Things to Do in India

St Mary’s Church, the small Anglican church within the walls of Fort St George, is the oldest masonry building within the fort. Consecrated in 1680, the church is said to be the first Anglican church in Asia and the oldest remaining English church in India. Work began on the church in 1678 on Our Lady’s Day, giving it its current name.

Except for a new steeple, much of the bombproof structure remains in its original condition, including the roof and arcade aisles. The church’s 104 tombstones were relocated and used to lay pavement after the French besieged Chennai in 1758 and 1759 and used as gun platforms when Hyder Ali invaded the city in 1782. Since then they’ve been restored to their old positions around the church. Keep an eye out for the gravestone of Elizabeth Baker, the oldest British tombstone in the country.

Elihu Yale, founder of Yale University, was the first man to be officially married in the church, and three of the daughters of Job Charnock, the founder of Kolkata (Calcutta), were baptized here.

Srirangapatna (Srirangapatnam) is an island in the middle of the sacred Cauvery River. This is a place of great historical, cultural and religious significance. This was once a capital of the Kingdom of Mysore during the rule of Tipu Sultan and the site of many important historical buildings.

Once a fortified city, the remains of Tipu’s Fort can still be seen today. The fort is a complex housing several important monuments and buildings. It is from here that Tipu Sultan launched an assault against the British and an obelisk marks the place where he died in battle. Near one of the gates of the Fort is the Jama Masjid, the mosque built by Tipu Sultan in 1787 when he ascended to the throne of Mysore.

Just outside the fort set in lush gardens, the Gumbaz was built by Tipu Sultan in the 18th century as a mausoleum where his father Hyder Ali, the former sultan and ruler, and mother Fatima Begum were laid to rest, and later Tipu Sultan himself. Another popular attraction is Daria Daulat Bagh, Tipu Sultan's summer palace.

The majestic Sri Ranganathaswamy temple dominates the town and is an important pilgrimage center for Vaishnavites, Hindu worshipers of lord Vishnu. This important temple was built during the 9th century and is dedicated to lord Vishnu in his form as Ranganatha, Vishnu reclining on the serpent.

The largest palace in all of Rajasthan, the Udaipur City Palace built by Udaipur founder Maharana Udai Singh II, sits perched on hill overlooking the city and Lake Pichola. Construction began on the intricately worked stone structure in 1559 and continued for over 450 years as successive Maharanas added on to the original. Today, the entire complex comprises 11 total palaces connected by maze-like passageways, all maintaining a surprising uniformity given the huge time span during which they were constructed.

The main part of the palace complex now serves as the City Palace Museum, housing a collection of miniatures, ceramics, paintings, inlay glass, antiques and enamel works. The windows throughout the palace offer spectacular views of Lake Pichola, particularly when the water level is normal.

Plan on arriving at the Udaipur City Palace when it opens in the morning if you want to avoid getting herded through the grounds between busloads of tourists. At sunset, take a boat tour of Lake Pichola for the best views of the palace's facade from afar.

Often described as the lungs of Kolkata (Calcutta), the Maidan (Esplanade) is the city’s largest urban green space and home to numerous cricket and soccer fields, playgrounds, the flowery Eden Gardens and several memorials and monuments. The park is as important to Kolkata as Central Park is to New York City, and residents head to the Maidan for entertainment and leisure on the weekends.

After Fort William was constructed in 1758, the jungle that used to occupy the Maidan was cleared out to give the fort’s cannons a clear line of fire. Besides being used as a parade ground for the British military stationed at Fort William, the park has also played an important role in the establishment of several team sports in the city. The biggest three soccer teams in Kolkata maintain a presence at the Maidan, and the now popular sport of cricket was introduced to India with a two-day match in the park in 1804.

While park maintenance leaves something to be desired, a morning visit makes for some of the best people watching around, giving visitors a peek into the day-to-day lives of Bengali residents. Set aside a few hours to wander the park grounds, watch some cricket and stroll through the Eden Gardens. When you’ve thoroughly explored the park, pay a visit to the nearby St Paul’s Cathedral to gaze at its stained-glass window and Italian-style frescos.

Rabindranath Tagore, India’s most celebrated poet and the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in literature, was born and raised in a yellow mansion in the north of Kolkata (Calcutta) in 1861. His family mansion, built in 1784, now serves as a memorial of his life and work. The university surrounding the Tagore House is now the epicenter for classical Indian fine arts.

The Tagore House, now part of the Rabindra Bharati University Campus, is filled with photographs of the poet, including one with Albert Einstein, as well as paintings by his family members and memorabilia from his life. Quotations from some of Tagore’s most inspiring works adorn the walls. While the maintenance on the home leaves something to be desired, it’s still well worth a visit to gain a better understanding of one of India’s most influential cultural figures.

Be prepared to remove your shoes before entering the home, and keep your cameras tucked away; photography isn’t allowed.