“To other countries, I may go as a tourist, but to India, I come as a pilgrim.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
Life in India can be joyous, tough, colorful, stressful, chaotic but never boring. You must have heard numerous times that India is one of those countries that you can love and hate at the same time. While I am an occasional victim of “i-hate-india” syndrome, for most of the days I absolutely LOVE living here (and you will too if you’re planning on moving here).
Here’s why Life in India is Awesome
01) India is a food lover’s paradise – nothing beats Indian food – curries, pakodas, momos, samosas, dosas, naans, sorpotel, kebabs, paneer and so much more! For a change, the vegetarians will not miss out on the delicious fun. The best part is how the taste of the food changes from one part of the country to another. For instance, street food in Delhi is completely different as compared to Mumbai.
Indian Food – there’s something for everyone here!
02) Unity in Diversity – every city is different, people are different and there are many different subcultures. It is a lot of fun discovering new things about them even after living in India for years.
03) India offers interesting sightseverywhere – it is a photographer’s delight!
Elephant Bath in Hampi
04) It is the land of mother of all the teas – Masala Chai, which is available in every nook and corner.
Masala Chai!
05) Holi, Diwali, Onma, Eid, Lohri, Pongal, Christmas and more.. more than 40 festivals in a year that are super colorful and totally psychedelic! Depending on where you live, you will get a chance to experience as many as you want. More festivals = more holidays!
Pongal Celebrations in Mumbai (Image Source: IBtimes.co.in)
06) You will seldom face a language barrier here, despite the fact we have 22 official languages and 1652 unofficial languages because English unifies all of India.
07) Kaam Wali, Maali, Phool Wala, Driver – the comfort of domestic help will spoil you for life without breaking your bank balance.
Domestic Help is affordable in India. Image Source
08) Traveling in Indian Railways is awesome – from luxury of a 1st class to affordability of a general class, there is something for everyone.
Me enjoying a ride on Indian Railways
09) India is a paradise for shopaholics with endless possibilities for every budget.
Shops in Jaipur – India is a paradise for Shopaholics!
10) Mangoes! They are a gift of GOD – taste one in India and you won’t like them anywhere else.
11) Haircuts, manicures, waxing – beauty salons are affordable.
12) Want an AFFORDABLE tailor made suit that fits like a dream? India is the place!
13) India is a sensory overload – your senses of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching get bombarded with stimulation.
14) Beauty in chaos – India demonstrates that.
Beauty in Chaos! Image Source: Telegraph.co.uk
15) Living in India, you will always be around architectural miracles that will make your jaws drop. (Of course I was not gonna leave our beloved Taj Mahal in Agra out of this list). Every city has some history and landmarks that have their own story to tell. By the way, check out this guide about what to do on a day trip in Agra.
17) Or tropical paradise? The pristine white sand beaches with turquoise blue water of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world – and yet not touristy!
Havelock Island of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
18) Or maybe you want a change of scene? Try the hauntingly beautiful sand dunes of Rajasthan.
Khuri Sand Dunes in Rajasthan
19) Want to ski? The ski slopes of Gulmarg or Auli are kickass!
21) Living in India will test your limits in every way and toughen you up. After this, you can live just about anywhere.
22) You can get almost anything delivered to your doorstep for free. Save the cell phone number of your corner store owner to open the world of possibilities.
23) Sarees! They make every woman look sexy!
Sarees – they make Indian women look sexy! (Image Source)
24) It is the land of spirituality.You can learn Yoga for free in a local park or a temple. (Only if you can wake up as early as 5:00 am)
Yoga – Image Source
25) That awesome feeling with you hear people say how traveling in India has changed them for life.
26) Bindis on the foreheads, flowers in the hair and henna on palms – it is the land of hippie fashion!
27) The amazing sight of Rangoli artwork outside houses on festivals and special occasions – very Indian and very pretty!
Beautiful Rangoli Artwork
28) Sometimes when a yes or a no is not an acceptable answer, there’s a solution for that in India – the famous Indian head wobble.
Mr. Bean shows how to do the The Famous Indian Head Wobble
29) Bhaang lassi – where else will you find a super potent marijuana milk shake that’s sold legally?
Government Authorized Bhang Lassi Shop in Jaiselmer
30) Old Monk in winters and kingfisher beer in summers – Zindabaad!
