India holds a special place in my heart. For the past 3 years, I’ve journeyed there to study Ashtanga yoga with my guru, Sharath Jois. The yoga shala (sanskrit for home), is located in the city of Mysore, India. This last year, I was lucky enough to receive Sharathji’s blessing to share the practice of Ashtanga with others.
But even if you don’t practice yoga, India is a magical place to visit. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “you’ll either love it or hate it” when in regards to traveling in India, but folks-even if you hate it- you’ll go home changed. And with time, you’ll realize how special the trip actually was. It’s a learning experience that keeps on giving, even when you’re back home.
If you are a traveler at heart, my bet is you’re going to love it.
If India is a place on your bucket list, check out these travel ideas for the country. Whether you want to lose yourself in the bustle of its vibrant cities or explore the depths of its sprawling countryside, there’s something for everyone. Here are some of the very unique things to do in India.
Stay with an Indian family
Perhaps the best way to experience Indian culture is by staying directly inside the home of a local. Jaipur is a great place to do so, as recommended by Audley Travel – here, you’ll be able to stay with an Indian family and sometimes partake in a cooking lesson. Later in the evening you’ll get the chance to converse with the family and friends, who will tell stories of life in India. It’s a genuine way to understand the culture, as well as an insightful look into the country’s history.
Take a safari trip
Africa isn’t the only place to go on safari! A visit to India’s Bandavgarh National Park for a chance to witness wild tigers for yourself. There’s actually several of these parks throughout India, all of which offer varying but equally as exciting experiences – Hemis National Park in Ladakh is where you’ll see snow leopards and golden eagles to name a few, and Kaziranga National Park in Assam allows you to see rhinos, elephants and even bears roaming freely. And, if you fall in love with the experience, you can even stay in a lodge on site – Ranthambore is the perfect location to do so.
Visit the Great Wall of India
No, your eyes do not deceive you. The Great Wall of India is the second-longest wall in the world, coming behind the more commonly visited one in China. It protects a large fort in Kumbhalgarh, where no less than 360 temples congregate beyond the wall’s boundaries. Slate suggest hiking the steep hills to the palace up top, where you’ll be rewarded with a dazzling view of the surrounding mountainous terrain.
It’s a particularly unmanned and isolated location, so it’s best traversed by the experienced traveller, but it’s a fascinating hidden spot none the less that hardly anyone has bothered exploring as of yet. It’s even near a wildlife sanctuary, so you could perhaps combine the aforementioned safari trip with this exciting opportunity.
Ride a rickshaw in Delhi
Delhi truly is a city like no other. It’s a vibrant and teeming region where you’ll find some of India’s best examples of food and culture – soak it all up at once by hopping in a rickshaw. It’s a unique and traditional way to see the city, as a local driver rides you around on a seat attached to the back of his bicycle.
You’ll be able to travel down small lanes and through the busy crowds, free to look around and just watch life happen. You might have to do it several trips, though. There’s so much to experience here, the Lonely Planet say it’s like a country in itself.If you want to understand the essence of India in a nutshell, visit Delhi.
But remember to combine a visit to the Taj Mahal on your Delhi trip. It would be a shame to be so close and not see it!
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Reblogged this on Lincoln Life Blog.
Lool like that elephant is smiling 😊
🙂