India - A.K. Taylor International

India

is a country with an alarming and captivating array of cultures, landscapes, and people, from the world famous teachings of Gandhi to the ever-challenging climbs in the Himalayas. The estimated one billion people who live here reflect a mix of light-skinned Aryans in the north, darker-skinned Dravidians in the south, as well as many tribal groups with ethnic origins such as the Tibeto-Burmese.

The religions here are equally diverse, while the majority practice Hinduism; there is a large contingent of Christians, Sikhs, Muslims, Jains, and Buddhists. This varied mix of beliefs account for daily festivals of worship and ritual across the country that honor deities, saints, prophets, and gurus from all the major religions. These festivals are a feast of color and pageantry that give visitors an entertaining glimpse into the legends that long ago shaped the beliefs of these people. One of the most famous festivals is the week-long Pushkar Camel Fair, where hundreds of traders gather from distant regions to barter and sell goods, but most importantly, to trade camels.

The Taj Mahal is perhaps the first thing most people think of when India is mentioned. The Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal between 1631 and 1648 as a testament to his love for his wife after she died giving birth to their 14th child. Upon seeing the Taj Mahal, one will be stunned by its sensuous and simple beauty. It is no wonder why some regard it as the most romantic gift of all time!

The imposing white marble structure is flawless in its design and craftsmanship. Precious stones were brought in from Yemen, Russia, China, and Central Asia to be inlaid in the white marble to create a meandering floral pattern with bands of black marble Arabic calligraphy individually sized and inlaid. It is an ethereal sight to see the white marble minarets and bulbous dome rise up out of the early morning fog, and then later in the day at sunset, see the white marble change to different shades of pink.

In the northern part of India lies the State of Rajasthan, the most popular destination in India. This area is home to ornamental palaces of the maharajahs, impregnable forts, and colorfully rich sights of sari-clad women working in dusty fields or painted and bejeweled sacred cows roaming bustling streets.

Jaipur, known as the "Pink City of Rajasthan," is the capital of this famed region. The city was ordered to be painted pink in honor of Prince Albert's visit in 1883 because it is deemed the traditional color of welcome. Visit the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds located in the old walled city, and see the façade of 953 airy windows used by the ladies of the palace to watch the outside world without being seen.

Outside town, board a painted elephant, and be taken up a hill to visit Amber Fort. While roaming the pillared pavilions and exquisite buildings, one must not miss the spectacle of the Sheesh Mahal, the palace of mirrors, where the walls are inlaid with mirrored motifs that shimmer and dance to the flame of a single candle.

Udaipur, another city where one can find opulent living conditions, has a profusion of palaces, lakes, and temples. The maharajahs were renowned for their extravagant lifestyles and proof of this can definitely be seen in this city. The royal family had a City Palace, a labyrinth of courtyards decorated with in-laid mirror motifs and galleries covered with frescoes, as well as two palaces on adjacent Pichola Lake.

One was mainly used as the site for parties and the other was built in 1746 as the summer residence of the rulers and is now known as the Lake Palace Hotel. While staying in this renovated palace, one truly feels like a maharajah roaming the corridors of his palace while looking out the window and seeing the skyline of Udaipur with its white buildings topped by domes, minarets, and arches.

View of City Palace from the Lake Palace Hotel.

India is rich with many other sites. One can visit a 15th century Jain Temple in Ranakpur or see the 2nd century BC Ajanta and Ellora Caves outside of Aurangabad. These are astounding rock temples which have been carved out of cliffs by Buddhist monks and are adorned with sculptures and frescoes. A visit to Varanasi, the holiest and oldest living city in India, is a memorable experience as one sees the Hindus wash away their sins in the holy water of the Ganges River.

For those wanting a nature experience, there are also a number of national parks in which to explore. One can explore Ranthambore which is a wildlife sanctuary and former hunting ground of the royal family. This is one of the few places in the world where one is able to see a beautiful Royal Bengal Tiger.

POSSIBLE COMBINATIONS AND EXTENSIONS

We recommend a combination trip to Nepal. Stretch one's legs on a trek in the Annapurnas or the foothills of Everest. See the rural life of many villages along one's trekking route, with rewarding views of the valleys far below and the snow-capped mountain peaks far above. Another active extension would be tracking the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger on elephant-back in Royal Chitwan National Park.

For a sybaritic extension, a visit to one of the legendary spas in India would be an ideal way to end one's trip. Spoil oneself with a relaxing massage or steam bath after taking a yoga class. This stop will ensure one is ready to face "reality" at home!

For more information or questions, please contact us.

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