TRICIA STEVENS
PERSPECTIVES
INDIA
If you're looking for a destination that will challenge you and completely take you out of your comfort zone, India is the ideal stop! It will hit all of your senses from the moment you step out of the airport. Extending from the snow-covered Himalayan mountains to the tropical southern rain forests, India offers a vast array of culture, nature, cuisine, faiths, arts, and adventure.
ABSOLUTE MUSTS
Lake Pichola
Located in Udaipur, Lake Pichola is a beautiful place to spend some time relaxing. Lake Pichola is a fresh-water artificial lake and was built by Pichhu Banjara (a gipsy tribesman) in 1362 AD. It was built by creating dams to meet the needs for drinking water and irrigation for the city. There are two islands on the lake that house stunning palaces. The word ‘Pichola’ means ‘backyard’ and was named after a nearby village ‘Picholi’.
Desert Camping
Escape the urban city noise of Delhi and head west to Jaisalmer via train. Staying at a desert camp in Jaisalmer is a truly unique experience. Enjoy a camel ride through the desert dunes by day, soak in the magnificent sunset, followed by a freshly cooked meal around a bonfire. Listen to the sounds of a sitar being played while you devour a meal around a fire surrounded by dancers, and witness millions of stars at night.
Varanasi
Considered to be the oldest city in India, Varanasi is filled with chaos and spirituality. The holy Ganges River is where the remains of many Hindus are cremated and sent off into the water. Spend at least one evening at the sacred Dashashwamedh ghat for its nightly ceremony (or watch from a boat on the river for a different perspective). The smell of incense will be sure to stick to your skin for weeks. This is definitely a favourite stop in India!
Hawa Mahal
Located in Jaipur, Hawa Mahal was built in 1799. The red and pink sandstone structure has a pyramidal shape which resembles a crown. The structure has 953 small windows covered with beautiful latticework which allowed the cool breeze to enter the palace during the hot summer days. The main reason for the unique latticework was to allow the women of the royal house to watch the festivities taking place on the streets below while not being seen from the outside.
Pushkar
The ancient city of Pushkar (often called tirtha-raj) means the king of pilgrim sites. Surrounded by hills, this is a popular destination for travelers. It is also among the five pilgrim sites for those who follow Hinduism. Of all the temples in Pushkar, Brahma temple is the most famous and is one of the few temples in the world that is dedicated to Brahma. The sacred Pushkar Lake is home to 52 ghats and pilgrims from across the country visit this lake to bathe in its holy water. Hike to the top of Savitri Hill and visit the temple located at the summit. The 1.5 hour climb to the temple can be difficult for some. If you are able to visit Pushkar in the month of November, check out the annual Pushkar Camel Fair!
Taj Mahal
The name Taj Mahal means “crown of palaces”. It was built as the final resting place for Mumtaz Mahal, the third wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It also contains burial chambers for the deceased, often created in honor of influential people. Construction took around 20 years between 1632 and 1653 and is made of white marble. The dome on top of the complex is 115 feet high. The Taj Mahal is India’s most admired work of art.
