100 Reasons to visit India
India is the seventh largest country in the world by area and, with over a billion people, is second only to China in population. It is an extremely diverse country, with vast differences in geography, climate, culture, language and ethnicity across its expanse, and prides itself on being the largest democracy on Earth. Here are 100 reasons to visit India.
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1
Taj Mahal
Source: www.allwonders.comTaj Mahal is one of the most symmetrically perfect manmade structures. Construction of the mausoleum was essentially completed in 1643 but work continued on other phases of the project for an additional ten years. The Taj Mahal complex is believed to have been completed in its entirety in 1653 at a cost estimated at the time to be around 32 million Indian rupees, which in 2015 would be valued at around 52.8 billion Indian rupees ($827 million US). Standing majestically upon red sandstone platform, Taj Mahal is made entirely of white marble and is famous for the exquisite workmanship reflected in lapidary, calligraphy, intricate carvings and pietra dura work. It took 20 years and 20000 masons, designers, architects and workers to build this greatest symbol of love on the planet.
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2
Spirituality
Source: www.awaken.comPeople from around the globe come to India in their quest for spirituality and self discovery. Major spiritual centers in India include Bodhgaya, Benares, Pushkar, Rishikesh, Hardwar, Auroville and Dharamshala. As the global community becomes increasingly capitalistic, the quest for spirituality grows in urgency. India, its people, its infrastructure, and indeed its very soil, encourage and breed Spiritualism, allowing religions to thrive, flourish and prosper. India boasts the presence of every major religion in the world, as well many of their off-shoots and facets, all being supported, nourished, and living in comparative harmony.
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Visual Overload
Source: telegraph.co.ukYou may find that there’s a lot to be said for chaos – and a lot to be said for learning to let go and go with the flow. Because rush hour here is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before.
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Train Ride - A long one
Source: www.hotelsinsouth.comIndian Railways is the one of the world’s largest employer, and the train system in India is extensive to say the least. The best are Shatabdis and Rajdhanis – and three main classes: first, second and third.
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Indian Architecture - The Caves of Ellora and Ajanta
Source: www.mumbaicolors.comThe Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India are about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 or 650 CE. The caves include paintings and sculptures described by the government Archaeological Survey of India as "the finest surviving examples of Indian art, particularly painting", which are masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, with figures of the Buddha and depictions of the Jataka tales. India is the home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Architecture in India has evolved through countless centuries due to the influence of the various dynasties and civilizations that have flourished in the region.
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Morning Boat Rides In Varanasi, the most intensely cultural city in India
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Shopping
Source: www.allwonders.comIn India, a trip to a Market is much more like a full-on cultural immersion. Experience the process of finding a good treasure and get into the mood of the place by haggling over the price.
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The Himalayas
Source: thebricspost.comMany of the world’s highest mountains are part of this vast range that runs along India’s eastern border for more than 2,400 kilometres. Ladakh is one of the most daunting yet mesmerizing frontiers cradled in Greater Himalayas best known for some of the worl's highest motorable passes and the scintillating Pangong Tso Lake.
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Festivals
Source: India.comThere’s a festival just about every day in India. From the festival of colour (Holi) to festival of lights (Diwali).
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Yoga
Source: netdna-cdn.comThere are many yoga teachers and schools ain India to choose from. Yoga tours provide both physical and mental therapy. India has been the land of saints and sages who mediated, practiced and perfected Yoga.
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Diversity
Source: yourarticlelibrary.comFrom Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to Assam, you will find diverse landscape, cultures, languages and traditions of the country.
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Enchant your spirit in Kerala
. Luscious green trees, pristine water, crazy wildlife experience – visit Kerala for more such wonderful delights.
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Wildlife
Source: www.gloholiday.comIndia is home to a variety of species. There are many National Parks and protected biospheres. These wildlife sanctuaries are the best place to come face to face with the abundant wildlife in India. The wildlife sanctuaries of India are home to many endangered species on planet earth.
