India is one of the most exotic and highly preferred tourist destinations in the world. Of course, this is mainly because of the unique sights in the country. But there is also a way to have fun. India is full of various attractions, religious and all kinds of colorful festivals, it is a paradise for divers and people who just want to collect sun rays on the beach.

There is no other such experience as the many thousands of festivals in the country. The best thing is that Indians from different religious communities get involved in festivals that are not part of their religion. Euphoria and fun bring the residents together, bringing foreigners into it as well.

Probably the most famous festival in the country is Holi, a raucous celebration where everyone gets dusted in all the colors of the rainbow. Kumbha Mela is the largest religious festival in the world. It is held once every 3 years, with four cities exchanging hosts on a rotating basis - Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar. Lasts 55 days. The festival gathers nearly 100 million people in one place each time – the sight is so impressive that it can be seen even from space. The climax of the festival is a mass bathing in the waters of the Ganges or another river, depending on the venue, to purify the body and soul.

Among the famous festivals in Mumbai that are an attraction for tourists and locals are Mumbai Festival, Banganga Festival, Elephanta Festival, Janmashtami, Ramadan-Id, Ganesh Chaturthi and others. Most major cities and tourist centers have cultural programs including regional performances of Indian dance and music, which are also of great interest to foreign tourists.

If we talk about nightlife, India is generally not best known for it. Except for some big cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta, the country has little nightlife in the Western sense of the word. In these cities, however, you will find spectacular bars, discotheques and various clubs.

If you feel like drinking something stronger, you may experience difficulty. Alcohol is not officially banned throughout the country, but it is frowned upon. If you feel like drinking a lot, you're sure to find a bar that serves it. However, in some regions it is really prohibited, but even there you can buy it illegally in some hotels and restaurants. Loose manners are stubbornly stigmatized in the country, as, according to local understandings, they tarnish the cultural heritage.

Also, if you decide to go to a bar or a disco in one of the big cities, it's good to know that you shouldn't expect to party until the early hours of the morning. Indian clubs have strictly defined and permissible opening hours, which usually end around or shortly after midnight. At best 1.30 - 2 hours, but that's super rare. They close the clubs in Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta at the latest, and those in Goa at the earliest - around 10-11 p.m., due to considerations of order and tranquility of the vacationers in the resort. In Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad the norm is midnight and on weekends usually 1 am after midnight. On the other hand, the discotheques open as early as 7 p.m. There is a variety - starting from ordinary bars, piano bars and pubs and reaching elite clubs for electronic music, dance, hip-hop, ethnic or most often a mix of everything at once. The good clubs here are usually located in the big hotels or shopping malls in the hubs and central places of the city and are really not inferior to the European ones.

However, there are also some peculiarities that should be known. In the capital New Delhi, for example, it is forbidden to consume alcohol if you are under than 25, in Goa the age limit is 18, and in other places with nightlife - 21. In addition, clubs are expensive. In many of them there is a fixed envelope with included drinks, appetizers, wardrobe, etc. Interestingly, more and more Indian establishments are making New Year's deals with festive parties and programs. There is usually a dress code for the more formal celebrations and New Year's raffles are a must.

There is also a night club category that is quite nice and comfortable in terms of price and what they offer. Indians call them resto-bar - a combination of restaurant and bar in one. The best thing about them is that until 9-10 a.m. you can eat in peace, and then have fun and dance to your heart's content.

Another thing to note is that gambling is strictly prohibited in India. Goa is the only place with casinos and has so far maintained its reputation as an entertainment state with world-class clubs and beach gatherings during the peak season.

Goa also attracts another group of tourists - lovers of water and underwater experiences. Around the coast of the smallest state in India, you will find 8 islands that attract divers from all over the world. In the country's long history, there have been numerous cases of shipwrecks off its shores. Hundreds of Arab, Portuguese and English ships await you off the coast of the country. If you don't want to dive for sunken treasures, you can just lie on the beach. The water here is warm all year round.

If you are a foodie who likes a nice atmosphere to do so, Delhi is an excellent place to enjoy the best of Indian cuisine. From traditional to contemporary, it has many of the best restaurants in India. Eating in South India is a vivid experience that will challenge your senses. The restaurants here are of two types - those on every street corner that offer snacks and drinks, and those that offer full meals and all kinds of dishes.

Popular restaurants in the country include Bukhara, Indian Accent, Varq, Dum Pukht, The Black Pearl, The Bar Stock Exchange, UFO and others.

Vote:
Rating 5 from 1 voted Еntertainment in India