After four extended visits, each lasting nearly a month, it's fair to say that India has carved out a space in my wanderlust. Friends often ask me why. Their curiosity is usually marked with skepticism, sometimes even concern. “What do you like about India?” they ask with bafflement. The question is often followed by a familiar refrain, shaped by viral TikTok clips of dirty street food pantries: “Isn’t it dirty?”

When my fascination with India began piquing my curiosity during my college years, I'd come across the name of Rabindranath Tagore, who, like his contemporary, our very own Jose Rizal, was born in the same year in 1861. Together, they also shared the distinction of being a writer, poet, and passionate social reformer.

Built between 1605 and 1626 upon the command of Vir Singh Deo to commemorate Mughal Emperor Jahangir's first visit to Orchha (father of Shah Jahan, the architect of the Taj Mahal), Jahangir Mahal is considered one of the best representations of classic Indo-Islamic architecture. Marvelous sculptures, hanging balconies, delicate trelliswork, chhatris, and topped domes are all examples of the building's exceptional architectural brilliance.

Stepping out of my accommodation, Zostel Hostel, into a crisp 16°C Delhi morning, I was eager to witness some bustling street activity. Little did I know, "bustling" would be a major understatement for what I was about to experience. I should have braced myself, because my destination—Chandni Chowk Market—was not just one of the oldest, but also the absolute busiest market in a city known as one of the most crowded in the world.

I woke up to the cold January weather of Rishikesh, caught between wanting to stay snuggled under my blanket or start my exploration early. Half-dazed, I forced myself to saunter across the room, feeling the iciness of the bathroom floor, hurrying to find comfort from a hot shower. Fully awake, I plotted my day, thinking about a myriad of things to do: try a new dish, go temple hopping, feed some monkeys, hang out by the Ganges, find a charming café, or rent a motorbike.

From where I sat on a balcony of a hilltop hotel, I could see the many monuments built during the era of the Bundelas—a Rajput clan of Central India who lorded over this part of Madhya Pradesh beginning in the sixteenth century. In that moment, I savored the solemnity of finding myself some quiet time in between our busy media tour. Trailing my eyes from the top of an opposite hill into the rows of houses below, I became perplexed at the sight of jam-packed edifices below.

As we made our way through the vast Rajasthan desert from Jaipur and Jodhpur, the golden-colored terrain seemed as familiar as the blue skies above. The contrast of colors in this part of India added an extra layer of visual interest to our journey. We had also developed a routine which included bazaar hopping, street food exploration, and stepping inside centuries-old palaces and giant forts.

As I was letting every second of being awed linger gratifyingly, I fixated my thoughts on the massive walls of Gwalior Fort. I started wondering about the stories of resilient kingdoms and bloody battles they concealed. Like peeling off layers of paint, I surveyed the colossal architectural grandeur of the eighth-century structure before me and briefly imagined being transported in time.

Situated within the old city of Jaipur near the City Palace and Hawa Mahal is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Jantar Mantar. Named after the words yantra, which in Sanskrit means “instrument,” and mantrana, meaning “to calculate,” Jantar Mantar is an equinoctial sundial engineered to measure local time and track the declination of the sun alongside the wider celestial sphere.

Previously known as Bombay, Mumbai—aside from being the country's most populous city—was India's center of financial and commercial activities. Founded on an ancient settlement, its name was derived from the local goddess Mumba, a form of Parvati, the consort of Shiva and one of the main deities of Hinduism.

As the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan, Jaipur is one of India's most popular cities among tourists. Part of the so-called Golden Triangle alongside New Delhi and Agra, the city draws travelers eager to experience an environment teeming with palaces, temples, magnificent forts, colorful bazaars, and, of course—plenty of roaming cattle. All these, combined with stunning architecture, rich culture, and a lively culinary scene, make what is widely known as “the Pink City” an unmissable destination in India.

I was roused from my sleep as soon as I felt our minibus rolling into a bumpy off-road trail. I opened my eyes to a view of the Betwa River and its murky waters. From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of towering structures with arresting-looking tips.

I was feeling benumbed as I stared out the window of the bus and saw the sky reddened with strokes of sunrise. “Dawning of a new day,” I told myself, and instantly, a burst of excitement shot up my body as this meant a new opportunity to explore. It was the first morning of the Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart which I was invited to cover. Before the event started, the organizers took our group of travel writers for a short excursion to the city’s landmark known as the ‘Crown among Mosques’—the biggest mosque in India, the Taj-ul-Masajid.

It took me almost a day of traveling—including a long layover in Kuala Lumpur—before I landed at Nagpur Airport from Mumbai. Upon arrival, I immediately rendezvoused with my friend Karla at her hotel. Wasting no time, we met our driver from Pench who was already waiting in the lobby to drive us on a three-hour ride to Pench in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh.

Pushkar was a small town near Ajmer in the desert state of Rajasthan. Daily life and other activities there—including religious ceremonies and rituals—centered around Pushkar Lake, a sacred Hindu site. Surrounding the lake were more than fifty Ghats where pilgrims bathed and the nightly aarti ceremonies were held. Narrow alleyways lined with vibrant bazaars, housed in centuries-old havelis (traditional Indian mansions), and hundreds of temples surrounded that small town. Brimming with a rich history, colorful culture, savory cuisine, and revered religious events, Pushkar was more than just a charming destination—it still hid many gems that every traveler would delight in discovering.

Rishikesh, also known as the "Gateway to the Himalayas" and the "Yoga Capital of the World," was one of the Hindus' holiest places. It was a pilgrimage site dotted with centuries-old temples. The River Ganges, which was considered sacred in India, began its flow in the state of Uttarakhand, where Rishikesh was located. Made famous when the Beatles visited in the winter of 1968, Rishikesh had become a place where one could find spirituality, tranquility, adventure, culture, good food, and more. Here were some things to do and places to see in Rishikesh to learn more about it.

Not far from the frenetic streets surrounding Connaught Place in Delhi, an ancient subterranean marvel possessing a fascinating history remained in an almost Zen-like condition. For the believers of mystical tales and legends, this was also where strange occurrences happened and ghostly demons plotted curses. The Agrasen Ki Baoli was an ancient water reservoir common all over India of the olden times. Descending to a total of one hundred eight stone steps, it had three levels all lined up with arched niches on both sides.

“Ask them what their names are,” a father manning a street food stall gently commanded his young daughter of not over ten years old. The beaming but shy little girl obliged, “What is your name?” she inquired, staring wide-eyed at my friend. “I am Karla and this is Marky and your name is?” answered my ever responsive friend. The young girl smiled before telling us her name, “I’m Amara.”

Like leafing through the pages of "Man-Eaters of Kumaon" – Jim Corbett’s memoir of his experiences hunting man-eating Bengal tigers in India’s Kumaon region, I found Chinmay’s tales of these wild beasts’ sightings very engrossing. Unlike Corbett’s experiences, fortunately today in this part of India, humans had learned better than to prevent these animals from roaming freely.

Another thing I dig about being a travel writer is the opportunity of being invited to various conferences about the travel industry. In the last couple of years, I have covered some of the biggest travel-related symposiums and talks, such as the 2017 World Travel and Tourism Global Council, the 2017 ASEAN-INDIA Summit—both of which were held in Bangkok, Thailand—and this year’s Mekong Tourism Forum held in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.