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Food
Source: coreperformance.coThe food items may vary from region to region, but all of them are rich in flavor and presentation. Indians are generally perceived as vegetarians, and there are a huge number of artful and great tasting vegetarian dishes and curries.
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Music
Source: www.thamizhisai.comThe Carnatic influence from the 13th and the 14th century AD plays a major role in shaping traditional Indian music. There are, however, various forms of folk music which display a distinctive sound and feel which is specific to their region of origination.
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Dance
Source: iloveindia.comIndian Dance arts are few of the most complex and expressive dance forms in the world. Dance forms like Kathakali, Bharatnatyam, Kathak are a few to check out while visiting India.
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India is a Great Value Destination
Source: www.thehimalayansafari.comYou can travel as cheaply or as lavishly as you want in India, and that's definitely part of its appeal as a tourist destination. There's a saying in India, "Athithi Devo Bhava", which means "the guest is God". Indians consider it a huge honor to have guests in their home, and go out of their way to please them. There's nothing like Indian hospitality. And, as a result of the growing popularity of homestays in India, there are plenty of opportunities to experience it. While there are sporadic tourist scams like pick pocketing and overcharging by street vendors and taxi / auto rickshaw drivers, by and large the Indians are extremely helpful and friendly.
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18
Sip tea in Darjeeling
Source: www.happytrips.comA popular hill station perched high in the Himalayas on the northern edge of West Bengal, Darjeeling also gives its name to the world’s best tea. In the 19th century, Darjeeling was the summer destination for the British in Calcutta.
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Corbett National Park – Meet a tiger
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Because toilets are incredibly simple
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Western Temples of Khajuraho
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Walk On The Living Root Bridges in Cherrapunji
Source: cloudfront.netCherrapunji is a great sight for those who want to experience something surreal and out of the blue. The Root bridges will leave you awestruck.
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Bollywood Culture
Source: www.borgenmagazine.comBollywood is a national pastime and a cultural phenomenon. Sometimes you have to suspend the laws of reality and probability and just embrace the cheesiness, but they really are entertaining.
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The holiest river in the world
Source: www.windsorstar.comThe Ganges River runs 2,525 km from the northern Himalayas all the way to the Bay of Bengal. It is much more than a river to the one billion Hindus in India and beyond.
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Street food is awesome in Kolkata
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Drive Through The Forest of Bandipur
Source: travelhospitality.wordpress.comBandipur is a best place to visit in India when it comes to forests and drives. Get spooked by snake holes around, spot elephants, deers and monkeys as you go along the winding roads.
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Karsha Gompa - Buddhist monastery in Zanskar
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Spectate At The Dhuandhar Falls, Jabalpur
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Travel To The Salt Lands During The Kutch Festival
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Go Paragliding In Solang
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For many children here, going to school means going to monastery
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Because border crossings are like something out of a movie
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Beautiful hiking trails
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Transportation
Source: palsmaniaa.comVehicles in India are an art form as much as a means of transportation. The main roads are crowded with colorfully painted trucks and buses, often loaded to the hilt.
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35
Traveling To India Is A Life-Changing Experience
Source: joshibharat.huFrom the overcrowded and overwhelming streets of Delhi or Mumbai, to the absolute wilderness and solitude of the northern regions bordering Nepal. From the tropical Andaman beaches to the deserts of Rajastan, India will never stop to surprise you.
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Get Curried Away By The Indian Flavors
Source: www.flavorsofmumbai.comIndian food is much more than the catch-all phrase of “curry,” and like most things in India there is a surprising amount of diversity in the country’s cuisine.
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Rock sculpture in Unakoti, Tripura
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The rare, One Horned Rhino at Kaziranga National Park
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Ayurveda Massage
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Old Catholic churches and austere Goan forst
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Attari – Crossing the border
In Attari – Wagah, a border control sector between India and Pakistan.
