Of course, it is impossible to talk about all of India in one article. But we will try to at least with common strokes to identify several places with which you can start getting to know this amazing country. India is familiar to most Russian tourists by the state of Goa, which is better than others adapted to Europeans’ requests. Well, we suggest you look at real India.
How to get
From Moscow in Delhi, you can fly a direct flight of Aeroflot, on the way you will spend a little more than 6 hours. Prices for tickets back and forth start at 33,000 rubles*.
Entrance rules
Russians will need a national visa, which can be issued in a visa center or online. Also, before the trip, make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months.
Delhi. Capital
First of all, you need to understand how Delhi differs from New Delhi, because many often confuse them. Everything is very simple: New Delhi is one of the eleven districts of Delhi, or Big Delhi.
Delhi, perhaps, can be called the quintessence of everything that is in India: luxury and poverty, beautiful architectural ensembles and slums, chic shops and dirty markets are adjacent here … But we will not about sad.
In Delhi, it is necessary to visit the National Museum of India and the complex of Hindu temples Akshardham. This will give you the initial idea of the culture and the main religion of the country – Hinduism. Akshardham, by the way, entered the Guinness Book of Records as the largest Hindu temple in the world. The Kutb-Minar architectural ensemble is also interesting, on which the highest brick minaret in the world is located, and also a mysterious iron column, next to which, according to local beliefs, any desire is fulfilled. Among other important attractions of Delhi, the citadel of the lal-kila (Red Fort), the Sikh temple of the Gurdvara Banlla Sahib (get used to strange names), the Cathedral Mosque and the Bahaist Lotus Temple.
Where to stay in Delhi:
- In the three -star hotel Saina International (rating 9.0) – from 4,000 rubles* per night.
- In the three -star hotel Hotel City Star (estimate 8.5) – from 4,900 rubles* per night.
- In the three -star hotel Hotel Blue Pearl (rating 8.2) – from 5,000 rubles* per night.
Calcutta. The city of the bloody goddess Kali
Calcutta (Kolkata) is the former capital of British India, therefore the city’s memorial to Queen Victoria is considered the main attraction of the city, in which the city museum is located today. It is worth visiting Fort William, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Dakshineshvar, dedicated to the goddess Kali, in whose honor the city is named. In Calcutt, there is another temple of this goddess – Kalighat. The place is quite ominous, since there are sacrifices of animals. Next to Kalghat, you can inspect the Kumar-Tuli sculptors quarter. Images of numerous Hindu deities are exhibited right on the street.
In Calcutta, the poet Rabindranat Tagore and the philosopher Sri Aurobindo were born, the mother of Teresa lived, preached the famous Guru Ramakrishna, created the mystical ballads of the Bauls, which are included in the list of masterpieces of the UNESCO intricate heritage, the Indian parallel cinema and the socio-cultural movement of the Bengal Renaissance arose.
Despite the fact that Calcutta is considered the cultural capital of India, it is the only city in the country where rickshaws, that is, people who carry a cart with passengers, are still functioning as urban transport.
Where to stay in Calcutta:
- In the apartments Service Apartments, Park Street, Calcutta (score 9.3) – from 4,200 rubles* per night.
- In the four -star hotel Kenilworth Hotel, Kolkata (estimate 8.2) – from 11,800 rubles* per night.
- In the five -star hotel The Oberoi Grand Kolkata (score 9.2) – from 18,200 rubles* per day.
Jaipur. Pink city
Most houses in Jaipur are built of pink stone, thanks to which it was called the “pink city”. The most famous attraction is Hava-Mahal (Palace of Vetrov), a building of unearthly beauty. In the neighborhood with him is the Jantar-Mantares Observatory, built in the XVIII century. The sunshine, which are located in the observatory, are considered the largest in the world.
There are many royal palaces and fortresses in Jaipur. The most famous fort is located in Ambere, the northern suburb of Jaipur. This is the fortified residence of Raja Man Singh, striking the imagination of eastern splendor. Inside, you should definitely visit the Hall of thousands of mirrors, which can be lit with only one candle.
Where to stay in Jaipur:
- In the three -star hotel Khatu Haveli (rating 9) – from 5,000 rubles* per night.
- On the private villa Magpie Villa (rating 9.1) – from 4,900 rubles* per day.
- In the four -star hotel Welcom Heritage Traditional Haveli (estimate 8.7) – from 7,500 rubles* per day.
Mumbai. The largest city of India
Former bombing is considered the main sea gates of India. Ships from Europe arrived here, and in 1687 the headquarters of the East India Company settled here. Next to the majestic gates of India, standing on the ocean, is the main museum of Mumbai, which has a difficult -pronounced name – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja Vastu Sangrahalai (under the British it was called the Museum of Western India named after Prince Wales). By the way, do not confuse the Mumbay gates of India with the gates of the same name in Delhi, a monument in memory of Indian soldiers who died in the Anglo-Afghan wars and during the First World War.
A stunning in beauty, the monument of the Victorian era is the Chertapati-Shivaji station (formerly Victoria-Terminus). It was here that many episodes of the famous film “Millionaire from slums” were shot. The station makes a particularly strong impression in the evening and night, when it is spectacularly illuminated.
