Attractions of India

Delhi

India's bustling capital city comprises two main parts. Old Delhi was the capital of the Mughal Empire between the 12th and 18th centuries and is characterised by its narrow streets and alleyways, bazaars and historic monuments. The Jama Masjid (Great Mosque) is the largest and one of the most impressive in India while the Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb (separate features) are spectacular historic structures. New Delhi is a stark contrast, the imperial city of the British with wide, open boulevards and imposing buildings designed by architect Edward Luytens. Its attractions include the India Gate war memorial arch, Connaught Place, Lok Sabha or the Parliament Building, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, once the imperial palace of the British viceroy and now the residence of the President of India, and Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

The city of Varanasi, located on the banks of the Ganges River, is the holiest Hindu site in India. Hindu pilgrims flock here from all over India to bathe in the Ganges, along the 4km of ghats, or steps, that lead down to the river. A boat ride on the river, especially at dawn, to watch this religious ritual is an extraordinary experience. There are also a number of burning ghats where cremations take place. The city itself, supposedly one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is a chaotic and crowded place, but fascinating to wander its winding streets amongst temples and bazaars, which specialise in selling silk.

Jaipur

Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and is known as the 'Pink City' since its buildings were painted for the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876. Jaipur was designed as a planned city, though today it exhibits the colourful chaos and bustle of many Indian cities, with streets packed with pedestrians, bicycles, cars, buses, camels and cows. Inside its old city walls, the City Palace now contains a museum for royal garments, miniatures, carpets, manuscripts and armour. The 18th century observatory of the astronomer Jai Singh, known as Jantar Mantar, contains a series of immense astronomical instruments made of marble and brass that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Elsewhere the pink sandstone facade of the Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal) is a famous Jaipur landmark. 11km north of Jaipur lies the spectacular Amber Fort, a hillside complex containing many courtyards and fine decorated palaces, halls, gardens and temples. The massive gateway can be reached by riding an elephant into the fort.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Jantar Mantar

Udaipur

Known variously as 'The Pearl of Rajasthan', the 'City of Sunrise' or 'Venice of the East', Udaipur is widely regarded as Rajasthan's most beautiful city and one of the most romantic in India. The city is set around the vast Lake Pichola and is renowned for its sumptuous palaces and the atmospheric narrow lanes of its Old City. On the east shore of the lake lies the spectacular City Palace, founded in the 16th century which is now both a museum and still the residence of the Maharaja. The views from the palace across the lake are stunning, including the two island palaces - Jag Mandir and Jag Nivas, the latter now being the luxurious Lake Palace Hotel. The Jagdish Temple was built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh I and contains a huge black stone image of Jagannath, an aspect of Lord Vishnu. The whitewashed buildings and bazaars of the Old City are perfect for exploration in search of souvenirs like tie and dye fabrics and miniature paintings.

Jodhpur

At the edge of the Thar desert lies Jodhpur, Rajasthan's second largest city. Jodhpur is known as the Blue City due to the large number of pale indigo painted houses in the Old City, which signify that they are the home of Jodhpuri Brahmins, the high caste Hindus. Founded in 1459 by the Rajput chief Rao Jodha, Jodhpur is dominated by the magnificent Meherangarh Fort, which sits on steep escarpment overlooking the city, with magnificent views of Jodhpur and the surrounding desert. Inside the walls and gateways of the Fort lie many palatial buildings and courtyards of classic Mughal style, once home to the Jodhpuri Maharajas but which now house one of Rajasthan's best museums. Elsewhere in the Old City, the narrow alleys around the famous Clock Tower are very atmospheric and renowned for their bazaars selling textiles, silver and handicrafts while the immense 16th century wall which still surrounds the city is almost 10km long.

Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer is one of the jewels of Rajasthan, a medieval walled city that is perched on a sand-coloured rocky hill in the middle of the Thar desert. Founded by Rawal Jaisal in 1156, Jaisalmer became a major trading post on the southern Silk Road routes from Central Asia. Merchants grew wealthy from the passing camel caravans and built many beautifully carved wooden and sandstone havelis which are still present in the city today, including the Patwon Ki and Salim Singh Ki Havelis. The narrow cobbled lanes of the old city also numerous packed Jain temples, forts and palaces built from sandstone, giving Jaisalmer a wonderful medieval atmosphere and earning it the name 'The Golden City'. The thick city walls are over 10 metres high and include 99 bastions, while the fort contains the palace of the Maharawal.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Hill Forts of Rajasthan

The old hill station of Shimla still retains much of its British ambience, set amidst the backdrop of the Himalayas. Its attractions include Christ Church, the mock Tudor architecture of Scandal Point, Viceregal Lodge which hosted many of the negotiations that led to Indian independence and Jakhu temple, dedicated to the monkey Hanuman and home to many mischievous monkeys.

Kolkata is India's second largest city and was capital of the British Raj. It is a chaotic, colourful and exciting city, a contrast of old Raj architecture with modern skyscrapers and elements of a European city in an Asian setting. Among the many sights to see in the city are the Victoria Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral and St. John's Church, the historic Raj buildings around Dalhousie Square, the Dakshineswar Kali temple and the Howrah Flower Market.

Mumbai

Mumbai is India's largest city, its commercial centre and centre of the Bollywood industry. One of Mumbai's most recognisable landmarks is the Gateway of India arch near the bay. The Ghandi Museum tells the story of India's independence hero while the Prince of Wales Museum has an impressive collection of Mughal and Rajasthani miniatures. The Towers of Silence on Malabor Hill were built by Zoroastrians fleeing persecution in Persia to serve as an open air mortuary for their dead. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus Station, is the main railway station in Mumbai. It is a superb example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India and incorporates many aspects of traditional Indian palace architecture.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)

Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and is one of the more spacious and attractive cities in India. With a history stretching back 2,000 years, it has hosted the Portuguese, Dutch, French and British, all of whom have left their mark. Its attractions include the 17th century Fort St. George, St. Mary's Church (the oldest British church in India), Marina Beach and the 18th century Government Museum. George Town, to the north of Fort St George, is an area of small, crowded streets with numerous mosques and Hindu and Jain temples. To the south, Mylapore has many temples including the Kapalishvara temple.

Kochi is set on a cluster of peninsulas and islands in the Indian Ocean, forming an excellent natural harbour. Fort Kochi is the historical part of the city, the site of the first European colonisation in 1500 and a mix of English, Dutch and Portuguese influences. The Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century but later renovated by the Dutch - it has well preserved murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The Mattancherry Jewish synagogue, dating from the 16th century, is a reminder of the Jewish population which first arrived in the 6th century BC, with a small group remaining today. St Francis Church is the oldest Christian church in India, built by Portuguese Franciscans in 1503. Elsewhere, the famous cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, dating from the 14th century, line the entrance to the harbour and are a reminder of Kochi's trade links with the rest of the world. Kochi is also famous for its Kathakali dancers with their elaborately painted faces, who portray events from the Indian epics the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

The city of Mysore has numerous historical and cultural attractions. The huge and opulent Maharaja’s Palace was originally built in the 14th century but has been rebuilt and restored since. Chaumundi Hill outside the city has an enormous monolithic sculpture of the sacred bull Nandi dating to the 17th century and a temple dedicated to Durga. Srirangapatnam Palace to the north-west of Mysore contains murals of Tipu Sultan's battles against the British and the French, along with the ruins of the fort and the family mausoleums. Mysore is famous for its sandalwood, rosewood and teak carvings and furniture which can be purchased in the city's many bazaars.