7 Unique Indian Experiences That Will Mesmerize You

Sharing is caring!

India – with its 3.28 million square kilometers and a population of over 1.2 billion – is a magnet for travelers from around the globe. From North to South and East to West, there are many experiences which you should endeavor to try, money and time permitting. India is a large and diverse country, and more modern than you may assume – a reported 87% of people here book their holidays solely through their phone. And, more than 70% of the international travelers come to India looking to create some unique and cherishable memories. So, in this blog post, I will list down 7 Unique Indian Experiences that will leave you mesmerized. Make sure to try a few on your next holiday in India.

We call India – a land of ‘unity in diversity’. She is not just a country but rather a collection of memorable experiences. Right from her heritage, history, culture, festivals, things to do, places to visit, accommodation, food, and transport, each aspect of your holiday in India is fascinating. Many foreigners get excited about visiting India after watching Bollywood Movies or reading books that are set in India.

7 Unique Indian Experiences

1. Walk on a Frozen River – The Chadar Trek

Let’s start this list with a one-of-a-kind adventurous experience – walking on a FROZEN RIVER. Sounds unbelievable? But it is very true!

The Chadar trek is a thrilling experience, giving you the amazing opportunity to trek on the frozen Zanskar River. Where else can you boast of having walked on water? In the peak of winters, the Zanskar River in Ladakh’s cold desert a.k.a ‘roof the world‘ freezes over looking like a solid ice sheet.

If the challenge of walking over the frozen river is too much for you to handle, there are many other trekking and hiking places in the Leh-Ladakh region that you can try out.

2. Attend a traditional Indian Wedding

Indian weddings are unlike any in the world. A traditional Indian wedding has everything – colorful rituals, spicy and yummy food, dance, drama and obviously emotions! You can now experience the tradition and splendor of an Indian wedding, without having any Indian relatives! Wendy Wu Tours is an operator which arranges for your family to get on the guestlist, allowing you to see some amazing parts of the ceremony for yourself, such as the nuptial knot tying (known as the Gath Bandhan), the seven circles, and the sacred fire lighting. Discover why Indian weddings are such an amazing representation of bonding, and be in awe of the fabulous traditional clothing which is displayed at a genuine Indian wedding.

3. Watch a Cricket Match

Next, on our list of unique Indian experiences is CRICKET. As you might notice from the number of games being played in the streets and parks, India loves cricket. Cricket is not just a sport, it’s like a religion in India! If you are passing through a big city such as Mumbai, Chandigarh, Delhi, Chennai or Bangalore, ensure you try and take in the experience of an Indian Premier League (IPL) game. This is the shorter, tremendously exciting version of the sport, which truly brings out the fanaticism of the Indian cricket fan. The IPL is played between April and May each year, so go and witness one of the best carnival atmospheres in sport.

4. Walk through the slums of Mumbai

In order to truly experience all sides of a country, you sometimes need to take in the areas which are not on the typical tourist trail. There are slum tours, which allow you to take a guided trip through some of the less fortunate areas of the Mumbai metropolis. This is an opportunity to appreciate how hard life is for some in areas such as Dharavi – made famous by the film Slumdog Millionaire – where cramped conditions make for a difficult yet vibrant community. There is a strict no-camera policy on these tours, which offer the opportunity to see how residents are able to make brilliant use of the small space they have.

5. Take a Backwater-cruise in Kerala

Kerala, in southern India, is one of those rare places which have been blessed with everything. From pristine beaches in the west to picturesque mountains on the east, and from traditional ayurvedic massages to bustling modern cities. But there is one other thing that Kerala proudly boasts of, which only a handful of places have – The Backwaters!

Kerala backwaters create a water-world that is magical and exotic. This uniqueness makes backwaters so popular that it not only attracts Indians but a huge number of international tourists as well. The backwater cruise on a traditional houseboat is loved equally by honeymooners, families, and backpackers. It is an exhilarating experience; away from the crowded cities, it gives you a calm ambiance which helps you to forget every worry of life.

6. Witness Gange Aarti

In India, we treat river Ganges (Ganga) as a holy goddess. Thus, in many of the religious places that river Ganges flows through, prayers (aarti) are offered in the evening. Varanasi, Rishikesh, and Haridwar are some of the places where Ganga aarti is done every day.

You will find many young priests dressed in saffron-colored clothes, holding and moving about torches in their hands. People also light camphor on flower-filled leaf boats and release them in the holy waters of the Ganges river. These illuminated lamps floating in the river provide a beautiful view in the evening.

7. White water rafting in Goa

The last item on our list of unique Indian experiences is river rafting. You can try some adrenaline-pumping white water rafting on the Mhadei River near Goa. Adventure sports fans can descend on the Ustem village for an exhilarating experience which sees you shoot down the river surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape. The presence of fast-flowing rivers and numerous waterfalls in Goa makes it even more exciting. Go during the monsoon season between June and September, when there is an optimum flow of water. This activity is organized by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC).

So if you are planning a holiday in this beautiful country, these are some of the unique Indian experiences that you should try. Remember you’ll need a visa to enter the country, and you should also read up on customs and etiquette out of respect.

Unique Indian Experiences – PIN IT to read later

[1], [2],

Sharing is caring!