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Gulmarg – Going off piste
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The landscapes are absolutely stunning
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Dramatic Moments For Photography
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Watch snake boats compete
Source: peeveesknols.wordpress.comThe Onam Festival of late August celebrates the tropical southern state’s rich cultural heritage when everything is fresh and radiant. During the 10-day festival, Kerala puts on a display of games and sports, traditional art forms, drama, and classical music.
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You can meet local tribes
Source: survivalinternational.orgIndia is home to more than five hundred different tribes, each with their own customs and traditions that has remained unchanged for centuries.
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Feel like you’re a part of the Arabian nights at Jaisalmer Fort
Source: www.thegoldencamp.comThe enchanting architecture of Jaisalmer will transport you back in time and the mystery in the air will give you a sense of being a part of “Arabian Nights” with tales of desert, camels, harems and everything exotic.
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Qutub Minar
Source: www.mapsofindia.comQutub Minar, at 74 meters, is the second tallest minar in India after Fateh Burj at Mohali. Qutub Minar, along with the ancient and medieval monuments surrounding it, form the Qutb Complex, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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The Red Fort
Source: famousplacesinworld.comThe Red Fort was the residence of the Mughal emperor of India for nearly 200 years, until 1857. It is located in the centre of Delhi and houses a number of museums.
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In many situations, you’re going to be treated with more respect than you’d think.
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India will toughen you up
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Sunset Boat ride on Gadisagar Lake
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Hike in Ladakh
Source: discoverlehladakh.inLeh, the region’s capital, has some of the best treks in India. The very accessible palace and royal monastery, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, is a great place to watch the sun rise over the Himalayas.
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Bandhavgarh National Park
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Sweetening your life
Source: haldiramindia.netGalab jamun is considered to be the King of desserts. This dish is delicate milk balls floating in fragrant syrup. In India, gulab jamun is cooked everywhere in urban bakeries, famous restaurants, and even in a huge pot on the sidewalk.
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The Head Massage
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Amritsar – Feeling the peace
The Golden Temple, the main shrine of the Sikhs who comprised the third largest religious community in India, was built for people of all faiths and beliefs. Thousands of pilgrims from around the world walk from dawn until late at night around the marble bordered pond Amrit Sarovar in the middle of which is a gold-plated dome in the form of lotus.
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Tawang Monastery, the largest Buddhist Monastery in India
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In India, kids are everywhere, and they love having their picture taken.
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Cows are pretty much everywhere you go
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Kodaikanal
Source: vibhaholidays.comKodaikanal is a hill town in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It’s set in an area of granite cliffs, forested valleys, lakes, waterfalls and grassy hills. At 2,000 meters above sea level, it has a cooler climate than the plains below and is a popular holiday destination. The town centers around star-shaped, man-made Kodaikanal Lake, bordered by evergreen forest.
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Because eating fresh isn’t a lifestyle choice, it’s the norm.
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Sikkim
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Your Perspective Will Be Broadened
India is place that everyone should visit once in their lives to get out of their comfort zones and get a different perspective on life. The culture shock in India can be hard to deal with.
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India is a Huge Country
Source: www.instablogs.comIndia is a vast country that's just over one-third of the size of the United States. Much of it is rural, and there are some incredible sights to be seen and discovered.
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Rishikesh
Source: www.richardalois.comThe holy city of Rishikesh, in the base of the Himalayas, holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for local Hindus.
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Trek On The Hills Of Mcleodganj
Source: travellaunchers.comThe majestic mountains can call tourists to experience the best of what nature has to offer. Triund offers the spectacular view of the Dhauladhar ranges.
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Scuba Diving in Andaman
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Kolkata to Color Yourself Red in Durga Puja
Source: www.getintravel.comhe only time when the entire city gathers together to celebrate the much lauded and divine festival, Durga Puja, experience the culture of Bengal in it’s full form.
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Ride on the Leh-Ladakh Highway and camp under the stars in Ladakh
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The People
Source: www.enjoyindiantrip.comThe local people in India, particularly in the rural areas, are some of the kindest you will meet.
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India Provides a Cultural Weave That is Hard to Rival
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Temples in South India
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Because the British left behind some amazing buildings
Source: blog.discovering-india.comViceregal Lodge
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So did Mughals.
Source: www.historvius.comHumayun’s Tomb
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76
Chill at a hill station
Source: himviewholiday.inVisitors to Shimla enjoy the laid-back vibe, Raj-era buildings, and spectacular views of the Himalayas from the The Mall — a ridge-top pedestrian-only thoroughfare that was once off-limits to Indians.
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Enjoy a Camel back ride on magical Sand Dunes
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Dhanushkodi
Source: www.audiocompass.inIndia’s official Ghost Town, Dhanushkodi is the last point of Indian peninsula towards Sri Lanka
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Coorg
Source: travel-blog.waytoindia.comCoorg is a postcard-perfect region of scattered villages and hamlets, which are the epitome of old-world charm.
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Backwaters in Kerala
Source: www.makemytrip.comThe backwaters are a network of waterways which meander through the lush green countryside of Kerala. Here you can hire a rice boat to travel down the river, staying in it overnight moored up in a secluded spot.
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Ride an Elephant at Elephantastic
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Jaisalmer – See a mirage
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Ahmedabad – Pay homage to Indian history
Source: api.ning.comAshram on the banks of the Sabarmati River – a community of friends and followers – was founded by Mohandas Ghandi in 1917,
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Bodh Gaya – Attemp to reach enlightenment
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Port Blair
Source: indiantourpackages.inHere there are miles of white sandy beaches, offering an ideal place for diving and fresh seafood
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Munnar
Source: www.abadhotels.comAn ideal destination to escape from the hot beaches is the town of Munnar with hills and valleys covered with emerald green tea bushes and filled with aromas of cardamon.
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Mumbai – Taking the pulse
Source: housing.comThe Gate of India was built in 1926 on the shore of the Bay in Bombay. It is not just a symbol of Mumbai, but is also an ideal location to get general view and catch an impression of the city.
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Dzukou Valley, Nagaland
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A Country of 100 Nations
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Folk Art
Source: orias.berkeley.eduIndia has an abundance of folk art, which is kept alive in the small rural communities and is being revived in the big cities.
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India is a colorful country
Source: tourismupdates.comThe women wear flowing saris of every imaginable color along with ornate jewelry. The men of Rajasthan wear colorful turbans.
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Heritage Hotels
Many of the old palaces and lodges of India’s kings or Rajs have been turned into hotels so it’s possible to stay at a hotel that is as photogenic as other sites in the area.
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Mysore
Source: tourmet.comDress to the nines and party like a rock star in celebration of Mysore heritage during the lively Dussehra festival, held for 10 days in October/November.
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Dharamsala
Source: www.happinessplunge.comSerenely spiritual Dharamsala is home to the largest Tibetan temple outside of Tibet. It’s known for its religious iconography and is the monastery of the Dalai Lama, who holds public lectures a few times a year.
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Jodhpur, Rajasthan
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One of the he best toy train rides - The Nilgiris
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Pondicherry
Source: tourism.pondicherry.gov.inPondicherry (or Puducherry), a French colonial settlement in India until 1954, is now a Union Territory town bounded by the southeastern Tamil Nadu state. Its French legacy is preserved in its French Quarter, with tree-lined streets, mustard-colored colonial villas and chic boutiques. A seaside promenade runs along the Bay of Bengal and passes several statues, including a 4m-high Gandhi Memorial.
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Party in Goa
Source: www.whatsupgoa.comEast meets West in this sun-soaked state, where Indian culture intertwines with Portuguese influences left over from a 500-year occupation. The beaches have long served as a magnet for serene hedonists.
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Hampi
Source: travspire.comThe architectural ruins of Hampi are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Udaipur
Source: www.ejiusa.comUdaipur, known as the Venice of the East, boasts several sparkling lakes against a backdrop of the Aravail hills. Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir, islands in Fateh Sagar Lake, are the site of Udaipur Solar Observatory and Nehru Garden.
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