According to Localbusinessexplorer, India is the largest country in South Asia. Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism originated here. All religions have influenced the culture of the country, as well as the rulers who ruled on its territory in different historical periods. Before independence, India was in the possession of nomadic tribes, ancient dynasties, the Mughal Empire and European countries. Selecting the main sights of India is a difficult task, because every corner of this country is unique in its own way and requires special attention. But we tried, and we suggest you start your acquaintance with the colorful state by visiting the following places:
- Taj Mahal is a mausoleum in Agra, made of white marble in honor of the wife of Emperor Shah Jahan. It took 20 years to build the monument. This is the best example of Mughal architecture. Around the mausoleum is a garden in a traditional Persian style. More than 3 million tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year. In 1983, the mausoleum was included in the UNESCO list. In addition to the Taj Mahal, Agra and its environs have other main sights of India – the fortification of Agra Fort and the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri, which was the capital of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century.
- Ajanta is a complex of 29 caves carved into the rock. 5 of them served as temples, and the rest served as additional monastic premises. The oldest shrine dates back to the 1st century BC. e., but in general the construction of the entire complex lasted several centuries. Ajanta strikes with the richness of architectural forms, sculptures and wall images of the earthly transformations of the Buddha. These murals are not only a work of art, but also a valuable source of knowledge about life in India in ancient times.
- The Qutub Minar is the world’s tallest brick minaret built by several dynasties of Muslim rulers. For the construction of Qutub Minar, as an Islamic shrine, stone was used from the ruins of Hindu temples. So it turned out the merging of two religions in one architectural structure.
- Manas is a national park in the state of Assam. Rare species of animals live here: golden langur, Bengal tiger, bristly hare, pygmy pig. Also in the reserve you will see a large population of hornbills and other birds. The natural attractions of India play an important role in the conservation of the planet’s fauna, many of which are UNESCO sites. In addition to the Manas Reserve, visit Kaziranga National Park, home to one-horned rhinos, Keoladeo National Park, a wintering ground for birds of various species, and others.
- The Mahabodhi Temple is a popular shrine worth planning a visit to if you are looking for something interesting to see in India. Its second name is the Temple of Great Enlightenment. It was on the territory of this complex that the Mahabodhi tree once grew, under which the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha. The exact date of construction of the shrine is unknown. But it is believed that the buildings that have survived to this day were erected during the Gupta dynasty in their characteristic style.
India: Money and currency of India
Before traveling to Goa, Kerala, Delhi, it is worth studying what currency is in India and with what monetary units it is better to go to the largest country in South Asia.
The official currency of the state is the Indian rupee, which is equal to 100 paise. Its international designation is INR, but on the price tags before the number they usually write – Re, or Rs for the plural. In the cash circulation there are banknotes with a denomination multiple of 5 – from 5 rupees to 2000. Mahatma Gandhi is depicted on the front side of all banknotes, and Indian memos are shown on the back: the Temple of the Sun, the Red Fort, Ellora and others.
It is better to go to the country with dollars, since it will be unprofitable to change another currency for local money. As for the course, for 100 USD you will receive within 7000 rupees. However, before traveling, it is better to check the current information at the exchange office.
You can buy Indian rupees at airports upon arrival, hotels, exchange points and offices of some travel agencies. For those who are wondering where it is profitable to exchange rupees, we recommend bank branches. The best course is given there.
Traveler’s checks can also be cashed in India. Those produced by American Express and Thomas Cook are preferred. But payment by card is not possible everywhere. ATMs in major cities only dispense local currency, so check with your bank in advance on which card, Mastercard or Visa, there will be a direct KZT-INR conversion so as not to overpay the commission for double conversion through USD. At the same time, when cashing out money, 1% of the transaction amount is charged, but not less than 217 INR (3 USD).
There is no exact answer to the question “ how to pay in India ” – no. Dollars are accepted in the market and in shopping centers, but it is better to have small denomination banknotes with you, since the seller will most likely not find change from a 50-dollar bill, or the exchange rate provided by the merchant will be unfavorable. For small expenses and tips, the currency of India – rupees – is useful.