Old Monk in Winters and Kingfisher in Summers
31) Watching the country’s obsession with cricket and how everyone turns overly patriotic when there’s a match against Pakistan – pure awesomeness. Yes, India has the best cricket team. Period.
32) Jets here, jets there, jets everywhere. In urban India, you will find jets in almost every toilet. In rural India, you will find floor toilets with “lota”.
Typical Toilet with a Jet of Urban India
33) The sounds of vegetable sellers on the street, vehicles moving, children playing – these background sounds of life will never make you feel lonely. 34) Indian marriages = week long festivals. All other marriages are too boring in comparison.
A Typical Indian Wedding
35) Indian traffic will make you an expert driver. I’m a living proof of that – I can now maneuver my car through ANY narrow or twisted lane that’s full of vehicles of different kinds, animals, people and what not.
36) The traffic and long queues will teach you how to be patient.
Traffic in India (Image Source: Indiatimes.in)
37) Oh and the state of traffic is always a good excuse for being late. No one ever doubts it.
38) Nothing can beat a good old underground psychedelic trance party of Goa. After all, “Goa Trance” originated here.
A party at Hill top (Vagator) Goa
39) Random sighting of animals everywhere – cows, monkeys sometimes even peacocks.
Monkey on the street in India
40) The possibility of a “jugaar” approach if things don’t work out normal way.
Definition of Jugaad
41) Autorichshaws! They are everywhere and make life easy. (commonly knowns as Tuk-tuks outside India)
Autorickshaws make life easy! (Image Source: Economictimes)
42) Indian offices are like families – everyone eats lunch together.
43) Witnessing Diwali celebrations that begin a month before the festival – dandiya dance nights, Diwali Melas (fairs), Ram leela performances (play), card parties and beautiful decorations.
Diwali in India by Drifter Planet
44) Watching how the entire country comes together during Ramzam month for iftar to experience delicious treats on the streets. Try Delhi’s Jama Masjid road or Mumbai’s Minara Masjid Lane, and Mohammed Ali Road.
Jama Maszid Lane during Ramzan
45) Celebrating Holi with powdered colors, water balloons and water guns. You can color just about anyone that you see on the street. It’s a big, fat psychedelic party!
Holi – it’s a big fat psychedelic party where everyone’s invited (Source: Imgur.com)
46) Being a part of Christmas celebrations and parties with a dose of Indian-ness. Attending midnight mass and watching how the streets light up, especially in Old Goa, Shillong, Kolkata and Pondicherry.
47) Eating the langars of Gurudwaras! A full plate of delicious hygienic vegetarian meal can be enjoyed for free by anyone of any religion in these beautiful Sikh temples.
48) Are you a dog lover? There’s a lot of free love on Indian streets for dog lovers because killing of stray dogs is illegal in the country as of 2001. Most of these dogs are well fed and given rabies shot by the local residents and NGOs.
Stray Dogs in India
49) Indian street food has toughened up my digestive system. I can now eat street food anywhere in the world without any stress.
50) The number of people in your support system of family and friends is massive! It’s big enough to form your own political party if you want. This is kinda obvious considering the population situation of India.
51) Sab Kuch Milega! (Everything is possible) It’s true! See what Wandering Earl has to say about this.
Sab Kuch Milega – India’s magical mantra
Need more proof that living in India is awesome? Ask his Holiness, the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists who lives in Dharamshala, India. If you nodded your head to a few or all of the above statements, please share this post with everyone you know!PS: it’s a light hearted post, so please don’t take things seriously!
I love your article. I’m American 😁. I’d love to visit India (streets & all) some day, w/hubby & whatever dog we have w/us at the time (hopefully ours we have now). I think one has to have a positive attitude. I think besides temples I’d want to avoid typically touristy places. It would be a great place to learn to become accustomed to a more vegan style of eating which I’ve been wanting to do anyway. I think I’d need to have some stomach meds on hand tho for awhile. 😄 I’m a little familiar with some of the more neg aspects of life over there – I read things. But every place has its own issues & my country definitely has its own for sure. I think I’m a person who’d much enjoy visiting India. Yeah there’s beauty in the midst of chaos. I’ve been to Japan – lived there 4 yrs & went out & explored, & much enjoyed it. I experienced the street life aspects of the country & that was the best part.
