India has long been a favourite and well-trampled country by the whole gamut of travellers from the anthropologists, the self finders to the hardcore adventure seekers. That’s hardly surprising given its rich history, diversity of cultures, and natural wonders. In fact, in my humble opinion, India isn’t just one place but a family of many.
It’s easy to make a beeline for the ever-popular and famous sights but don’t overlook the obscure and ever-intriguing curiosities! Here are some of the highlights I encountered during my month-long sojourn, the first of many I hope. They’re offbeat but well worth finding the time to discover so that gives them the Wilderliv seal of approval. All of these were unplanned bonus experiences, I challenge you to add them to your bucket list!
1. Shahrukh Khan's House, Mumbai
In case you’re not familiar with his work, Shahrukh Khan is considered Bollywood royalty and a national treasure of India. He has an impressive filmography of over 80 films and attracts an enormous fan base. Ok, so maybe you can’t pop in for a cup of chai and catch up but you can join the gaggle of fans that gather outside his house just in case that is the day he’ll give them a wave from the balcony. I made friends with a self-confessed mega fan at a hostel I was staying in and when I heard about this I just had to see it for myself. We went at night and the atmosphere was so lively, I could genuinely feel the anticipatory energy of the crowd. Alas, we didn’t have the chance to lock eyes with the mogul but perhaps you will! I recommend following this up with a cup of masala chai from the bicycle vendors that sweep along the Juhu bay - even at night!
2. The By Invitation Only Medium, Jaipur
A charismatic auto driver pulled up and asked where I was heading, hopping in I gave him the address of my hostel - that’s when things took a turn for the unusual. He straight up asked, “Do you want to have your aura read?” since he knows a medium that doesn’t advertise - he only sees people that are brought to him. Aura reading is an unusual art and some people approach it with a degree of skepticism. Nevertheless, I had many conversations about it leading up to this auspicious invitation and became more intrigued each time. It seemed too good to be true that the reading would be free, I’m curious about mediumship anyway so I leapt at the chance. I met the medium in an office at a jewellery shop, he was wearing jeans and trainers - I wondered if this was going to be genuine. By just looking at my face and aura he was able to peer right inside my psyche. Honestly, I was blown away. He told me things that nobody could have known about my life - and the lives of my family. This is something that you simply have to experience for yourself. This only happened to me once during my time in Jaipur so as far as I know, it’s eclectic enough to make it onto this list. If you come across the same auto driver and he invites you for a reading - take that chance!
3. Palolem Mangrove River, Goa
Travelling south during monsoon season is a somewhat eccentric choice but I’m so glad I braved it. I only met two other travellers in southern Goa so without the usual crowds that the high season attracts I got to experience the quieter side of life in Palolem. I’d walked down to end of Palolem beach with the two people I’d met, we were greeted by a man with a boat who offered to take us around the mangrove swamp that leads into the sea. When he began to throw pieces of chicken into the air we were treated to an almighty display. A torrent of hungry eagles emerged from the trees seemingly from nowhere to snaffle their free lunch, I’d no idea they were even lurking nearby so this was quite the surprise. This may be a popular activity during the high season too but I thoroughly recommend making the journey during the rainier months, we had the river to ourselves and it was definitely a highlight of my experience in the south.
4. Rose Sweets, Mumbai
Mumbai was where my Indian journey began, and when I discovered these sweets in a typical sweet counter - made the traditional way with milk and ghee - and their gorgeous rose flavour I took it for granted that I’d be able to find them everywhere else. To my dismay I was wrong and my relentless search for more rose sweets in every town I visited was fruitless. If you’re a fan of anything rose flavoured then make your way to Kalina Kurla Road in the Santa Cruz East area of the city. I recommend checking in all the sweet shops along the street until you find the one, it’s even more fun if you have to hunt for them.
5. Play a Game of Carrom
I discovered this traditional board game in Kochi and found it thoroughly entertaining though disappointingly it turns out that enthusiasm doesn't equate to skill as I am naturally untalented at this game. Opponents sit opposite each other and slide tokens across a square board, usually wooden. Even if like me you don’t quite have the knack you’ll enjoy the experience of being invited to play.
6. Panaji, Goa
This town in northern Goa may not seem like a backpacker haven but having a few days trapped here awaiting a bus ticket in monsoon season meant I was (as far as I know) the only traveller in town. This was something of an ongoing theme for me in parts of India. The reward, however, was that I got an authentic taste for the Christianised part of India. Whatsmore, I felt so welcome and immersed in the culture by my guesthouse host, Norman, that this accidentally became something of a fieldwork experience. So budding anthropologists should definitely try the “I don’t know where I am but I’m going with it” approach!
7. Standup Tea Cafe, Bangalore
Tea, sometimes spiced but otherwise black, with milk and absolutely laced with sugar is a popular drink in India. So too are bicycle tea vendors and street stalls with plentiful supplies of it. However, this cafe I came across was almost overflowing with locals enjoying a morning caffeine and sugar hit. It was so busy that everyone was standing in order to make space. I stumbled upon this gem when I was woefully lost one morning and needed to charge my phone. Despite the hoards of customers, I didn’t see any other travellers among the crowd. I was welcomed in for a cup of the sweetest tea and just like that, I felt like a part of bustling Bangalore. There are bound to be many cafes like this one - but I recommend being up early and finding one outside of the tourist hotspots to make the most of the experience. Had my phone battery not been flat I’d have taken some pictures!
8. Street Art, Udaipur
Udaipur is a quintessential stop for most visitors to Rajasthan, and with good reason. It is home to some seriously scenic spots and beautiful architecture. However, something not to be overlooked is the equally beautiful* paintings that adorn the backstreets. I thoroughly recommend setting some time aside - especially if you’re travelling on a budget - to wander the quieter streets and take in these alternative attractions.
9. Gaitor Mausoleum, Jaipur
When my auto driver took me on a mystery tour I was wondering what to expect when he said he was taking me to a quiet mausoleum on the outskirts of the city… I’m really glad I went with it though. Commemorated here are Maharajas Madho Singh II, Jai Singh II, and Pratap Singh in a contemplative atmosphere and with decadent carvings, it really is deserving of royalty. As promised, it certainly was quiet and I didn’t see anybody else visiting. Wandering through marble archways and carved pillars with lush greenery in the backdrop was a real treat and much-needed respite from the horn-honking, crowd-stomping Pink City.
10. Paan
An after-dinner treat or pick me up often enjoyed in India, paan is a mind-boggling combination of mysterious pastes, sugary sprinkles, coconut, lime, and areca nut all wrapped up in a betel leaf. On the outside, it may look like a stuffed vine leaf but this is no salad and will not count towards your five a day. The areca/ betel nut has long been consumed for its psychoactive properties so I strongly advise making an informed choice before trying this delicacy. Nevertheless, it is easily obtainable in India and I found many a street kiosk selling it and you can even watch it being prepared - though I wouldn't have even known to look for it had I not been introduced to it by a friend. If you don't want to experience the effect of the areca nut then I'm sure most vendors would be happy to prepare one without so you can still experience the taste explosion.
Disclosure: The UK government banned the selling of paan in Britain if the ingredients could cause a psychoactive effect when consumed. It has also been linked to certain types of cancer. Though it is easy to access in India, and other countries in Asia, discretion is advised. Just watching it being prepared may be enough of an experience if you don’t want to try it yourself.
Thank you for making it to the end of this post, watch out for more India content coming soon! In the meantime try these:
Must tips to do when you travelled to India to feel it. 👍