India’s capital city, Delhi, is the second most widely used entry point into the country, being on the route of most major airlines. It is well linked by air, rail and road to all parts of the country. The remains of seven distinctive capital cities – among them Shahjahanabad and Qutub Minar can be seen. Here museum, art galleries and cultural centers attract the finest exhibitions and performances from India and abroad. Shopping encompasses virtually everything that can be bought in the country; hotels range from deluxe to the more modest. Most fascinating of all is the character of Delhi which varies from the 13th century mausolea of the Lodi Kings, set in a sprawling park, to ultra modern chrome and glass skyscrapers; and from imperial India’s Parliament House and the President’s Palace to the never-ending bustle of the walled city surrounding Jama Masjid. Delhi also makes the ideal base for a series of short excursions to neighbouring places, all connected by road.

Bharatpur is famous for its 29 sq km bird sanctuary, which has the largest concentration and variety of birdlife in Asia. Throughout Bharatpur, native population of trees and water birds can be seen, the latter breeding in July-August. However, the sanctuary has gained worldwide attention as being the winter home of several migratory species including the endangered Siberain crane.

Rajasthan is home to the wildlife sanctuary of Sariska where a royal hunting lodge has been converted into a hotel. Sariska’s wildlife includes the tiger, panther, deer and antelope.

Agra, and the nearby city of Fatehpur Sikri, are conveniently close to Delhi to warrant an all day excursion by coach or taxi although there are several hotels offering every standard of comfort. Besides the Taj Mahal are the Agra Fort, Sikandra, Ram Bagh and Itmad-ud-daulah. 35 kms away are the imperial ruins of the Mughal city, Fatehpur Sikri. Agra and Fatehpur Sikri are not merely rich legacies of Mughal history – they are the finest examples of architecture which combine Hindu and Islamic elements.

Punjab, the chief wheat producing area of the country, is the overland entry point into India. The state is also known for its production of sports and hosiery goods. The holiest shrine for the Sikhs is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, so called because the dome is covered with gold leaf.

Chandigarh, the capital of both Punjab and Haryana, is the only Indian city to have been designed and planned by a single architect – Le Corbusier. The city, a model of wide roads and spacious residential colonies is an excellent base for specialized sightseeing, and for visiting Sukhna Lake, Pinjore Gardens, the Rose Gardens and the Rock Gardens.

Himachal Pradesh, is a tiny hill state whose pleasant summers make it a popular holiday resort. The Raj still lingers in Shimla, the state capital and former summer capital during British rule. Kullu Manali are neighbouring resorts, surrounded by pine covered hills and lush meadows. Himachal has, in addition to popular resort towns, a series of secluded hill retreats ideal for interested anglers, trekkers and those wanting a quiet getaway. There include: from Shimal – Mashobra, Kufri, Naldehra: those around Kullu-Manali include Manikaran, Naggar and Brighu Lake; the barely – accessible valleys of Lahaul and Spiti are a trekker’s delight.

In Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow was associated with the princely court of Oudh and then with the British. Both traditions lingering on in the city echoed the finest monuments, including the Bara Imambara. Further east, Varanasi is the oldest city in India. An important center of Hindu pilgrimage, it is believed that those who die in Varanasi will be released from the cycle of rebirth. Pious Hindus come to Varanasi to spend their last days, living in Spartan communes run by a multitude of religious trusts. The focus of interest to a visitor is the sacred River Ganga. At the series of steps leading down to is, people comes to wash away their sins by bathing in the river, the dead are cremated and holy men meditate. In the narrow bylanes of the city are crowded bazaars selling brassware and silk brocades.

Jammu and Kashmir, India’s most fascinating northernmost state consists of three regions differing in topography and culture. Jammu was the stronghold of the Hindu Dogra Kings and abounds with popular temples and secluded forest retreats. Kashmir’s capital city, Srinagar offers delightful holidays on the lakes with their shikaras or houseboats.

Ladakh is the northernmost province of the state, with a bleak terrain of barren mountains. Hilltop monasteries and a colourful way of life, completely at one with the surroundings, make Ladakh one of the best living traditions of Tibetan Buddhism in the world today.

Rajasthan, India’s desert state, was once a collection of princely kingdoms where feudal traditions still carry on amidst forts and palace hotels. The capital city, Jaipur was the stronghold of a clan of rulers whose three hill forts and series of palaces in the city are important attractions. Known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city, Jaipur’s bazaars sell embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie-and-dye scarves and other exotic wares.

In the north of Rajasthan, Shekhavati is approachable by road from Jaipur. The greatest attractions here are the deserted mansions of the local merchants decorated with a profusion of wall paintings. The subjects and styles vary greatly and are not encountered elsewhere in India. Nearby Dunlod and Mandawa are forts, now converted into charming hotels.

Seldom visited Bundi is remarkable for its palace fort and gallery of the frescoes, executed in the style for which the state is famous.

Approachable by road from Jaipur are Ajmer and Pushkar. Ajmer’s preeminence is due to the shrine of a muslim saint who is believed to fufill one’s wishes. Nearby Pushkar has one of the very few temples dedicated to Brahma the Creator. The sleepy town with its placid lake is catapulted into prominence for 10 days every November as India’s most splendid camel fair takes place here, attended by thousands of locals flashing jewellery and exuding color. For the thousands of tourists who visit Pushkar, accommodation is in the form of tents, which cater to all budgets.

Udaipur and its environs, easily accessible by air and road from Bombay, is another facet of Rajasthan. Far from being surrounded by desert, Udaipur is situated in the lap of thickly wooded Aravalli hills. Three lakes from an attraction of the city whose focal point is the towering cluster of honey colored palaces that go to make up the complex of the City Palace and other palatial apartments. The domes cupolas of Rajasthan’s largest and oldest palace complex look out onto Lake Pichola whose twin islands house, respectively, a Palace Hotel and a Pleasure Palace. Parts of the City Palace itself have been converted into a luxury hotel and into a museum. Lake Pichola’s banks are cluttered with a myriad of white-washed houses that once belonged to courtiers and palace retainers.

112kms from Udaipur is the fort of Chittaurgarh, enclosing an area of 24 kms. Crumbling ruins and desolate palaces were once the center of intrigue, valour and romance of Udaipur’s ruling family. Even more romantic is Kumbhalgarh which the locals swear touches the clouds. Indeed it does, being the highest of all forts in Rajasthan, Kumbhalgarh has a comfortable little hotel near by.

Mt. Abu is Rajasthan’s only hill resort, high in the Aravallis that run through the whole area, well connected by road from Udaipur. The Dilwara Jain Temples are the town’s greatest attracting, being among the finest examples of Jain temple art in India. Mt. Abu also has a large lake surrounded by the summer palaces of the erstwhile rulers of Rajasthan’s principalities.

Western Rajasthan itself forms a convenient circuit, in the heart of the Thar desert which has shaped its history, lifestyle and architecture. Jodhpur’s exquisitely lovely fort, now a museum, art deco royal palace converted into a hotel, and quaint markets, all vividly testify to the history of the princely state. Jaisalmer, in the heart of the desert, is surrounded by sand-dunes which rendered the sand coloured fort impregnable. Bikaner too has echoes of the past in its sandstone palaces, temples and cenotaphs.