If you’re planning a trip to India, like I have, and are thinking about whether it’s worth it or where to go, then you may ask yourself…
Is India a good place to visit? If you love flavorful foods, spiritual activities like yoga or meditation, and are wanting an adventure, then you will love India. If you’re a hesitant traveler, solo, or looking for a cushy resort experience, then you may not enjoy India.
India is NOT for everyone. But the people who love it, love it! I’ve heard so many times how much it has changed them and they email me saying how much they miss it. Then I meet some people who can’t wait to leave and hate everything from the dust to the noise.
If you’re researching whether India is for you, there are so many reasons it could be AND some reasons why you should avoid it. Here are the 50 reasons I think India is a great place to visit. Plus, 7 reasons why it might NOT be for you…
India Will Tantalize Your Taste Buds
Cooking in India is treated like fine art and recipes are passed down through the generations, which makes eating a joy to be savored. Unlike in the USA where many foods are preprocessed, most dishes are prepared ingredient-by-ingredient throughout the day and there are so many regional differences in cuisine that many people come to India just for the complex and flavorful foods.
Paneer Butter Masala, Butter Chicken… Heck, Anything with Butter In The Name
When I first arrived in India, I would eat Paneer Butter Masala every night for dinner and although my waistline wasn’t too happy, it’s spicy, rich and creamy taste was too delicious to resist.
What’s cool about Indian cuisine is that each restaurant and household might cook these dishes a little differently. But it’s usually made with delicious ingredients like:
- Ripe tomatoes
- Onions
- Chilli powder
- Paprika
- Cardamom
- Cashews
- Coriander
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Butter
- Ginger garlic paste
- Cream
- Chicken or paneer (cheese)
Thali
Thali simply means “plate” and is a common dish for lunch. What you will get varies depending on where you are in India.
In Kashmir and Jammu, you’ll find many meat dishes on your plate like yakhni, which uses yogurt and saffron often with lamb meat.
In Tamil Nadu, it’ll will be vegetarian but each district and restaurant might have their own version. I like the beetroot salads as well as the kitchari (lentils and rice), kesari (dessert made of semolina, ghee, nuts, saffron, and sugar), parotta (chewy flatbread), chapati (flatbread), buttermilk, papadum (thin crispy flatbread), and curries.
Masala Dosa
Dosa is a savory thin pancake made with a rice batter. In South India, Masala dosa is made with:
- Dal (lentils)
- Rice (basmatic, white, or red rice)
- Potatoes
- Mustard seeds
- Curry leaves
- Onions
- Chilies
- Turmeric
- Coriander
- Ginger
- Cumin
I would eat masala dosa every night for months when I first came to India. In the local places, it’s as inexpensive as 60 rupees (less than $1) and in the more expensive places, it is ~$2 USD.
Jalebi
This is a popular candy in India that you will often find in street markets. It is deep-fried flour that is soaked in syrupy sugar. It often looks like a thin orange pretzel because it is weaved into different shapes. It is sometimes served with a rabri or sweet condensed milk with nuts, spices and brown sugar.
South Indian Breakfasts: Poori, Idli and Coconut Chutneys
My favorite local breakfast is Poori (puri). It’s a thin fried tortilla that is very puffy when it first comes out of the oil. I like it with potato sagu (curry) and coconut chutney. Tomato and mint chutney are also good. Sambar (lenti-based vegetable stew) is okay as well, although my aunt loved it.
Dark Chocolate at Spice Plantations
Near Thekkady in Kerala, we went to a spice plantation in a lush forest and saw cardamom, cinnamon, and also cacao.
In the attached shop, they sold dark chocolate and it was sooo creamy. My girlfriend eats chocolate every day and she gave the taste two thumbs up!
French Cuisine in Pondicherry
The signature crepes at Crepe In Touch were my favorite dish, especially the Monts D’Arree crepe. It is made with bacon, potatoes, a special “maitre d’hotel’ butter, fresh cream and cheese… so it’s not exactly a weight-loss dish but will inspire a deep nap 15 minutes later. It was delicious though!
You can also walk along the beach, see the third-largest Gandhi statue and have a cappuccino as the waves lap the rock beach nearby.