Thank you for sharing your very cool blog 😊 Bless you 🙏💙🐘
This article is fucking BULLSHI, all of the advantages listed here are actually disadvantages. I lived in India for four years and the only thing I can recommend you is not to go there for more than a week, mostly for healthy reasons.
Obviously the writer had a different experience to you. No need to use profanity just because you had a bad experience. What kind of prick lives somewhere for four years when they don’t like it
It’s a wonderful and quick description of life experiences in India you have penned down. A pleasure and a treat to go through all of the above points and the replies as well. In complexity and chaos we seek a simpler life. And yet still in the multitude of perspectives and possibilities, this land never stopped seeking the transcendental nature. Life is just let blossom in its eternity. No place for boredom. Hence the so many festivals, cultures and beliefs it embraces and not been constrained to any particular way of life.
I visited the golden triangle area recently. The air pollution was awful and ruined my trip. The tigers in the reserves were drugged thus enabling tourists to view these tigers on open top Jeeps. This is animal cruelty. I advise tourists to avoid the tiger reserves and perhaps eliminate tiger cruelty. Indian passengers (adults and kids alike) on air flights cough without covering their mouths. I was afraid of contracting TB. Their children wail unstoppably from the moment of boarding to the time they are in the airports after their trip.
I wonder how many times you had diarrhea before coming up with “toughened up my digestive system”. India is the land of filth, the rest is totally secondary, no matter how much “culture” you want to see. Gross country and people.
Lets get one thing clear india may be ‘filthy’ and ‘gross’ country but just like that you’re a filthy and gross human being. atleast most of our people know how to appreciate different cultures and lands and not hate on them.
nothing written about south India,and beautiful ancient temples in India. Didn’t written about world richest gods Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Tirupati. all written about that useless and dirty streets.
FUck all country with dumbshit ignorant smelly people who like to live in denial about being a great secular welcoming country. Best way to describe this cess pool of a country, is that of a Toad and a whole family of similar toads who are stuck in a gutter filled with shit, who are grateful that they are alive and think that they are living in the best part of the world, simply because most of them have no clue as to what the outside world looks like.
That is very rude and most definitely unnecessary. India and her people are amazing, and yeah, maybe they have flaws, that’s part of being human, we all do, but you don’t have to be so insensitive about it. Try to be considerate of how people feel, would you want someone to start talking about you and your culture like that? And don’t you dare tell me that you don’t care otherwise you wouldn’t have negatively commented on someone else.
Hello sd or rather shall we address u as dick head .. I have seen some filthy smelly fucking bloody morons outside India especially from places where ur r from.. u talk in English and have no bloody sense or respect for people or the culture .. read about our country and what fuckwits like you did while someone you have ruled the country.. took our money and built your country full of shitheads ..
Guess what fucking dickheaded bitch, India is the greatest country with the best and smartest and greatest inventions. The fastest growing country, has 28 percent of world’s wealth, fastest economy, 5th largest economy, 4th best military, strongest missiles, Smartest people were born here. And also, your fucking parents are an American dickheaded idiot and a British bitch. Go fuck yourself, dickheaded bitch.
Thanks Drifter Planet to make out time and travel parts of the country, i must say it was an exhaustive list of all possible combinations. May be you can include all the hill-stations and beaches because mostly East or West our country comprises of coastal places.
No. Nobody in India lives in harmony with dirt, stress and long hour traffic jams. Many Indians like myself like short commutes and generally rent near the office even if the rents are expensive compared to a home/apartment in the outskirts.
The work to reduce traffic jams is constant work in progess in India. There is no end date. With working population increasing day by day in the metro cities, infrastructure is unable to cope up. Many big cities have started building train network to reduce some traffic on roads.It is like an endless work that needs to be done.
so, those Indians who have the financial strength to take on the big city problems and yet live without too much stress do so.
those Indians, who do not have the financial strength to take on the big city problems, take train/bus/personal vehicle and do a long commute.
I am planning to retire (at least as much of the year permitted by Indian visa requirements) to India. Many of the things on this list are good reasons to enjoy India, but, as far as living there, my list is quite different.
I like that Indians spend much time together as families and friends. Every time I go to India I am never left alone even though I might be an elder to many. I am treated with respect and included in all sorts of fun from going for tea at someone’s home to visiting a temple to travel on the train to another city.
