About North India

Many of the images which the mind conjures up when confronted with the word ‘India’ are likely to be those associated with the north of the country- forts, palaces, magnificently turbaned men with even more luxuriant moustaches! And the Taj Mahal.

North India- generally consider to be that area of the country to the north of a Deccan Plateau, but excluding the north-east which is another realm altogether- is the part of India with the largest variety of cultural influences over recent millennia, given that it has long been on trade routes and the like. As a result, while Hinduism as a religion and way of life, and Hindi as a language, are dominant, you’ll also encounter enclaves with predominantly Muslim or Jain populations as well as pockets of Christianity and other religions.

The cuisine which most people know from Indian restaurants in the west is primarily that of the Punjab- ironically this is not typical of the ‘actual’ diet of most people in the North who generally consume much less rich food with fewer of the gravy-based curries and a lot less meat than is common in Punjabi food.

Certain areas of North India are extremely densely populated (the state of Uttar Pradesh has more people, around 205 million, than all but 5 other countries in the world!) and very sparse in human population- the mountainous regions of Himachal and Kashmir are most inhospitable for year-round occupation. The biggest cities- Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur- are very cosmopolitan, and yet in the smaller towns and particularly in the countless villages across the North, life is still very traditional.

Like all of India, the North is full of contradictions- extraordinary wealth and grinding poverty, vast cities with major traffic issues and serene rural landscapes where camel-back is still the preferred way of travel, modern steel-and-glass skyscrapers and the most sublime centuries-old monuments, the landscapes, the weather and on and on. All of it presents a complex picture, but one which you can spend a lifetime trying to understand. One thing is for sure, the only people friendlier than people in North India are those in the south of the country!

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Climatic Condition Of North India

India is a vast country and the climate varies enormously. As a rule, the winter months from mid-November to late February are the best time to visit most regions with the exception of the high mountains and plateaux of the Himalaya region.

The shoulder seasons (late September to November and March/early April) do tend to be hotter in most regions. By April and May the only places to visit are regions at altitude. June to August/early September is monsoon season and most parts of India will be wet at some time during this part of the year and it will likely be very hot and humid ahead of the monsoon.

January/February- the main regions mentioned above are close to their best during these months. Mountainous regions will be cold (great for winter sports, not so good for sightseeing) and roads may be impassable at times during these months.

March/April- the south becomes hotter rapidly as the year advances, but Delhi/Agra/Rajasthan remains comfortable during this time.

May/June- for the truly intrepid only (although tiger and other wildlife sightings tend to be at their absolute peak as summer reaches its apex) with monsoon rain setting in from Kerala and spreading north during June. The hills and mountains of the north are great at this time of year.

July/August- monsoonal activity in most places with the exception of Tamil Nadu and the high plateaux of Ladakh/Kashmir

September/October- still warm to hot in many places but with rapidly lessening rainfall and far fewer people around, these are great months to visit many regions.

November/December- as winter arrives in the north (and at least the concept of winter in the south!) pretty much the whole country, at least at low altitude, is close to its best. Air quality can be a problem at times but as always, it pays not to take everything you read at face value.

Famous Foods of North India

Being a variant in culture and diversity north India has numerous appetizing foods. Even people who hate rice give in to the aromatic Briyani and the Awadhi Briyani is a famous food in the region.

In times of uncontrollable hunger, Chole Bhature is a great lip-smacking dish to try out. The traditional roti can be taken along with a dose of the creamy butter chicken or paneer butter gravy.

During the chilly winters, the simple yet sizzling Baigan Bharta is the ideal choice. For the chicken lovers the special north Indian dishof Tandoori and chicken tikka masala is sure to satisfy that craving. Others include the traditional Parantha, Rajma Chawal, Dal Baati Churma and Dahi Vada.

Festivals In North India

Consisting of a number of states, northern India celebrates its festivals with much pomp and glory. The most prominent festival celebrated all over the region is the festival of lights, Diwali.

During the month of February, the Taj Mahotsav is held every year in Agra which marks the rich traditions of the region.

The Cattle Fair at Pushkar is the largest camel fair in the world, held in Rajasthan every year. The Desert Festival in Rajasthan is known to bring back life to the Thar Desert where fairs, dances and major cultural events are known to happen. Other festivals include Holi, Lohri, Teej, Kumbh Mela and Ramnavami.

Places to visit in North India

The history of northern India is filled with a rich and variety of historical wonders. One of the most prominent sites and one among the wonders of the world is the Taj Mahal which is the best weekend getaway.

The Agra Fort at Uttar Pradesh is a fortress made of red sandstone and is one place in India where one can get more out of the Mughal era in India.

The Qutab Minar at Delhi is located amidst the ancient astronomical wonders. The glorious Fatehpuri Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire during the rule of Akbar and was abandoned due to a shortage of water. Other prominent places are the Hawa Mahal, Khajuraho Temples, Konark Temple and the Victoria Memorial hall.