India Will Up Your Instagram Game
The architecture and historical monuments in India are a social media influencer’s dream, haha. Even if you’re just trying to make your mom and friends back home say “wow,” there are some breathtaking places to take photos. Here are some of my favorite places to snap a selfie for the gram.
Taj Mahal, Agra
We’ve all seen it on our FB and IG feeds, and there’s a reason it had 6.9 million tourists in 2018.
“The image of the Taj Mahal has been reproduced more often than that of any other building. It has become a symbol of India, despite India’s uneasiness with its Islamic past and despite being a tomb, which has no place in the Hindu tradition.”
-Ebba Koch, The Complete Taj Mahal
As I walked around the grounds, I was hunting for photographic opportunities and in awe every time I looked up at the white marble building that is planned to be symmetrical from any angle. Then as you get closer you can see the detailed carvings and gemstones inlaid in the surface.
It is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful buildings on earth, so if you use IG and don’t have a photo of the Taj Mahal, now’s your chance 😉
Agra Fort, Agra
Built by the third and most powerful Mughal emperor Akbar, he began building the fort when he was 23 years old, just 9 years after taking power. It took 6 years to finish most of the structures, although it was constantly renovated over the years. The fort’s intent was to allow the Mughals to rule the area since the city was not hospitable to them.
The walls are a striking red color and were built from red sandstone from the Yamuna River which runs through Agra and by the Taj Mahal.
Within the Fort, you can see:
- Jahangir’s Palace for Akbar’s wives and the women of his household
- Khas Mahal overlooking the river and grape gardens
- Musamman Burj the romantic octagonal tower for two of Akbar’s queens. It is known for its stone inlay work. It’s also where Shah Jahan, the creator of the Taj Mahal, was kept prisoner by his son during the last years of his life.
- Diwan-I-Khas has two marble thrones and pietra dura work (inlaid stones in intricate designs and precisely cut to fit in other stones)
- Diwan-I-Aam is another hall for public audiences where a Peacock Throne was kept.
India Gate, New Delhi
The India Gate is one of the most iconic symbols of Delhi. It took 10 years to build and inscribed in the sandstone and granite walls are 13,218 servicemen who died in the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. It is one of the largest war monuments in India.
The design is said to be an homage to the Arc De Triomphe in Paris, and it does resemble its beauty.
In the evening as the sun sets, thousands of tourists flock to the lawns underneath the monument. If you want to take photos with fewer people in the background, try going at sunrise and shoot from further away on the Rajpath, a ceremonial boulevard running up to the India Gate and through New Delhi.
Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi
Some people call this tomb “the Taj Mahal of Delhi.” Like the name suggests it is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and probably directed by his wife Hamida Banu Begum out of love for her husband.
She hired Persian architects and it is the first garden-tomb that was built in India. However, unlike the Taj Mahal, the story behind the tomb is a mystery. What is known is that this tomb was probably the inspiration for the Taj Mahal.
On the grounds, it is not just 1 tomb, it is actually 100 tombs for the emperor’s wives and other influential Mughals.
Red Fort, New Delhi
The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the creator of the Taj Mahal had it built when he transferred the capital of his empire from Agra to Delhi. The walls are made from red sandstone, however, the fort has many white buildings that were just painted red by the British.
The fort once held the Kohinoor diamond, which was the world’s largest diamond made of solid gold and studded with many gemstones in the majestic throne for the emperor.
The Lahore Gate and Delhi Gate are the two main entrances. It was also the final home of the last Mughal emperor, Shah Zafar after the bloody uprising that led to many deaths of both the British and Indians. After the British put down the rebellion, the Shah was held responsible and tried for treason in the Diwan-i-Khas, then exiled to what is now Myanmar.
The best photography spot is in front of the Lahore Gate.
Amber Palace, Jaipur
Also called the Amer Fort and it is featured in many Bollywood movies, especially the Sheesh Mahal which is a room covered in concave mirrors. It was also once the capital of the Kachwaha Rajputs who had close ties with the Mughals.
The complex is named after Amba Mata, the earth and fertility goddess of the orthodox Sikh people known as the Minas. The huge complex overlooks the Maota Lake.
From the walls, you can see great views of Jaipur which is 11 kms away or maybe costumed elephants bringing guests up the roads. The Ganesh Pol is a gate named after the Hindu elephant-headed god, Ganesh and has colorful mosaics and latticed windows where the women of the royal household would watch the courtyard.