I enjoy the company of Indians…from just laughing over little things to playing games at kitty parties…to sharing foods on the train and seeing any of the sights, taking photos together. I can find volunteer work at schools (I like to work with Deaf children and can sign) and also participating in sports and going to see movies and just hanging out. Yes, the festivals are lovely, the food is great (and I eat street food and have never been sick once), and travel around the country is easy all the way from the south to Delhi and Mumbai and Kashmir.
I look forward to finding the city I wish to live and settling in. Where else in the world can I wear saris and shalwar kameezes and pretty gold jewelry in my sixties instead of sweatpants and velour?
To all Desis.
When people are critical of India we should only respond with facts not emotion. We should also accept the factual criticisms and come up with any mitigations if they are available.
When people use profanity to talk about us we should not respond in kind. Again respond with facts and graciously accept the factual criticisms. By not using profanity we show how superior we are to the people who use it.
Our priority is to work to making India great by eliminating poverty and having a thriving economy for ALL citizens, regardless of religion, caste, color, gender etc.
Jai Hind!
Namaste, Guten Tag!
I'm Sonal from India, living in Germany and exploring Europe. I've been writing about my travel adventures since 2015. I often travel alone (and sometimes with my husband & our toddler).
I love nature, adventure, hiking to viewpoints, Yoga, and road trips. I love creating itineraries and in-depth travel guides which will help you make the most of your trip.
Ah!!! beautiful read.
Thank you Sheena, glad you like it 🙂
Loved it!!!
Thank you 🙂 <3
A wonderful and 100% true written regarding the experience and feelings for the country. And u can come and get insight of it with ur own experiences.
I love your article. I’m American 😁. I’d love to visit India (streets & all) some day, w/hubby & whatever dog we have w/us at the time (hopefully ours we have now). I think one has to have a positive attitude. I think besides temples I’d want to avoid typically touristy places. It would be a great place to learn to become accustomed to a more vegan style of eating which I’ve been wanting to do anyway. I think I’d need to have some stomach meds on hand tho for awhile. 😄 I’m a little familiar with some of the more neg aspects of life over there – I read things. But every place has its own issues & my country definitely has its own for sure. I think I’m a person who’d much enjoy visiting India. Yeah there’s beauty in the midst of chaos. I’ve been to Japan – lived there 4 yrs & went out & explored, & much enjoyed it. I experienced the street life aspects of the country & that was the best part.
Thank you for sharing your very cool blog 😊 Bless you 🙏💙🐘
Brilliant. You made things that annoy us at times likeable with this post. Thanks
Yes, that’s what makes India so special. 🙂 Lovely chaos.
thanks…..beautiful
Best part of India… Her festivals….came and enjoyed
Most of the things on this list are reasons NOT to live somewhere
This article is fucking BULLSHI, all of the advantages listed here are actually disadvantages. I lived in India for four years and the only thing I can recommend you is not to go there for more than a week, mostly for healthy reasons.
True – these points won’t be advantages for everyone 🙂 because we all think and travel differently.
Obviously the writer had a different experience to you. No need to use profanity just because you had a bad experience. What kind of prick lives somewhere for four years when they don’t like it
It’s a wonderful and quick description of life experiences in India you have penned down. A pleasure and a treat to go through all of the above points and the replies as well. In complexity and chaos we seek a simpler life. And yet still in the multitude of perspectives and possibilities, this land never stopped seeking the transcendental nature. Life is just let blossom in its eternity. No place for boredom. Hence the so many festivals, cultures and beliefs it embraces and not been constrained to any particular way of life.
I visited the golden triangle area recently. The air pollution was awful and ruined my trip. The tigers in the reserves were drugged thus enabling tourists to view these tigers on open top Jeeps. This is animal cruelty. I advise tourists to avoid the tiger reserves and perhaps eliminate tiger cruelty. Indian passengers (adults and kids alike) on air flights cough without covering their mouths. I was afraid of contracting TB. Their children wail unstoppably from the moment of boarding to the time they are in the airports after their trip.
I wonder how many times you had diarrhea before coming up with “toughened up my digestive system”. India is the land of filth, the rest is totally secondary, no matter how much “culture” you want to see. Gross country and people.
Lets get one thing clear india may be ‘filthy’ and ‘gross’ country but just like that you’re a filthy and gross human being. atleast most of our people know how to appreciate different cultures and lands and not hate on them.
