Best Things About India – Dragon Holidays

Uniqueness of India

From the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas to the tropical shores bathed by the Indian Ocean, India is an intriguing mix of cultural traditions, spirituality and lively festivals. Discover one of the world’s oldest civilizations while admiring impressive forts, palaces and the most beautiful monument to love ever made. Stroll along its bazaars and sunbathe at its beaches; with landscapes and sceneries as varied as its world-famous cuisine, India will capture your heart from the first minute. Embark on a soul-stirring journey and return with memories that will linger for a lifetime.

Best time to visit India

India experiences three seasons: winter, summer and monsoon. The best time of the year to visit India is during the winter season, between late October and March, when the country is cool (warmer in the south) and dry after the monsoon rains. November and December are the busiest months for tourism, although the Golden Triangle is best visited during October/November or February/March.

Next comes the summer season, which lasts until early June. Temperatures reach their peak, with intense heat in central and southern India, but it is the best season for visiting the northern regions.

From July to late September, the monsoon brings regular downpours that cause flooding in some lowland regions. Rains intersperse with sunny hot intervals, and the country gets very humid.

Top places to visit

Being such a big country, India has so many fascinating cities that choosing which ones to visit, when time is limited, can be difficult. The Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur) and Varanasi are a must in any itinerary, but the country has many other interesting cities, national parks, beach destinations… In order to make things easier for you, we have picked some essential places that should be on your bucket list when you travel to India.

Delhi
The capital of India is a city with multiple personalities. Tour historic Old Delhi and modern New Delhi to discover the past and the present of the country through landmarks like Jama Masjid, Lotus Temple or Humayun’s Tomb, and explore its countless markets and bazaars.

Agra
Located 200 km south of Delhi, Agra is a major tourist destination with several amazing buildings from the Mughal Empire era, such as Fatehpur Sikri or Agra Fort. India’s most famous monument, the breath-taking Taj Mahal, attracts millions of visitors every year.

Jaipur
Jaipur, the third corner of India’s Golden Triangle, is the capital of the royal state of Rajasthan. Home to UNESCO World Heritage sites like the fascinating Amber Fort and the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory, the Pink City of India is also famous for its bustling bazaars and delicious food, and the magnificent City Palace.

Varanasi

Varanasi, one of the seven holy cities in Hinduism, is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. The spiritual capital of India is located at the banks of the river Ganges, where pilgrims come to wash away their sins through fascinating rituals and the Ganga Aarti ritual takes place every evening.

Kerala
The southernmost state on the west coast of India is home to an impressive network of brackish lagoons known as backwaters. This 600 km-long coastal strip is the perfect destination for those who want to relax at the beach and enjoy an authentic ayurvedic massage.

Amritsar
The largest urban area in the north western state of Punjab and an important hub of Sikh history and culture. Amritsar, a deeply spiritual city, is home to the spectacular Golden Temple, one of the most beautiful shrines in the country, located in the middle of a manmade lake.

Jodhpur
Famous for the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort that overlooks the city from a rocky hill and for its characteristic blue houses -no wonder it’s known as the Blue City-, Jodhpur has expanded outside its 16th-century city wall. Explore its charming markets and bazaars before visiting the Clock Tower or the Jaswant Thada cenotaph.

Taj Mahal
Often considered the most beautiful monument in the world, this white marble mausoleum was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a memorial for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. In order to avoid the crowds and the midday heat, go either at sunrise or sunset, the best times to enjoy this fascinating wonder in all its splendour.

What to Eat

It is common for Indian restaurants in other countries to present dishes as part of a uniform cuisine, but this is absolutely not the case. Strongly influenced by religious and cultural practices, India has one of the world’s most diverse cuisines, boasting a wide range of flavors and regional variations due to the different soil type, climate and locally available ingredients. From street food stalls to luxury restaurants, you will enjoy an amazing assortment of dishes characterized by the diverse use of mouth-watering spices.

Indian cuisine has several staples: long-grain white rice is the most popular (there are countless regional varieties and it is more used in the south than in the north, where dishes are usually paired with bread), but also atta (whole wheat flour) and a wide array of pulses such as lentils, pigeon peas, mung beans, chickpeas…

There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Chicken and mutton tend to be, for religious reasons (cows are sacred to Hindus), the most commonly consumed meats, and delicious fish and seafood can be found in the coastal regions.

Some of the most popular dishes in Indian cuisine are:

Butter Chicken

A traditional dish originated in the northern state of Punjab. Boneless chicken pieces marinated in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice and spices, and served in a mildly spiced tomato gravy.

Tandoori Chicken

Roasted chicken meat marinated in yogurt and spices. It gets its name from the tandoor oven also used to make naan (Indian flatbread).

Rogan Josh

An Indian classic from the Kashmir region. Slow-cooked lamb in a creamy tomato-based sauce.

Biryani

Rice with a blend of spices that can include any kind of meat or vegetables. – Chole: Chickpeas cooked with onions, tomatoes and a special blend of spices. A tasty vegetarian choice.