Seven Reasons to Visit India

If India isn’t already on your bucket list, it sure should be!

It’s a fascinating country full of colours, sounds, sights, smells, and tastes that are sure to have your senses reeling.

The country is the seventh-largest in the world, so you’ll encounter plenty of diversity as you travel across it from north to south and east to west—you’ll definitely want to explore it all, so you can really get a good idea of the culture and lifestyle.

Of course, it’s a long flight and the cities can get a bit crowded, so you might be a little undecided about taking a trip there. Let’s make that decision a little easier for you —here are my top seven reasons to visit India (now!):

1. It’s easier than ever to get your visas sorted out. It used to be that you had to go through a lot of hassle with embassies or visa processing services to get your visa for India. But now, provided you’re entering the country through one of the main airports, staying under thirty days, and a citizen of certain countries (including the US, Canada, Australia, and many European countries), you can apply online for an E-Tourist Visa and you’ll be all set to go! If thirty days isn’t enough time (trust me, it won’t be), you can get two E-Tourist Visas in each calendar year.

2. The colours are unbelievable. I’ve been to some beautiful places, but I’ve never seen colours quite like in India. There’s a reason medieval Europe imported a lot of indigo dye from India—but this jewel-bright tone is only one in a full spectrum of colours that you’ll encounter in India. From the clothing to the landscapes to the bright festival of Holi, which culminates in showers of powdered dye being thrown from all sides, you honestly will be hard-pressed to take a drab photo!

3.The historical sites are among the most impressive in the world. I know we’ve all seen a dozen pictures of the Taj Mahal—but do you realize it’s actually even more spectacular in person? And that’s not all that India has to offer. There are 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, 25 of which are of historical importance. You won’t want to miss the terracotta temples at Vishnupur or the city of Varanasi—one of the oldest continually-inhabited cities in the world. And there’s plenty more to explore…

4. The landscapes are absolutely stunning. There’s a lot of variety in landscapes as you travel across India. In the north, you’ve got the Himalayas—although Mount Everest isn’t in India, you’ll still see some of the highest peaks in the world. Then you’ve also got the River Ganges. And the Thar Desert. And plenty of beaches. And islands. I mean, it’s not totally surprising since we’re talking about the seventh-largest country in the world, but there’s a ton of diversity here!

5.  It’s a great place to develop your spiritual side. If you’re looking for a spiritual experience—or even just to de-stress and rejuvenate—India is a great place to do it. The country is the birthplace of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, and it’s also the birthplace of yoga. There are temples and temples and temples to explore, and then there are all the religious festivals as well. Regardless of what you believe, exploring the culture and how Indian spirituality affects aspects of everyday life is a special experience.

6. The food, the food—and oh, did we mention the food? Seriously, Indian cuisine is some of the best in the world. (If I had my way, I could write 100 reasons to visit India, all of them different culinary delights!) I love it all, from palak paneer (a dish made with spinach and cheese) to chana masala (a spicy dish made with chickpeas) to sambar (a lentil and vegetable stew). And of course, you’ve got all the bread products—naan, chapati, puri… Gosh, I’m ready to book a flight just thinking about it

7. There’s an intriguing juxtaposition of traditional and modern. India really has it all, from bustling cities to rural villages, from traditional clothing to jeans, from folk music to pop, and so much more. Your stay in India won’t be without amenities—actually, the government is in the process of setting up Wi-Fi hotspots around the country (just make sure you’re using a VPN so you can bypass pesky governmental restrictions, which have been known to sometimes be a problem in India). Regardless of the style of travel you’re looking for—high-end resort travel, cheap backpacker travel, or something in between—you’re sure to find a hundred places that fit the bill in India.

I love to travel and I’ve been all over the world, but India holds a special place in my heart. It’s a beautiful country with a long history, and the people are incredibly friendly. Every time I revisit my photos from the time I’ve spent in India, I’m ready to go back again…and again…and again. If you’re looking for a truly magical and life-changing experience, India is the place to be!

Written by Jess Signet.

 Hi, my name is Jess Signet. My parents were travelers since before I was born. Even in the womb, I was able to travel all over the place! Boy, did things NOT change as I grew older! Knowing there’s more to the world than the bubble I live in made me want to travel even further. Traveling is my drug and I’m addicted. (Please, no intervention!)