Awe Man!, Cannot find a single a reason what India offers better than other countries.
In India, I see few people,Even though they having nothing, but they are happy out of nothing. 🙂 lol.
Where is kerala man?
nothing written about south India,and beautiful ancient temples in India. Didn’t written about world richest gods Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Tirupati. all written about that useless and dirty streets.
FUck all country with dumbshit ignorant smelly people who like to live in denial about being a great secular welcoming country. Best way to describe this cess pool of a country, is that of a Toad and a whole family of similar toads who are stuck in a gutter filled with shit, who are grateful that they are alive and think that they are living in the best part of the world, simply because most of them have no clue as to what the outside world looks like.
That is very rude and most definitely unnecessary. India and her people are amazing, and yeah, maybe they have flaws, that’s part of being human, we all do, but you don’t have to be so insensitive about it. Try to be considerate of how people feel, would you want someone to start talking about you and your culture like that? And don’t you dare tell me that you don’t care otherwise you wouldn’t have negatively commented on someone else.
Also, please keep the comments clean, come younger viewers do come along!
Hello sd or rather shall we address u as dick head .. I have seen some filthy smelly fucking bloody morons outside India especially from places where ur r from.. u talk in English and have no bloody sense or respect for people or the culture .. read about our country and what fuckwits like you did while someone you have ruled the country.. took our money and built your country full of shitheads ..
Guess what fucking dickheaded bitch, India is the greatest country with the best and smartest and greatest inventions. The fastest growing country, has 28 percent of world’s wealth, fastest economy, 5th largest economy, 4th best military, strongest missiles, Smartest people were born here. And also, your fucking parents are an American dickheaded idiot and a British bitch. Go fuck yourself, dickheaded bitch.
Very informative article, Thank You…
🙂
Thanks Drifter Planet to make out time and travel parts of the country, i must say it was an exhaustive list of all possible combinations. May be you can include all the hill-stations and beaches because mostly East or West our country comprises of coastal places.
Thanks,
Satya
Good Article. But Am Shocked People In India Live In Harmony With Dirt,Stress And Long Hour Traffic Jams. Geeez!!! What A Country!
No. Nobody in India lives in harmony with dirt, stress and long hour traffic jams. Many Indians like myself like short commutes and generally rent near the office even if the rents are expensive compared to a home/apartment in the outskirts.
The work to reduce traffic jams is constant work in progess in India. There is no end date. With working population increasing day by day in the metro cities, infrastructure is unable to cope up. Many big cities have started building train network to reduce some traffic on roads.It is like an endless work that needs to be done.
so, those Indians who have the financial strength to take on the big city problems and yet live without too much stress do so.
those Indians, who do not have the financial strength to take on the big city problems, take train/bus/personal vehicle and do a long commute.
This is no different from anyother country.
It’s not. It’s filthy.
Beautifully written article, you described India as it really is.
Haven’t been there since (exactly) 2 years, and you’ve made me miss it even more now!
I am planning to retire (at least as much of the year permitted by Indian visa requirements) to India. Many of the things on this list are good reasons to enjoy India, but, as far as living there, my list is quite different.
I like that Indians spend much time together as families and friends. Every time I go to India I am never left alone even though I might be an elder to many. I am treated with respect and included in all sorts of fun from going for tea at someone’s home to visiting a temple to travel on the train to another city.
I enjoy the company of Indians…from just laughing over little things to playing games at kitty parties…to sharing foods on the train and seeing any of the sights, taking photos together. I can find volunteer work at schools (I like to work with Deaf children and can sign) and also participating in sports and going to see movies and just hanging out. Yes, the festivals are lovely, the food is great (and I eat street food and have never been sick once), and travel around the country is easy all the way from the south to Delhi and Mumbai and Kashmir.
I look forward to finding the city I wish to live and settling in. Where else in the world can I wear saris and shalwar kameezes and pretty gold jewelry in my sixties instead of sweatpants and velour?
To all Desis.
When people are critical of India we should only respond with facts not emotion. We should also accept the factual criticisms and come up with any mitigations if they are available.
When people use profanity to talk about us we should not respond in kind. Again respond with facts and graciously accept the factual criticisms. By not using profanity we show how superior we are to the people who use it.
Our priority is to work to making India great by eliminating poverty and having a thriving economy for ALL citizens, regardless of religion, caste, color, gender etc.
Jai Hind!