Photographs submitted to ‘Your Shot’ on National Geographic.
Places are said to have a strong ‘Sense of place’ and a strong identity that is deeply felt by inhabitants and visitors in India as the photographer Kristian Bertel learned while visiting the incredible country of India.
Sense of place
The term ‘Sense of place’ has been used in many ways also on National Geographic. It is a multidimensional, complex construct used to characterize the relationship between People and spatial settings. It is a characteristic that some geographic places have and some do not, while to others it is a feeling or perception held by people and not by the place itself. It is often used in relation to those characteristics that make a place special or unique, as well as to those that foster a sense of authentic human attachment and belonging.
With a rich heritage and myriad attractions, the country is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Incredible India has a lot great places to visit. Places that the photographer is combining with his personal experiences while exploring the world with reflections on how and why the strange and distant is such an excellent means to recognize oneself and to experience the world and time differently. His photographs, which are as fascinating as it is inspiring, is both a literary road trip and a philosophical search for the meaning of travel.
Visitors can expect opulent palaces and shocking poverty, rainbow dresses and brown waters, bustling cities and an entirely different sense of time. But remember that no sooner do you think you have understood India than the contradiction appears at the next corner.
Many kind of tourism in India
Religious tourism, in particular pilgrimage, can serve to strengthen faith and to demonstrate devotion. Religious tourists may seek destinations whose image encourages them to believe that they can strengthen the religious elements of their self-identity in a positive manner. Given this, the perceived image of a destination may be positively influenced by whether it conforms to the requirements of their religious self-identity or not.
Photograph submitted to ‘Your Shot’ on National Geographic.
1. Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh
Taj Mahal is a mausoleum complex was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to immortalize his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth, having been the emperor’s inseparable companion since their marriage. It is regarded as India’s most famous and widely recognized building, it is situated in the eastern part of the city on the southern bank of the Yamuna River.
Photograph submitted to ‘Your Shot’ on National Geographic.
2. Thar Desert in Rajasthan
The Thar is one of the most heavily populated desert areas in the world with the main occupations of its inhabitants being agriculture and animal husbandry. Desert safaris on camels have become increasingly popular around Jaisalmer. Domestic and international tourists frequent the desert seeking adventure on camels for one to several days. This ecotourism industry ranges from cheaper backpacker treks to plush ‘Arabian night’-style campsites replete with banquets and cultural performances. During the treks, tourists are able to view the fragile and beautiful ecosystem of the Thar Desert.
Photograph submitted to ‘Your Shot’ on National Geographic.
3. Jaisalmer in Rajasthan
Tourism is a major industry in the town of Jaisalmer that stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone and is crowned by the ancient Jaisalmer Fort. This fort contains a royal palace and several ornate Jain temples. Many of the houses and temples of both the fort and of the town below are built of finely sculptured sandstone. Jaisalmer has been enriched by its Jain community, which has adorned the city with beautiful temples.
Photograph submitted to ‘Your Shot’ on National Geographic.
4. Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh
Nearly 57 million people depend on the Yamuna’s waters and for Hindus, the Yamuna is not just a natural resource, but also one of the holiest rivers in India. Its name seems to be derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yama’, meaning ‘Twin’, and it may have been applied to the river because it runs parallel to the Ganges. Like the Ganges, the Yamuna River is highly venerated in Hinduism in the form of a river and as the goddess Yamuna and is considered a river of heaven and one of the seven sacred rivers, along with the Ganges.
Photograph submitted to ‘Your Shot’ on National Geographic.
5. Mehrangarh Fort in Rajasthan
Mehrangarh Fort is a must visit place in Jodhpur. It is stunning to see this majestic palace and astonishing to know about its history. This fort, unlike many others, in India has a lift to climb to the main entrance. The sight of Jodhpur once you reach there is breathtaking and the fort actually is now a beautiful museum and is a great place as a sunrise point. Being at the onshore of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is known as the ‘Sun City’ for the bright and sunny weather it enjoys all the year round. Jodhpur has been influenced by ways of select nomadic tribes have settled in some parts of the city, in which the old part is surrounded by walls and several gates.
Photograph submitted to ‘Your Shot’ on National Geographic.
