World Guide

India

Country · Asia, Southern Asia

Taj Mahal
Pictured: Taj Mahal · Photo: Yann; edited by King of Hearts; derivative work: Jbarta, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

India is located in Southern Asia and shares borders with countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Covering 3.29 million square kilometers, it has a population of about 1.46 billion and features New Delhi as its capital.

Highlights

This reference covers 120 sights across the country. Architectural landmarks include the Taj Mahal, Statue of Unity, Antilia, and Qutb Minar. Religious sites are numerous, such as the Jagannath Temple, Golden Temple, Kailasa Temple, Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Brihadisvara Temple, Ram Mandir, Kamakhya Temple, and Meenakshi Temple. Historic monuments include the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Ajanta Caves, and Konark Sun Temple. Natural areas include the Western Ghats and Kangchenjunga. Cities to visit include Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Agra, Amritsar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, and Lonavala.

Food and drink

Local dishes include chapati, lassi, pakora, gulab jamun, papadam, paneer, dosa, idli, chicken tikka masala, kheer, puri, and laddu.

When to go

The capital, New Delhi, experiences distinct seasonal changes. Winters from December to February are cool, with highs between 20 °C and 23 °C and minimal rain. Temperatures rise in March and April, reaching highs of 36 °C. May and June are hot, with highs of 38 °C to 39 °C. The rainy season occurs from July to September, with July seeing the most precipitation at 175 mm over 22 days. October and November offer moderate temperatures before winter returns.

Practical notes

The currency is the Indian rupee. Official languages are Hindi and English. Electrical outlets use plug types C and D with a voltage of 230 V. Driving occurs on the left side of the road. The time zone is UTC+05:30.

Cities

Food and drink to try in India

  • Chapati
  • Lassi
  • Pakora
  • Gulab jamun
  • Papadam
  • Paneer
  • Dosa
  • Idli
  • Chicken tikka masala
  • Kheer
  • Puri
  • Laddu