My favorite place for photos is the Diwan-e-Khaas or the hall of private audience. The columns are symmetrical and make for great portraits underneath.
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Right in the middle of the “Pink City” you can see the “Palace of Windows” or the Hawa Mahal. There are 953 windows for the women of the royal household to watch the street below without being seen. Functionally it also allows cool air to blow into the palace and combat the blisteringly hot temperatures during the summer.
For the best photographs, you can go up to the second floor of the restaurant across the street, and it’s great for poses in front of the palace.
Places Like Nowhere Else In The World
India has some unique and even downright eccentric places, so if you’re looking to get a little weird, then check out these places:
The Matrimandir, Auroville
Auroville is an experimental community in South India and aside from making delicious organic foods and reforesting the area, they build a 29-meter-tall golden sphere called the Matrimandir (meaning “Temple of the Mother” in Sanskrit).
Around the outside are 1415 steel discs covered with 28 grams of gold. Inside the structure is an optimetrically-perfect glass sphere in the center of the chill meditation chambers.
The Golden Temple, Amritsar
There is even more gold at this Sikh Temple in a city in Punjab. The upper floors is tiled with copper sheets and covered with 162 kilograms of 24-karat gold. At the time it was built it was worth 650,000 rupees which today would be worth more than $1.98 million USD.
When you enter the temple you actually go down steps, not up, to symbolize being humble and living in a simple way. You can get some great reflection photographs off the beautiful lake surrounding the temple.
Varanasi’s Burning Ghats
“Burning is learning, cremation is education,” is the saying the locals told me.
Along the banks of the Ganges River in the oldest living city in the world, you can find people burning their dead 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are a number of fires burning and for the most part, the dead are wrapped in cloth. However, when they add them to the fire you might see an arm or leg fall lifelessly out for a bit. Or after a fire has burned for awhile you may see the charred form of a once-alive human. Death is not hidden here the way it is in the West.
In Hinduism, the devout want to be burned to break the cycle of rebirth so their souls will be taken to heaven and they can avoid being reborn.
Varanasi’s Sunrise Boat Ride
For a devout Hindu, faith is the number one priority in their life. More so than family, friends or career. And the Ganges River is the mother of their faith.
Our tour guide said that even though the Ganges is polluted and dirty, Hindus dream about bathing in its waters. The same way kids want to be close to their mother even if she’s dirty from a long day of cooking and cleaning the house.
We rode through the quiet waters as our guide told us about Hinduism and people walked along the ghats or bathed in the river.
Varanasi’s Ganga Aarti
I know I have mentioned Varanasi three times, but it’s worth it! The Ganges Aarti refers to a ritual of offering a puja or prayer to the river. At sunset, you can find thousands of people bathing or lighting candles on lotus flowers and sending them into the Ganges River. Most people congregate at the Dashashwamedh Ghat.
We lit candles there, had chalk rubbed on our forehead, and local women took photos with my mom and aunt saying how beautiful they were.
There was also live music and chairs set up for hundreds of people to partake. Families went out in boats to watch the sunset and it looked like they too had traveled many miles to be here.
Thekkady’s Tea and Tigers
Thekkady is in the state of Kerala in South India. We went to a spice plantation in the hills and bought freshly made dark chocolate that my chocolate-obsessed girlfriend said was “amazing.”
The tea plantations were meticulously manicured and looked picture perfect.
We went to the Periyar Tiger Sanctuary to look for tigers, elephants and other local wildlife. And while we didn’t see any tigers, we did see an elephant, bison, deer, and lots of colorful birds.
We also stayed at the hotel in the park and at night the reception desk gave us a call, “Come down to see a porcupine,” so we came down in our pajamas with the other guests and fed deer and the spiny animal.
Khajuraho’s Erotic Temples
The rulers of the Chandela Dynasty built 85 temples over the course of 100 years, and about 10% have scenes from the Kama Sutra. When the Muslims conquered the area, many of the temples were destroyed and were mostly deserted for generations, since they were so far from major cities.
In the 19th century, T.S. Burt an English surveyor “rediscovered” the temples, then excavated and restored them.
Today, 22 temples remain and while they are renowned for their erotic sculptures of orgies and bestiality (oh behave ;), in reality, there are many more sculptures of battles, spiritual teachers, farmers, and ordinary life.
