Chennai has neither the cosmopolitan, prosperous air of Mumbai (Bombay), the optimistic buzz of Bengaluru (Bangalore) or the historical drama of Delhi. It’s muggy, polluted, hot as hell and difficult to get around. Traditional tourist attractions are few. Even the movie stars are, as one Chennaiker put it, ‘not that hot’.
In the same way as the modernist architect Le Corbusier’s radical design for Chandigarh polarises critics, this anomaly among Indian cities splits visitors. New hotels, department stores, cafés and other air-conditioned hang-outs line the boom town’s straight, clean roads, catering to the fast-living young Indians who emulate Westerners and embrace modernity while gleefully disposing their [...]
The Chamba Valley is another splendidly isolated valley system, cut off from the Kangra Valley by the Dhauladhar Range and from Kashmir by the Pir Panjal. This area was ruled for centuries as the princely state of Chamba, the most ancient state in North India. Even though good roads connect Chamba with Pathankot and Kangra, [...]
Well off the tourist circuit, the charming capital of Chamba district is dominated by the former palaces of the local maharajas. The princely state of Chamba was founded in AD 920 by Raja Sahil Varman and it survived for 1000 years until finally falling to the British in 1845. Every year since 935, Chamba has [...]
The pace of life slows significantly in Tamil Nadu’s sweaty central area. It’s a terrible place to rush around from sight to sight, but an excellent area to slow down, enjoy cooling boat trips down riverlets and visit some truly spectacular Hindu temples.
Central Madhya Pradesh centres on the state capital of Bhopal with its mosques, lakes, museums and bright lights. The area also includes the historic hill station of Pachmarhi and Sanchi known for its oldest Buddhist structures.
Central Kerala covers the small strip of territory running from Kochi (Cochin) in the south up to Thrissur (Trichur) in the north east. The obvious highlight is the captivating trading-post city of Kochi but this area includes the lovely beach at Cherai and the towns of Parur and Chennamangalam.
Central Karnataka includes territory from the popular tourist destination of Hampi across to the border with Andhra Pradesh. This area also includes the bustling regional centre of Hospet.
Running north towards Lahaul, the Kullu and Parvati Valleys are popular with hippies, honeymooners and adrenaline junkies. Many people continue north over Rohtang La (3978m) to Lahaul, Spiti and Ladakh.
A melange of minority cultures and terrain types renders Central Arunachal Pradesh your best bet for visiting tiny tribal villages while working up a sweat.