India is a vast country with a lot of diversity spreading throughout the land. A famous Bollywood song’s lyric reads, “East or West India is the best,” but in this case, North or South India which one is the best? Since India is divided into North, South, East, West and Central, this list will focus on the distinct differences to help you choose between North and South India.

If you are planning a trip to this culturally rich country, you need to have a plan. The first dilemma everyone faces is choosing North or South India. This guide compares the upper and lower half of India to make your decision easier.

The Difference between North and South Indian Culture:

The cultural difference between North and South India is vast and can be widely seen in their way of speaking, dressing and eating. Although each part of India is diverse in their own way, the North and South of India have distinct differences. From the way they dress to the languages they speak and even the weather, there are a number of differences.

The North Indian people speak a vast array of languages just like South India but the distinction lies in the origin. The Northern languages were derived from the Aryans while the Southern languages from Dravidians. Many people find the North Indian way of speaking inflectional while the South is considered more agglutinative.

The dressing styles in India also vary depending on where you are, for example in the North you’ll see more women in salwar kameez but in the South most of them are in sarees. In the South, men are found wearing lungis but in the North men prefer kurta-pyjama.

The Weather in North and South India:

This country has three distinct seasons namely, summer, monsoon and winter. However, this peninsular land is just as varied in terms of its weather. While the North experiences extreme climate like snow, the South faces a fair amount of humidity. To choose between North or South India, one must be aware of the weather changes.

If you are set on visiting the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, you have a small window during the summer months of April and May. However, if the South is the place you want to visit, you must know that the temperature remains humid and relatively hot throughout the year. It has its bursts of mellow temperatures during January and February making it the best time to visit India.

North vs. South Indian Cuisine:

Food is an important part of any vacation and the food in North or South India is to die for, quite literally for the ones who struggle to digest the spice. Food is spicy all around India but many say the North Indian food is more of a relief than the South. However, the biggest difference is the North’s staple diet is wheat while the South’s is rice.

The North Indian food is heavily influenced by the Mughals after all those years of ruling. Their food has a mixture of vegetables and meat but cooked on a royal scale with spices and herbs. On the other hand, the South prefers using seafood and vegetables. However, an important thing to remember is whatever you choose North or South India, food of the other can be easily found.

Geographically India may be divided but people from the North live in the South and vice-versa. This means you can find North or South Indian food wherever you might be. The difference being the food is not considered authentic, since the cooking style is influenced by the area it’s been cooked in.

So what’s it going to be Butter Chicken and roti in the North or Dosa and Idli in the South? Honestly speaking both cuisines are delectable and choosing between North or South India based on food is not easy. So, maybe the places will help make things easier. However, before you get excited to pack, book flight tickets to India.

Do these North or South Indian places float your boat?

India’s economy is primarily built on tourism filling this diverse land with innumerable places to tour. From the salt marshes of Rann of Kutch in Rajasthan to the pristine backwaters of Kerala, India has every kind of landscape you can think of. So, here are a few places in North and South India that reflect the vast beauty of this country.

North Indian Places: The North of India is home to the Taj Mahal, a magnificent historic monument which is famous worldwide. There are a number of ancient relics in the North and South of India but North is still rich with the remnants from the Mughal rule. The Himalayas and salt deserts are also famous among tourists traveling to North India.

Rishikesh and Udaipur in the North are two breathtaking places filled with culture and scenic beauty. There are also a number of wildlife sanctuaries filled with rare flora and fauna. North India also houses The Golden Temple in Punjab, the most important Sikh house of worship.

South Indian Places: Now that the North has been covered, it’s time to look at the South Indian places you must visit. The one thing common between the two are the unlimited amount of temples spread across the country. However, South India offers different landscapes and beauty compared to the North.

Kerala is without a doubt the best tourist place with marshy backwaters and progressive nature. While this state is enough for the South to win this battle, here are a few special mentions. Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu is a former French colony that truly takes you back in time. Coorg is a quaint hill station in Karnataka that allows you to be one with nature.

Hoping this comparison has helped you come to a conclusion between North or South India. If you need a bit more convincing check out these weekend gateways in India. Indian Eagle is an online airline booking company that gives you the best offers to book last minute flights and it’s only a click away.

–Travel Diary

The post A Guide to Journey through North or South India appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.