Top sights in India

  1. Taj MahalUNESCOTaj MahalAgra
  2. Statue of UnityStatue of UnityKevadia
  3. AntiliaAntiliaMumbai
  4. Jagannath Temple, PuriJagannath Temple, PuriPuri
  5. Golden TempleAmritsar
  6. Kailasa Temple, ElloraKailasa Temple, Ellora
  7. Padmanabhaswamy TemplePadmanabhaswamy TempleThiruvananthapuram
  8. KangchenjungaKangchenjunga
  9. Red FortUNESCORed FortDelhi
  10. Khajuraho Group of MonumentsUNESCOKhajuraho Group of Monuments
  11. Ajanta CavesUNESCOAjanta Caves
  12. Konark Sun TempleUNESCOKonark Sun TempleKonark
  1. Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam · Srirangam
  2. Qutb Minar · Delhi
  3. Supreme Court of India · Delhi
  4. Brihadisvara Temple · ThanjavurUNESCO
  5. Ram Mandir · Ayodhya
  6. Kamakhya Temple · Guwahati
  7. Western GhatsUNESCO
  8. Meenakshi Temple · Madurai
  9. India Gate · Delhi
  10. Kashi Vishwanath Temple · Varanasi
  11. Ellora CavesUNESCO
  12. Hawa Mahal · Jaipur
  13. Dharavi · Mumbai
  14. Mysore Palace · Mysore
  15. Nalanda mahaviharaUNESCO
  16. Lotus Temple · Delhi
  17. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus · MumbaiUNESCO
  18. Gateway of India · Mumbai
  19. Ramanathaswamy Temple · Rameswaram
  20. Chittor FortUNESCO
  21. Charminar · Hyderabad
  22. Agra Fort · AgraUNESCO
  23. Godavari River · Mancherial
  24. Amber Fort · JaipurUNESCO
  25. Sanchi StupaUNESCO
  26. Jantar Mantar, New Delhi · DelhiUNESCO
  27. HampiUNESCO
  28. Golconda · Hyderabad
  29. Iron pillar of Delhi · Delhi
  30. Lohagad · Lonavala
  31. SarnathUNESCO
  32. Howrah Bridge · Kolkata
  33. Raigad Fort · Mahad
  34. Elephanta CavesUNESCO
  35. Somnath Temple · Veraval
  36. Jim Corbett National Park
  37. Dakshineswar Kali Temple · Kolkata
  38. Jama Masjid, Delhi · Delhi
  39. KumbhalgarhUNESCO
  40. Victoria Memorial, Kolkata · Kolkata
  41. Bhimbetka rock sheltersUNESCO
  42. Swaminarayan Akshardham · Delhi
  43. Gwalior Fort · Gwalior
  44. Kaziranga National ParkUNESCO
  45. Akal Takht · Amritsar
  46. Jal Mahal · Jaipur
  47. Barabar Caves
  48. Rani ki Vav · PatanUNESCO
  49. Rashtrapati Bhavan · Delhi
  50. Lingaraja Temple · Bhubaneswar
  51. Basilica of Bom Jesus · Old Goa
  52. Mahabodhi Temple · Bodh GayaUNESCO
  53. Mehrangarh · Jodhpur
  54. Gangaikonda CholapuramUNESCO
  55. Dholavira · DholaviraUNESCO
  56. Nicobar Islands
  57. Bibi Ka Maqbara · Aurangabad
  58. Chilika Lake
  59. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur · JaipurUNESCO
  60. Trimbakeshwar Temple · Nashik
  61. Haji Ali Dargah · Mumbai
  62. Gir National Park
  63. Gol Gumbaz · Bijapur
  64. Umaid Bhawan Palace · Jodhpur
  65. Jallianwala Bagh · Amritsar
  66. Cheraman Juma Mosque · Kodungallur
  67. PattadakalUNESCO
  68. Satish Dhawan Space Centre
  69. Lonar Lake · Lonar
  70. St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai · Chennai
  71. Jog Falls
  72. Chand Baori · Abhaneri
  73. Darjeeling Himalayan RailwayUNESCO
  74. Jaisalmer Fort · JaisalmerUNESCO
  75. Ranthambore National Park
  76. Raj Ghat and associated memorials · Delhi
  77. Gingee Fort · Gingee
  78. Pratapgad · Mahabaleshwar
  79. Fort St. George · Chennai
  80. Humayun's tomb · DelhiUNESCO
  81. Purana Qila · Delhi
  82. Shahjahanabad · Delhi
  83. Akbar's tomb · Agra
  84. Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura · Somnathapura
  85. Lothal
  86. Dudhsagar Falls
  87. Dal Lake · Srinagar
  88. Ramappa Temple · PalampetUNESCO
  89. Valley of Flowers National ParkUNESCO
  90. Rakhigarhi · Hisar
  91. Tungabhadra River · Alampur
  92. Karla Caves · Lonavala
  93. Kerala backwaters
  94. Nilgiri Mountain RailwayUNESCO
  95. Buland Darwaza
  96. Sanjay Gandhi National Park
  97. Shivneri Fort · Junnar
  98. Airavatesvara Temple · KumbakonamUNESCO
  99. Nahargarh Fort · Jaipur
  100. Gandhi Smriti · Delhi
  101. Bandipur National Park
  102. Periyar National Park · KumilyUNESCO
  103. Rajgad
  104. Indian Museum · Kolkata
  105. Manas National ParkUNESCO
  106. Ranthambore FortUNESCO
  107. Vaishali
  108. Loktak Lake

UNESCO sites in India →

Weather by month

The warmest month is May, with an average high of 39 °C. The wettest is July, with about 175 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C202329363939343333322722
Average low, °C8101520252827262419149
Rainfall, mm1621121532651751711181167
Rainy days424359221912211

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for New Delhi (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories