Introducing India
Travel Alert: Violent attacks have taken place in Mumbai, with over 100 people killed and hundreds injured. Areas frequented by travellers have been attacked, and Western tourists targeted. Check Safe Travel for travel warning advice, check out the Thorn Tree travel forum for some up-to-date advice from travellers, or the BBC for the latest news on the situation.
With its mind-bending diversity - from snowcapped mountains to sun-washed beaches, crusty old bazaars to chichi designer boutiques, tranquil temples to feisty festivals, ramshackle rural villages to techno-savvy urban hubs - it’s hardly surprising that India has been dubbed the planet’s most multidimensional country.
The subcontinent is home to more than a billion people, and its eclectic melange of ethnic groups translates into an intoxicating cultural cocktail for the traveller. For those on a spiritual quest, India has oodles of sacrosanct sites and stirring philosophies, while history buffs will discover gems from the past almost everywhere - from grand vestiges of the British Raj peering over frenetic city streets, to battle-scarred forts rising from forlorn country fields. Meanwhile, lovers of the great outdoors can paddle in the shimmering waters of one of many palm-fringed beaches, scout for big jungle cats on an adrenaline-pumping wildlife safari, or simply breathe in the scent of wildflowers on a rejuvenating forest walk. And then there’s the food! From squidgy south Indian idlis (rice dumplings) to zesty north Indian curries, travellers are treated to a positively seductive smorgasbord of subcontinental specialities.
Demystifying India is a perpetual work-in-progress and for many travellers that’s precisely what makes her so deeply addictive. Ultimately, it’s all about surrendering yourself to the unknown: this is the India that nothing can quite prepare you for because its very essence - its elusive soul - lies in its mystery. Love it or loathe it - and most visitors seesaw between the two - India will jostle your entire being and no matter where you go or what you do, it’s a place you’ll never forget.
Travel Alert: Jammu and Kashmir (with the exception of Ladakh) are subject to political violence: travellers should seek consular advice before entering any area bordering Pakistan. Similar advice should also be sought before travelling to Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur in northeast India. There is a high security risk in Bihar and Jharkhand. A series of bomb attacks in Delhi in September claimed more than 20 lives. Check news services or go to Safe Travel for details and updates.
Last updated: Nov 27, 2008
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