culture is dynamic, spanning back to the beginning of human civilization. It begins with a mysterious culture along the Indus River and in farming communities in the southern lands of India. The Indus Valley was home to the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China.
Hoodwink…! There’s simply no other word that convincingly captures the enigma that is India. With its in-your-face diversity, 
from snow-dusted mountains to sun-washed beaches, tranquil temples to feisty festivals, lantern-lit villages to software-supremo cities, it’s hardly surprising that this country has been dubbed the world’s most multidimensional. Love it or hate it, and most visitors see-saw between the two, India promises to jostle your entire being, and no matter where you go or what you do, it’s a place you’ll never forget.
Home to more than one billion people, the subcontinent bristles with an eclectic melange of ethnic groups, which translates into an intoxicating cultural cocktail for the traveller. For those seeking spiritual sustenance, India has oodles of sacrosanct sites and stirring philosophical epics, while history buffs will encounter gems from the past almost everywhere – from grand vestiges of the British Raj serenely peering over swarming spice bazaars, to crumbling fortresses looming high above plunging ravines. Meanwhile, aficionados of the great outdoors can paddle in the shimmering waters of one of many balmy beaches, scout for big jungle cats on a blood-pumping wildlife safari, or simply inhale pine-scented air on a meditative forest walk. And then there’s the food! From squidgy South Indian idlis (fermented rice cakes) to zesty north Indian curries, foodies can look forward to savouring a seductive smorgasbord of specialities.
Being a spiritual country, festivals are at the heart of people’s lives in India. The numerous and varied festivals that are held throughout the year offer a unique way of seeing Indian culture at its best. But, best of all? They’re free! India’s temples are magnificant in their construction, with so much intricate detail. Some of the major temples that don’t require a contribution include the dazzling Golden Temple in Amritsar, Jama Masjid mosque in Delhi, Haji Ali mosque in Mumbai, the Galta Monkey Temple in Jaipur, Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai, Brihadeeswara Temple in Tanjore, Srirangam Temple in Tiruchirappalli, Budhhist Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, and Karni Mata (rat temple) near Bikaner. Elaborate examples of architecture from India’s past empires and rulers can be found all over the country. Many of India’s cities are made up of old and new parts. It’s fascinating to simply explore the narrow lanes of the old cities, and see where they lead.There are some very enjoyable gardens in India, which are free of cost. Many of them are in Delhi Kashmir and Bangaluru. Some of India’s most recognizable monuments are free to visit! These include the Gateway of India in Mumbai, India Gate and Delhi Gate in New Delhi.
The markets in India are so lively and absorbing, you don’t have to buy anything to enjoy them. These include Chandni Chowk in Delhi, New Market in Kolkata, Johri Bazaar and Chameliwala Market in Jaipur, and Chor Bazaar and Crawford Market in Mumbai.
For art lovers too, India has many options. Kolkata is well regarded as the cultural capital of India. Art enthusiasts will find the Academy of Fine Arts on Cathedral Road absorbing. It’s one of the oldest art societies in India, and offers a fascinating journey through history of Bengal art. The Gallery of Contemporary Art, and carpet museum are part of the complex. Mumbai has a dedicated arts precinct called Kala Ghoda (Black Horse), between Colaba and the Fort. It’s full of art galleries, with the most famous being the Jehangir Art Gallery. It displays interesting works by Indian artists. In Jaipur, head to the Juneja Art Gallery to see artwork by contemporary Rajasthani artists. The Modern Art Gallery there is also worth a look.
Once you touch down on subcontinental soil, you’ll quickly discover that cricket – India’s sporting obsession – is one of the most spirited topics of conversation, along with the latest shenanigans in the razzle-dazzle world of Bollywood. However, it is politics – whether at the national, state or village level – that consistently dominates news headlines, with middle- and upper-class India also keenly keeping its finger on the pulse of international events. On the home front, economic matters feature high on the national political agenda. With one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India has certainly made giant strides over the past decade. However, despite averaging an annual growth rate of around 9% in recent years, vast sections of the country’s billion-plus population have seen little benefit from the economic boom. Indeed, the government’s ongoing challenge is to spread both the burden and bounty of India’s fiscal prosperity. Not an easy task given that the gap between the haves and the have-nots is far from shrinking, and poverty is set to spiral upwards if India’s population rate continues to gallop beyond that of its economic growth.
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