SOTC Blog

Let’s face it. There’s no place like India. Each corner and each city reveal another aspect of rich Indian culture and heritage. Thousands and thousands of years of monuments, palaces, places of worship. Stories that speak of the humblest of sages and the proudest of kings. Festivals that swallow the entire country in their colour and cheer. Cuisine that tingles every tastebud on your tongue – sweet, spicy, bitter, sour. It’s time to take the plunge and dive deep into the rich pool of Indian culture.

• Indian Heritage Places

To experience a true slice of India – it’s beauty, it’s heritage places and its stories – you must experience the grandeur of the Golden Triangle – a journey that cuts across New Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan. Experience the stately glory of Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, before you make your way to Agra, where the grand Jama Masjid mosque awaits. Witness the grand beauty, and the everlasting love of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal at the Taj Mahal in Agra. Let the warm, pink-red glow from Hawa Mahal – built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh – bathe you in all its perfect blushing beauty.

If you are exploring the Golden triangle of Indian heritage, you must not miss out on other incredible monuments located in the vicinity. Whether it is the ruby-toned beauty of the magnificent Red Fort in Delhi, or the lovely minaret known as the Qutub Minar, made by Qutb-ud-din Aibak. In Agra, you must visit the stunning Fatehpur Sikri – an ancient town that was designated as the capital of the Mughal Empire by Emperor Akbar. Finally, in Jaipur, a host of heritage places await you, from the Amer Fort to City Palace to Jal Mahal and more. However, the scope of Indian culture and heritage is breath-taking and cannot be contained to one part of the country.

Heritage and history can be found anywhere in India. Take the UNESCO World Heritage site in Hampi. The ruins depict the style, grace and beauty of the Dravidian style of art and architecture. Wander through the ruins of old temples, palaces and bazaars where the people of the Vijaynagar Kingdom once lived and loved. The ruins are spread over an area of 26 kilometres and some of the carvings found here, date back to the 14^th century.

Turn your gaze to the north-eastern part of India, and you’ll instantly be drawn to one of India’s most iconic heritage places – the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha. Built like a giant chariot, with beautifully carved wheels, stone pillars and enormous carved horses, this is one of the grandest Brahmin structures in the country. You’ll find enchanting details in different parts of the temple. For instance, the carved wheels represent time – a year, a month and a day. There are 12 wheels to signify 12 months of the year, and the spokes of the wheel are actually the shape of the sundial. Each wheel has 8 spokes, which represent 3 hours of the day – adding up to 24 hours.

From the grandest to the most serene, India has many Buddhist heritage structures. One of the most beloved Buddhist monuments in Madhya Pradesh is the amazing Sanchi Stupa, commissioned by emperor Ashoka in the 3^rd Century BCE. You can admire the stunning ancient Mauryan architecture, monolithic pillars and inscriptions as well as the palaces, temples and monasteries located at this complex.

Some monuments speak of faith, others of science. Some Indian heritage places reflect both. Jantar Mantar in Jaipur reflects India’s ancient scientific leanings. This astronomical observatory was built in the 19^th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. It boasts of 19 stunning astronomical instruments, including the largest sun dial in the world.

• Amritsar Allure

If you’re looking for a little bit of everything – food, culture, cuisine, history, spirituality and shopping, why not consider Amritsar? This bustling city has a platter of delights to serve up the hungry traveller. Some of the places to visit in Amritsar, include the bedazzling Golden Temple. This lovely white marble temple is layered with a shimmering 75 kgs of gold and encircled by a mirror-like lake. If you’re hungry, the temple hosts the largest community kitchen in the world, where you can sample some simple yet nutritious food India has to offer. Other places include, the Maharajah Ranjit Singh Museum, where you can learn about Sikh culture. The ruby red Gobindgarh Fort, the Partition Museum and more. Book an Amritsar tour package with SOTC and explore everything this glorious city has to offer.

• Regal Rajasthan

From a small but spectacular city, we now move to a massive and magnificent state – Rajasthan. Known as the Land of Kings, there are so many places to visit in Rajasthan. Feel your head spin, as you choose between breath-taking palaces, wondrous cities, stern forts and more. See colours come alive as you explore Rajasthan’s beautiful art, clothes and folklore. Handmade jewellery, stunning paintings, charming puppets, beautiful native dresses and mesmerising dances – Rajasthan offers a potpourri of sensory delights. Explore every corner of a massive Rajasthani Thali, where flavours clash, blend and melt in your mouth. Throw yourself into the whirl and swirl of the state festivals and fairs, like the Teej Festival, the Kite Festival or the Pushkar Fair. It’s a state so overwhelming in its beauty and generosity, it may be hard to decide what to do. Our Rajasthan tour packages can help with that, by selecting some of the most authentic and unique experiences the state has to offer.

• Serenity at Rann Utsav

After the rush of Rajasthan, it’s time to slow down, take a deep breath and submerge yourself in the beauty of the Rann Utsav in Gujarat. This tourism event, started by the Gujarat Tourism Department, starts from the city of Bhuj and winds its way along the district of Kutch, right up to the Indo-Pak borders, providing tourists with gorgeous vistas, incredible indigenous experiences and adventure activities. On this trip, you can pick up stunning souvenirs like the local Rogan paintings, colourful patchwork quilts, handstitched patterned shoes, silver anklets, copper bells and more. If adventure is what you’re looking for, you can try everything from paramotoring to parasailing to camel rides and ATV rides. Sit back and let the music and dance of the region envelop you in all their beauty. Take picture after picture of the milky Kutch dessert. All you need to do is book a Rann Utsav Package and let this one festival open up a plethora of experiences for you to enjoy.

• Party and Peace at Goa

In India, there are new worlds to be discovered every single day. You can move easily from the deep, calm beauty of the Rann Utsav, to the wild, riotous wonder of Goa. Book a simple Goa Tour Package and get ready for a vacation of fun, food and sun. Beaches here brim with sunshine and smiles. Markets burst with colour and all the collectibles you want to buy. Restaurants let out wafts of fragrant steam. Book an adventure in the air and go parasailing, go wild in the water by trying out water skiing. Buy a bigger belt for all the scrumptious seafood that awaits you. And when you seek peace and solitude, Goa offers that too. Some of the most famous places to visit in Goa, include its solemn and peaceful sites like Fort Aguada, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Chapora Fort and the Dudhsagar Falls.

Heritage and culture are baked into every inch of India’s soil. Our mighty rivers – Ganga, Indus, Godavari, Kaveri and more – thrum with spiritual energy and significance. Our palaces and forts – from the grand Umaid Bhavan, to the charming Mysore Palace, to the stately Jaisalmer Fort – speak of wars, love, family and statehood. Our cuisine – from different communities and different parts of the country – are tried, tested and perfected over centuries. From the beaches of Puducherry, to the icy beauty of the Himalayas, from the rich spread of greenery over the Deccan plateau, to the golden sizzle of the Thar Dessert, India is a complex puzzle of landscapes, stories, practices, cultures, cuisines, traditions, festivals, religions – which all come together into one beautiful country.

If you’re looking to explore the length and breadth of India, then visit our website and book an India tour package with SOTC. Let us help you peel back the stories, the culture and the flavour of this incredible country.