12 things you need to do in India

From the vivid bazaars of Delhi to the daily crush in Mumbai’s train stations, India has fascinated travellers for millennia. The country is big in every way – size, population, attractions and character – so if you're keen to explore, it’s often hard to know where exactly to start. Emmie Harrison-West takes us through 12 things to do to keep up with the heady pace of this ancient land...

Light a candle and float it on the holy Ganges in the sacred city of Varanasi. At dusk, the river is breathtaking with the sight of a thousand floating flames – offerings from devoted pilgrims. The rituals of both life and death make up day-to-day existence in Varanasi and locals believe that anyone who dies in the city will achieve liberation from eternal reincarnation.

Sip a feni cocktail – a spirit made from cashews – on an uninterrupted stretch of Goan beach, and marvel at the multi-hued skies as the sun sets. Surrounded by the Arabian Sea, Goa is a golden paradise, and there’s nothing quite like it.

Rejoice over the start of spring (March) by throwing colourful powder at anyone and everyone during the ancient festival of Holi. Or light candles and watch spectacular fireworks at Diwali (October). No matter what time of year you visit India, there is sure to be a reason to get festive.

Witness immortal love at a monument that has lasted hundreds of years - the Taj Mahal is Agra’s crowning glory. According to legend, Mughul emperor Shah Jahan promised his beloved wife on her deathbed that he’d build her a magnificent mausoleum. Finished in 1648, the ivory-white UNESCO World Heritage Site is still considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It’s everything you think it will be, and more.

India packs a continent's worth of wildlife into a single country and – alongside rhinos, elephants, deer and colourful birds – there's going to be some big cats. There are many opportunities for up-close encounters: spot Bengal tigers in Rajasthan, see Asiatic lions in Gujarat or meet snow leopards in Spiti Valley.

Did you know? The Asiatic lion is endangered - and now can only be spotted in the wild at Gir National Park.

Nowhere else will tantalise your tastebuds like India – be tempted by the tamarind in Keralan cooking, bite into a biryani in Lucknow, and sweat over spice in Goan vindaloos. Forget everything you think you know about Indian food, and be prepared for a sensory overload.

You’d be forgiven for thinking you were in an ancient fairytale while visiting the hill forts of Rajasthan. The six majestic forts, spread across northern India, are remnants of a time when maharajas built rooms entirely from crystal, as well as stables for their elephants. Pack your walking boots, and get ready to explore more of India’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

It’s not just the high altitude that will take your breath away in northern India, but the ethereal views of the ever-present, and almost spiritually beautiful, Himalayan mountains. As well as bordering Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan, and Nepal - some of the earth’s highest peaks have made India their home.

Find inner peace in India, home to some of the world’s oldest practices of well being. Relax and meditate in the Himalayas, grab your yoga mat in Goa or experience an ayurvedic detox in Kerala. Namaste.

Walk in the footsteps of time – some of the world’s great religions and languages were founded in India. Its history goes back to around 3200BC when Hinduism founded, and now there are 15 major languages that are spoken in India overall. It’s no wonder that ancient kings chose to build their majestic cities and temples in the prestigious country.

India is one of the largest producers of tea in the world - it’s not just a beverage to locals, but a religion. Sip on a cup of “first flush” tea in Darjeeling to taste leaves fresh from the myriad of plantations around this historic hill station, or sample India’s renowned Assam black tea.

Shake your hips and be dazzled by the world’s biggest movie industry. Bollywood is full of big dance numbers, bigger songs and even bigger panache. Go on a tour of Film City in Mumbai - the birthplace of Bollywood - to see it in action.

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