India
Bundi: Exploring Its Palace, Stepwells & More
Bundi, while not totally obscure, is still somewhat of a hidden gem in Rajasthan. It has everything that draws tourists to the state – a hilltop fortress, an ornately decorated palace, ancient cenotaphs, and fascinating stepwells – all of which can be explored with few tourists and little hassle. The following guide to the top
Top Things to Do in Kota: Rajasthan Off The Tourist Trail
Despite being the third-largest city in one of India’s most touristic states, Kota is almost entirely void of foreign tourists. But there’s more to it than first meets the eye. Given its status as a major transport hub and its close proximity to charming Bundi, the city is worth a brief stop. Conveniently, the top
Maheshwar: Exploring Its Forts, Ghats & Temples
Some of India’s most scenic traditional towns remain well off the backpacker trail, largely ignored by social media hype. Madhya Pradesh’s Maheshwar is one such town. And you can even think of it as a cleaner, calmer, and much less touristy version of Varanasi. It’s also more compact, as the top things to do in
A Complete Guide to Mandu (Part 2): The Free Attractions
Having spent a cumulative 1.5 years of my life in India, I’d have to say that Mandu is my favorite Indian town. That honor previously belonged to Jaisalmer, a place which has since lost much of its charm due to development and overcrowding. Mandu remains well off the beaten path thanks to being off the
A Complete Guide to Mandu (Part 1): The Paid Attractions
There’s nowhere else in India quite like Mandu. Having been to over a dozen Indian states, I can safely say that Mandu is my favorite town in the country. Largely developed from the 14th to16th centuries, there’s so much to see in the area that we’ve had to divide this Mandu guide into two parts.
Visiting the Holy City of Ujjain (As a Foreigner)
While Varanasi often steals the spotlight as India’s spiritual heart, the country is home to a plethora of holy cities that most outside of India have never heard of. Among them is Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, often dubbed the ‘City of Temples.’ If you’re interested in experiencing this millennia-old city, we’ll be covering the top
Top Things to Do in Indore: The Home of the Holkars
Not many foreign travelers have Indore on their radars. But the city of 3.5 million – the largest in Madhya Pradesh – is the starting point for noteworthy towns like Ujjain, Maheshwar and Mandu. And if you find yourself passing through, you’re likely wondering about the top things to do in Indore. Though nearby Ujjain
The Great Stupa of Sanchi: Ashoka’s Best-Known Monument
If there were any single archaeological site synonymous with the mighty emperor Ashoka, it would have to be Sanchi. The Great Sanchi Stupa was commissioned by the Maurya Emperor in the 3rd century BC, while the site would remain a stronghold of Buddhism for the next millennium. For various historical and cultural reasons, Buddhism started
Exploring the Ancient Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka
Located about 45 km southeast of Bhopal, the rock shelters of Bhimbetka are home to some of the world’s oldest rock art, with some dating as far back as 100,000 years! Rediscovered in the 1950s by Dr. Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar, over 750 ancient rock shelters were found in the area, and over 500 of them
A Guide to Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum & More
Bhopal may be a bustling city of nearly 3 million people and the state capital of Madhya Pradesh, but the few foreign tourists seem to visit. But not only is Bhopal the base for UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters and Sanchi, but its Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum is among the country’s
A Complete Guide to Maharashtra’s Ajanta Caves
Mostly carved from the 2nd century BC to the 5th or 6th century AD, the Ajanta Caves are undoubtedly one of India’s most important Buddhist sites. While some caves are mainly known for their intricate carvings, what really makes the site special is the amount of well-preserved mural paintings that remain on the walls. In
The Ellora Caves: The Ultimate Guide
Carved between the 6th-12th centuries AD, Maharashtra’s Ellora Caves are hailed by many as an overlooked wonder of the world. The site is home to the spectacular Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), but over 100 rock-cut caves and temples were created here in total, at least 34 of which are open to the public. This ultimate
Kailasa Temple: Ellora’s Impossible Rock-Cut Marvel
Kailasa Temple is easily among the most stunning Hindu temples in India, and it arguably rivals Angkor Wat for the finest of them all. Like many temples, it features towers, multiple stories, and exquisite carvings. But in this case, the entire thing was carved from a single rock which left absolutely no room for error.
Exploring Daulatabad Fort: India’s Most Underrated Fort?
Daulatabad Fort isn’t that well-known, and it hardly ever appears on lists of India’s top forts. But it’s arguably one of the country’s most enjoyable forts to visit. While it lacks the grandeur of Gwalior Fort or the luxurious palaces of forts in Rajasthan, something about its layout and the way visitors gradually make their
Top Things to Do in Aurangabad: The ‘Mini Taj’ & More
Aurangabad is mainly known for being the base from which to visit both the Ellora Caves and the Ajanta Caves. But with a population of over 1 million and a rich history, consider setting a full day aside to explore the city itself. The following guide covers the top things to do in Aurangabad that
A Guide to Nashik: Pandav Leni Caves, Ram Kund & More
Nashik may be a city of 1.5 million inhabitants that’s just a few hours from Mumbai, but it’s well off the tourist trail – at least for foreigners. The city largely attracts religious pilgrims, as it’s believed that Lord Rama himself spent time here during his exile. The area was also once a major Buddhist
Jogeshwari & Mahakali Caves: Urban Archaeology in Mumbai
Due to the abundance of volcanic rock in the region, the Indian state of Maharashtra is teeming with ancient manmade caves. The most impressive among them are the Ajanta and Ellora caves near Aurangabad, while Mumbai’s Elephanta Caves also shouldn’t be missed. But if you’re looking for more, you can even find ancient caves in
A Self-Guided Mumbai Architecture Tour
Mumbai may lack the old forts, palaces, and tombs of cities like Delhi or Jaipur. But the bustling port city is home to some of the country’s most unique buildings. Many of these landmarks were built during the colonial era and fuse Indo-Islamic and European styles. As we’ll cover below, you can see lots of
How to Visit the Elephanta Caves: Mumbai’s Shiva Island
A trip from hectic Mumbai to the Elephanta Caves feels like entering a vastly different world. But the journey to see these enigmatic Shiva carvings located on a small island to the east of the city is surprisingly easy. Keep reading for everything you need to know about visiting the Elephanta Caves as a half-day
Mumbai’s CSMVS Museum: A Visitor’s Guide
Though privately run, Mumbai’s CSMVS Museum is arguably India’s flagship museum. Or, it’s at least on par with New Delhi’s National Museum. But what can one expect to see here, and what does CSMVS even stand for? Formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum, the current full name of the museum is Chhatrapati Shivaji