Kerala’s Backwaters
Kerala had 1,096,407 foreign tourists and 15,604,661 domestic tourists in 2018 according to KeralaTourism.org. Many of these tourists come for a peaceful slow trip along the 38 rivers and 5 lakes that make up the backwaters.
It’s also a popular honeymoon spot and was recommended to me by my dentist in the USA 🙂
We took a non-motorized boat for a half-day trip and it was beautiful to glide along the waters in the narrow canals while the lush jungles rubbed the sides of our boat. We also so local people weaving rope from coconut husks and making mats with palm leaves.
The Last Box Camera Photographer in Jaipur
On the streets of Jaipur, you can find a unique photographer, Tikam. Before mobile phones and digital photography, people still needed photographs for their passport and other official documents. So there was a large number of photographers who would take and develop your photo on the street.
What was super cool about this is that they developed the photographs INSIDE their camera and they might even hand-color them per your request.
Today, this ancient practice is largely extinct, except for Tikam, who still photographs in this 19th-century tradition. So if you’re looking for a unique souvenir head to Hawa Mahal Road in Jaipur and look for the guy with the big wooden camera.
Wild Animals
It is a great place to see exotic animals. I really wanted to see an elephant when I arrived and now I’d like to photograph a tiger.
Elephants in Costume
It is estimated that 6 out of 10 wild Asian elephants live in India, according to Securing the Future for Elephants in India. There were also about 26,000 to 28,000 wild Asian elephants in India in 2002, according to the Current Status of Asian Elephants in India.
I saw elephants dressed up in Kerala and at a sanctuary near Thekkady. I’d like to see more though and the best places to see wild elephants are:
- Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sundarbans National Park
- Jim Corbett National Park
- Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bandhavgarh National Park
- Kanha National Park
Lions and Tigers
Reading Jim Corbett’s Man-Eaters of Kumaon (click to check the current price) makes me grateful that the tiger population of India has decreased. In the past, some man-eating tigers would devour hundreds of people and terrorize villages so people couldn’t leave their homes.
I’ve never seen a wild lion or tiger in India yet. There are 1,400 tigers throughout the 40 national parks in India. The best places to see tigers:
- Bandhavgarh National Park has more than 50 tigers in the 60-square mile park. There was once a white tiger as well but it hasn’t been spotted since 1951.
- Ranthambore National Park is the best place to take photos of tigers. There are also ancient ruins where you can see tigers.
Peacocks in Your Front Yard
In the USA, I had squirrels and raccoons in my yard. Here in South India, I have a “bevy” of peacocks (a family). They grow their colorful feathers for mating season and I can sometimes see a male peacock with his tail fully spread doing a “twerking-like” motion as he calls in the peacock ladies from other rooftops.
Shopping
India is a shopper’s paradise if you like unique goods for great prices.
Cashmere Scarves
Ladakh has high-altitude deserts and herds of cashmere goats, which make India a great place to buy this super-soft fabric. Cashmere scarfs can be found across India but it’s best to go to a government-run store so you can guarantee you’re not getting fake cashmere.
Tailor-made Shirts for $5
Tailor-made clothing is reasonably priced in India. In the city I live in South India, I can choose the cotton and have the local tailors make them for as little as $5. If I want a long-sleeved shirt with organic cotton I can buy one for less $20 from the best tailor in town.
Beaches
Most people don’t think of India as a beach-lovers paradise but there are 3 of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in Asia here.
Agonda and Palolem Beaches in Goa
Agonda Beach is two kilometers long with soft sand and a quiet crowd. Palolem Beach is lined with luxury resorts and picturesque mountains in the background. Both are some of the most popular beaches in Goa, and well worth a trip.
Hippie Beaches in Goa
Arambol and Harmal Beach in north Goa are a couple of beaches off the beaten path. About 34 miles from Panaji, you can find two beaches in a quieter part of Goa. At night there are drum circles and trance dancing.
There are also small cafes along the beach and shopping. You can walk for miles along the beach and enjoy the sun and surf.
Kitesurfing in Goa
Morjim Beach is also one of the quieter beaches, about 3 hours from the airport, but this beach is known for having a kitesurfing school. How beautiful and fun would it be to learn to kitesurf in India. The introductory lesson is 6 hours for a great price.
