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Culture of North India
North India is a melting pot of various traditions and customs, having assimilated influences over centuries.
Culture of North India: What to expect
Women predominantly wear the traditional salwar-kameez or sari, although in rural parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, the ghagra-choli (skirt and blouse) is more prevalent. North Indian men usually wear a kurta with pyjamas or a traditional garment called dhoti. Turbans or headgear are worn as a sign of one’s status.
Traditionally worn to as a symbol of female energy designed to protect the wearer and her spouse, bindis today are no longer limited to married women. As a result, colorful and decorative bindis can be seen to line the foreheads of many women.
North India has various ethnic and religious groups such as Brahmins, Jats, Rajputs and Dalits. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Jains regularly rub shoulders in this multilingual and multicultural part of India.
Hindi is spoken and understood everywhere, although in the interiors of each state, local people converse in regional languages.
Varanasi, which is popularly called the oldest city in the world, is considered the spiritual capital of India. Thousands of pilgrims travel to the city every year, to bathe in the waters of the holy river Ganges and to perform Hindu funeral rites. The city also houses the Kashi Vishwanath – one of the most revered Hindu temples in India.
Art, painting, sculpting, dance and music are various important tenets of North Indian culture. Revered poet Kalidasa, as well as scholars like Panini, Tulsidas and Chand Bardai were all from this region. North Indian painting is not to be taken lightly either – Rajasthani art and Rajput miniature paintings have etched out their own niche in Indian history.
Hindustani classical music traces its roots back to the Vedic time in North India, and starting from the fun Bhangra to the traditional Kathak, the region boasts various forms of dance as well.
Did you know?
Garlanding is a sign of respect in North India and garlands are offered to deities or honored visitors. Flowers are supposed to be auspicious and their aroma is expected to rejuvenate you.
Our destination experts are happy to plan your tailor-made vacation of cultural North India. Get in touch with us today!
From the Blog
Experience the festival of lights and sound as communities come together for the Hindu festival dedicated to the victory of light over dark! Worth including in your India travel plan, Jen Marsden takes you on a journey on how best to celebrate Diwali during your India tour.
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Top 10 North India Boutique Hotels
Discover our top 10 North India boutique hotels, assessed on the most popular accommodation, feedback from our guests, and our quality testing by our team.
Read PostPopular Trips to North India
10 Days
from
$3,590 USD
/ person
This customizable tour blends the historical and cultural exploration of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, with the spiritual charms of Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities. Marvel at the colonial architecture of Lutyens’ Delhi and discover the charms of Old Delhi on a walking tour through its winding alleys. Enjoy a boat ride…
21 Days
from
$6,790 USD
/ person
Come be immersed in the sights and sounds of North India and then relax in the backwaters of Kerala. This 20-day tour takes you through the icons of Indian culture and history with stops at the Taj Mahal, Delhi’s Red Fort, Jaipur’s Palace of the Winds and Ranthambore Fort. Enjoy a float down the Ganges,…
9 Days
from
$7,690 USD
/ person
The ideal tour for those who want to experience the best of this region’s incredible history, culture and beauty. Explore historic landmarks such as the 17th century Leh Palace and Hemis Monastery, and participate in the Morning Prayer rituals at Thiksey Monastery. Soak in the breathtaking landscapes of the Nubra Valley while in your luxury…
13 Days
from
$10,790 USD
/ person
Discover North India and parts of the country’s western coast on this immersive 13-day tour. The highlight is a three-day journey onboard the opulent Maharajas’ Express train, with stops at Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur and Ranthambore. Take in the magnificence of forts, palaces and monuments across the region, and if you’re lucky, you might spot…
16 Days
from
$22,990 USD
/ person
This is the ultimate luxury tour of North India with the best quality tested chauffeurs and vehicles, premium accommodation, and superior VIP service delivered by a team of local travel experts. Experience the life of Maharajahs as you travel between regal cities in northern India. From the Mughal-era masterpieces of Delhi, travel to remote Jaisalmer…
15 Days
from
$5,590 USD
/ person
Let your India vacation take you on a spiritual journey to holy cities and sublime works of art. From pristine Rishikesh to the Aarti light ceremony of Haridwar, holy Varanasi to the love temples of Khajuraho and the Taj Mahal, fascinating encounters await. Customize this North India and Varanasi trip to match your exact interests and preferences. Contact our experts for…
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Our Awards
At Enchanting Travels, our private, custom tours are built on extensive knowledge of our destinations, an outstanding team of professionals, and personalized top-notch service. Our work is consistently recognized by prestigious organizations across the travel industry. In 2023, we received the Travel Weekly Magellan Gold Award for World’s Leading Tour Operator- Overall, the LUXLife Magazine Award for Best Global Custom Travel Company, a World Travel Award for North America’s Leading Tour Operator, and a World Luxury Travel Award for Bespoke Experience Travel Agency (Global Winner). You can see all our past awards and current accreditations here.