Where to stay in Mumbai:
- In the three-star hotel Treebo Trip Galaxy Inn Sher-E-Punjab (rating 9.2)-from 3,400 rubles* per night.
- At Villa No NO: 214, Dr.Wade’s Villa (score 9.3) – from 19,800 rubles* per night.
- In the five -star hotel The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai (score 9.1) – from 47,200 rubles* per night.
Agra. Taj Mahal
One of the main and most recognizable symbols of India, the Mausoleum Taj Mahal, is located in the city of Agra, located only 200 km south of the capital. The Mausoleum-Moseta was built in the middle of the XVII century by order of Padishah Shah-Jahan in memory of his wife, who died during the birth of their fourteenth child. Twenty thousand masters for twenty years built this miracle of architecture. Shah-Jahan himself was later buried right there. Next to the main mausoleum are the tombs of two more beloved wives of Shah.
But not only agra is famous for Taj Mahal. An interesting Red Fort, the main residence of the rulers of the Empire of the Great Mogols. Inside the fort is several palaces, as well as the famous pearl mosque, also built under Shah Jahan. Together with the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort is included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list.
Where to stay in the aggravity:
- In the Hostel Rezag Hostel Agra (score 9.6) – from 2,600 rubles* per night.
- In the apartments Coral Country Homestay (rating 9.7) – from 5,800 rubles* per night.
- In the five -star hotel The Oberoi Amarvilas Agra (Assessment 9.6) – from 115,200 rubles* per night.
Bangalor. The largest city of South India
Bangalor is often called the capital of the “Silicon Valley of Asia.” There are many outsourcing IT companies. In English, even the verb “Bangalom” appeared, that is, hire cheaper, but no less qualified employees to remote work. The standard of living in Bangalore is unusually high compared to the rest of India.
But there is something to pay attention to the ordinary tourist. Here is the colorful temple of Sri Radhi Krishna-Chandra, also known as the Temple of the International Society of Consciousness of Krishna Iskkon, is the world’s largest Krishna Church. And the valley of the pyramids, where the world’s largest pyramid for meditation is located, in which five thousand people can simultaneously fit.
You can inspect the Bangalore Royal Palace of the 19th century, which until recently arranged rock concerts of world-class stars. However, recently, the palace is in a half -abandoned state, although some like it in it.
Where to stay in Bangalore:
- In the three -star Fabhotel Crown Heights hotel (9.1 rating) – from 4,400 rubles* per night.
- In Castle JP Service Apartments (score 9.5) – from 5,400 rubles* per night.
- In the five -star hotel The Oberoi Bengaluru (score 9.3) – from 21,700 rubles* per night.
Udaipur. Indian Venice
Temples, palaces and simply the houses of this fantastic city are reflected in the water of Lake Pichol, creating a unique atmosphere of a fairy tale.
Among the most famous attractions of the Udipur is the giant complex of the city palace, whose facade stretches as much as 240 meters, the snow-white lake Palace Jag-Nivas, where the five-star Taj Lake Palace hotel is located (most rich tourists come to Udaipur to live in this hotel, from all sides of the surrounded water), and located on surrounded water) and located on The island of the Palace of the Jag-Mandir. The royal family used it as a summer resort.
According to Kipling, it was in Udaypur in the menagerie Raja that Panther Bagira was born. The city palace exhibits a cage, which contained such predators.
Where to stay in Udaipur:
- In the three -star hotel Suraj Palace (score 9.7) – from 3,000 rubles* per night.
- In the Divendra Garh hotel (estimate 10) – from 12,300 rubles* per night.
- In the five -star hotel Taj Lake Palace (score 9.1) – from 84,000 rubles* per night.
Varanashi. Holy City on Ganges
First of all, Varanasi is a city of Hang River sacred to the Hindus, along which it stretched for several kilometers. Ghats descend to the reservoir – wide stairs along which believers enter Gang and make ritual ablutions. The spectacle is incredibly picturesque, as people come here in their best festive clothes. You can admire Varanasi from the water. To do this, just hire a boat with a rower.
The most famous Ghat Varanashi-Manicaric-Ghat. Here the cremation of the dead is carried out, whose remains are then lowered into the water. Do not be surprised. In the Indians, the worship of Ganges is easily combined with its rational use. Next to the shocking and standing waist-in-law in the water, you can see how someone is erasing the underwear, someone washes, and someone even brushes his teeth or celebrates the need. In India, all these things have been side by side for centuries.
Among the traditional attractions of Varanasi is one of the most famous Hindu churches dedicated to Shiva, cereals of Vishvanath Mandir. The temple is decorated with a 15-meter spire, on the color of which a ton of gold went, which is why it is often called a golden temple. Visiting this temple and washing in Ganges are considered one of the ways to achieve Moksha, liberation from the cycle of births and deaths. So every Indian dreams of visiting Varanasi at least once in his life. Therefore, people from all of India at least once in their lives try to come here
Where to stay in Varanasi:
- In the three -star hotel SPOT ON 82610 DC Medi Center (rating 10) – from 3,200 rubles* per night.
- In the Vara apartments (score 9.8) – from 3,900 rubles* per night.
- In the five -star hotel Taj Nadesar Palace (rating 9.8) – from 85,000 rubles* per night.
*Prices are relevant at the time of publication.