The world recognizes February as the Month of Love but in India, it is also a tranquil time in terms of weather. The perfect spring climate also indicated the beginning of a number of festivals and fairs held across the country. India is a big country but the one thing all the places have in common is the pleasant weather that sweeps the place in the month of February. To make life easier for you travel bugs, here is an ultimate guide to the best places to visit in February in India 2020.

It’s important for you to decide what you would like to experience from this trip, so that you can make the right plan. India is multicultural with vast and diverse areas to explore. Here is a comprehensive list of all the best places to visit in North and South India.

Best Places to Visit in February in North India 

A trip to North India is for those who crave the wondrous nature of mountains and valleys. The spellbinding beauty of the Himalayas to the sandy deserts in North India garner the attention of tourists on a regular basis. Here is a compilation of the best places to visit in February in North India.

Nainital: A Journey Through The Lake City 

This Himalayan resort town located in Uttarakhand is a mesmerizing hill station, putting it on the top of the North India tourist places list. The serene town is built around a gorgeous lake with amazing boating activities. If you are looking for a peaceful getaway, Nainital is the place to be. It has also been rated as one of the best places to visit in February. Also, remember to add shopping at the Tibetan Market on Mall Road to your itinerary.

Shimla: Venture Down The Queen Of Hills 

Your 2020 getaway can be surrounded by breathtaking beauty if you choose to explore all the best places to visit in Shimla. Famously known as the Queen of Hills, Shimla is one of the best places to visit in February. Get ready to experience the beauty of plush valleys and snow-capped mountains.

Ranthambore: Join The Fraternity Of Tigers 

This one is for all the wildlife lovers out there looking for a way to reconnect with nature. The Ranthambore National Park was once a hunting ground for the royals and now is a place wild animals get to live in serenity. You can get an exciting safari across the 1300 sq km area to spot tigers, bears and many other endangered species.

The National Park is also filled with a number of water bodies where the animals gather to cool off. This trip is your very own African safari but in India giving it a spot among the best places to visit in February.

Rann of Kutch: Experience The Wild West At Its Best

Everyone needs to travel to the white desert of India at least once in their lifetime as it is one of the best places to visit in February. In the second month of the year, the Rann of Kutch offers a plethora of experiences. One of the main reasons to visit is the Rann Utsav, a festival that reflects the authenticity of the region.

Best Places to visit in February in South India 

Now that we’ve covered the best places to visit in North India now it’s time to explore the South. The South of India is full of surprises from housing the Scotland of India (Coorg) to God’s very own country (Kerala). While most places list out every tourist place to visit, here you will find the best places to visit in February in South India.

Coorg: Discover The Scotland Of India 

The Scots were the first to notice the uncanny similarities between their homeland and Coorg. Both places are surrounded by never ending misty mountainous landscapes making it one of the best tourist places in the South. The month of February is particularly special as the weather goes from cold to pleasant.

Kerala: An Unforgettable Trip In God’s Own Country 

God’s own country, Kerala is an oasis of natural beauty that lies along the Western Ghats. This South Indian state is known for its beautiful backwaters and is named one of the 10 paradises in the world by National Geographic Traveler. This list covers places rather than a whole state but choosing one of the many glorious places in Kerala is difficult.

Hence, if you plan a trip to South India, Kerala should be on your bucket list. Travel through the green carpeted landscapes in Palakkad or visit the Land of Lagoons in Alleppey. Don’t worry whichever place you choose Kerala will not disappoint.

Pondicherry: The French Riviera of The East 

This former French colony is the perfect dreamy escape to experience the best of both worlds. Although this Union Territory is small, it is filled with a beautiful blend of Indian and French cultures. Visit any of the cozy cafes or chic boutiques that offer mouth-watering French food.

If Pondicherry is your choice, remember to take a walk down the French Quarter also known as White Town. Colonial structures with an unending trail of Bougainvillea flowers is the highlight of this street adding it to the best places to visit in February.

This ultimate India travel guide was carefully planned to suit travelers visiting India in February 2020. Apart from choosing a place, you also have to book flight tickets for your much-awaited getaway. Finding reasonable flights can be strenuous and that’s why IndianEagle has your back. It compares and lists all the cheap flights available from the United States to India. So, what are you waiting for, start booking.

–Travel Diary

The post 7 Best places to visit in February in India 2020 appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.