BUCKET LIST: INDIA

Since recently I have been attracted and amazed by the the beauty of India and therefore it has been added to my bucket list of countries to visit hopefully one day .India is the second most populated country in the world with it's population soaring over 1.2 billion people.What had attracted me to India apart from it's vibrant colors or it's diverse culture,is it's timeless and captivating but idiosyncratic architecture.India has six major religions each spanning more than six million followers.It is a haven for one with a curious mind ,who is adventurous and willing to explore . It is also the birth place or the heritage of some our favorite public figures such as Mahatma Gandhi known to them as 'the father of the nation' who was a leader in the Indian independence and influenced countless civil rights movements around the world . He was a believer in non -violence and the truth and lived simply ,was a vegetarian and done regular fasting for injustices to be made right. Also, importantly he campaigned against poverty and for women's rights .

Therefore the top six places to visit in India are :

The Taj Mahal

"Taj Mahal Mosque Interior Hall" by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen - Own work by uploader, http://bjornfree.com/galleries.html. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taj_Mahal_Mosque_Interior_Hall.jpg#/media/File:Taj_Mahal_Mosque_Interior_Hall.jpg

"Agra-Taj-Mahal-Mausoleum-architecture-Apr-2008-04" by Acred99 at en.wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Agra-Taj-Mahal-Mausoleum-architecture-Apr-2008-04.JPG#/media/File:Agra-Taj-Mahal-Mausoleum-architecture-Apr-2008-04.JPG

"Taj Mahal Calligraphy Example" by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen - Own work by uploader, http://bjornfree.com/galleries.html. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taj_Mahal_Calligraphy_Example.jpg#/media/File:Taj_Mahal_Calligraphy_Example.jpg

"TajMahalbyAmalMongia" by amaldla from san francisco - taj mahal. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TajMahalbyAmalMongia.jpg#/media/File:TajMahalbyAmalMongia.jpg

The Taj Mahal a Mughal architectural piece is considered one of the seven wonders of the world and is a white marble mausoleum found in Agra ,Uttar Pradesh , India . It receives more than 3 million  visitors per year and is known for it's perpetual love story. It is the resting place and was built for Mumtaz Mahal the third wife of Emperor Shan Jahan  who died during the birth of their fourteenth child and was built during his grief and also to show his undying love to his wife .He fell in love with Mumtaz Mahal  at first sight and therefore this is the reaction that people are to get when they first view the Taj Mahal  which is infused with precious stones .At dawn when sun's rays hit the dome structure it  radiates golden and looks heavenly .At dusk under the moon it shines like a diamond which is why a view of the Taj Mahal is considered priceless .

Kashmir

"Dal LakeVR" by Basharat Shah - Flickr: Dal Lake. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dal_LakeVR.jpg#/media/File:Dal_LakeVR.jpg

http://travel.india.com/srinagar/places-to-visit/lakes-dal-lake

http://www.powderhounds.com/Other/India/Gulmarg/Ski-Resort.aspx

https://www.google.com.jm/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkashmirvacations.com%2F&ei=ggIbVcybNJf7atiygMgL&psig=AFQjCNF8JqGDg6YW77GsK7a6W31OD2MkiQ&ust=1427919866955099

This is located in the north western region of South Asia , the land of snow and borders with Pakistan , China and Afghanistan . It shows the transition of Indian plain to the Himalayas and it's natural beauty is breathtaking . It has water falls and the  Dal Lake which is Srinagar's Jewel, and one can enjoy it's beauty by staying in the luxury hotels on the water called houseboats . Floating gardens , flowers and vegetable markets can be seen along with a picturesque view of the misty peaked  Pir Panjal mountains .Gulmarg Gondola is found in Gulmarg, in Kashmir is and is the world's second highest operating cable car .

Kanyakumari

"Kanyakumari as seen from Tiruvalluvar Statue" by Nikhilb239 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kanyakumari_as_seen_from_Tiruvalluvar_Statue.JPG#/media/File:Kanyakumari_as_seen_from_Tiruvalluvar_Statue.JPG

"Panorama View of kanyakumari" by Akashantony - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Panorama_View_of_kanyakumari.jpg#/media/File:Panorama_View_of_kanyakumari.jpg

"Gandhi Memorial Kanyakumari 5" by PP Yoonus - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gandhi_Memorial_Kanyakumari_5.jpg#/media/File:Gandhi_Memorial_Kanyakumari_5.jpg

"Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari" by Ravivg5 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vivekananda_Rock_Memorial,_Kanyakumari.jpg#/media/File:Vivekananda_Rock_Memorial,_Kanyakumari.jpg

Previously known as Cape Comorin is the southern tip of the Cardamom Hills and found along India's west coast . It is where the Indian Ocean , Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal meet . This also the location of the Kanyakumari temple with adjoining ghat overlooking the shore and the Ghandi memorial .

Delhi

Delhi the capital of India has some of the most intriguing sites and continues to showcase India's spectacular architectural designs.It is home to the Indian gate a war memorial located in Rajpath and is a memorial to 82,000 British Indian soldiers who died in the First World War .

