Agra
The splendour of AGRA – capital of all India. Along with Delhi, 204km northwest, and Jaipur in Rajasthan, Agra is the third apex of the "Golden Triangle", India's most popular tourist itinerary. It fully merits that status; the Taj effortlessly transcends all the frippery and commercialism that surrounds it, and continues to have a fresh and immediate impact on all who see it.
Darjeeling
Darjeeling is the Queen of India's hill stations. Its setting is one of incomparable beauty. A Victorian town of old world charm 'discovered' by the British, it is almost completely surrounded by fragrant tea gardens which seem to flow over the layered slopes like emerald swells on a rough sea.
Delhi
Delhi's daunting scale becomes more manageable as you start to appreciate that, geographicall as well as historically, it consists of several distinct cities, an amalgamation and expansion of the "Seven Cities" of tradition (seven fortress settlements built at different times here by different rulers). The hub of the metropolis is New Delhi, an orderly plan of wide roads lined with sturdy colonial buildings.
Goa
Goa, one of the smallest states in India's map, with a territory of 3,702 sq km is located in the Western Ghats. A tropical paradise, it is bathed by the warm waters of the Arabian Sea. Goan culture is a blend of Indian and Iberian: European style central squares and Indian bazaars, Portuguese churches sharing their walls with Hindu temples.
Jaipur
Jaipur is located 203km From New Delhi. Jaipur is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts & enclosed by embattled walls. Houses with latticed windows line the streets with their rose pink colour, lending enchantment to the scene, which is almost magical at sunset.
Kolkata
The metropolitan city of Kolkata in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. Called Calcutta in British times, Kolkata still conjures up images of squalor, poverty and urban disaster. Don't believe the hype. India's third largest city is defined not by its poverty but by the energy, imagination and zest for life of its people.
Mumbai
Mumbai is the seat of Bollywood cinema, shopping mall, bhelpuri on the beach, red double-decker buses and huge traffic jams. Mumbai is the commercial capital of India.
Crawford Market
An elegant, covered market, it dominates the skyline with its clock tower and steeple. The spaces inside are divided into sections for fruits, vegetables and meat. Over the years, the market has extended into the neighbouring streets and into selling every possible thing on the planet.
Gateway of India
Mumbai's most famous monument, this is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. It was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone.
Humayuns Tomb
The Garden Tomb Humayun's tomb lies on the Mathura road near its crossing with the Lodi Road. High rubble built walls enclose here a square garden divided initially into four large squares separated by causeways and channels, each square divided again into smaller squares by pathways ('Chaharbagh') as in a typical Mughal garden.
Jaisalmer Fort
Known as SONAR QUILA or the Golden fort, rising from the sand , the mega structure merges with the golden hues of the desert ambience and the setting suns in its most colourful shades gives it a fairy tale look.
Kerala Backwaters
The Kerala backwaters are one of the most favoured tourist attractions. The calm and serene blue backwaters of Kerala provide with an unforgettable travel experience. 'God's Own Country', Kerala, has a very long and complex structure of this waterbody called backwaters.
Khajuraho Temples
Khajuraho is a fascinating village situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh,India. The fascinating temples of Khajuraho,India's unique gift of love to the world,represent the expression of a highly matured civilization.
Taj Mahal
Built out of white marble and standing in formally laid-out walled gardens, the Taj Mahal is regarded as the most perfect jewel of Muslim art in India.
Time Zone
India is 5.30 hours ahead of GMT (+5.30 GMT)
Population
India is also home to a large and diverse population that has added to its vibrant character since ages. There are about 3,000 communities in India. So wide and complex is the mix of the Indian population that two thirds of her communities are found in the geographical boundaries of each of her states. They are a mingling of the Caucasoid, the Negrito, the Proto Austroloids, the Mongoloid and the Mediterranean races. The tribals constitute eight percent of the total population of India.
Transport
India's major international airports are Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta) and Chennai (Madras). The Indian Railways system is deservedly legendary and Indian rail travel is unlike any other sort of travel on earth. At times it can be uncomfortable and frustrating, but it's also an integral part of the Indian travel experience. Buses vary widely from state to state, but there is often a choice of buses on the main routes ordinary, express, semi luxe, deluxe, deluxe air con and even deluxe sleeper.
Currency and credit cards
Rupee notes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 (the INR1000.00 note is not as commonly found, especially outside of big cities). In cities you can change most major foreign currencies and brands of travellers cheques - but you'll widen your options and save yourself hassles if you stick to US dollars, Euros or pounds Sterling and either Thomas Cook or American Express travellers cheques.
Dress Code
Dress in India is mostly casual except in business circles. Women should dress with particular care and avoid wearing revealing clothes. Shoes should be removed before entering a place of worship or a home.
Safety and security
You should pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media and other local information sources for information about possible new safety or security risks.