India in Luxury

Since time immemorial, India has been associated with magnificence and luxury. Phrases such as `living like a maharaja` or the `movie mogul` transport one to India`s glorious past. This is not just a conjecture; it is a picture strewn across Indian mythological tales, where lavishness of divine palaces was synonymous with happiness and was described in detail. `The wonder that was India` has become part of the folklore that we spin out for the young. And it isn`t palaces that have been described in great detail but the fabled jewels of the rajas and maharajas as well, who ruled right up to the 20th century. It was the only source of diamonds before they were discovered in South Africa. The Nizam of Hyderabad, for example, had a 184.5-carat Jacob diamond as paper-weight on his study table! It should be mentioned here that gold and silver threads are still woven into the clothes, not only of the rich, but also of the poor, who wear them on special ossasions like weddings and religious festivals. India also has a rich legacy of architecture, sculpture and paintings that dates back to thousands of years. The Buddhist Stupa at Sanchi dates back to the 2nd century BC and is the earliest evidence of Indian architectural skills. It would be unfair to make just a brief mention of the heritage art that includes sites like the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, the temples of Khajuraho, the marvelous work of Mughal architecture-inclusive of the very famous `Taj Mahal` - (where the marble of the tomb is inlaid with semi-precious stones) and many more. The tapestry of India`s cultural heritage is so rich that there are more than twenty-two monument s that have been marked as World Heritage Monuments by UNESCO. It is against this background that this , Indian in Luxury has been compiled. This luxuriously illustrated volume showcases the finest accommodation available in India, and also offers you glimpses of the cities where these resorts are located Time-honoured building techniques and the traditional decor that was becoming extinct, was revived to create these oases of luxury. Today many of these properties are named among the top 10 resorts of world.