Travel the World with Eastant Series – India

Our series jumps on an inter-continental flight to the colorful land of India. From the serene hills of Ireland, the transition to the traffic-filled cities of India is quite a task. But the commotion hides some of the worlds most treasured gems. In this metropolitan series we will travel across three cities throughout India. Our first stop is the capital of this diverse land, a symbol of the country’s rich past and thriving present, Delhi is a city where ancient and modern blend seamlessly together.  Many empires rose to the heights of their power and were destroyed here. Among the most prominent dynasties which made Delhi their capital were the Tughlaqs, the Khiljis and the Mughals. Even today, one may have a fascinating glimpse into the past in Old Delhi, with its labyrinth of narrow lanes, old havelis, and colourful bazaars. Rickshaws wind their way through this crowded, bustling capital of the Mughals, where life continues, much as it did hundreds of years ago. It is also home to three World Heritage monuments—Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb that have survived many centuries, and provide an idea of architectural wonders created by emperors in the past. Central Delhi, with its tree-laned avenues, imposing structures and buildings such as the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House and India Gate, reflect Delhi’s colonial past. A number of museums provide a glimpse into the country’s fascinating history yet the stupefying reality is the integration of the more modern additions to this rich book of history. No visit to Delhi is complete without an experience of its famed specialties such as its delicious curries, barbecued tikkas and kebabs and the busy streets of Delhi are filled with the aromas of these specialties. It is also a shoppers’ haven, whether you want to pick up some rich, woven silks or handicrafts, this is definitely the place to be. In order to taste the cuisine of the various different Indian states and to feast your eyes on an array of Indian art and craft, there are three Dilli Haats in Delhi which are at INA, Pitampura and the brand new Dilli Haat at Janakpuri. A little more than a thousand kilometers south, lies the financial capital of India: Mumbai.  Mumbai, previously known as Bombay is one of the most populous and also biggest cities of Maharashtra (A state forming India). Mumbai is perhaps most popular as the entertainment capital of India, with most of the Bollywood celebrities residing there. It is the largest city of India and fondly renowned as the city of dreams. The first place to visit is the Marine Drive, officially known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Marg, is a 3-kilometer-long boulevard which stretches from Nariman Point to Malabar Hills. It is an inverted ‘C’-shaped six lane road in southern Mumbai, running along the coast of the Arabian Sea. Famed for a large number of historic buildings that were built by wealthy Parsis during the early 20th century, this necklace-shaped stretch is worth exploring. Listed among the poshest areas of the city, Marine Drive features many high-end hotels and restaurants. Towards the north of Marine Drive is the popular Chowpatty Beach. At night, when the street lights are on, the entire road appears like a dazzling diamond necklace, hence it’s also referred as the ‘Queen’s Necklace’. The highlight of this place is the beautiful promenade, which is lined with several palm trees. Often considered as one of world’s largest viewing galleries, Marine Drive attracts millions of tourists every year. A little further away lies The Gateway of India which is an emblematic landmark not only in Mumbai but  in the entire country. Located on the southern part of the city, the gateway overlooks the splendid Arabian Sea. This magnificent edifice was constructed to memorialize King George V and Queen Mary’s visit to India in 1911. It was designed by George Wittet and took roughly around 13 years to complete the project and was inaugurated on 4th December, 1924. Flaunting the flawless Indo-Saracenic architecture, this structure has been built in yellow basalt stone, its archway is 26 meters high, which is joined with four turrets. A monument that speaks volumes about the political history of the country, the Gateway of India is the perfect place to get acquainted with the spirited life of Mumbai and is a favorite among history buffs, tourists and photographers alike. Some would find it quite ironic that Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra and often referred to as India’s financial capital, is home to one of the largest slums in the world. The area is known as Dharavi, which in many ways sum up the extreme paradoxes that exist in India. There is no verifiable source that claims Dharavi to be the largest slum in Asia; however, the importance of this area to Mumbai’s economic framework is undeniable. Despite being a slum that battles with basic issues like hygiene and sanitation, it is a big center of commerce and trade. Many small scale industries and businesses are based here, including some of the units that are engaged in producing export quality goods. There is a lot about Dharavi that would intrigue tourists, the sheer magnitude of this slum is a reason to visit this place, especially for those who are absolutely alien to the concept of a slum. For a number of visitors, this place can be an eye-opener or a reality check. Just to see so many people crammed into one small place and going about their businesses as usual is a remarkable sight. Many foreigners, some from a research perspective and others just wanting to lower their curiosity levels, visit Dharavi. We immediately make our way to another metropolitan area located towards the east of India to the marvel of Kolkata. Located at the eastern banks of the Hoogly, Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. The city is home to the oldest functioning port in India and is the third most populated city in India after Mumbai and Delhi. The region came under the Suzerainty of the Nawabs of Bengal under the Mughals and eventually the British who took full control of the city in 1772. The city is also the center of the industrial revolution in India and the birthplace of modern Indian cultural, poetic, artistic and literary movement in between the 19th and the early 20th centuries. The city was also the capital of India under the British and was the nucleus of the Indian Independence Movement. The various blends of cultures have garnered Kolkata as one of the major tourist destinations in India. A refueling stop at Park Street is essential. Park Street, which is also called Food Street and the Street that never sleeps by the locals due to the various restaurants and pubs located in the area. The place was one of the top night life spots during the 70’s and the 80’s. The street is one of the major attractions in Kolkata and is visited by a huge number of tourist and local crowds. We then take a tour to The Indian Museum in Kolkata which is the largest and the oldest museums in India and was established in 1814. The museum contains 6 sections which are further split in 35 galleries and contain a plethora of various antiquities, artifacts, paintings and mummies etc. The museum was established by a Dutch botanist under the British, Dr. Nathaniel Wallich and is one of the oldest museums in the world. Victoria Memorial, located on the plains at the banks of the River Hoogly is another famous location. It is dedicated in the memory of Queen Victoria and is currently a museum. After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, Lord Curzon commissioned the construction of this memorial and this memorial is built in a unique architectural blend of Mughal and British styles. The museum contains 25 galleries that house various antiquities and artifacts. A visit to the sixth longest cantilever bridge in the world, the Howrah Bridge will leave visitors with no sense of disappointment at all. The bridge was originally called the New Howrah Bridge as it was meant to replace an older pontoon bridge on the Hoogly River. The bridge is often considered to be one of the major National Landmarks in India and is also called the Rabindra Setu after the famous Bengali literary figure Rabindranath Tagore. This city is one of India’s biggest cultural hubs and this rich heritage can be witnessed along every street of this beautiful city. Alas, a trip around the busiest cities of India allows us to witness the magic which is gifted to this beautiful country with centuries of history. The gift that this hustle and bustle gives us are the pockets of serenity which leave us with a feeling of complete and utter bliss.