View from the Inside: India
Written by Samantha Roberts, Sales Consultant at Voyages Jules Verne who recently travelled to India.
"Having never visited a country like India before I had my reservations as to how I would adapt; however, I was surprised at how comfortable and at ease I felt as soon as I arrived in the thriving metropolis of Delhi. Although the capital is chaotic, the busy streets filled with markets, tuktuks and people were an excellent place to begin our exploration of Northern India; and the striking monument of India Gate, the landmark commemorating 90,000 British soldiers that died whilst fighting for the British Raj during the First World War, provided an instant link to home. The burgundy structure of the colossal Jama Mosque bestows an atmosphere of instant calm far removed from the active city centre, as well as providing extensive views of the Red Fort and Delhi itself.
We continued our journey in Rajasthan; a state often referred to as 'the land of colours', and a title made even more apparent as we arrived in the courtyard of the striking Nimaj Palace by bullock and cart. We were greeted with a procession of dancing, singing and the throwing of paint, all in the aid of Holi - the festival of colour! Colour is also evident in Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan, where the impressive Mehrangarh fort overlooks a city of vibrant blue houses (painted so in the belief that the colour wards off mosquitoes) as well as a stunning Hindu cremation temple set beside a picturesque lake.
Pushkar was the smallest, yet holiest town we visited during our stay and the sacred lake is the heart of the community, where pilgrims flock in large numbers in order to bathe in the water that is believed to cleanse sins and cure diseases. The small, intimate temples hosting continuous prayer meetings were mesmerizing and the town boasts an impressive bazaar, where a myriad of handmade treasures can be found.
We continued our journey in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, and home to the incredible Amber Fort, to which we were carried by an elephant, decorated beautifully with flowers and paint, and enjoyed breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and city below. At night, the fort is illuminated in all its glory and the fascinating story of the Mughal emperors is narrated to a captivated audience.
Our next destination was Ranthambore, which boasts one of the largest National Parks in India. Although we were not fortunate enough to spot oneofthe33 tigers within the park, we were able to see the deer, wild boar, antelope, monkeys, and crocodile, and due to the varied terrain and abundance of water bodies, there is an array of birdlife on offer.The National Park is also home to leopards, sloth bears, hyenas and jackals, as well as the vast Ranthambore fort.
One could not go to India without of course witnessing the magnificence of the Taj Mahal; a mausoleum truly deserving of its place in the New 7 Wonders of the World, and at sunset, with the backdrop of the Yamuna river, it is an overwhelming sight that cannot be captured by camera.
Even though I was fortunate enough to experience a taste of India, the contrast between each village, town and city was astounding, and because of it's diversity it is a country that can be explored time and again, and even the most seasoned of travellers will leave having encountered something new. There wasn't a time in India where I wasn't completely fascinated by the temples, forts, the culture or the people, and it is a destination that I certainly hope to return to in the near future." (Mar 2011).
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