When you think of India, you imagine bright colors, spicy smells and spirituality.
India trip
You have never been to India, but you really want to visit the Taj Mahal, the colorful Rajasthan and a yoga retreat in Goa, then you have come to the right place! I will explain to you what is important, how to plan your trip well and what you can do in 16 days. Which sights I can recommend to you and which culinary delights you definitely should not miss.
I would always travel to India again, it was an exhausting, very exciting and emotional trip. India is a country full of contrasts. The culture is fascinating, the nature is untouched and the beaches are huge. I have never experienced so much hospitality. When you close your eyes, how do you imagine India? India is colorful, noisy because of the constant traffic and honking. Sometimes it was hard to breathe due to the heavy smock. Don’t be surprised if you became famous overnight, because many Indians treat you like a queen. They are very friendly and looking forward to invite you. Enjoy this moment and don’t be scared when they come up to you and approach you.
My India travel plan:
- Flight to Mumbai
- Sightseeing Mumbai, buy wedding dresses
- Flight to Calcutta
- Meeting the groom’s family, wedding rituals
- Wedding at the bride’s home
- Sightseeing of Kolkata, visit to Dakshineshwar temple
- Wedding at the groom
- Flight to Delhi and train ride to Agra (Taj Mahal)
- Sightseeing Taj Mahal and Agra
- Train ride to Jaipur
- Sightseeing Jaipur
- Flight to Ahmedabad
- Sightseeing Ahmedabad (Gandhi’s Ashram)
- Flight to Goa / Evening at the Yoga Ashram
- Full day at the Yoga Ashram
- Another day at the Yoga Ashram
- Flight to Mumbai
- Flight to Germany
Incredible India…
India the country of backpackers, hostels, hippies, surfers and yoga lovers. Where can you fly everywhere with 800€ and vacation like a king a queen?
Imagine…
In November 2019, I was able to make an 18-day trip to India, including international flight, five intermediate flights, two train rides, 13 accommodations as well as very good food. You can see everything here on a small budget, and you will experience things that will leave their mark on you. Please, don’t expect too much from the accommodations. Most accommodations are clean, but of course not equipped with the latest furniture.
In small villages or neighborhoods, most people have never seen a white person. With the praying hands Namaste one comes very far in India and shows the respect for the culture. The Indians are very happy to speak English with you. I was often invited for English Tea or lunch. It was simply delicious. I have never tried so many different chutneys made from pickled/dried spicy pickles with mango, mint and coriander. The key to good communication is mutual interest in the culture. I wanted to know how Indians live. What they cook every day. What kind of work they do. How they celebrate festivals.
The traffic… worth an experience 🙂
Getting around can be a pain. Be prepared for sensory overload in the first few days. Just got off the plane and off to the cab. An accident happens at the next intersection. Another car drove straight into my door. I had not slept for 24 hours and the shock was deep. Nevertheless, the drivers quickly agreed and it went on quickly. The traffic is more than crazy. I have read a lot about India and had prepared myself for extreme traffic, but for still the roads and intersections were much more crowded than I could ever imagine. I was also very confused by the traffic on the left. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. In the first days I was afraid, but could quickly get used to the crowded streets and supposed small fender benders on cabs.
Indian punctuality …. “India Flexible Time”
If you have an appointment with a local, don’t be surprised if the person shows up half a day later. He had to fix the roof, or a cow had wandered into the front yard, got lost and shit all over the entrance. Get used to the Indian coziness. The Indian mentality lives up to the name “Indian Flexible Time”. In India everything takes longer. Do not plan too tightly. Leave more buffer. Take your time and accept it. Taking a breath instead of getting upset will make a lot of things easier. And it will help you to enjoy the fascinating sides of this country.
The origin of the Indian mentality
Not only the locals are late for a meeting, but the regular buses cannot be relied on. However, I was surprised that cabs ordered via an app are extremely punctual.
You can only understand and love India once you have been there.
