Deciding whether to travel to India depends on your comfort level with potential risks. While India offers a wealth of rich cultural experiences, it’s essential to stay mindful of safety concerns such as petty theft, scams, and occasional areas of civil unrest. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, exercise increased caution, plan thoroughly, research specific regions, and consult travel advisories before making your decision
Reasons to consider traveling to India
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What makes India one of great travel destinations?
I lived in Varanasi for one year and am currently living in Delhi for the past 6 months. In addition to that I have backpacked around India and traveled to many of the major cities and tourist destinations.India is a very diverse country, which is one of its most attractive features, so whatever I say is from my own limited experiences in the areas that I visited. The answer to this question is both yes and no. India is a good travel destination for some people, but definitely not for others.
When I was living in Varanasi, I was on a study abroad program with about 11 other students. From this experience I learned that India isn’t the ideal travel destination for everyone. I would say that out of the 12 of us, 6 will never want to return to India. The other 6 will stay connected to this country for their whole lives. As I obviously fall into the second category, let me try to explain what kinds of people might not enjoy India:
1. Neat Freaks: If you like things tidy and sterile, then India might not be for you. Although there are some tidier places within India, a lot of it can seem very dirty to someone from the developed world. Garbage just lies on the street. There are stray animals wandering everywhere. Food is sometimes prepared in less than sanitary manners. Some places are dusty during the dry seasons and messy during the wet seasons. Though experiencing a place like this might be a good, character building experience for the neat freaks of the world, there is a good chance that they will not enjoy the trip.
2. Control Freaks: India runs at its own pace. Things are unpredictable here.. Every day there is some new challenge and opportunity that just keeps you from being able to catch your barrings. If you like to have a fixed itinerary and any deviation from said itinerary causes you to panic, then India might not be the kind of place you are looking for.
3. People who use travel as a means to escape from the worries of the world: India has a way of putting suffering under your nose and with bright flashing lights. There are beggars and street dogs. In America, poverty is hidden in the less desirable corners of the cities. In India, it is mixed in with the wealthier areas as well. There is no escaping it. While living in Varanasi, I saw more death in a year than I had seen in my entire life in the US. India is not a place for escapism.
4. Women who are afraid of men: There is a lot of sexual harassment in India. Men will call comments to you, grab you and follow you. It’s the unfortunate situation that any woman in India faces. Traveling in India is easier for men than women. If you are a woman who is afraid of men this will all make your life miserable. Some of my friends in Varanasi wouldn’t leave their apartments out of fear, which is no way to spend a vacation. If you don’t have a tough skin, India might not be the ideal place for you.
This all being said…India is a wonderful travel destination for some of the very same reasons.
India pushes your limits and changes you forever. The lack of control in India forces you to live in the moment. The lack of sanitation in some areas pushes you out of your comfort zone. The evidence of pain and suffering that you encounter there forces you to see some of the harsher realities of the world that we all share. If you are open to letting India change you, there is no end to the self development that can occur.
In addition to this, India is beautiful. India is colorful. New mixes with old there in a way that never ceases to amaze me. In one country there are over 600 different languages and even more different cultures. There are mountains and desserts, cities and villages. A person could spend several lifetimes exploring this vast, diverse place.
So take a look at yourself before going to India. Think about what you want out of your Indian travel experience. If it is something out of ‘The Little Princess’ or a Kipling novel, maybe you should rethink your expectations. Go to India, but be prepared for chaos and discomfort. Embrace the chaos and you might find that India becomes a part of you.
india is an AWESOME travel destination.
I backpacked India for over a month some years ago and I had a great traveling experience. I will tell you what makes India to be an amazing travel destination.
- Diverse geographic landscape
Do you like mountains? Or do you want to go on a camel safari in the desert? Perhaps relaxing on the beach? Forest? Plains? They have all. - Beautiful architecture
If you are more into seeing manmade things India got a number of world-class sites that will leave you in awe. To begin with, my favorite ones are the incomparable Taj Mahal, Golden Temple in Amritsar, and Lotus temple near Delhi. And there are many other incredible castles, forts, and temples to visit scattered throughout India. - Food!
I didn’t have any Indian food in my life prior to traveling there, and I couldn’t stop eating while traveling in India. If you are adventurous and willing to get to the core of the Indian cuisine, don’t hesitate to get in the restaurants where locals go wherever you are(Or even better if you get invited by the locals and eat a home-cooked meal.) and use your fingers as people do there instead of using spoon and forks. The presentation might look humble but the food is oh so delicious. Warning: Your stomach might not be happy for the first few days, but eventually it will get used to. - Affordability
Did I mention how inexpensive India is to travel? Flying into India might cost you a bit, but once you are there, many things are quite affordable. Train, bus, food, accommodations, etc. You get to travel for a while without breaking your bank account. - Cultural diversity
India is a huge land with a culture of diversity. The fact that there are various religions, ethnic groups, and multiple languages used in one country creates a quite colorful picture of the country. You will see Rajasthan is very different from Punjab. If you are looking to enter a spiritual or religious path, India will embrace your open arms with many options to explore.
These are some reasons what I think traveling to India is great. It might not be for everyone. If you are looking for a place where everything to be well-organized and where you want to be left alone, India might come as a challenge. But I can assure you that India will never bore you… whether you feel comfortable with it or not