6. Taj Mahal Mosque in Uttar Pradesh
Enhancing the already present splendor of the Taj Mahal is a building that stands on the western side of it, a Taj Mahal Mosque made up of red sandstone. It serves two purposes, first, it was obligatory according to the Muslim law for each mausoleum to have a place of worship nearby. Second, the mosque and a mirror image of the mosque, a guest house that stands on the opposite side of it, together provide a perfect symmetrical balance to the architecture of whole of Taj Mahal.
Photograph submitted to ‘Your Shot’ on National Geographic.
7. Hanuman temple in Haryana
The temple and statue of Lord Hanuman is situated on the top of a hill surrounded by mountains and greenery near Narnaul in India. The temple is a popular pilgrim place that are attended by devotees in large numbers and people of the region believe that this temple has mystical healing powers.
Photograph submitted to ‘Your Shot’ on National Geographic.
8. Jodhpur in Rajasthan
Jodhpur is known as the ‘Blue City’ because all of the buildings in the oldest district are painted in a light shade of blue. This district lies to the north of the city and the color scheme is almost uniform. The best vantage point to view the blue painting of Jodhpur is from the Meherangarh Fort’s battlements.
Photograph submitted to ‘Your Shot’ on National Geographic.
9. Dhobi Ghat in Maharashtra
Washermen at the Dhobi Ghat in India with lots of troughs full of water are beating and pummeling clothes to remove soiling, above just hundreds of washing lines with clothes hung to dry. The washers, known as ‘Dhobis’, work in the open to clean clothes and linens from Mumbai’s hotels and hospitals. There are rows of open-air concrete wash pens, each fitted with its own flogging stone. Claimed to be the world’s largest outdoor laundry, Dhobi Ghat is a very popular attraction among foreign tourists.
Photograph submitted to ‘Your Shot’ on National Geographic.
10. Dasaswamedh Ghat in Uttar Pradesh
One of the oldest and the most sacred ‘Ghats’ in the holy city of Varanasi is Dashashwamedh. This place is most famous for its ‘Ganga arti’, a holy fire ritual, which is an elaborate and lively ceremony that takes place at dusk everyday. When visiting this place the traveler can get an impression of the daily life that puzzles here and where hundreds of devotees throng the Dasaswamedh Ghat in Varanasi to offer their prayers.
Fascinating places in India
India is a country, or rather a subcontinent from which a fascinating intensity comes from. The world’s greatest democracy with over a billion inhabitants. On the inside, an impressive cultural, social and spiritual diversity that has more than yoga, curry and Bollywood. This blog post explores all aspects of incredible places in India from the centuries -old traditions and colorful festivals to Travel ideas to the most popular destinations to insights into historical and religious places.
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Places that make an impression
One of the places that made an impression on the Photographer was Varanasi, which is one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities. As mentioned earlier the ‘Ghats’ in Varanasi are world-renowned embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and is a great destination for spiritual seekers. The city is a popular pilgrimage site and is filled with temples, ‘Ghats’ and other holy sites. Varanasi is a great place to experience the unique culture and traditions of India.
”- Located on the River Ganges in northern India this city has a central place in pilgrimage, death and mourning in the Hindu world, even as the traditions are transformed in the face of modernization, generational changes and emigration. Tourism is Varanasi’s second most important industry, whereas domestic tourist most commonly visit for religious purposes while foreign tourist visit for ‘Ghats’ along the river”, the photographer Kristian Bertel says.
Traveling has become increasingly popular
As an activity in recent years traveling has become popular as more and more people are looking for new and exciting places to explore. Whether you are looking for relaxation or adventure, there is a travel destination for everyone. From the bustling cities of Delhi and Mumbai to the sun-drenched desert of the Thar Desert, there are plenty of places to explore and enjoy. Here are some of the top travel places to consider for your next vacation.
An incredibly diverse landscape and culture
When it comes to travel places in India, there are an endless number of options to explore. India has an incredibly diverse landscape and culture, which makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. From quaint hill stations to picturesque beaches and vibrant cities, India has something for everyone. Here are some of the best travel places in India you must visit.
These are some of the best travel places in India that you must visit. India is a fascinating country with many incredible sights and experiences to offer. Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday or an adventure-filled holiday, India has something for everyone. So, what are you waiting for? Plan your next trip to India and explore its many wonders.
National Geographic Your Shot is the place for photographers to tell stories collaboratively through their best photography and expert curation. There are also the many National Geographic photographers known from the magazines that are freelancers and who come from a wide array of backgrounds. They have different interests, passions, experiences and have educational backgrounds in a variety of disciplines.
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Kristian Bertel 