You have to imagine, the roads are not tarred, the air is very dusty. Life expectancy is therefore not as high as in Europe. You can find a lot of garbage on the streets. The roads have deep potholes, which must be driven around. On the shoulder you can see broken buses and car graveyards. Old yellow cabs from colonial times drive around, unfortunately without air conditioning. If I had to describe the situation on the ground, it would be comparable to Germany in 1920. However, India is a country with the best developed and cheapest Internet connection. There is an app for everything. The Indians are a few years ahead of us in IT. Every Indian (female or male) has an IT background and works in the IT industry for international companies.
The more opposite India can only be, the more beautiful it is.
Mumbai – India
“The City of Dreams“
First impression:
- hectic, noisy (22 million inhabitants)
- tropical climate (high humidity, 26°C)
- Traffic is like chaos (left-hand traffic)
- Attention: Car Rickshaws drive into every gap
- Shopping: The malls resemble a mall in America
- Cows are everywhere
- Meena Bazaar great for wedding clothes
- Gateway of India
- Marine Drive
Kalkutta
“City with a soul“
First impression:
- not so hectic and noisy (14.85 million inhabitants)
- tropical climate (high humidity, 23°C)
- Public transports are good to use
- Bicycle rickshaws
- Brithen have built many monuments and churches
- Victoria’s Memorial 1901 (entrance fee: 500 rupees)
- St. Paul Cathedral 1847
- Barabazar & Market (Mud Chai)
- yellow Ambassdor cabs
- Street food: Papri Chat, Puchkos, Pakaudi, Pan, Ghol, Chicken Biryani, Lacha paratha (Mango Lassi)
- Bengali culture
Temple rituals
- wash hands before visiting / take off shoes
- blessed gifts – prasada – are bought (flowers and sweets in a basket)
- Ganesha loves sweets
- Monkey god loves fruit
- Puja – looking at the deity (Dashana)
Agra – Taj Mahal
“Building from 1001 nights
The Taj Mahal is considered a symbol of undying love. Due to its beautiful architecture, the palace rightly belongs to the seven new wonders of the world.
First impression:
- The structure is made of white marble
- the most beautiful architecture I have ever seen
- the mind comes to rest
- the colors of the building change (magic) morning: pink, noon: white, night: golden
- in any case it was an unbelievably great experience
- Joe’s Hostel is great
- Taj means “crown” in Sanskrit and Mahal means “palace”.
History of the Taj Mahal
- The Taj Mahal is the largest and most beautiful mausoleum in Muslim architecture in India. The Taj Mahal was built by King Shah Jahan as a memorial to his late wife Mumtaz Mahal.
- His wife had a very good influence on the king’s life. She died in 1631 giving birth to her 14th child at the age of 39. Her last wish was to build a monument which the world had never seen before. The king began to build the Taj Mahal.
Jaipur
“The pink City of India“
First impression:
- very relaxed traffic (3.1 million inhabitants)
- all houses are pink, beautiful cityscape
- famous for hand painting, carpet weaving
- clean air, but sandy because of the proximity to the desert
- Amber Fort is a must
- Rajasthan Desert + Agra + Dehli : Golden Triangle
- Typical food : Rajasthani Cusines ( Thali )
- Jal Mahal ( Water Palace, Royal Duck hunting)
- Monkey Temple (Galta Ji)
- Sun Temple, beautiful sunset
- Astronomy (Jantar Mantar) various sundials
- Wind Palace (Hawa Mahal) Women Palace
- Birla Temple
- Meena Bazaar
- Colorful entrance gate (Patrika Gate) incredibly beautiful!!!
- due to the tourists a bit more expensive than in Calcutta
Ahmedabad
“City of Mahatma Gandhi“
First impression:
- not so hectic and noisy (5.6 million inhabitants)
- clean and very green city
- Sarbarmati Ashram (In the footsteps of Gandhi)
- Adalaj- stepped fountain
- Diamond city
Why do I like to travel?
I have wanderlust because I love to wake up in a new place and experience the life and atmosphere and adapt to the conditions and swim in the current of the country in the culture.
I travel because afterwards I have the feeling to feel myself more and to learn something for life.