Best things to do in India
21.07.2023 - 07:46
/ roughguides.com
Extending from the summits of the Himalayas to the tropical greenery of Kerala, India encompasses an incomparable range of landscapes and cultures. As a result, it’s impossible to see everything in a single trip, which is why we’ve highlighted some of the country’s top attractions. Note, though, that these are just a handful of things not to miss in India — for more, read The Rough Guide to India.
Located in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer Fort is one of India’s most beautiful citadels.
Giant honey-coloured bastions enclose a labyrinth of narrow streets dotted with sandstone havelis and temples. And all this is dominated by the Palace of the Maharawal, open to the public as the Fort Palace Museum.
The palace’s five-storey facade displays some of the finest masonry in Jaisalmer. Inside, the museum offers an intriguing snapshot of the life of Jaisalmer’s rulers through the ages. Meanwhile, the rooftop terrace gives unrivalled views over the city and surrounding countryside.
Book a private tour of Jaisalmer City and Fort that includes a camel safari.
Find more places to stay in Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer fort — one of our hands-down things not to miss in India © muzato/Shutterstock
Deep in the eastern tracts of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is widely considered the greatest of India’s wildlife reserves.
Encompassing some 940 square kilometres of deciduous forest, savanna grassland, hills and gently meandering rivers, it’s home to hundreds of species of birds and animals.
While tiger and leopard sightings are not guaranteed, even fleeting glimpses should be considered a great privilege. Moreover, the park's striking landscapes and overall wealth of wildlife make it a rewarding place to spend a few days.
In the unlikely event, your lodge can't organise your trip to Kanha National Park, you’ll need to book an entry ticket via the Madhya Pradesh Forestry Department.
Explore more places to stay near Kanha National Park.
Kanha National Park is a paradise for wildlife watchers © Santanu Banik/Shutterstock
Among India’s most scenically situated sacred sites, Gokarna lies between a broad white-sand beach and the verdant foothills of the Western Ghats.
Clustered around a long L-shaped bazaar, Gokarna has been a Shaivite centre for more than two millennia. Its main road runs west to the town beach, which is a sacred site in itself. Hindu mythology identifies it as the place Shiva was reborn from the underworld after a period of penance.
Today Gokarna’s numerous temples and shrines continue to draw pilgrims, with the atmalinga (or pranalinga) enshrined in the medieval Shri Mahabaleshwar temple.
South of town, several beautiful beaches reveal themselves. Hike over the headland from Kudle to reach