India

7 Amazing Jain Temples in India

Jainism is a religion that prescribes pacifism and a path of non-violence towards all living beings. The purpose of life according to Jainism is to undo the negative effects of karma through mental and physical purification. This process leads to liberation accompanied by a great natural inner peace. There are...

Introduction

A colorful, chaotic, yet utterly captivating country to explore, India really does have it all. From the formidable Himalayas in the north to the lovely beaches at the south of the subcontinent, the world’s second-most populous nation is packed with incredible palaces, forts and holy sites with pulsating cities and market towns dotted here and there.

One of the largest and most diverse countries on Earth, India is bordered by Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar in Asia with Sri Lanka lying just to the south. Located between the humongous Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, it is home to everything from tropical rainforests, dusty deserts and an almost endless coastline with the soaring Himalayas and swirling Ganges being two of its defining features.

As it boasts a bewildering array of different languages, cultures, and cuisines, it can be hard to know where to begin with each region having its own rich history and heritage for visitors to delve into. Common places to start are its vibrant capital New Delhi as the massive metropolis is home to some amazing Mughal architecture such as the Red Fort and Jama Masjid mosque with the cosmopolitan and cultured Mumbai also attracting lots of people.

Agra is another popular place to visit due to the iconic Taj Mahal as is the Pink City of Jaipur which is set in a scenic spot and is replete with impressive palaces, forts and monuments. Kolkata is also well worth exploring for its centuries-old colonial buildings while the sacred city of Varanasi is the place to go if you want to witness unforgettable parades, pilgrimages and bathe in the Ganges.

In addition to experiencing all its lively cities and seeing fantastic forts, temples and historic sights, India has the breathtaking beaches of Goa and Kerala to lounge on while hardy adventurers instead attempt to scale the Himalayas. With numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to explore alongside awe-inspiring cave temple complexes such as those at Ellora and Ajanta – the enormous and enigmatic India really is the country that keeps on giving.