All about India

1. Explore the ruins of Hampi, located about 350km north of Bengaluru in Bellary, Karnataka. The spectacular site, which made the World Heritage List in 1986, was the last capital of the great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagara, which stretched over at least three states (Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh) during the 14th to 16th century AD. One of the most beautiful cities of the medieval world, Hampi once boasted riches known far beyond the shores of India. It is a vast open museum of history, architecture and religion, making it one of the most striking ruins in the world today. 

2. Did you know that India harbours the majority of all the one-horned rhinoceroses in the world? Visit Kaziranga in Assam — a remarkable success story of conservation of the Great one-horned Rhino and other wild lives in North East India.

Located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, the picturesque Kaziranga National Park was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1985. The Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary is an ideal habitat for the rhino and a popular destination with the naturalists, environmentalists and wildlife travellers. It is home to a wide variety of flora, fauna and birds.

The best time to visit the park is from November to April.

 3. Have you ever gone cruising down the backwaters of Kerala in a houseboat? If not, visit Alappuzha for a delightful houseboat experience. Or go to Kumarakom, situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake, if you are looking for a peaceful holiday away from the chaos of city life. Besides seamless natural marvels, a luxury houseboat voyage through Kumarakom backwaters is an experience one would never forget.

Houseboats are a familiar sight on the backwaters. Present-day houseboats, which are modified versions of ancient kettuvallams, come with all the comforts of a good hotel. What is truly enticing about a houseboat ride is the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers! 

4. Did you know that India has the largest number of post offices in the world? The establishment of the modern postal system in India can be traced back to the second half of the 18th century and by end of March 2008 there were 155,035 post offices spread around the country. Today, the Indian postal system ranges from the arid deserts of Rajasthan and Kutch to the icy heights of Ladakh. On an average, a post office in India serves an area of 21.20 square kilometres and a population of about 7,174.

5. If you have some time to spare, take a slow toy train up to the hill resort of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, Ooty (Udhagamandalam) in Tamil Nadu, Darjeeling in West Bengal or Matheran in Maharashtra. Nothing matches the experience of chugging up the hills, past little hamlets and terraced fields, making your way through tunnels and over breathtaking bridges. Its leisurely pace, the invigorating air and the scenic delights of the corresponding hill resort provide a welcome respite from the city’s hustle and bustle.

The toy train journey from Kalka to Shimla is entertaining with 107 tunnels and lofty arched bridges. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway starts from the town of Mettupalayam, beginning a journey full of twists and turns as this narrow gauge train ascends 46km on its way to the hill resort at Ooty. The most famous of the little trains is the one linking the town of New Jalpaiguri to the hill station of Darjeeling. The line connecting Neral (on the main line of Central Railway) to Matheran is the main way to reach the tiny hill resort close to Mumbai.

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- Compiled by D. Hari Nair