Posts Tagged ‘India’

Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, and some Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The ... Full story

History by Nigel Worden -- A professor of history specializing in Indian Ocean history No visitor to India can fail to be overwhelmed by the combination of a bustling, modernizing nation and an ancient but omnipresent past. India's history is everywhere, in its temples and mosques, forts and palaces, tombs and monuments, but it has only recently become a single country, which makes its history a complex ... Full story

Cuisine by Niloufer Venkatraman -- Anthropologist, writer, and dedicated foodie Indian cooking is one of the great cuisines of the world. Like the country itself, however, it varies greatly from region to region, and you'll discover a great deal more to savor than the ubiquitous kormas and tikka masalas (known to the naive simply as "curry") with which most Westerners are familiar. Not only does each Indian ... Full story

Unique Places to Stay Not surprisingly, most of these are in Rajasthan, which has almost 80 heritage properties -- castles, palaces, forts, and ornate havelis (traditional mansions), now hotels offering varying degrees of comfort. # Taj Mahal Hotel (Mumbai): George Bernard Shaw famously claimed that after staying here, he no longer had any need to visit the real Taj Mahal in Agra. Built just over a century ... Full story

# Bumping into a Bollywood Idol (Mumbai): Nowhere in India is dining more rewarding than in Mumbai, where the streets are filled with literally thousands of restaurants representing every kind of Indian cuisine. But if it's star-gazing you're after, head for places like the Olive Bar and Kitchen restaurant in Bandra or Enigma nightclub in Juhu. Alternatively, hang out at Leopold Cafe; casting agents looking ... Full story

Your choice of where and when to go will be determined primarily by the weather. India's vastness means that the climate varies greatly from region to region, and sometimes even from day to night, as in the desert regions. The Indian year features six seasons: spring, summer, the rainy season, early and late autumn, and winter, but effectively there are but three -- summer, winter, ... Full story

American Express -- Report lost or stolen cards by calling tel. 0124/28-1800 from anywhere in India; or call tel. 98109-00800 (Delhi) or tel. 98926-00800 (Mumbai). Area Codes -- The international telephone access code for India is 91. All numbers listed in this guide include the local area code (which you would dial from another Indian town or city); this is separated from the actual telephone number ... Full story