Article published on 16/08/2025
You can't truly consider yourself a traveler unless you've experienced the deep allure of India — and what better starting point in this lifestyle-country than by tasting the spirituality of Haridwar and Rishikesh?
These two towns, located at the foothills of the immense Himalayan mountain range, represent a crossroads for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in Indian spirituality.
Rishikesh, the world capital of yoga and meditation, is the most visited place in India by enthusiasts of these two disciplines: a spot immersed in lush nature, dotted with countless ashrams where practitioners gather and devote themselves in complete inner and environmental peace.
The atmosphere here is often surreal: on the streets, you might come across holy men, baba gurus, and people trying to learn the arts to then take them back to their own countries.
In India, the word "distance" must be understood on a scale far greater than in other parts of the world, and often the only means of transportation—the train—becomes one of the most fascinating parts of any journey through the country.
On a typical train ride, you get the chance to connect with the authenticity and culture of the local people.
About 20 hours from Rishikesh is Amritsar, the most important place of worship in the Sikh religion, where you can visit the fabulous Golden Temple: a huge marble structure with a vast pool in the center, where a majestic temple made entirely of gold (750 kg, to be exact) stands.
In this sacred Sikh place, it's easy to spot historic maharajas—old kings who still walk around accompanied by a large sword, a symbol of their high social status. Around this stunning and luxurious structure... the most absolute poverty.
Capital of Rajasthan and a must-see destination, the charming Jaipur is full of historical sites. Its royal palaces, the Amber Fort visited on the back of beautiful elephants, and its pink historic center (Pink City) serve as the main gateway to one of the most fascinating regions in the world.
Another gem of Rajasthan is Jodhpur, the blue city, famous for its fort, its crafts, and the vast historic center with blue-painted houses.
Moving further west to the border with Pakistan, one cannot help but admire the sandy structure of Jaisalmer, the desert capital. Built at the foot of its fort, it is an immense golden sandstone city. Famous for the world camel fair and its festival, it feels more like an Arab town than an Indian one. One of the top experiences is a one- or two-night desert safari on colorful camels, where you can even meet the nomadic people who inhabit the area.
The most evocative place I've come across on this backpacking trip, the strangest, the most fascinating (though any word would fall short), is Varanasi. Eleven hours by train south of New Delhi, Varanasi, along with Bangalore, is the most spiritual city in India. Born on the banks of the god Ganges, people here live their everyday life in an atmosphere of deep spirituality: along the riverbanks you can admire locals practicing yoga on the ghats (steps leading down to the river), praying, or washing clothes in one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Famous on the banks of their "Ganga" is the practice of cremating bodies, one of the main traditions in India. Families bring their deceased loved ones to the cremation sites, immerse them in the river for the last rites, and then place the body on piles of wood for the cremation ritual. After 3 or 4 hours, the remains are scattered into the river—right where people bathe or wash clothes. To our eyes, nothing could seem less hygienic, but it is very, very... India!
After 27 days of full immersion in one of the most incredible places in the world, the return to New Delhi to head home is just a formality… 17 hours on a packed train, crammed into the luggage compartment with people who couldn't afford a travel ticket. The most dangerous experience, but the one that helped me confirm that you haven't truly lived unless you've visited India… and that India is not just a place in the world but a way of life! Nama Ste.