Central India
Madhya Pradesh
The tiger sanctuaries of Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench which provided the backdrop and inspiration for Kipling's Jungle Book, still remain some of the best places to see this majestic animal today. Khajuraho, once the great Chandela capital, is a green oasis in the barren landscape of the central plateau with a relaxed atmosphere and resplendent erotic 10th and 12th century Hindu temples. Orchha and Gwailor are ancient towns with forts, temples, cenotaphs and palaces, and form a more unusual and lesser known cultural circuit.
Orissa
Orissa has the highest concentration of temples on its coastline, the main attraction is the Jagannath Temple in Puri, dedicated to Vishnu and the site of the extraordinary annual Rath Yatra Festival with its magnificent procession of elephants, musicians and hundreds of thousands of devotees. The gigantic Surya Temple of Konark, built as a chariot for the sun god is unmissable.
Maharashtra
The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Ellora and Ajanta Caves date as far back as the 2nd Century BC, the caves complexes consist of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist temples and monasteries all hewn from out of the mountainside. The caves demonstrate the religious tolerance that existed in ancient Indian society. The highlight of the caves at Ellora is the Kailasa Temple, which claims to be the largest monolithic structure in the world. Dedicated to Shiva, the entire vertical surface of the temple is carved with figures recounting the great Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Bombay
A vibrant and multifaceted city, it has hectic and buzzing bazaars that you can wander endlessly through. As well as being the home to glamorous Bollywood it also has the best nightlife in India. The city, which is situated on the waterfront, has a rich heritage of Victorian architecture from the days of British colonial rule. A visit to the nearby Elephanta Island to see the Siva cave temples, which are hewn out the rock face, is a must if you do not have a chance to visit the more elaborate Ellora and Ajanta caves.