44 More Beaches in Goa
What I love about Goa is that there are so many beaches to choose from so you have a lot of options:
- Want to go people watching on one of the most popular beaches? Head to Baga, Calangute or Colva beach.
- Dona Paula is a chill spot to take photos and good for romantics.
- Anjuna Beach has a popular beach and a flea market on Wednesdays.
- Vagator is a clean quiet beach that many people recommend.
There are also beautiful churches, temples, bars, clubs, restaurants, and more throughout Goa which will give you plenty to do on a holiday.
Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
869 miles from mainland India are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Within this island group is Havelock Island, where Asia’s most beautiful beach and the world’s 7th most beautiful, Radhanagar Beach is located.
They have the Hawksbill, Green turtle, and Leatherback turtles which are the largest sea turtles in the world. It is one of the few places in the world that have more than 1,000 turtles nesting there. It also has the only active volcano in India.
Marina Beach, Chennai
Marina Beach is right in the heart of Chennai and is the longest beach in India running 8 miles (13 km). It is the second-longest beach in the world.
It is also the most crowded beach in the world. It can draw 10 to 25,000 visitors during the day and 50,000 beach-goers on holidays.
In the morning, it’s a quiet place to take photos and dip your feet in the water. At night, you can find a fair-like atmosphere with vendors, foods, souvenirs and games to play. You can ride a horse or play cricket with the local kids.
Tsongmo (Changu) Lake
Tsongomo Lake is like a slice of the Swiss Alps in India, except you have to ride a yak to get there. It is a glacial-fed lake at an altitude of 12,400 feet and is a landscape photographer’s dream.
Festivals and Holidays
Deepam
Karthigai Deepam is celebrated at the Shiva and Murugan temples on the day that Lord Karthikaya, a son of Lord Shiva and the Handsome God, was born.
There is a big temple devoted to Shiva where I live and during this 10-day festival, thousands of people come to walk around the local holy mountain. At its height of the celebration, there are so many people you can’t drive on the roads.
The highlight of the festival is the fire on the mountain top. The locals carry 2000 liters of ghee to the top of the mountain and light it on fire each night. There are also parades and people shave their heads.
Diwali
Diwali is known as the festival of lights and is one of the most popular holidays in India. You can find a lot of fireworks being shot off, and lamps and candles being lit.
While it is a Hindu holiday, Jains and Sikhs celebrate as well. People buy new clothes, I give gifts to my chaiwallah who then bought new clothes and my gardener. It is believed that Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity blesses people with material wealth during this celebration.
Holi
You’re probably aware of this festival, even if you’ve never been to India. Even in the USA, there are celebrations with colored chalked and music.
In Hinduism, it celebrates the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. The story behind the event refers to an ancient king who once grew cocky and forced everyone to revere him as a god. But his son rejected him and followed the true Hindu god, Vishnu, and his daughter tricked him into burning himself and Vishnu killed him on the bonfire… which is why the festival begins with a bonfire.
Holi is celebrated in North India in cities like Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Purulia and of course big cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Goa has some big celebrations as well.
Digital Nomading & Slow Travel
Working online in India has its challenges, but if you can make it work for you, as I have, then you can enjoy a low cost of living and chill lifestyle.
Bangalore’s Coworking Spaces
Bangalore has so many coworking spaces and is a great place to work online for digital nomads. I stayed near the shopping district on Church Street and within walking distance were a number of cool places to work:
- WeWork
- NUMA
- 91springboard
- Solo Cubes
- BHIVE
I checked out all of these and would have loved to stay in Bangalore longer to meet other digital nomads. If you’re working online, then Bangalore is a fun place to live. WeWork especially stood out with its rooftop pool and gym.
Internet Speeds are Decent
Contrary to popular belief, you can get fast internet speeds in India. I’ve met so many people tell me they could never move to India, even though they work online. The common complaints are the internet speeds and reliability.
But I’ve worked over 40 hours a week for over a year and had numerous Skype calls each week. But I’ve never not been able to make a call using wifi at my home or my mobile hotspot.
I get speeds between 40-80 mbps at my home through a local company that only costs $15 a month. I also have my mobile hotspot with 1.5 gbs of data a day, where I can get speeds of 10-25 mbps.
