Lonely Planet Discover India

A land of remarkable diversity from ancient traditions and artistic heritage to magnificent landscapes and culinary creations India will ignite your curiosity, shake your senses and warm your soul.

From the icy peaks of the northern mountains to the sun-washed southern beaches, India's dramatic terrain is breathtaking and frequently enhanced by humanity as majestic temples rise out of pancake-flat deserts and crumbling fortresses peer over plunging ravines. Aficionados of the great outdoors can scout for big cats on jungle safaris, paddle in the waters of beautiful beaches, or trek exhilarating routes high in the Himalaya.

Everywhere you go, India tosses up the unexpected. This can be challenging: the poverty is confronting, bureaucracy can be exasperating and the crush of humanity may turn the simplest task into a frazzling epic. Yet this is all part of the India ride. Love it or loathe it (and most travellers see-saw between the two), to embrace India's unpredictability is to embrace her soul.

Spirituality is the common thread woven through this vast canvas. The multitude of sacred sites and rituals are testament to India's long, colourful, sometimes tumultuous religious history.

As you travel, you'll be taking one of the wildest culinary trips of your life. The hungry traveller can look forward to a delicious smorgasbord of regionally distinct recipes, from masterfully marinated meats to the simple splendour of vegetarian curries and deep-sea delights.

A timeless monument to love

The exquisite tomb of an emperor's beloved wife, the Taj Mahal is arguably the world's most beautiful building, and has been enshrined in the writings of Tagore and Kipling. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in adoration of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, this white marble mausoleum is inlaid with calligraphy, precious stones and intricate floral designs representing paradise, and represents the pinnacle of Mughal architecture as well as romance.