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Many of us travel to not only explore destinations but also experience the culture. India is a country with diverse cultures, and every city in India has its own unique culture and heritage, which is a major attraction for tourists. Culture comprises cuisine, traditions, clothing, festivals, and many more. Every culture has its own history, which is intriguing.

1. Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Also known as the "City of Nawabs" or "City of Tehzeeb", is a city which is influenced a lot by its Mughal times. The city is well-known for its diverse culture, mouth-watering cuisine, Shayaris (poetry), music, wondrous dance forms, and people being extremely chivalrous. The Urdu language is spoken widely by the locals here. As the city is influenced by the Mughals, everything here has a royal touch to it. In the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow’s cuisine, or the Awadhi cuisine, biryani and kebabs, has its very own dignity and equal Nawabi touch. There’s a popular saying, "Muskuraiye aap Lucknow mein hai," which is very apt for the location.

2.  Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.

Rishikesh is famous for its ashrams, scenic hills, beautiful temples, valleys, adventure, and most importantly, yoga. It is the "Yoga" capital of the world. The city attracts various international tourists via its popular Ayurveda and Yoga ashrams. It has a spiritual environment that soothes the mind of an individual and is an ideal destination for a getaway from the hectic city life. Ashrams offer relaxing yoga and meditation sessions, spiritual talks by gurus, and much more. One can practice the ‘Satvik’ way of living. Holi and Diwali are the major festivals celebrated here. The Yoga Festival is an annual festival celebrated from 1^st March to 7^th March to make people knowledgeable about yoga. Hinduism is the major religion in the region. Hymns and spiritual chants go on throughout the day. One can attend the Ganga Arti held every day in the evening, and visitors can even do rafting in the Ganga.

3. Kolkata, West Bengal.

The city is called the "Cultural Capital of India." It is one of the top cultural cities in India. Kolkata comprises music, traditions, food, festivals, dance forms, sports, films, and many more. One of the key attractions is museums. There are nearly 30 museums in the city. Durga Pooja is of great significance not only for the local people but for tourists as well. It is the land of Rabindranath Tagore, and the sound of Rabindra Sangeet can be heard from every household. Cricket is loved by many here. The famous stadium, Eden Gardens, is situated here.

4.  Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh state. The city was ruled by the Mughals and one can see that in their mannerism. Hindi is the official language here, though another dialect of Hindi referred to as "Bhopali" is a widely spoken language in different parts of Bhopal. The city is known for traditions like Zarda (chewing tobacco), Parda (veil or curtain worn by women), Garda (dirt blown in summer), and Namarda (eunuchs), which are an integral part of Bhopal. Paan eating is a popular culture in this city. Making paan is considered an actual art. People celebrate all festivals, apart from the traditional ones like Lijtma, National Drama Festival, Bharat Bhavan Summer Festival, etc., which are also celebrated here. 

5. Mysore, Karnataka.

Mysore is popularly known for its royal heritage, majestic buildings, and monuments. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations for people living in the South of India. It is referred to as the "City of Palaces" and is famed as the "Cultural Capital of Karnataka." During Dussehra, the place receives a huge number of tourists from around the world. Some of the must-see palaces are Amba Vilas, also known as Mysore Palace; Jaganmohana Palace, which serves as an art gallery; and Rajendra Vilas, also known as the Summer Palace, are some of the must-see palaces. For six centuries, Mysore was the capital of the Wadiyar dynasty. They built magnificent palaces, including India's second-most visited palace after the Taj Mahal.

6. Amritsar, Punjab. 

Amritsar is the main cultural hub in Punjab. The Gurudwara Harmandir Sahib, commonly known as the Golden Temple, is the most important landmark in the city. Numerous tourists from all around the world come here to worship. Various dance forms like Giddha, Bhangra, Sammi, and Kikli are the traditional dance forms of Punjab. "Bhangra" is the most popular dance form in Punjab. The historic landmarks are the Jallianwala Baugh and the Wagah Border. Visitors can relish the closing gate ceremony held every day in the evening. A wide range of street food is available throughout the city. 

7. Jaipur, Rajashthan.

Jaipur is the capital city of Rajasthan. It is the largest city in Rajasthan. The city is known for its palaces, magnificent forts, beautiful temples, clothing, and exquisite cuisine. The unique culture of Rajasthan has a lot of stories to tell. Some of the famous places to visit are Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Amer Fort, Jal Mahal, and many more. It is popularly known as "Pink City." Visitors can shop for handicrafts like blue pottery, handmade juttis (shoes), jewels, and traditional clothing. Grab a taste of traditional cuisine with Missi Roti, Dal Bhati Churma, and sweets like Gajak, Ghevar, Chauguni ke laddu, and Feeni. 

8. Fort, Kochi.

Fort Kochi, also known as Cochin, is one of the most panoramic destinations on the southwest coastline of Kerala. Francis Church is popularly known as the first church that the Europeans built in India. The fort is referred to as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea." Kochi has a multicultural and secular community that comprises Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Konkanis, and Buddhists. Women in Kerela wear set sarees called "Kasavu" during festivals, while men wear "Mundu," which is a long piece of garment wrapped around their waist in a specific way. Mundu is somewhat similar to Lungi and Dhoti. It was ruled by the Dutch, the French, and the Portuguese, and one can see its traits in their construction.

Visiting cultural cities gives a gist of the city’s philosophy and the history behind it. It is a blissful feeling to be a part of a different culture as it gives inner peace to one’s soul. If you are someone who wants to explore various cultures, you can prefer to go to the places mentioned. Exploring can be tiring and hectic for some. Hence, presenting HOURLYROOMS, where you can book hotel rooms on an hourly basis. You can use these rooms for quick freshen-ups or keep your luggage safe. To find out more, visit hourlyrooms.co.in or download the Hourlyrooms app.