Feedback

India

7

Reasons To
Visit India

  • Abundant wildlife

    India's central parks are home to a vast range of species - on any game drive you might see spotted and barking deer, sloth bears, Indian gazelle, numerous bird species and of course the majestic tiger. But India can boast a lot more than this - visitors to the Chambal Sanctuary might spot the rare Gangetic dolphin and the elusive Asiatic lion can be found at Sasan Gir.

    Abundant wildlife

  • Colours

    Whether it's the bright saris and traditional jewellery worn by Indian women, the colourful mounds of spices adorning market stalls, or the soft, pastel pink of a sunset over Agra, every way you turn in India you are confronted by vivid and beautiful colours.

    Colours

  • Delicious food

    As Brits we are famously fond of a curry, but anyone who has been to India will tell you that traditional Indian food is in many ways very different. The subtle and expertly blended herbs and spices create an incredibly tasty meal and the variation of flavours and ingredients between each region is remarkable.

    Delicious food

  • Diverse landscapes

    India has perhaps the greatest diversity of landscape of any country; from the mighty Himalaya range to arid lunar landscapes in Ladakh, forested foothills, tea and spice plantations, deserts, mangrove forests, vast plains, tropical backwaters and remote islands. You won't have to travel far to feel like you are in a completely different world.

    Diverse landscapes

  • Forts and palaces

    From the Mughal forts of Jodhpur and Gwalior to the palaces of Jaipur and Udaipur, there are majestic buildings in every major city. There are also numerous smaller forts and palaces which have been carefully restored, providing an excellent place to stay and experience regal Indian life as it once was.

    Forts and palaces

  • Religious buildings

    India is the meeting place of several different world religions. We can suggest the most important places to visit to enjoy the beauty of ancient Buddhist sculptures or marvel at Hindu temples adorned with the pantheon of colourful gods. Our guides will point out the intricacies of mosque design or explain the meaning of a ceremony in a Sikh gurdwara.

    Religious buildings

  • Train journeys

    Any trip to India should include at least one journey by train. Rail travellers will experience a glimpse of a bygone era, and an overnight journey offers the excitement of waking in your private car to a new and vibrant landscape beyond the window.

    Train journeys

Request a Brochure

Audley Indian Subcontinent brochure 2011

Indian Subcontinent

By Post Download Online 30494236
PrintShareLike

Visit Belur & Halebid, India

The two remote and beautiful temple sites of Belur and Halebid, at the heart of the Hoysala Empire, date from the 12th century and together form perhaps the richest repository of Hindu art and sculpture in the country.

Temples at Halebid
Modern priest at the Belur TemplesTemples at BelurTemples at HalebidTemples at HalebidTemple carving at Halebid, IndiaTemple carving at Halebid

Belur & Halebid

India

The two remote and beautiful temple sites of Belur and Halebid at the heart of the Hoysala Empire date from the 12th century and together form perhaps the richest repository of Hindu art and sculpture in the country.

Temple decorations

The facades are richly decorated with intricate stone carvings and the interiors are filled with countless filigreed pillars and friezes depicting tales from the Ramayana and the Mahabarata.

Sravanabenagola

While travelling to this area a visit to hilltop Sravanabenagola, a significant pilgrimage centre based around the world’s tallest monolithic sculpture, is recommended. Reached by 635 steps, the figure of the naked Jain saint Gomateswara stands 18 metres high and is devoid of any decoration except creepers twisting their way up his body.

More in Belur & Halebid, India

Further reading:
IndiaRegions of IndiaWhen to GoHighlightsItinerary IdeasTrain journeys in IndiaPlaces to GoThings to DoAccommodationAbout IndiaCountry Guides

Other countries in The Indian Subcontinent:
BhutanNepalSri LankaThe Maldives

{11A81E82-FD5E-431D-95FE-244B8AE5BC04}