Those who wish to honeymoon in India have a wide choice of destinations available to them. Honeymoons can be at beach resorts, Goa, Kerala, and the Andaman Islands are some of the best known of these; or they can be in the hill country, visiting hill stations such as Darjeeling, Srinagar, and Shimla. The third option for those looking for honeymoon spots in India is to take a historical/cultural honeymoon, visiting places like Agra, Jaipur, or Jodphur.
Goa
One of the most popular beach honeymoon destinations in India is the small state of Goa on India’s west coast. Goa is just 3,700 square kilometers in area, with a population of only 1.4 million. It is a former Portuguese colony, and the interesting and unique mixture of native and Portuguese culture is one of the reasons that it attracts 2.5 million visitors every year.
In many ways Goa is different from the rest of India: the Portuguese colony kept the territory separate from neighboring Indian states for over 450 years. The population is mainly Hindu and Roman Catholic. It is usually said that Goa is at its best from November to February when the weather is quite pleasant, dry, and not too hot.
Things to do in Goa include relaxing on the beaches, visiting historic temples and cathedrals in Old Goa, and trying the different cuisines on offer in the many restaurants. Goa has almost 70 kilometers of beaches along its coastline. In the 1960s and 1970s, the place was famous for its hippie culture. Anjuna Beach was one of the main hippie locations, but it now has a more mainstream feel, although it is still the site of the famous Anjuna flea market.
Darjeeling
One of the best possibilities for a hill country honeymoon is the small city of Darjeeling in West Bengal. Darjeeling was famous as being the de-facto summer capital of British India during the time that the Raj was ruled from Calcutta. In the mid-nineteenth century, the British noticed that the climate in Darjeeling was more pleasant than in Calcutta during the middle of summer, and they first leased the area from the local ruler and established a hill-station there.
The climate was also ideal for growing tea, and many tea gardens were established there. In 1881 the famous Darjeeling Himalaya Railway was opened (it still operates under steam power, and is now a World Heritage Site). The main attractions of Darjeeling for modern-day visitors include the pleasantly cool climate, the Victorian heritage of the old hill station, the cultural diversity (the population is a mixture of Tibetan, Nepali, and Bihari), the wonderful scenery, and the many trails and trekking options.
Agra
For a historic or cultural honeymoon in India, Agra must be one of the first places to consider. There are three World Heritage Sites here: the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort are in the city of Agra itself, and the Fatehpur Sikri is nearby. The Moghul Emperors ruled most of India from Agra for many years, and they also left many other important and fascinating monuments.
The Moghuls were Muslim rulers, who originated from outside India. Their legacy combines some of the best influences of external culture and architecture (especially from Persia), with native Indian influences. The famous Taj Mahal is a massive mausoleum built in white marble. It is a masterpiece of Indian Muslim architecture and was built by Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631 and 1648, in memory of his favorite wife.
