India remains a country that is famous throughout the globe for its beautifully rich culture and traditions. From its cuisine and heritage to its history and art, India’s culture is, without a doubt, exemplary. What makes the culture of India stand out has to be its diversity. Everyone may speak different languages, eat different food, and dress according to their religion or community but still, the love for our country exceeds all. The cities of India represent the same and out of all, some are especially unique due to their rich culture. So, let’s dive into ten of the most poignant cities in the country.
1. Jaipur
We begin this journey with none other than the pink city of India. Jaipur is renowned throughout for its mesmerizing culture. Characterized by its majestic forts, its art, heritage, and history are immaculately portrayed by the architecture of the place, for instance, some worth-visiting monuments are Jal Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, and many more. The culture of Jaipur is nothing if not extravagant and their vibrant costumes in addition to the exquisite jewelry are a testament to the same. Furthermore, the art and craft of the city, as well as the cuisine, is exemplary.
2. Varanasi
Varanasi is a city that has truly got it all, for here you get archaeology, architecture, heritage, mythology, art, and culture. One of many features that makes Varanasi stand out is its art and craftsmanship for this city is famous for its handicrafts, metal works, jewellery, and many more. Varanasi is also considered to be a hub for drama and music. It is also an important religious site and is significant for both Hindus and Buddhists. The mouth-watering seafood is a must-try.
3. Kolkata
Who’s in the mood for some rasgullas because our next city is the capital of West Bengal, Kolkata. The artistic and cultural capital of India, of course, had to be included on this list. The importance of Bengal during the British Colonial Era has visibly influenced Kolkata to be the city that it is today. The Bengali cuisine is unbelievably delicious and always leaves you wanting more. This haven of literature is also the birth-place of Nobel Prize Winner, Rabindranath Tagore. The importance given to fine arts in this incredible city is particularly commendable.
4. Mysore
Coming on to the admirable culture of Mysore or as it is colloquially known, the cultural capital of Karnataka, it possesses its very own style in the fields of paintings and architecture. The reason for this distinct identity of the city is considered to be the patronage it received throughout history. Mysore excels in various fields so much so that it is known as the City of Palaces, the Garden City, the City of Yoga, and the Ivory City for a single name cannot accurately summarize the beauty of Mysore culture.
5. Hampi
A UNESCO Heritage City, Hampi is firstly blessed with natural beauty and its picturesque views are every photographer’s dream. The ruins of this city are a perfect background for its rich heritage and history. Famous as the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, it was ruled by some great kings and the one I’m sure we’ve all heard of remains King Krishnadevaraya. The architecturally stunning temples of Hampi additionally serve as an allure of this city such as the Virupaksha Temple, Vithala Temple, Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex, and many more.
6. Rishikesh
The Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas, Rishikesh is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. It is infamous around the globe for its teachings of meditation and yoga but most of all, it serves as a revered spiritual spot. Being in Rishikesh is like traveling back in time for this holy town has done a spectacular job in preserving the town’s rich history. The International Yoga Festival is also held here annually.
7. Madurai
The city of Madurai has successfully achieved a balance between the old and the new and that is reflected in the city’s people and architecture. One of the city’s major attractions is the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple around which the city is actually constructed and is in the shape of a lotus. When talking about the craft of state, Madurai is renowned for its textile industry and the best part is that they still use the ancient method of weaving. The festivals here are celebrated by the people with the utmost enthusiasm and an essential part of the culture there.
8. Delhi
The next city is the very capital of the country, Delhi. Throughout the city of Delhi, influences from the great rulers of the Mughal Empire as well the Delhi Sultanate can be observed. That is also the reason for Delhi’s stunning miniature paintings for art in the city was truly at their pinnacle during the Mughal period. Delhi is very popular for its jewelry of which the two main varieties are Kundan and Meenakari. Another vital element to Delhi Culture is the festivals of Delhi such as Maha Shivratri, Republic Day, Diwali, Holi, and many more.
9. Chennai
Reaching the doorway to the South, Chennai is known throughout the globe for its prominent classical dance of Bharatanatyam which is synonymous with grace and elegance. The famous Carnatic Music is nothing less than a treat for the years. We’ve all tried out the delicious cuisine of Chennai from idli, dosa to rasam, sambar. The rich Tamilian filtered coffee is a must-try. The prime language spoken here is, of course, Tamil.
10. Amritsar
An important site for Sikhs, Amritsar is rightly considered to be the cultural hub of Punjab. The city is home to various gurudwaras such as Tarn-Taran Sahib, but the most prominent of all is Sri Harmindar Sahib, or as popularly called the Golden Temple. Upon visiting this sacred gurudwara, it is highly recommended to take a bath in the holy waters and take the langar. The rich history of Amritsar and its amazing cuisine adds to the city’s charm.
Every single one of these places has something about them that’s unique and that’s entire because of their intriguing history and heritage. This is the very thing that has shaped our country into what it is today. What’s more, is the preservation of culture that can be seen in these cities. Even though they have moved ahead with time with the advent of modernization but they have remained true to the essential. It is rightly said, “A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and souls of its people.”
Namaste and thank you for this wonderful description of these special places. I have visited most of them, not all, and your descriptions are an understatement in terms of beauty, culture, and much more.