India: you either love it or you hate it. I love it. It is an incredible country to photograph, with its people, animals and buildings that all seem effortlessly photogenic. For many photography lovers, traveling through India feels like a celebration every single day. Especially when exploring the sights in North India you simply cannot stop capturing beautiful moments. It feels like stepping into a completely different world, as if you have travelled back several decades in time. More than once it seems as though you have walked onto a movie set, with streets where chaotic traffic weaves in every direction and cows wander freely, causing unexpected traffic jams. Rickshaws, tuk tuks, ox carts, motorbikes and cars all mix together in one big tangle. Pure chaos, yet fascinating chaos.
Read this article in Dutch6 must-see sights in North India
You can imagine that it takes some time to get used to India. You might try to acclimatize in Delhi, where your journey will likely begin when visiting North India. Whether that will actually work is the question. Delhi is hectic, crowded, hot and overwhelming. Everything here is intense. I still think it is a city you should not skip when exploring North India, although it may be wiser to truly dive into Delhi at the end of your trip, before flying home again. By then you are used to the heat, the chaos and all the things you need to know when travelling through India. Everything feels a bit less overwhelming. So start your journey through North India in other beautiful places first. Which ones? I have listed six must-see sights in North India for you.
Orchha, city of the Chhatris
Orchha lies in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is popular with travelers, yet compared to other well-known destinations it still feels relatively calm. Important sights in Orchha include Orchha Palace (Citadel of Jahangir or Jahangir Mahal), Ram Raja Temple and the Orchha Chhatris along the Betwa River. Orchha is a fairly small city, founded in 1501 and home to around ten thousand people in 2001. When we arrive in Orchha we are welcomed by lively celebrations. People are dancing and singing and before we know it we are swept into the festivities, happily joining in. A little later, when we manage to step away from the dancing crowd, we wander through the colourful market in front of Ram Raja Temple, where stalls are filled with bright tika powders. All those colours are a joy to see.
Varanasi, pilgrimage city of Hinduism
A city you simply cannot skip when traveling through North India is Varanasi, also known as Benares. Located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, it is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history that stretches back at least 2700 years. Varanasi is an important pilgrimage destination alongside Bodhgaya, Puri and Ujjain and it attracts millions of visitors every year. People come here to cremate family members, bathe in the Ganges River or witness sacred ceremonies along the ghats. A visit to Varanasi is something you will never forget. The impressions are overwhelming and there is so much to take in, yet it is absolutely worth experiencing.
Be sure to take a boat trip on the Ganges, as it gives you a beautiful view of the many different ghats. Manikarnika Ghat, the largest cremation site, is likely the most striking one you will see from the water. Prepare yourself for things in the river you would rather not encounter. After the cremation, the remains of deceased people are scattered in the Ganges. In principle this should be only ashes, but families sometimes cannot afford enough wood, which means not everything burns completely. In addition, certain parts of the human body are more difficult to cremate, such as the chest of a man and the hips of a woman.
Pregnant women, unmarried women, sadhus, people who have died from a snake bite and children under the age of ten are not cremated. They usually receive a water burial and are placed in the river with weights. Families who cannot afford the roughly forty dollars for a cremation also bury their relatives in the river. Every now and then something floats to the surface and there is a good chance you may see this passing by during your boat trip. Be aware.
Jaipur, the pink city
When reading about the sights in North India and browsing photos, you have probably come across Jaipur, the pink city. Jaipur is one of the main attractions of the state of Rajasthan, partly thanks to its many rose-coloured buildings. In Jaipur you will find the famous Palace of the Winds, Hawa Mahal. The building is filled with small windows that allow air to flow through, keeping the interior cool. Through these windows, the Maharaja’s wives could observe life on the streets without being seen themselves. The Amber Fort, also known as Fort Ajmer, is also well worth a visit. Built in 1592, it is enormous, with beautiful gardens and no fewer than five large courtyards. In 2013, the Amber Fort was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Avoid animal suffering and do not ride an elephant to the entrance of Amber Fort. Do not let the touts convince you with stories about new rules for elephant rides. It is true that the animals are now allowed to carry two people uphill a maximum of five times a day, but that does not make it acceptable. As long as tourists continue to participate, nothing will change. Better think twice.
Agra, Taj Mahal
My absolute number one place to visit during my trip through India was the Taj Mahal. As a little girl I already dreamed of seeing this monument one day. When we played the board game “Hotel” I always tried my best to claim the Taj Mahal card. It did not disappoint. What an extraordinary building. The white mausoleum in Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, was built by Shah Jahan for his wife, who died in childbirth in 1631. Construction took almost twenty years. The Taj Mahal is famous for its perfect symmetry, the Quranic calligraphy adorning its walls and its many exquisite details. It rightfully earned its place on the UNESCO World Heritage List and was declared one of the seven new world wonders in 2007.
During your visit, make sure to explore the surrounding buildings as well. These structures also feature beautiful details and the views of the Taj Mahal from within them are stunning. For me, the Taj Mahal is an essential place to include on any list of must-see sights in North India.
The erotic temples of Khajuraho
Khajuraho is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh and is best known for its temples decorated with erotic sculptures inspired by the Kamasutra. The erotic temples of Khajuraho were built around the year 1000, during the Chandella dynasty. When the centre of the kingdom shifted around 1200, the eighty temples gradually fell into decay and were eventually forgotten. It was not until the nineteenth century that they were rediscovered. Today, around twenty of the temples remain in good condition.
Searching for tigers in Sariska Tiger Reserve
Sariska Tiger Reserve lies in Rajasthan, between Delhi and Jaipur. The area, covering 866 square kilometres, was once used for hunting but was designated a wildlife reserve in 1955. For many years Sariska was home to a population of tigers, but around 2004 no sightings were reported anymore. Over the past decade, tigers have been reintroduced to the reserve and appear to be breeding successfully. A count in October 2018 showed that eighteen tigers lived in the area, including five cubs.
If you are travelling through North India and want to experience some wildlife as well, Sariska Tiger Reserve is a great place to visit. The chance of actually spotting a tiger is relatively small, but you never know. Some visitors get lucky. Besides tigers, the reserve is home to leopards (we saw one), hyenas, jackals, several species of deer, antelopes, wild boars and monkeys. Bird lovers will also enjoy themselves here, with sightings of eagles, kingfishers, peacocks, partridges, quails and owls.
Applying for an electronic visa for India
When travelling to India you need a visa. Since 2015 it has been possible to apply for a visa online, the so-called e-visa. With an e-visa you can stay in India for sixty days. This applies to both adults and children, even when children are listed in a parent’s passport. When applying for an e-visa, make sure your passport is valid long enough. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your arrival in India.
