India is a unique travel destination that's growing in popularity all the time. I have visited India Twice. India (Wikipedia link) is one of the world largest country.  Thinking of visiting India? Here are 22 reasons why you should.
During my travel time in India, I had fallen in love with this complex country for these 22 reasons: 

Reasons to Visit to the Great India

1. India is a Great Value Destination

India is often thought of as a backpacker destination with grotty hotel rooms and dirt everywhere. Let me assure you that this definitely isn't the reality. You can travel as cheaply or as lavishly as you want in India, and that's definitely part of its appeal as a tourist destination. The luxury segment of the market offers some mesmerizing accommodations, such as authentic palace hotels. Alternatively you might prefer a quaint guesthouse or homestay. Options, such as these top budget hotels in India, abound. These days, even the backpacker hostels in India are modern, clean, and welcoming!

2. Sensory Adventure

The-Incredible-India

India is a country that can’t be explained; it must be experienced. A walk down the street here in Kolkata is a smorgasbord of sights, sounds, and smells: business men yapping into cell phones, beggars clanking their collection of pocket change, colorful saris, chaotic traffic constantly honking, savory smells of street food, the stink of rotting garbage, the muggy heat in full sunshine. It’s a kind of chaos that somehow flows when you least expect it, and you definitely won’t find it anywhere else.

3. Regional Cuisine

Indian food is much more than the catch-all phrase of “curry,” and like most things in India there is a surprising amount of diversity in the country’s cuisine. In the North, you’ll sample clay-oven Tandoor recipes with thick gravy and naan bread, while in the East you’ll find plenty of fish and tortilla-like chapatti, and wafer-thin filled crepes called dosa in the South. There’s plenty of spice if you’re looking for it, sweets covered in silver, and yogurt-based drinks to beat the heat. The best food is prepared within local homes, not in restaurants.

4. Genuine People

The locals here are some of the most genuinely helpful and kind people I have ever encountered in my travels. In my experience, their hospitality is astounding. My host mother once met a traveler at a local market, talked to her for a few minutes, and offered her to stay the night in our home without second thoughts. The students in my classes were so welcoming and gave me their cell phone number in case I had any questions or wanted to do anything–and they actually meant it.

5. Bollywood Culture

Bollywood is a national pastime and a cultural phenomenon. People from all regions and socioeconomic classes flock to the cinemas to see the newest films, and as the actors and actresses are the most well-known Indians in the country there is always some Bollywood star gossip. The movies are often long and full of slapstick humor, song, and dance. Sometimes you have to suspend the laws of reality and probability and just embrace the cheesiness, but they really are entertaining.

6. Study Abroad

 Study abroad in India is not really a vacation–it’s an intense, in-your-face cultural immersion whether you want it to be or not. I’m in the middle of a 5-month long study abroad in Kolkata and as difficult and exhausting it can be, I am thriving on the challenge. It’s a place where I can continuously learn. The academic portion is secondary to what I learn just by walking down the street, as there is so much to learn just by asking questions to locals about whatever piques your curiosity. This culture has challenged my views on poverty, privilege, education, family habits, and so much more. I’ve been here for over 3 months now, and I have just barely scratched the surface of all India has to offer.

7. Folk Art

India has an abundance of folk art, which is kept alive in the small rural communities and is being revived in the big cities. Each region has a unique dance style, music, handicrafts, and more. My favorite thing to do here is to shop for rural artwork because the artists are so talented and use the few materials they have to their fullest potential. All the artwork is unique, one-of-a-kind, and handmade, and usually has a story or meaning behind it that offers some cultural insights.

8. Learn a Language 

India has over 15 national languages, and literally thousands of local languages and dialects. Many Indian languages are among the most-spoken languages of the world, like Hindi and Bengali. There are many of people who speak English, particularly in the big cities, so knowing a local language is not necessarily required. However, the locals really appreciate it when they encounter foreigners who attempt to speak some of their language. The locals here always have a cheerful laugh when I show of my Bengali skills by counting to 20.

9. Street Food

This is a whole separate kind of food from what you’ll find in restaurants. These roadside specialties are not the most sanitary or refined preparations, but they are absolutely delicious. The street food junkies who enjoy it is part of the experience. They’re people from all backgrounds and classes, and it’s a great way to feel connected to the locals. Besides, it’s a cheap treat. Spicy, savory, and sweet dishes are readily available for less than $1.

10. Big Cities and Rural Villages

 India has some of the most populous cities in the world and some of the most remote villages. It’s great to get a balance of both, to witness the hustle-and-bustle of the crowded city life and to experience the peace and simplistic lifestyle of the villages. There’s a lot to learn from both, and by visiting both extremes I now can appreciate how far India has come in its growth to modernization. I always enjoy visiting the villages because it gives me a break from the overcrowded city, and because the people there are incredibly warm and welcoming though they have very little. Try and get a taste of both the big cities and the rural villages, because both are an integral part of India today.