Most digital nomads could work in India. The key is just figuring out your specific situation. I do know some friends with unreliability internet and slower speeds.
Renting a home or apartment in a part of town with fewer power cuts and a faster connection are a couple of important things to do. You’d also want to make sure you can get customer support from the internet provider (without bribing them) and that your mobile hotspot works well at your home.
Get Healthy
Many tourists come to see a doctor, dentist for the reasonable prices. Others come to learn or practice the ancient healing arts like yoga and Ayurveda.
Medical Treatment
India has a $2 billion dollar medical tourism industry, and 45% of it is spent in the southeastern city of Chennai, according to An Overview of the Medical Tourism Industry, 2014.
A friend of mine came for some dental work and paid only $70 per crown. I paid more than $3000 for 3 crowns in the USA before I came 🙂
Learn Yoga
Yoga was born in India centuries ago and today it’s still a great place to learn. Rishikesh is one of the most popular places to take a yoga course and it’s a beautiful place. The Ganges River runs through the city and there are a number of beautiful bridges.
If you want to celebrate with other yogis come for International Yoga Day on June 21.
90-minute Ayurvedic Massages for $20
Ayurveda was born in India as well many centuries ago. Ayurvedic massage uses the principles of Ayurveda and pressure points to give a relaxing massage. It can improve your circulation, tone your muscles, strengthen your joints and feel very good.
Massages start at 1000 to 1500 rupees ($15-$22) for 90-minute massages in my city.
Spiritual Retreats
You can find popular ashrams founded by spiritual teachers like Osho and Mooji here. There are many more. In my city alone I could go to spiritual workshops and satsangs every day of the week.
Historic Cities
There were civilizations and empires in India far earlier than in the West. I know we mentioned some cities above, but there are a few more places and reasons below.
Old Delhi
The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the creator of the Taj Mahal also moved his capital from Agra to Delhi and when he did he created the 6-kilometer walls around Old Delhi or Purani Dilli.
It’s still a place that is uniquely India. Crowded streets, colorful and sometimes crumbling buildings, and narrow lanes. Come for the markets, to see the largest masjid in India, the Jama Masjid. Chandi Chowk has goods, foods and smells you won’t find anywhere else.
Fort Kochi
Once colonized by the Portuguese, it has the oldest European church in India, St. Francis Church that was built in 1503 with the gravestone of the explorer Vasco Da Gama (his body is no longer there as it was moved to Portugal).
In this part of town with synagogues, heritage crafts, antiques and spices. You can see the headquarters of the Socialist Party with a neon red sign of a the Communist sickle and Che Guevara poster.
You can find fresh seafood wrapped in banana leaves called pollichathu. There are Chinese fishing nets which are great for photography. The Vasco House is thought to be one of the oldest Portuguese homes in India with European glass windows and spacious verandahs.
Madurai’s Big Temple
In South India, Madurai has the Meenakshi Amman Temple which is the home to the fish-eyed and three-breasted goddess Meenakshi Amman. There are 33,000 sculptures in the temple and the Hall of The Thousand Pillars which is symmetrical from any viewpoint.
The temple is thought to be 2500 years old and is the largest temple space in all of Tamil Nadu. There are many other temples in this state so this is quite the accomplishment.
Miscellaneous Extras That Deserve Mentioning
The People Dress Beautifully
In the popular movie, The Namesake, the main character remarks, “In India, even the rickshaw drivers dress better than the American college professors.”
It’s so true. Whether it’s someone working in a field in a colorful sari or a young girl in your best dress playing in the dirt outside her small concrete home, the people look very nice.
The Hospitality is Top-Notch
“The Guest is god,” is an ancient Hindu saying that the hospitality industry has been using for decades. It’s very true to that Indian people love to take care of you, feed you, and help you in your trip.
This can be tough if you are invited to a dinner, because they LOVE LOVE LOVE to keep feeding you and feeding you.
Street Photography
India is such a great spot for photography. I can walk out my door, hop on my scooter and in 10 minutes be downtown taking photos with strangers. Most people are so friendly too and happy to have their photo taken.
The biggest problems are that everyone wants their photograph taken so it can be hard to get candid shots.
Prepare To Take A Lot of Selfies
When my mom and aunt were traveling with me in India, they were mobbed at the local temple by the visitors, who thought they were so beautiful. This continued to happen in Varanasi, Khajuraho, and Kerala.
