Things to Do and See in India in 2023 - Travelaroundindia.com
by Manish Satija Welcome to Travel Around IndiaThings to Do and See in India
in 2023
Everywhere you turn in India, there is something
to do or to see that you probably have never done or seen before. There are
experiences to be had — whether fascinating or shocking or rewarding or confusing
or educational or frustrating — all day long, no matter where you happen to be.
Some of the best experiences traveling to India
are camping at a pristine lake in a remote tribal region, hiking in the
Himalayas, visiting Tibetan villages and monasteries, drinking mango lassis for
the first time from a market stall in Kolkata, playing cricket with a group of
Indians, visiting Hindu temple, and spending an evening with the family of a
taxi driver with home dinner.
That’s what happens when you visit India.
The result of such an incredible variety and
frequency of memorable experiences is exactly what has happened to me and
countless other travelers: we simply can’t get enough and constantly feel the
need to return over and over again for more.
And though one post on India could never do the
country justice, today I want to share 13 of the best things to do in
India after 18 visits there, both as a traveler and a tour guide:
1. Gali Paranthe Wali (Delhi)
A famous food lane in the heart of Old Delhi in the middle of the Chandni Chowk
market. On this lane are a handful of well-known eateries, all serving up the
same dish: unique Delhi-style stuffed parathas, a type of flatbread
made from wheat dough and lightly fried in oil on both sides.
While the usual filling is potatoes, on this
street you can get them stuffed with anything, from cheese to squash to raisins
to mint to mixed vegetables to cashews and more. Some of the places have been
around for over 100 years, and it doesn’t take long to see why these hole-in-the-wall
eateries are almost always full of Indians enjoying this tasty meal.
Take the metro to
Chandni Chowk. Once there, head east on Chandni Chowk until you hit the alley.
Follow the alley and you’ll come to the paratha restaurants.
2. Akshardham (Delhi)
This cultural complex located near the Yamuna River is, to me,
one of the most impressive structures in all of India, with its massive temple
constructed from the carvings of several thousand Indian artisans. When you see
it for the first time, it will blow you away with its unique appearance and
seemingly otherworldly architecture — and that’s before you go inside.
Inside, you’ll find yourself amidst a scene of
absurdly detailed design, from the pillars to the walls to the domed ceilings
high above, all helping to tell the story of Hinduism. Arrive an hour or so
before sunset and you’ll also be treated to the beautiful temple all lit up,
helping to further etch itself in your memory.
NH 24, Akshardham Setu,
New Delhi (located near the Akshardham metro station),
akshardham.com/visitor-info. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 9:30am-6:30pm. Admission
is free, though the exhibitions and water shows had an entry fee (between
80-170 INR per person).
3. Raj Mandir Cinema (Jaipur)
It’s one of the best-known cinemas in India.
Opened in 1976, this large art-deco structure is my favorite place in the
country to catch a Bollywood film. The pastel-colored interior design, the
efficient suit-clad staff, the spacious theater with its comfortable seats, and
the lively atmosphere deriving from hundreds of excited Indian moviegoers all
make you feel as if you’re attending a major movie premiere.
As a bonus, once the movie is over, you’re only
a two-minute walk away from MI Road, where you’ll find several Jaipuri lassi
shops. Join the lines, order a large sweet lassi, and sit back and enjoy its
pure deliciousness!
C-16, Bhagwant Das Road,
therajmandir.com. Ticket prices range from 100-400 INR depending on where you
want to sit. See the website for an up-to-date list of movies.
4. Chand Baori Stepwell (Abhaneri)
The first time I visited the tiny, dusty village of Abhaneri, some 10
kilometers off of the main Agra-to-Jaipur road, I thought I was going to see a
small well in the midst of a ruined ancient city, take a photo, and then
continue my journey. An hour and a half later, though, I was still staring at
this spectacularly striking, 1,200-year-old “water tank,” one of the largest in
India.
Constructed by King Chanda of the Nikumbha
Dynasty in 8000 BCE, the massive rectangular well is approximately 30 meters
deep and consists of over 3,500 steps intertwined in a precise maze-like
pattern on three sides, playing with the sunlight reflecting off of its angles.
When you are inside, be sure to have a look at
the dozens of statues of Hindu gods and religious scenes that line the outer
walkway of the well, some dating back a thousand years. There is no entrance
fee, but the local caretaker, who keeps the place immaculate, will ask for a
“tip” as you leave.