What Our Guests Say
Our week-long visit to Delhi and Rajasthan planned in a short period of time was exceptional. Everything except our dinners was arranged for and included in the itinerary. Our personal guides in each city were engaging and enhanced our experience tremendously. Our chauffeur (far more than a driver) was brilliant. He was also our trip coordinator and provided local guidance as we travelled. The whole visit was executed perfectly and Enchanting staff made it so from planning through to the final wave goodbye. We are so pleased to have found this company and will definitely select them again for future visits elsewhere in the world.
Michael Patrick Proctor
USA
I have been using Enchanting Travels from their very beginning and I will continue to use them in the future. Although I use them mainly for India, they did arrange a very nice trip to Vienna when I went there to attend a wedding. They are reliable, efficient, trustworthy and knowledgeable and just plain excellent.
Marianne Oort-Lissy
Netherlands
Enchanting Travels were very proactive in helping us put together our trip and their support during our trip was amazing. We travelled from Delhi to the Amritsar by train to see the Golden Temple and the Pakistan border flag ceremony. We flew to Udaipur and travelled by car via Deogarh, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Agra back to Delhi with an onwards flight to Jabalpur, followed by a car ride to the Bandhavgarh National Tiger Park. The holiday included a train trip and three internal flights, and everything went according to plan and without a hitch. There were too many highlights, but a special mention goes to the Diwali celebration with a local family, the Taj Mahal and the visit to the Bandhavgarh National Park where we saw tigers in the wild. We can say, hand on heart, that our holiday in India exceeded our expectations.
Harry Warries
Australia
Enchanting Travels is a very professional, knowledgeable group with an excellent team. They are with you making sure everything goes smoothly from the day you start to put together your itinerary until you are checked in to your flight home. This is more than first class service. This service is piece of mind and the perfect way to have a safe, memorable, and peaceful trip full of
Maria Isabel Salgar
USA
The personal approach from Enchanting reassures us that our trips are tailored to suit our preferences. And it is good to know they are on hand if something unexpected crops up. I love the way they support me in planning my holiday rather than imposing their own ideas. Already looking forward to planning our next trip together.
Susanna McGibbon and Patrick Spencer
UK
I would highly recommend Enchanting Travels because of their commitment to customizing your travel experiences so that you gain what you are most seeking during the journey. It goes beyond providing the typical tourist experiences so that you are able to immerse yourself in the local culture. The on-the-ground staff were professional and attentive to details so that traveling from city to city via car or plane was seamless with no wasted time because everything was well coordinated. This coordination of the itineary is present from the beginning of the trip with the assistance of the Travel Consultant to the end of the trip with support provided by the Trip Coordinator who was always accessible, providing daily updates and recommendations to enrich the journey!
Sharolyn Pollard-Durodola
USA
Best Places To Visit
History
For centuries, North India has seen empires rise and fall, from the grand Indus Valley civilization, to the Mughals and colonial rule. Discover our top tips for your historical tour of North India.
Cuisine
Prepare to be inundated with treats when you visit a North Indian household. Discover our top tips for your culinary vacation in North India.
Travel Guide
India’s vast size means that there are numerous weather patterns. As with the rest of Southeast Asia, the best time to visit for warm, dry and sunny weather is between October and March.