India between myth and reality
An encounter with grandeur, spirituality and nature
India is a country that cannot be described – it must be experienced. From the splendor of the Taj Mahal to the mysterious silence of the jungle in Ranthambore, every step along its lands reveals a new world. Entering the City Palace of Jaipur, it is as if you are stepping into the time of the Maharajas – magnificent halls, painted doors, royal balconies and ornaments that shimmer with gold, blue and red. Part of the palace is still the residence of the royal family, and the rest is a museum that tells stories of power, art and tradition.
Very close by is the Hawa Mahal – the Palace of the Winds. Its facade with over 900 windows was built so that the ladies of the royal family could observe street life without being seen – in harmony with the strict orders of the time. Made of pink sandstone, the palace resembles a honeycomb and is one of the most recognizable buildings in India.
On a hill above the city rises the Amber Fort – a mix of Mughal and Rajput architecture. Here you will find the Sheesh Mahal – the Hall of Mirrors, where a single candle can illuminate the entire space thanks to hundreds of small mirror tiles inlaid in the walls. The climb to the fort itself – by jeep or on an old road through the mountain bends – contributes to the feeling of adventure.
Far from the city noise lies the Ranthambore National Park – a wildlife refuge, famous for the opportunity to see Bengal tigers in their natural environment. In addition to them, the park is home to leopards, deer, crocodiles, sloths and over 300 species of birds. A safari in this reserve is not just an excursion – it is excitement, anticipation, tension and delight when you catch a glimpse of the yellow-black stripes in the grass or come face to face with a predator.
And you can’t talk about India without mentioning the Taj Mahal. This marble masterpiece is not just an architectural monument, but a symbol of immortal love. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Legend has it that he planned to build a black Taj Mahal on the other side of the river for himself, but was overthrown by his own son before he could do it. Even with the slightest change in light, the white facade of the mausoleum changes - pink at dawn, white at noon and golden at sunset. From the Mehtab Bagh gardens, located on the opposite bank, one of the most impressive views of the Taj Mahal opens. Nearby is the Red Fort in Agra - a real citadel that was once the home of emperors. Its walls are built of red sandstone, and behind them are hidden marble halls, pavilions and gardens. It was here that Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son and spent his last years, looking at the mausoleum of his beloved from afar.
No less impressive is the Itimad-ud-Daulah mausoleum – called the “little Taj Mahal”. It was the first marble mausoleum in India and introduced the technique of “pietra dura” – inlays with semi-precious stones, later perfected in the Taj Mahal itself.
In Delhi, the majestic Akshardham Temple impresses with its scale and the precise craftsmanship of each of the thousands of sculptures that adorn it. Built in just five years with the efforts of over 7,000 volunteers, it symbolizes the spiritual quest of modern India and combines architecture, tradition and technology – with exhibitions, films and interactive presentations about the country’s culture.
And when the sun sets over Birla Mandir – the marble temple in Jaipur – the Aarti ritual begins. This is a moment when everything comes to a standstill – priests offer light and flame to the deities, while the sounds of mantras and bells fill the air. In that moment, the boundaries between faith, emotion and time dissolve.
Such is India – complex, ancient, exotic and deeply human. Full of contrasts, but always real. Whether you stand in the jungle of Ranthambore, walk the corridors of a fort or remain silent in front of the Taj Mahal, it absorbs you. And leaves a mark that remains forever.
