The sheer pace and vibrancy of India is nothing short of intoxicating, often described by many as a sensory overload.
Visiting India can be overwhelming and challenging, while for others it can be a never-ending source of excitement and adventure. For most, they experience all of this and more.
I’m certain that while you may feel at times overwhelmed, the joy of discovery that can be found on every corner is truly something special to experience. India feeds your soul.
It is made up of many, many layers, all there for you to peel back, discover, and embrace. If you love and relish diversity, I have no doubt that India will make a lasting impression on you.
Few places can offer an experience quite like India. To get you started, here’s a rich assortment of activities to experience that will make for a very memorable trip to India.
1. Celebrate the festival of colours
Celebrated during the month of Phalguna which usually falls in March in the Gregorian calendar, Holi is a joyful ancient Hindu festival. Known as the festival of colour and love, Holi is celebrated to mark the onset of spring. It also commemorates the victory of good over evil and is a time to play, laugh and forgive. The festival is regarded as a major cultural event, celebrated by both natives and foreigners. But beware, along with bags of colour, even water guns come out to play!
Such is its popularity that you will find Holi celebrated in many places around the world with Indian diaspora.
2. Join a heritage tour in Varanasi
Varanasi is a fascinating place and the best way to experience it is by wandering through its ancient alleyways and streets. Numerous walking tours are conducted daily to bring the city’s stories alive.
The learning and Burning Tour is the most popular among travellers. Traversing the ashrams, the humble abode of sadhus (holy men), followed by a journey to the sacred cremation grounds, temples, and ponds.
One of the most celebrated beliefs surrounding this sacred city is that dying and being cremated along the banks of the river Ganges allows your soul to break the cycle of rebirth, leading to salvation. There’s no where quite like Varanasi.
Browse guided tours in Varanasi
3. Join an Indian cooking lesson
One of the highlights from my trip to India was joining a cooking class. Indian food is a huge part of the country’s cultural identity. Taking a cooking class is a great way to immerse yourself in exotic flavours and grasp the methods used in cooking Indian cuisine. Not only will you learn how to make some popular Indian dishes, you’ll also share the experience with new people.
And what’s more rewarding than replicating the dish back home in your own kitchen to the high praise of friends and family?
Further reading: Vegetarian dishes to try in India (or cook at home!)
4. Attend a yoga class
Long before yoga class became popular in the West, it was developed in India over 5000 years ago.
My friend who I was travelling with had already been to North India the year before so she could obtain the certificates needed to become a yoga teacher. By comparison, I’ve only been to a couple of classes in the UK so I was a little intimidated at the prospect of attending a class with her in Pondicherry when she suggested it.
As it turned out, I needn’t have worried because the teacher placed an emphasis on breathing and meditation. I did come away from the class feeling a bit more limber but most of all, more relaxed. So relaxed in fact that I fell asleep in the class until my friend gave me gentle nudge haha!
So whether you’re a beginner who just wants to attend a class, or someone who practises regularly and wants to take it to the next level on a yoga retreat, there is no better place than India.
5. Try an iconic snack - the beloved samosa
India is a pioneer in savoury snacks. One such iconic snack is the beloved Samosa. These fried, triangular-shaped pastries are stuffed with potatoes, onions, and peas and flavoured further with spices such as cumin.
In the UK they are extremely popular (the best place to buy them in London is Ambala hands down), but you have to try them in their home of origin too.
You might also like: Vegetarian Dishes to Try in India
6.Stay in a heritage property such as a palace!
Many former palaces and havelis have been converted into boutique hotels, providing an opportunity to experience royal living and architectural grandeur.
Heritage properties are often historic buildings that have been meticulously preserved or restored. When you stay in one, you become part of that history, immersing yourself in the ambiance of a bygone era. These properties have a character and charm that modern hotels simply can’t replicate.
For some of the best, head to Rajasthan – particularly those that can be found in Jaipur, Jodphur and Udaipur. One of the most affordable palace stays is at Hotel Rajasthan Palace in Jaipur (pictured above). Depending on the date, a night there will only set you back less than £45.
7. Witness the love for cricket
Okay, whilst I’m not a fan a cricket, Indians are ardent fans and seeing a sporting match in any country is an experience to remember. Cricket to Indians is what football is to the English.
While the game originated in the British Isles, Indians truly embraced it and made it their own. Featuring over 44 international cricket stadiums, India has been the host of the prestigious Cricket World Cup three times.
Watching the game at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens or at Mumbai’s Wankhade stadium surely makes for an unforgettable experience. However, you’re looking for something really out of the ordinary, Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala is just about as beautiful as a stadium can get surrounded by breathtaking mountains. I was recently lucky to to be in Dharamshala when England played Bangladesh in the 2023 World Cup.
8. Visit the land of Kamasutra temples
India is full of surprising things and this collection of stone-carved temples know as the Khajuraho monuments are among the most surprising. Nestled in the jungles of Madhya Pradesh, these temples have been given the nickname Kamasutra Temples for their depiction of erotic scenes.
Due to their remote location, the jungle reclaimed the area and the temples were mostly forgotten. However, in the 1830s the temples were rediscovered by British surveyor T.S. Burt with the help of locals. Nowadays, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In reality only 10% of the sculptures art erotic, but you will definitely find many positions and body parts glaring back at you. I challenge you to keep a straight face. And who knows? Maybe you’ll get some inspiration too. 😉
Book a guided tour of the Kamasutra Temples
9. Witness the spectacle of Ganga Aarati in Haridwar
The Ganga Aarti is a mesmerising spectacle that beckons travellers and devotees from across the globe to Haridwar, one of India’s holiest cities. This age-old ritual, held on the sacred banks of the River Ganges, is a symphony of fire, water, and devotion that leaves a lasting impression on all who witness it.
The city is believed to be a gateway to the divine and a place where the sacred Ganges River flows through. The Ganga Aarti, performed daily at Har Ki Pauri ghat, is the city’s spiritual heart, and it embodies the essence of devotion, faith, and the eternal bond between humans and the sacred river.
It’s one of the most spectacular events I’ve ever seen. The colours, the smells, the sounds… a complete sensory overload, but one I’d love to see again in my lifetime.
10. Climb some of the highest peaks in the World
Looking for the ultimate challenge? India covers a large portion of the Himalayan range, including some of the tallest peaks in the world. Located in Sikkim, Kanchenjunga stands at a height of 8586 metres which makes it the third highest peak in the world. This is followed by Nanda Devi (7816 m) and Kamet (7756 m). Whether you are planning to climb these mountains or going sight-seeing on the incredible Himalayan range, either way, it’ll be an experience of a lifetime.
Top recommendation: If you’re looking for a much easier trek, I suggest the hike to Triund which stands under 3000 metres tall. It’s a stunning route that can be completed in day from McLeod Ganj in Dharamshala.
11. Visit the colourful pandals of Goddess Durga
Durga Puja is another festival known for its grandiosity. Though the festival is celebrated across the country, the epicentre of the festivities is mainly Kolkata. The festival commemorates the divine feminine energy of goddess Durga. The planning begins almost a year prior to the day of the festival. The skilled artisans exhibit superior craftsmanship by creating magnificent pandals- a decorated stage featuring statues of goddess Durga.
On the last day of the festival, a large procession is taken out on the streets which is followed by the immersion of the statues in the river Ganges.
Further reading: Hindu Gods & Goddesses to meet on a visit to India