11. Volunteering

There are countless opportunities to volunteer in India from charities, NGOs, volunteer corps, schools, and more. There are more than enough people who could benefit from your time, talents, and donations. Search around for the organization that best fits your interests and available time. During my study abroad experience, I volunteer at a school for girls where some of the girls came from the streets to live at the school. It’s a challenging but extremely rewarding experience that helps me to reconcile with my daily encounters with poverty by knowing I’m contributing to positive action against it.

12. The Taj Mahal

It’s a bit cliché, but it’s a must-see. The Taj Mahal is a truly beautiful piece of architectural art, with a romantically sad story to accompany it. Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore described it as “a teardrop on the face of eternity.”

13. Religious Diversity

India is the melting pot of religions, from mainstream religions with millions of followers to obscure cults and everything in between. Some of the most prominent religions include Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It’s fascinating to learn the striking similarities and differences among all these religions, and even more compelling to witness the kind of religious tolerance found here. Many of my friends here celebrate holidays and festivals of numerous religions, regardless of their own spiritual beliefs.

14. History

India is one of the world’s most ancient-surviving civilizations and has thousands of years of history to explore: the “crown jewel of the British empire” as a British colony, India’s fight for independence, Partition, and India’s move toward modernity.

15. The Himayalas

The highest mountain range in the world is breathtakingly beautiful and worth a visit. Though Mount Everest is outside of India’s borders, the third-highest peak named Kanchenjunga is in the region of Sikkim along the India-Nepal border. I had a trip to the foothills of the Himalayas, which aren’t the snow-capped peaks I imagine when I think of the Himalayas, but they were still beautiful and very peaceful.

16. Explore Spirituality

India can be very inspiring and refreshing for the soul. Many people come to India to learn yoga, meditate, or spend time at an ashram.  Another moving experience is to take part in an evening aarti (fire worship) along the Ganges river at either Rishikesh, Haridwar, or Varanasi.

17. Shopping

Of course, I LOVE shopping like most females do. But items in India are so irresistible! The handicrafts are particularly eye catching and well made. Each region tends to specialize in a particular industry that's been handed down over generations.

18. Cricket

An inheritance from British culture, cricket is a national obsession. Everyone follows cricket, and if they’re not watching the game on the TV or hearing the score on the radio, they’re playing their own pickup game in the streets. I was lucky to be in India during this year’s International Cricket World Cup and witnessed the overwhelming passion and pride that exploded in this country when India won the championship game over Sri Lanka.

19. An Emerging World Power

With over a billion people, India is the second most populous country in the world and is the largest democracy in the world. India is in a period of rapid economic growth, which is pushing it forward into the leagues of the world’s superpowers. Countries like the United States have recently acknowledged India not as a rising power but rather a world power, and India is likely to confirm that position in the coming years. India is still struggling with problems like overpopulation, pollution, and other effects of urbanization but there is no doubt India will have more say in the future of global politics.

20. Yoga

India is the birthplace of yoga and is a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual practices. There are a number of forms, specializations, and focuses. I enjoy practicing yoga back home in the U.S. and had the opportunity to take a month-long course of yoga here. I found it different than as it is at home. It was a more holistic approach that focused on breathing and mediation than as a chic form of exercise. There are a number of opportunities to experience yoga in India, whether it’s through a private teacher, classes, or a stay at an ashram where yoga is practiced.

21. Influential Personalities

There are several famous Indian personalities who inspired millions with their work and contributions to India’s history. Mahatma Gandhi, considered as the “father of the nation,” was a leader in the political fight for India’s independence and is on every denomination of the rupee. Rabindranath Tagore, India’s artistic titan, is considered as India’s national poet. Mother Teresa, Indian by citizenship rather than birth, is famous for her Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata and is in the process of becoming a saint in the Catholic church. Other Indian personalities that I had never known about but who have accomplished truly great things include Subhas Chandra Bose, Swami Vivikenanda, Ramakrishna, and Lord Buddha.

22. Religious Festivals

There is nothing quite like the massively elaborate religious festivals that occur on a regular basis. These festivals take over entire communities with dancing in the streets, music, chanting, worshiping idols, food, and more. Even more intriguing, people of various religions will celebrate in festivals outside of their own spiritual beliefs. Hindus attend church on Christmas, Muslims participate in Durga Puja, and Christians play Holi. I was lucky enough to participate in Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, as well. It was a great day of throwing powders and dyes at my friends and celebrating the arrival of spring. Religious festivals have an exuberance like nothing I’ve ever experienced.