India is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating countries for the traveler hungry for history, cultural contrasts and authenticity. If you are looking for inspiration to travel to different and unique places, you are in the perfect place as we are going to discover the most curious destinations in India by 5 very experienced travel bloggers. Let's start the route!
Orchha, a hidden treasure in the heart of India
We all know that India is a huge country with an infinite number of impressive places. But if I had to highlight one place that struck me (beyond the usual ones) it would be a small town in the state of Madhya Padresh: Orchha.
Orchha will captivate you not only for its medieval charm and rich historical heritage but also for the enclave in which it is located. Away from the crowds, something almost unthinkable in the most populous country in the world, allows you to be transported to an India of the past, of architectural splendor and deep-rooted traditions..
The most impressive thing about Orchha is its opulent architecture. The royal palace complex is notable for its intricate detailing and balconies that offer panoramic views of the surroundings and immerse you in the grandeur of medieval Indian royalty. But like almost every other corner of the country, the sensation of having gone back in time is present. And in this population even more so.
You are in buildings that are splendorous on the outside but empty of wealth on the inside. Occupied as much by locals spending the day as by goats, weeds or monkeys. Every corner exudes an atmosphere of mystery and romance, making visitors feel as if they are exploring a fairytale setting.
But if I have to highlight what impressed me the most in Orchha were the cenotaphs. These are elegant domed structures (called chhatri) on the banks of the Betwa River. They are funerary monuments of great architectural value, but of even greater spiritual value. In few places in the country you will find more tranquility than strolling through this place.
Orchha's authenticity lies in its connection to the local culture. The inhabitants are welcoming and daily life goes by at a leisurely pace. Exploring the local markets, sampling the traditional cuisine and immersing oneself in the daily life of the city add to the appeal of this small town. In short, Orchha is much more than a tourist destination, an immersive experience in Indian history and culture. If you want to know more about my experience in Orchha, you can read this entry in my blog.
Gonzalo - End to End
The Ghats of Varanasi (one of India's most curious destinations)
More than 25 years have passed since my first trip to India and my memories are clear. I have nothing blurred in my mind of that trip I made in the 90s. I was reckless and foolish because in those days without internet, Google and social media, I ventured to India on my own by visiting the north of the country. I was accompanied by my father and that makes it an even more special trip. We were happy in India.
Varanasi, today known as Varanasi, is one of the holiest cities in India. Located on the banks of the Ganges River, people come here to die. Its ghats, the steps leading down to the river, are a world of their own. They are used for religious rituals, sacred baths and cremations. Some of the best known are the Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Manikarnika Ghat. The latter is the main cremation site in the city. Varanasi attracts pilgrims and visitors from all over the world who seek to experience the unique spiritual essence of this city. In Hinduism, cremation is a sacred ritual to liberate the soul from the cycle of reincarnation.
I remember that day. We got up early to go to the Ganges and it was still dark when we left the hotel. The alleys were dark and we were stepping in a mixture of mud, feces and various debris. Undaunted cows crossed our path and some Indians were squatting and staring at us with that deep look I have only seen in India. We arrived at the crowded river. Women filling their glistening pots with water, others washing clothes or soaping themselves and dipping into the river. With the first rays of light we took a boat to sail down the Ganges. Following tradition, I left a lighted candle on a lotus leaf on the surface of the water. The boat sailed on and we moved some distance away from the ghats so that we could see their activity without disturbing the people. I observed in the distance the smoke coming from the cremations and an intense smell, new to me, invaded my sense of smell. "It is the smell of burnt human flesh," the boatman clarified.
Contradictory, intense, hard, unique, diverse, spiritual. That's India. Some are repulsed by it, others are fascinated by it, and for everyone it is a challenge.
Bea - BeaViajera
The temple of the rats, in Bikaner
The Karni Mata temple in Deshnok is a real rarity in the eyes of the Western world. Within the walls of the building, dedicated to the scholar Karni Mata, live protected by the devotees more than 20.000 kaba (rat, in Hindu) who walk around the temple as the embodiment of the descendants of the deity's lineage. But what is the story behind the temple?