Things To Do - North India

North India flaunts a diversity of adventure and sights for its visitors. One can enjoy the beauty of Shimla on the Shikara ride in the Lakes. The serene town of Manali is housed at the Himachal Pradesh where one can take a ride in bikes or car and spend a quiet and calm weekend there. The place is great for skiing and trekking.

Dharamshala is a place to visit for people seeking a bit of peace and quiet from the busy side of life. The monastery there teaches one to focus on tantric meditation and Buddhist philosophy. Other activities includes strolling along the markets of the cities and towns, visiting the villages and learning about the lifestyle of the people.

Top Attractions Of North India

The northern part of India has a variety of attractions to offer everyone. Starting from the beautiful Jammu & Kashmir which is known for its mesmerizing view and lakes.

Another beautiful landscape in North India is Ladakh which provides a natural panoramic beauty for the photographers delight. A trip to Himachal Pradesh gives way to the beauty of the valleys.

For those seeking spiritualty Uttarakhand is a hub for temples. It also offers more than temples giving chances into adventure sports and rides. Rajasthan, the land of heritage, provides scope to explore into the various cultural variants of India. Other attractions include Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.

Top Cities In North India

The ruins of ancient temples, cosmopolitan cities, empires, pilgrim places, mighty mountains, scenic lakes and valleys are North India’s beautiful landscape.

With something to offer for everyone, this region is a spectacular image of the whole of India. Starting with the nation’s capital, Delhi, with its historic monuments, gardens and a variety of mouth - watering foods one has more to do here than time could hold.

Agra is the most important landmark in India for tourist owing to the beautiful Taj Mahal. For the spiritual seekers Varanasi is the place to go. Taking a dip in the purifying Ganges is believed to wash away all earthly sins. Other places include Amritsar, Srinagar, Haridwar and Parvathi Valley.

Planning Tips To Travel North india

India is a land which is rising in the number of tourist arrival every year. It has 30 international airports all over the country and 80 domestic airports each one connected to the other.

Among all the cities in India, the most common places that act as a pivot for transport are New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. These cities act as the major port of transport to the other cities and towns in India. The most common language spoken is Hindi which is the National Language. English is also common throughout the country.

Most of the places in India has a humid climate and it is advisable to always carry sunscreen and shades in your bag. The country is famous for its different variety of cuisines with a particular delicacy in every State.

North India Travel Information

For most first-time visitors to India, the allure of the area around Delhi, Agra and beyond into Rajasthan is hard to ignore. This is the part of India famous for grand palaces, forts and of course the Taj Mahal. With a multi-layered history of invasion, conquest and resistance, the storied past and vibrant present meet in a region which is most rewarding to the first-time visitor.

The Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) can be covered in just a few days, while 12-14 days is sufficient to take in these 3 major destinations plus the famous cities of Udaipur and Jodhpur and something of rural Rajasthan as well. With good and ever-improving air connectivity, it’s possible to cover most corners of Rajasthan in little over 2 weeks.

Like most parts of India however, the longer you are able to allow, the better the experience will be. We always recommend more time in fewer places to enable you to experience and enjoy free time in the places you visit.

This part of India is famous for its heritage hotels- restored ancestral homes, palaces and the like and we strongly recommend that some or all of your stay is spent in this type of accommodation.

Beyond Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan are some wonderful regions which are perhaps lesser-known but no less fascinating

The Himalayan foothills and mountainous regions to the north of Delhi which offer trekking and hiking from a few hours to man days, alongside pilgrimage towns (Haridwar, Rishikesh), hill station (Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie) and the Sikh-dominated border city of Amritsar within an easy 2 week itinerary. This region also has the benefit of being the perfect place to visit if your visit falls outside of the winter months

Ladakh and Kashmir are the most mountainous and high-altitude regions of all which makes them the perfect place to visit if you can’t get to India anytime other than the summer. The scenery is stunning, the people open and friendly (although that applies throughout the country) and once you adjust to the thin air this is one of the most spectacular parts of all of India

Gujarat is the neighbouring state to Rajasthan but attracts only a tiny fraction of the tourist numbers of its better-known neighbour. While superficially similar, the two states have very different histories and contrasting religious demographics. With far fewer visitors Gujarat retains a level of tradition which makes a most rewarding experience of those who venture here. Wildlife, tribal cultural and arts/crafts, stunning temples and atmospheric old cities, as well as some lovely coastline, are all easily accessible with Gujarat

Other Travel Information India - Indianpanorama

India is one helluva travel destination with its vast topographical region giving you more places to explore, each one different from the other in every characteristic. The land has seen many aeons pass by and is filled with a generous load of history, culture, tradition and heritage. We now take you through the parts of India which are a traveler’s paradise.