India
India is not `just another’ holiday destination—its mind-boggling diversity necessitates that the country is not just traveled through, rather it is experienced and familiarized within its off-stream beliefs and peculiar practices. Writing in the 19th century, one of the eminent administrators—scholar of the Raj asserted that India is not a nation but a “Museum of Anthropology”. Defined by the mighty Himalayas in the north and demarcated by the three seas in the south, India is a home of multitude of people co-existing at different levels of culture at the same time. It is an enigma—a social scientist’s dream-laboratory, an economist’s nightmare and a traveler’s El Dorado.
North of the country, separating India from central Asia, the snow-clad mountains of the mighty Himalayas, including the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest. Perhaps nature couldn’t be more generous than it is to the Himalayas. There are steeply rising snow-clad peaks, deep gorges, breath-taking white waters, never-ending fertile plains and jungles with most exotic flora and fauna. The western and eastern coastlines contain endless virgin beaches with a tropical ambience of coconut palms and white sands and hinterlands with lush green rice-fields and meandering rivers. The south is still covered with great forests harboring a wide variety of wildlife as well as lagoons and waterways of great beauty. Secluded island resorts are home to ancient rain forests and colorful coral reefs. India is the land of the Tiger as well as bewildering variety of flora & fauna.
| Adding to the physical beauty of the country, the entire subcontinent is inhabited by most vibrant of people. With 5000 years history of continuing civilization dating back to the Indus Valley, one of the oldest cultures of the world, make for the magic that is India today. During the course of its varied and colorful history, there have been rulers of differing religious beliefs and the diverse mingling of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Islam have given rise to vibrant art and architecture, seen throughout the journey. |  |
Rajasthan, home to a spectacular collection of princely castles, palaces and forts, needs a special mention in this regard. Although the fortunes of its former rulers may be in tatters, the culture of Rajasthan, with its battle-scarred forts, its palaces of amazing luxury and whimsical charm, its riotous colors and even its romantic sense of pride and honor, is still very much alive.
The ancient Indian scriptures state that a visitor should be treated like a god. At Advantage International, LLC, we say `Swagatam’ a joyous welcome, may your journey through India be a magical one.
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