For a lot of travelers in India, New Delhi is the capital of everything that they need to get away from as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, the town has some wonderful secrets that I would like to share with you.

New Delhi's hidden corners

In the local dialect, "Apani Dhani" means "Our Hamlet", an affectionate name given to the place by Ramesh C. Jangid, founder of the ecolodge and a pioneer of a form of militant tourism in India, especially in Rajasthan and his own native region of Nawalgarh.  

Get off the beaten track in India with a stay at Apani Dhani Ecolodge

Delhi is a huge melting pot, divided into two towns - the historic Old Delhi and the actual capital city, New Delhi.

Asia

A country with the size of a continent, India fascinates and will always leave you wanting more. From the intensity of the tropical beaches to the salty lakes of the Himalayas, via the ice deserts of Ladakh or temples of the Maharadjahs of Rajastan, the list of majestic places could go on eternally. Travelling in India is a concentration of unique experiences, whether through its incomparable landscapes, its vibrant cities or unexpected encounters. And there is also the beauty of life, with its exceptional tones and colours. The omnipresent music, from the bells on the women’s feet to the litanies escaping from the temples; the sparkling colours of the saris and bright colours of the turbans. An unequalled energy, bright and frank glances, coupled with hearty and generous smiles. Would you like to travel to India, off the beaten tracks, where you long to find calm and pleasure? Don’t look any further! With Evaneos Travel, you create the holiday that suits you. You will discover the foothills of the Tibetan Himalayas during a road trip on a motorbike, or you could let yourself be bewitched by the charms of Rajasthan or the Taj Mahal in complete luxury. All different types of holidays in India are but a few clicks away.

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Shekhawati

The fortified city of Bikaner is located at the heart of the Rajasthan Desert on the Jaisalmer Road.

Bikaner

Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. Known as the "Blue City", it gets its nickname from the color of most of its houses.

Jodhpur

A deeply religious Hindu city and magnet for travellers on a spiritual quest.

Varanasi

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Varanasi is an incredible town, not least because of its buzzing energy. To die in Varanasi, according to Hindu beliefs, brings salvation and ends the cycle of reincarnation. The town, therefore, welcomes pilgrims from all over India for whom it is particularly important. What's more the town is impressive, packed with tiny streets easy to get lost in - I forget how many times I got disorientated when trying to find my guest house! During my stay I had the chance to see a festival dedicated to the goddess Sarasvati. Processions of chariots cross the town, each carrying huge speakers that blast out music whilst crowds dance along behind them. The procession ends on the banks of the Ganges, where believers throw effigies of the goddess into the river so as to attract her blessing. An incredible sight. <a href="/india/">Discover India by visiting Varanasi</a> ; you'll find yourself in one of the country's most important and popular towns.

Varanasi, otherwise known as Benares, is one of India's most sacred towns. Situated on the banks of the River Ganges, it's a pilgrimage site for millions of Hindus.

Varanasi is one of India's spiritual capitals, and you'll find lots of people who practise meditation along with sitar players and Yogis. The banks of the Ganges draw in an interesting mix of people. Mute beggars, bearded Sadhus waiting to end their reincarnation cycle and boatmen selling trips along these famous waters.Taking a river trip is, moreover, refreshing. To leave the ghats, the stone covered stairs and take a step back from a town that lights up each year for its annual festival, where worshippers cleanse their bodies and souls.Varanasi also celebraters Holi, the festival of colors, in great style. The streets are filled with people dousing each other, from head to toe, with multi-colored pigments. And with thousands of celebrants crowding the streets, it resembles a giant, human firework display.

Visiting Varanasi is a 'spiritual highlight' of any <a href="/india/">trip to India</a>. And of course, I stayed for several days. Let me explain why. I woke up on a cold, foggy morning in one of the oldest towns in the world. It was once called Kashi, then Mohammadabad and now Varanasi or Benares. Officially it's known as Varanasi, as the name comes from its two rivers, the Varuna and the Assi. Benares was a name chosen by the English during colonial times. Coming here for a Hindhu is the same as a pilgrimage to Mecca by a Muslim. Four million Hindhus come each year to bathe and cleanse their souls in the water of the Ganges. For Hindus, to die in Varansi brings salvation, as it will end their cycle of reincarnation. It ensures emancipation or 'moksha'. It's similar to the Buddhist aim of attaining Nirvana. To purify themselves, pilgrims plunge themselves three times in the freezing river, whilst reciting a sacred mantra. They follow this by swallowing a mouthful of the water. Bearing in mind how dirty the river is, you need to a faithful follower. Or maybe the water has miraculous qualities and the filth won't harm you. But to break the myth... The river resembles an open sewer rather than a fountain of youth. Chemical waste from neigboring factories, badly burnt, decomposing cadavres, sewage from the town - the level of faecal matter has to be ten times more than a person can tolerate. But even if pollution levels are high, the Ganges remains a sacred river with purifying qualities, according to 900 million Hindhus. Walking along the length of the Ghats, I arrived at Dasashwamedh Ghat. It's where boatmen gather to offer tours along the river, alongside hoards of scammers and petty crooks that come in all shapes and sizes. Barbers, masseurs, street sellers, ear-candlers - the competition between them is hot. And further along is Manikarnika Ghat. This is where the cremations are held. And when evening falls, you can head back to Dasashwamedh Ghat to witness the puja or ritual prayers. It's a prayer offering of light to the Ganges. Young Brahman line the large platforms. They perform a dancing ritual, swinging candlelit lamps that exude clouds of incense. And at the end of the ceremony, the priests hand out floating candles so that wishes can be made to the Ganges. You can feel a bit shaken up after a visit to Varanasi.

At 780km from Delhi, in the heart of the Ganges, Varanasi is the holiest of the Hindhu sacred sites. You may see some things that will shock you, but, nonetheless, it's a place that you really should visit.

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