Abhaneri is located around
95km from Jaipur. Take the bus to Sikandra, which will take around 90 minutes
and cost 60-90 INR. From there you can hire a jeep for around 250 INR (return)
to take you to the steps.
5. Ranakpur Jain Temple (Ranakpur)
The village of Ranakpur sits a bit off the main route from Jodhpur to Udaipur,
and is a remarkably quiet place. Apart from a few hotels and a couple of
restaurants, the only other structure is the Ranakapur Jain Temple, one of the
most important Jain temples in the world, dating back to the 15th century.
Set in the forest, this temple is supported by
over 1,400 intricately carved pillars, of which no two are the same, creating
an almost eerie atmosphere as you wander through the courtyard, as if in a
never-ending ancient maze.
I highly recommend the audio guide that comes
with your ticket, as regular guides are not allowed inside. The narration
offers a thorough look at how this temple was created, its period of
abandonment, and its resurrection as a major place of worship. Not too many
people visit Ranakpur compared to other destinations and even fewer spend the
night in the village.
Desuri Tehsil (near
Sadri), anandjikalyanjipedhi.org. Open daily from 12pm-5pm (open prior but only
for prayer). Admission is 200 INR and includes an audio guide. If you want a
photography permit, it’s an extra 100 INR.
6. Animal Aid Unlimited (Udaipur)
With plenty to do, Udaipur is a popular place for visitors, but one activity
that is not as well known is spending a day or two volunteering at Animal Aid Unlimited. This organization acts as a “rescue center,
hospital, and sanctuary for injured and ill street animals,” something that you
don’t find too often in India despite the ubiquitous animals.
If you visit, you’ll find cows, donkeys, dogs,
pigs, goats, and other animals receiving wonderful care from a dedicated team
of volunteers, veterinarians, and paid staff from the local community. I’ve visited Animal Aid four times now, and I always head to the enclosure for dogs
that have been partially paralyzed. I could sit in that enclosure for hours,
hanging out with these energetic dogs that seem truly excited to be in this
special place.
Animal Aid is a great spot to visit, either for
a tour by one of the staff (which they are happy to do) or even to volunteer.
Short-term and long-term volunteers are always welcome with open arms.
Located near Badi
Village (8km from Udaipur). Expect to pay around 350 INR for a rickshaw there
(return). Just make sure to arrange your ride back before coming as there are
no rickshaws available at the sanctuary so you need to arrange transportation
before visiting. animalaidunlimited.org.
7. Natraj Dining Hall (Udaipur)
Well-known among locals in Udaipur, this is a chance to have a traditional
Indian thali experience in a place that seldom sees any
foreigners. A thali is a meal that consists of a variety of foods, usually all
served on a large, round metal plate. Natraj is located in the Bapu Bazaar
area, about a 30-minute walk from the City Palace. If you’re lucky, there won’t
be a line, but once you get a table, things happen quickly.
There is no menu — you simply eat what they
cook: a variety of vegetable dishes, rice, fresh chapati, chutneys,
and plenty of other good stuff. Some dishes might be spicy, so be sure to ask
before you take a bite! It’s all-you-can-eat and they’ll keep dishing out the
food until you give a forceful “no more!” It costs about 120 rupees ($1.85) per
person.
22-24 City Station Road.
Open daily from 10:30am-3:45pm and 6:30pm-10:30pm.
8. Kukki’s Cave Paintings (Bundi)
Sign up for a trip with the local named Kukki on
the outskirts of Bundi, a beautiful little town in Rajasthan. You’ll hear
Kukki’s story on the tour, but here’s a short version: he was a man with little
education and no background in archaeology who ended up discovering some of
India’s most impressive cave paintings and ancient artifacts simply by
wandering around ruined monuments and structures on his own. Some of the
paintings you’ll see are of hunting scenes and daily life and are believed to
be 15,000 years old.
But even apart from the paintings, joining Kukki
is absolutely wonderful, as he takes you to seldom-visited areas of Rajasthan,
tells you endless stories about his fascinating life and work, and teaches you
about the general history of the region. His personality alone is enough reason
to go on this tour, and if you’re in Bundi, there is no better way to spend
half a day.
Located 220km south of
Jaipur, kukkisworld.com. Tour prices vary, but expect to pay around 3,800 INR ($55
USD) for a 2-person tour.
9. Jolly Music House (Varanasi)
Not every traveler loves the intensity and roughness of Varanasi, but
regardless, it’s difficult not to find this 3,800-year-old city fascinating.
Religious ceremonies, endless temples, open cremations, narrow lanes winding
through ancient markets, crumbling palaces, people praying and bathing in the
holy Ganges River, animals roaming the streets — it’s all in this one
destination.
Apart from the usual sights and experiences,
however, there is one tiny room located down a lane in the Bengali Tola area of
the Old City that I always get excited to enter. This is the Jolly Music House,
run by the always-friendly Jolly, a middle-aged man and talented musician who
offers courses and lessons on all types of traditional Indian instruments. But
if you ask him, he’ll also organize a concert in the evening. The experience
will leave you mesmerized and wanting to return every night you’re in this
city. Tell him Earl sent you!
D- 34/4 Dashashwamedh.
Open daily from 10am-9pm.
10. Medieval city of Orchha (Orchha)
Bus groups often come to Orchha for a few hours, see a few temples, and then
take off to their next destination. However, if you spend a couple of nights
here, with its seemingly infinite number of stunning temples and palaces
dotting the landscape everywhere you turn, you’ll get an opportunity to have
this medieval city all to yourself.
Wake up early, before the buses arrive, and rent
a bicycle. Bike along the paths connecting the temples, palaces, and fort, and
you’ll be the only one out there. Once evening comes around and the bus tours
are gone, wander into the courtyard of the Ram Raja Temple, a major pilgrimage
site dedicated to Lord Ram. Climb onto a rooftop and observe life below, as
there are often festivals and ceremonies taking place by the temple.
Given the small size of Orchha (just a couple of
streets), accommodations aren’t abundant, but an excellent option is to book a
homestay in a local family home through the NGO Friends of Orchha.
11. Golden Temple (Amritsar)
With its shimmering golden temple and an endless stream of local pilgrims to
talk to, each visit will lead to a new and rewarding experience. Be sure to
head over to the Langar Hall, the community dining hall where all visitors —
Indian and foreigners — are welcome to enter for a simple but tasty free meal,
available at almost any time. It typically feeds up to 100,000 people per day.
You sit on the floor, they dish out the food, you eat, and you leave, so that
another group of several hundred people can do the same shortly after.
While there isn’t much time for conversation,
you’ll probably end up waving and smiling to a lot of Indians sitting near you,
all curious as to why you are there. Once back outside, you’ll then often find
yourself shaking hands with those you were eating with and chatting up a storm.
Golden Temple Road,
sgpc.net/sri-harmandir-sahib. Open daily from 4am-11pm. Admission is free.
12. Palolem Beach (Goa)
If you want the Indian beach experience, this is my favorite spot for that.
Located in the well-known state of Goa, Palolem is very low-key, offering an
affordable mix of beach huts located in a fully walkable and welcoming village
setting. The whitish sands are clean and backed by towering palm trees, the
bluish water is calm and perfect for swimming, and the sunset is consistently
stunning as the sun dips behind jungle-filled Monkey Island at the far end of
the beach each evening.
The main reason I like this area is that it has
a little bit of everything: independent travelers, couples, a party crowd,
vacationers, all kinds of food, some simple nightlife, water activities, and
plenty of day trip options to waterfalls, secluded beaches, snorkeling
locations, canyons, and more — all while keeping its laid-back atmosphere.
Here’s where I like to stay when I’m there: A quick guide to Palolem, Goa
13. Kinnaur, Lahaul, and Spiti (Himachal Pradesh)
I call it the “loop,” and if you want a true Himalayan adventure, this route
that goes through the Kinnaur, Lahaul, and Spiti Valleys (starting in Shimla
and ending in Manali) is one of the most spectacular options. You’ll visit the
villages of Kalpa, Nako, Tabo, Dhankar, Kaza, Ki, and Kibber along the way, as
well as one of the oldest Tibetan temples.
With the breathtaking snow-covered mountains
surrounding you at all times, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to a
hidden world of such extreme beauty that nothing could possibly top the
experience. Give yourself 10-14 days to complete the loop — it just might be
the most memorable period of your travels.
***
That’s India.
Actually, that’s only a tiny slice of this
country, a tiny, tiny glimpse into what awaits those who visit.The
possibilities are literally endless.
Now it’s the time to Travel Around India!
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Created on Jan 11th 2023 01:33. Viewed 110 times.