"India Gate clean" by Tony Young - Flickr: India_2006 063. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:India_Gate_clean.jpg#/media/File:India_Gate_clean.jpg

The Bahai house of worship known as the Lotus Temple , the Mother Temple of India is where people of all religions go to worship God.

"LotusDelhi" by Vandelizer - http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremy_vandel/99170173/sizes/o/. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LotusDelhi.jpg#/media/File:LotusDelhi.jpg

The Jama Masjid the largest Mosque in India .

"Jama masjid dilli6" by Ashcoounter - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jama_masjid_dilli6.jpg#/media/File:Jama_masjid_dilli6.jpg

"Jama Masjid, Delhi" by Muhammad Mahdi Karim (www.micro2macro.net) Facebook Youtube - Own work (Original text: self-made). Licensed under GFDL 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jama_Masjid,_Delhi.jpg#/media/File:Jama_Masjid,_Delhi.jpg

Rashtrapati Bhavan is the  home to the President of India and the third largest place occupied by a Head of State in the world .

"Rashtrapati Bhavan flank perspective". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rashtrapati_Bhavan_flank_perspective.jpg#/media/File:Rashtrapati_Bhavan_flank_perspective.jpg

Mysore Palace

"Mysore palace detailed architecture" by Hemant meena - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mysore_palace_detailed_architecture.JPG#/media/File:Mysore_palace_detailed_architecture.JPG

"Mysore Palace Morning" by Muhammad Mahdi Karim (www.micro2macro.net) Facebook Youtube - Own work. Licensed under GFDL 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mysore_Palace_Morning.jpg#/media/File:Mysore_Palace_Morning.jpg

"Mysore palace illuminated" by Muhammad Mahdi Karim (www.micro2macro.net) Facebook Youtube - Own work. Licensed under GFDL 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mysore_palace_illuminated.jpg#/media/File:Mysore_palace_illuminated.jpg

This is the second most visited tourist site behind the Taj Mahal with over 4 million visitors annually . It is the home place of the Wodeyars , the former royal family  and rulers of Mysore . It consists of courtyards , meeting halls ,buildings and gardens .The Mysore Palace is the home to the yearly festival every autumn the Mysore Dasara to celebrate the victory of the Goddess Durga over a demon and signifies the triumph of good over evil on  .It is celebrated with a parade of floats and decorated elephants on the tenth day of the festival along with performances.During the festival for two months the Mysore palace is illuminated with 96,000 lights and is a magnificent sight .

The Qutub Minar

The Qutub Minar is 100 metres tall .The verses from the holy Qur'an are carved on sandstone walls of Qutub Minar and was used to call people for prayer at the mosque.

"Qutub minar 05" by Nomu420 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Qutub_minar_05.JPG#/media/File:Qutub_minar_05.JPG

THE GOLDEN TEMPLE /HARMANDIR SAHIB

This is the holiest Sikh gurdwara and is located in the city of Amristar ,Punjab ,India .It has four doors which represent it's openness to all people and all religions to come and worship God equally and the openess of the Sikhs also to all people and religions .

"Hamandir Sahib (Golden Temple)" by Oleg Yunakov. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hamandir_Sahib_(Golden_Temple).jpg#/media/File:Hamandir_Sahib_(Golden_Temple).jpg

"Entrance to Golden Temple, Amritsar" by Guilhem Vellut - originally posted to Flickr as Golden Temple. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Entrance_to_Golden_Temple,_Amritsar.jpg#/media/File:Entrance_to_Golden_Temple,_Amritsar.jpg

"Golden temple pano" by Apsk121 Angad Pal Singh Kingra - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Golden_temple_pano.jpg#/media/File:Golden_temple_pano.jpg

"Amritsar-golden-temple-00" by Ian Sewell. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amritsar-golden-temple-00.JPG#/media/File:Amritsar-golden-temple-00.JPG

FLOWER

Lotus flower

"Sacred lotus Nelumbo nucifera" by T.Voekler - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sacred_lotus_Nelumbo_nucifera.jpg#/media/File:Sacred_lotus_Nelumbo_nucifera.jpg

This is India's national flower  and is regarded by Hindus and Buddhists as a sacred symbol of enlightenment .

Lilly Singh

Other popular Indian figures and not comparing against each other is also Lilly Singh , who is a Indo-Canadian female YouTube personality with 5.4 million subscribers and over 640 million YouTube video views . She is known for her comedic takes on daily life situations and endorses and encourages positivity .She has since recently announced and will be on her world tour called 'A Trip to Unicorn Island  '.

Kunal Nayyar

British -Indian Kunal Nayyar who is popularly known on the Big Bang theory as Dr. Raj Koothrappali an astro physicist and husband of former miss India 2006 Neha Kapur.

These fascinating and intriguing places and people listed above is enough motivation  to visit one of the most amazing , culturally diverse and breath taking place on Earth that we all know as India .