Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Chamchiman]

For India travelers:

I'm thinking about heading to India again. I did seven weeks in South India earlier this year - Chennai, Mamallapuram, Pondicherry, Nilgri Hills, Mysore, Kerala, the south tip and back to Chennai - so I was moving around a lot. In hindsight I enjoyed every place I went, but might have liked to have taken it a little slower. (I kind of regret only spending five or six days in Pondicherry. Mysore was great too.)

This time I'd like to stay in only one or two places. I'm looking for a smaller town, rural areas nearby, perhaps a religious center or mountain area. (I've been thinking Bodhgaya - anybody been there?)

Have any of you settled down anywhere in India for several weeks or months? Which place did you choose and why?

Cheers.

[plynx]

i did mcleod ganj (dharamsala) for a almost a month. it sounds like it fits all of your criteria. the mountains are spectacular, and it's the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile. it's rural in a way, situated a taxi ride away from greater dharamsala.

there are lots of things to do, from volunteering to taking a buddhist course/art class. they also have language classes and exchanges. i went for research, and found that a month wasn't enough time to see and do everything. it's extremely inexpensive, and well worth the effort to get there. (take the 12 hour - or so - overnight train from new delhi to pathankot, take a taxi or bus - 4 hours - from there to the top of the mountain.) it's certainly a trip i'd take again.

[soviet_man]

If it were me, I would try the northern cities of India --- Ahmedabad/Armritsar.

You could then do a 1 or 2 day side trip across the border to Pakistan which is right there.

Southern India doesn't appeal to me as much as the north, unless it is a coastal place.

[doc_ido]

I've been to Bodhgaya, though not for very long. If you're interested in Buddhism it might be interesting longer-term, but personally I found it a bit flat, dusty and uninspiring. That said, it'd be great if you planned on spending a month meditating/praying and/or exploring Buddhism from various places around the world.

If I were to spend a month in one place in India, I'd agree with plynx and take somewhere northerly (though that could be my Western climate preferences talking). I haven't been to Himachal Pradesh, but loved the north-east so would recommend somewhere like Darjeeling, or possibly Gangtok.

[Konglishman]

[Chamchiman]

plynx, soviet_man, doc_ido: thanks for the replies so far. When traveling in the south we came across travelers who had been in all the places you guys recommended - Darjeeling, Dharmsala, Amritsar - and all sound worth a visit.

[Konglishman]

Hello, Chamchiman. Some of the main ideas of calculus were independently and originally discovered in Kerala.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala_school_of_astronomy_and_mathematics

[seoulteacher]

Has anyone been to Shillong? Or know about it? it's the capital of Meghalaya state, in the north-east of India, and is apparently a very beautiful hill station.

I'd like to visit it one day - worth visiting?

[politica]

I spent a little over a month in Vijiawada (cental east coast). Loved every minute of it.

I probably won't go there again though, only because I want to see the north! But still, I give V-wada two thumbs up . . .

[mnhnhyouh]

What about Kashmir near Leh. Very safe there, and the jeep ride from Manali is to die for.

Wonderful hiking, and a generally good meeting of buddhist, muslim and hindu cultures. There is a big army presence in town, but they leave the tourists alone.

There is lots of treking to be had as well.

Add a few days in Manali on either side of the Leh trip and you will have a great time.

I spent 3 weeks out of a 2 month trip there.

I went to Kerala for another 4 week trip a year later. Loved it.

h

[Fishead soup]

Hampi

[D.D.]

Go to Ramana Maharshi Ashram it is 4 hours from Chennai and near Pondicheri. It is the busiest spiritual centre in India these days. The mountain there is famous and you just buzz from its vibe. The town and mountain name can be found by searching ramana marharshi.

I also like visiting the Osho centre in Pune. Lot's of people like to go to Varinasi or they go to see Sai Baba near Bangalore in a place called Putta pardi

[LydiaSarah]

I spent a month in Varanasi in Utter Pradesh. It's the religious capitol of Hinduism (right on the Ganges river) and is an AMAZING city. It's the oldest continually inhabited city in the world, it's cheap, and there is a lot to do. You can take a day trip to the location where the Buddha gave his first sermon. You can hop on an overnight train and be in Delhi. TONS to do in the city itself as well.

Hit me up with a message if you have any specific questions.