Many people might never have seen a white person in person before, so you can feel like a celebrity sometimes, which is usually fun.
7 Reasons You Might Want To Avoid Traveling To India
India is NOT for everyone though. If you’re a solo female traveler or new to travel, then it might be smart to skip India for now. Here are some reasons I’ve heard from friends and other travelers about why they didn’t like India:
Harassment
A friend of mine was groped during the on a road, not far other tourists. She had to punch the guy in the face and yell loudly to get him to let her go. That’s the most extreme case I’ve heard from friends.
But it’s very common for men to stare, say inappropriate things and try to grope women in crowded situations like buses and trains. My other friend says, “It’s rare to meet an Indian man who isn’t creepy.”
The women I’ve met who were solo travelers were tough and ready to deal with it. The friend I mentioned above would carry a rock in her hand when she walked, and surprisingly she did say she was happy to have visited India nonetheless.
Scams
Every price is negotiable in India, but this also means you could pay a LOT more without knowing the true price.
Common scams are:
- Beggars asking for “milk” or food or pens, then getting refunded by the local shops.
- Rickshaw/taxi drivers saying “your hotel has moved” or “closed” or “burned down.” Then they will take you to another hotel where they can get a commission.
- Rickshaw/taxi drivers taking you to a shop on the way to your destination so they can get a commission on your purchase.
- No change – When you pay and the clerk says there’s no change for you.
- Fake cashmere.
- Holy men putting bracelets on your wrist and asking for “donation.”
- Women outside temples giving you coconuts and puja (prayer) offerings for a “donation.”
- Paying triple for taxis near airports. The drivers will quote you prices that were 2000 rupees when I paid less than 500 using Uber. Uber or Meru or government-approved pre-paid taxis are the only types of transportation you should use from airports.
- Unsolicited tour guides – In places like the burning ghats of Varanasi, we had people approaching us and telling us about the place. Of course, after my aunt and mom went with this one man he convinced them to give a large “donation” to help the poor people of Varanasi get their own burning funeral. Not surprisingly, this was a lie. Our tour guide later told us that there is no such organization and the guy was probably a “drug addict.”
Pollution
Greenpeace found that Delhi was the most polluted capital in the world in 2018. Out of the top 30 most polluted cities, India has 21 of the most polluted cities in the world.
- Ghaziabad
- Delhi
- Noida
- Gurugram
- Greater Noida
- Bandhwari
- Lucknow
- Bulandshahr
- Muzaffarnagar
- Bagpat
- Jind
- Faridabad
- Coraut
- Bhiwadi
- Patna
- Palwal
- Muzaffarpur
- Hisar
- Kutail
- Jodhpur
- Moradabad
Even in the small city that I live in, when I drive my scooter I’m often blasted by thick black smoke from rickshaws, trucks, and buses. When I’ve hiked up the local mountain it is sometimes obscured by smog. It’s new to me to feel like the air I’m breathing might be hurting me.
Noise
“Sound horn,” is written on the back of many trucks. It is polite to honk in India when passing or approaching pedestrians in the street. It’s a way of saying, “hey, watch out.” But if you live in a city then you will hear honking all day and most of the night.
When I spent three weeks in India on my first trip, I remember craving some quiet. When I returned to my home city which has a population of almost 1 million people, it was like living in a secluded forest it was so quiet in comparison.
Now I live just out of an Indian city and at night I can enjoy the crickets and quiet.
Traffic
It’s difficult to get around India. In the USA, if I’m going to drive 60 miles, then it will take ~60 minutes. That’s not the case in India. If I’m driving 60 miles, it will take ~150 minutes.
Related Questions:
Why Do Foreigners Prefer To Visit India?
India is unlike any place you can find in the West. The history goes back centuries longer than the USA. The foods are so diverse and full of flavor. The way of life is slower and more spiritual. Plus, there are so many people!
Why Is India A Popular Tourist Destination In the World?
India is a huge diverse country and has so much to do: from popular destinations like the Taj Mahal, to cosmopolitan cities like Mumbai, to the relaxing backwaters in Kerala. You can go on a safari to see lions and tigers. You can do a food tour to taste things like buffalo, red ant chutney, frog legs or fried snails… along with more traditional dishes like the delicious butter chicken.