India

A kaleidoscope of cultures. A firework display of landscapes. India is the land of bright colours and violent contrasts. For the active traveller, there is a wealth of opportunities - from trekking in the mountainous north to camel safaris in the central deserts and diving off the southern coasts. In the often adventurous cities, the senses run wild trying to keep up with the explosion of colours, smells and sounds that characterise the streetscape. Holy men with dreadlocks and wearing only white ash frolic through the streets among cows, camels, elephants and myriads of people. In the markets, everything from fruit, clothes and knick-knacks to impossible items are traded. Fortune tellers predict the future and street kitchens prepare snacks and delicious meals. India is also religion, philosophy and contemplation. In the country of well over a billion people, the vast majority are Hindu and worship a multitude of gods and their incarnations. Ganesh the elephant god, Shiva with his trident, Hanuman the monkey god or Kali, often depicted dancing on skulls, are just a few of the many gods worshipped in temples across the country. Temples that leave the viewer speechless and silent with their ornate facades, mystical atmosphere and distinctive rituals. Besides Hindus, there are a number of other religions in India and they are all visible in daily life. As a traveller, you can retreat into quiet meditation in an ashram, visit Buddhist monks in the remote monasteries of the Himalayas or participate in one of the many festivals that Indians celebrate with great fervour every few years. As a traveller in India, you can be sure of one thing: You will have plenty of experiences. In few places like India is it possible to simply walk out onto the street and be instantly entertained. The capital of India is New Delhi. Other major cities are Mumbai, Calcutta and Madras.