According to legend, Karni Mata is the reincarnation of the deity Shakti and remained celibate all her life. In order to continue her family lineage, she married her sister to her husband to have offspring. That union produced four children, whom Karni Mata cared for as her own. All went well until the youngest of them all, Lakshman, a fearless and courageous boy, drowned while bathing in a village near Bikaner. Karni Mata's sister, upon hearing of the event, begged her to bring him back to life. But to do so, Karni Mata had to make a deal with the god of death. She locked herself in what is now the inner sanctum of the temple and agreed with Yamraj, god of death, to resurrect the little boy in exchange for all his lineage to be reincarnated as rats and live in the temple.
For this reason, at present the kaba are considered sacred by the devotees and temple workers, who pamper them by placing containers full of fresh milk for them. For tourists, on the other hand, represent an iconic jewel of India's exoticism. A temple with barely 500 years old that has become a must for the most curious and daring, since being a sacred place it is necessary to go barefoot. Walking barefoot on the cold floor of the temple, surrounded by sacred rats and dodging the crowd while trying to avoid the hundreds of excrement scattered on the floor, is an experience unparalleled in the world. One more example that the India is a wonderful and very interesting country from a cultural point of view.
Sergio and Ana from With Return Ticket
Khecheopalri Village, the sustainable village of Sikkim
We go to Sikkim, in the northeast of India, to visit the small village of Khecheopalri Village. A place away from everything, surrounded by spectacular mountains, where you can spend a few days of total disconnection and soak up the local culture and way of life. Khecheopalri village is a self-sustainable community, where about twenty families live, which is characterized by its collaborative lifestyle. They even have their own Buddhist monastery, "Khecheopalri Monastery", with a small pagoda. The village could be considered as a big family, where everything is shared, from resources to benefits. To give you an idea, the only Homestay in the village, Sonam's Homestay, is managed by Sonam and his wife, but the income they earn is distributed among all the neighbors. Each member of this "big family" has a specific role to play. There is the accountant, who is in charge of managing the town's expenses, the people in charge of the
cleaning of the temple, the one who takes care of the crops and water, etc. As we have said, it is a collaborative village and another example of this is the existence of a common fund, supervised by the accountant, which is used in cases of need or when a mishap occurs.
Visiting Khecheopalri Village is an authentic experience of local Sikkim life, without touristy setups. Sonam's Homestay, is a simple accommodation but makes you feel at home and the food is delicious. Sonam's father was the Dalai Lama's cook. He taught a lot of his dishes to Sonam's wife, who cooks at the homestay, so you can imagine how good the food is! We were going to stay two nights and in the end it ended up being four. It is hard to leave this place.
If you ever visit the Sikkim region, we recommend that you spend a few days in Khecheopalri Village, getting to know their way of life, customs and gastronomy.
Cris and Patri from Aboard the World
Bundi in Rajasthan (one of India's most curious destinations)
Bundi was a contrast of sensations in my trip through India. A city that is in conflict between Muslims and Hindus for a temple, and that makes that there are constant power cuts or no coverage for example. In fact, we stayed 1 full day and were the whole day incommunicado with our families in Spain.
Apart from this curious fact, the city, very small for India, has a lot of charm, but here is the second curiosity. It is a city that hardly receives tourism, so it is very "left" and neglected. His Palace and Taragarh Fort are 2 of the most beautiful we saw in all of Rajasthan.But they were totally empty, no one was there (except the man who charged 200 rupees for the entrance), they were full of animal excrement, certain areas were collapsed, no one was in charge or in charge. The splendor of this precinct can be appreciated in every corner, painted wall, and even in its gardens that still preserve that charm. By the way, there is an area of the Palace that is like the "floating island where Goku trains" from Dragon Ball, a real blast. The other thing to do in Bundi is to walk the streets. It is not just another Indian city full of tuktuk, crowded and noisy, it is much more quiet and it is even pleasant to take a walk. In short, 1 day is more than enough to know this small city of India, but knowing what you will find.
Miguel Friki Por Viajar
I hope you have enjoyed discovering some of India's most curious destinations according to these very experienced travel Bloggers. And now I would love to know which destination fascinated you the most on your trip to India, I read your comments!
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