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10 Must Visit Places in India for Food Lovers [Curated]

Posted on by Bhavik Sarkhedi

If there ever was such a thing as a food paradise, it is right here on Indian soil. The warmth and love of Indian hospitality can truly be felt with the heartwarming food that is made in its kitchens. The magic that is spun from the hands of India is sure to make every foodie’s mouth water. If you live to eat, head on over to any of these food havens in India and discover the joy of eating.

  1. Hyderabad

Photo by Dheerajk88, CC BY-SA 4.0

The city of Nizams, Hyderabad is every food lover’s dream. The city is a delicious salad of Mughal, Turkish and Andhra cuisine giving the most delectable choices to everyone’s palate. The city’s name is almost synonymous to biryani with the Hyderabadi dum biryani a favorite in every part of the country. Other delicious choices offered by this cuty are Dum Pukht, Boti kebab, Malai korma and Maghaz masala (spicy and fried lamb’s brain.) 1

  1. Delhi

Photo by Alpha, CC BY-SA 2.0

Let the (food) capital of India entice your taste buds with its spicy and flavorsome street foods. Savor in the North Indian cuisine with some lip-smacking paranthas from Paranthe waali gali in Chandni Chowk, the chaats from the street food shops, and some mouthwatering jalebis and gajar ka halwa to celebrate your happy moments.2

  1. Lucknow

Photo by Kaveh, CC BY 2.0

Staying true to its regal past, the city of Nawabs has the best in store to satisfy your hunger. Relish the aromatic Galoti kebabs and Nahara kulcha. The Lucknow biryani is also a must try for its beautiful taste and fragrance. Eat like the Nawabs in this city offering legendary food for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.3

  1. Kolkata

Photo by Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0

You can count on the Bengalis to prepare succulent and appetizing cuisine for you to devour. Try the puchkas and yummy rolls from the street corners or enjoy the various varieties of hearty fish curies. Other delicacies to try in this food heaven include Alu Posto and Sorshe Ilish (Ilish fish cooked with mustard paste.) Satisfy your sweet tooth by indulging in misti doi, Kaalakand and the evergreen Rasogulla.4

  1. Darjeeling

Photo by Tavallai, CC BY-ND 2.0

Get captivated by the colonial charm of Darjeeling’s food. If you want to have a bite of the most authentic Mediterranean food, head on over to this quaint hill station. Indulge in some soft waffles, yummy pancakes and bacon, all with a North-East Indian twist.5

  1. Amritsar

Photo by jasleen_kaur, CC BY-SA 2.0

The birthplace of dhabas and ghee-laden paranthas, Amritsar’s spicy, heavy and thoroughly tasteful delicacies are sure to linger on your taste buds long after your trip. The huge kulchas with the famous Amritsari chole, Amritsari fish, and Paneer Bhurji are going to make every kilo you gain absolutely worth it.6

  1. Goa

Photo by Extempore, CC BY-ND 2.0

Goa, the perfect combination of revitalizing beaches and delectable seafood, is a must-visit for those whose love for food is bigger than their stomachs. Be sure to treat yourself to varieties of prawn, crab, squid and fish preparations. Accompany your seafood platter composed of Crab XecXec Curry and Ambot Tik Sour with the famous Feni, a strong, aromatic alcoholic drink.7

  1. Kochi

The potpourri of flavors offered by Kerala are and will remain unmatched with the world. Kochi is sure to offer you a variety of choices in terms of authentic South Indian food, including the wholesome Kerala beef roast. Dive into the aromatic flavors of Kochi and eat monstrously to your heart’s content!8

Photo by Challiyil Eswaramangalath, CC BY-SA 2.0

  1. Pondicherry

Photo by SEN, CC BY-SA 2.09

Pondicherry invites you to the exquisite blend of French and Indian cuisine. The little France of India serves not only the very best of the world-famous French cuisine but also some great traditional dishes. Transport yourself to a little French café and savor Salad Niçoise, Quiche and Coq au vin. The traditional delicacies at Auroville Asharam would bring you back to the Indian soil.

  1. Kashmir

Photo by Colin Tsoi, CC BY-ND 2.010

India’s own heaven, Kashmir is gorgeous not just for its picturesque landscapes but also for its divine dishes. The unique flavors of Kashmiri dum aloo, Gogji Nadir and haakh are going to make you savor every ounce of these preparations. And if you’re in the mood for some royal treatment, enjoy the multi-course Kashmiri cuisine called Wazwan.

With so many varieties to choose from, your thirst for food is never going to run out of options in India. At every nook and corner, be sure to make your taste buds dance on a different rhythm at these 10 food hubs.

Cheapest Destinations to go Backpacking in Gujarat [Updated]

Posted on by Bhavik Sarkhedi

It is said that the true essence of Gujarat lies in its food and people. And this is nothing but the truth. As you enter the lands of Gujarat, you can feel the soil embracing you into its culture. Every person you meet is willing to go an extra mile to make your journey comfortable and your stay unforgettable.

Being a solo traveler, there are some things which always have to be kept in mind. The conveyance, accommodation, safety, destinations to be covered, budget, food and the list goes on. This is where you will realize that Gujarat is the state that offers the convenience to your backpacking experience. With amazing infrastructure of perfect roads and well-maintained transport facilities, your travel won’t turn into travail. Affordable accommodation and the variety of authentic Gujarati food you get to taste is just the cherry on the top.

However, what also helps while backpacking is the list of places to be visited and the pre-acquired knowledge about them. So here are some of the cheapest destinations to go while you are on your excursion through Gujarat.

Kutch – Bhuj

Almost reduced to sands during the 2001 earthquake, the area has resurrected itself beautifully. As you walk through the streets of the city, you come across the rebuilt structures and some buildings having cracks telling the story of its past struggles.

Kutch is area of Gujarat famously known for its white desert and its winter festival Rann Utsav. Bhuj, being the major city in the area is the place you want to land first. The city treats with its magnificent culture and traditions. Aina Mahal built in typical Kutchi style gives you the glimpse of varied paintings and embroidery pieces. The highlight of the palace is the Hall of Mirrors which a blend of Indian & European artistry. The architecture with marbles, glasses, mirrors and candelabra blossoms a sight of pure bliss.

Other areas worth the visit include Wild Ass Sanctuary, Dholavira Stadium, Bhadreshwar Jain Temple, Ramkund Stepwell and Swaminarayan Temple. However, the main attraction of the area is the Great Rann of Kutch. Spread across the huge expanse of 10,000 sq meters, the White Desert gives you an ecstatic feeling. Walking on the beds of salt crystals and seeing it merge with blue sky is one of the magical moments of life.

With cheap hotels and available transportation facility in the city, Kutch-Bhuj qualifies for the list of backpacking destinations.

Dwarka

Located towards the south-western corner of the state, Dwarka is considered as one of the main pilgrimage sites for the Hindus. If lore is to be believed, Dwarka was built by Lord Krishna and is called the city of gold. The city is surrounded by a number of shrines with beautiful history and story.

Rent a vehicle and get into your travelling shoes. Or actually don’t, first visit the Dwarkadheesh temple and Rukshamanee temple which are the must visit if you are here. The beauty of the architecture takes to an era beyond our times. Move ahead towards the exterior of the town. You will find the Shivrajpura beach which is famous for its lighthouse and Becktel beach where you will find aquarium and turtle breeding reserves. Visit Gopi talav and hear the story of its significance. Take a ferry to Beyt Dwarka and witness the swarm of pilgrims in all their devotional glory.

Within 25 kms of Dwarka is the land for salt production. Tata Chemicals has converted the area into its very own white desert. You will find salt panes spread over wide areas in the vicinity of seashores. Okhamadhi is one such beach.

Being a solo traveller, Dwarka takes you all the way into the mythology with its temples and brings you back to present with its industries, beaches, reserves and advancements.

Veraval

Situated in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, Veraval is one of the major fishing ports. You ought to explore shorelines, full of chaos, smell of fish hanging in the air, fishing boats covering the backdrop, yet so full of hope and life.

Just 6 kms from Veraval is the Somnath temple which tells the tale of beautiful construction in gold, silver and wood by the Gods. Before its reconstruction for the seventh time in year 1951, the temple was invaded a number of times by foreign invaders. The architecture of temple is so beautiful that you can spend whole day admiring it.

Kissing the shores of Veraval is the Arabian sea. Be the spectator of the beauty of the Sun submitting itself in the embrace of the large ocean. Play with its waves and loose yourself into its serenity.

Veraval gives you the glimpse into the lives of fishermen, boat builders and the rural India

So get your backpack ready and take the voyage into the land of Gujarat.