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The Top Free Tourist Attraction in India

So what is it about India that makes people come and visit it?

Is it the Taj Mahal? Indian hospitality? The Forts? The Gateway of India?

Maybe Rajasthan, Kerala, Gujarat, or one of the many other States with their rustic charm, colourful sub-cultures, and the people that live in them that bring alive this country?

These are, but a few of the reasons why you would visit India. Each of them plays a large part in promoting this vibrant country. But what about the one Indian attraction, visible across the country, that fascinates every traveller – local or foreign?

Let’s face it, it might not be the primary reason for you to take a flight and come here, but once in the country, it is a sure-shot way to make the trip memorable. Yes! I am talking about the sight of cows (well mostly, although elephants, sheep, and camels have a somewhat similar effect) on the roads.

flock-of-sheep

Isn’t it just great?

Now, I am not being sarcastic. Here is an attraction where no one has to do anything – except for maybe let them free for a while – and we have a fantastic crowd-pleaser on our hands. The fact that cattle are not always present at one place, playing a sort of hide-and-seek with the traveller, makes this one of the most exciting activities you will experience – or not – while in India.

It has other benefits as well. You’ll find tourists in cars and auto-rickshaws looking around cautiously, always aware of their surroundings, lest they might miss out on spotting a camel walking along a busy highway.

Venture out in the villages, off the roads a bit, and bullock carts and horse carriages are plenty, but the thrill of spotting a cow in the middle of the city road, nonchalantly soaking in the rays, as cars of all sizes manoeuvre around it, is what makes this such a spectacular happening.

sheep-in-society

Do remember that while you go about enjoying this free attraction in India, certain aspects cannot be forgotten. It is a fact that cows are sacred in India, and thus, they do have the right of way.

Furthermore, people are becoming aware of animal rights, and while they might honk at them, usually most will patiently wait till they move aside. Then again, you don’t want an angry elephant stomping on your expensive car, do you?

There is also the fact that at one time, this very land was where these animals would graze without any interruptions, noise, or pollution. And while we have taken over and built roads and houses for our own needs, the least we can do is remain calm when once in a while they dare to venture out in all this madness.

sheep-on-the-road

I must caution you though that so important is this “event” for any traveller in India that were you to return back to your home country without a video or a photo of a horse, donkey, or camel on the road, no one will believe that you were ever in this country. You will share your holiday photos with your head hanging low for you would have failed in what seems like the simplest of tasks.

Because this is an unplanned attraction – which makes it free, another benefit – the surprise factor works wonders for its success. Just like coming across this lonesome donkey that decided to roam around our locality yesterday.

Now imagine, you are on your way to see the Qutub Minar in Delhi, and before you even get near it, you feel the car slow down. Then, you feel the driver turn the steering wheel a little to the right. Your mind begins to wander, your heartbeat goes up a notch, and the curiosity finally makes you look outside.

Bang!

There you have it. The lovely sight of a flock of sheep walking merrily in the middle of the road, out on a leisurely walk, unaware and unconcerned about what happens around them. Heck! I want a life like that.

donkey

Funny thing, a human would be scared to his/her wits when crossing a road in India, but when it comes to animals, most do so with bravado – unfortunately, and sadly, some suffer the consequences of rash and fast driving as well.

I must add that this isn’t something unique to India. I came across goats on the road while travelling through the island of Amorgos in Greece. Moreover, some of these goats were dare-devilishly standing halfway on a mountain in an unnervingly relaxed manner.

But, as I pointed out before, place them in a city surrounding, and the surprise factor – for the tourist, the driver, and I believe the animals too – jumps up a few notches.

Now tell me, when you visited India (or anywhere else in the world), did you succeed in capturing this amazing sight. Or, were you one of the unlucky ones that went back and spent hours trying to prove, to your friends and family, that you were in our beautiful country?

34 Comments

  • arv!
    Posted 22 December, 16 at 1:03 PM

    Enjoyed reading this post Raghav. Loved your perspective of adding unique thing to experience in India or anywhere else in the world! The strongest association with India for years ? snake charmers, followed by the cows on the road.

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 22 December, 16 at 3:01 PM

      Yeah but I think keeping in mind animal right laws, snake charmers and the monkey πŸ’ guys have dwindled in number and certainly not seen in big metropolitan cities (or at least not in the posh areas).

      Reply
      • arv!
        Posted 22 December, 16 at 3:49 PM

        You are right. Either it’s not profitable for them to continue or they have better opportunities. Just a guess!

        Reply
  • GeorgieMoon
    Posted 22 December, 16 at 1:44 PM

    Great post! I have seen lots of goats and sheep wandering about on my travels in greeece, but would love to see some cows wandering in India. They seem so slow and graceful!

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 22 December, 16 at 3:02 PM

      They are, never in a rush or perturbed by the traffic. They rule! πŸ˜€

      Reply
  • 100cobbledroads
    Posted 22 December, 16 at 9:22 PM

    I must admit I wasn’t expecting cows in here πŸ™‚ I really liked that comic touch…very enjoyable, in your distinctive style. Personally, I get a little impatient with animals in my path.

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 22 December, 16 at 10:33 PM

      I think that’s a local reaction like I can complain about my country but you can’t. We all have that but whenever animals come in my way I just remind myself that it’s not their fault. Thanks

      Reply
      • 100cobbledroads
        Posted 22 December, 16 at 10:35 PM

        πŸ™‚ fully agree!!

        Reply
  • Ashley Smith
    Posted 22 December, 16 at 10:34 PM

    I love this article! And you’re right, as an American I would be completely intrigued by this. It’s not often we see any kind of large animal in our roads. Even in the country they are fenced in. And those pictures are so cute! Especially that little donkey. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 22 December, 16 at 11:55 PM

      Thanks, just something different to look forward to when here πŸ˜€

      Reply
  • Allison Green
    Posted 23 December, 16 at 12:15 AM

    Aww so many animals! I’m a big animal lover so I’d be there oohing and aahing over these guys. Who needs the Taj Mahal when you have tons of cute cows and sheep to gawk at!

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 23 December, 16 at 12:17 AM

      Ha! Well, we’ve got both so you get twice your money’s worth. Thanks

      Reply
  • lydia@lifeuntraveled
    Posted 23 December, 16 at 12:42 AM

    When I was in India, I was equally enamored and frightened of cows….lol! But they’re so photogenic (and they’re everywhere) that I couldn’t help taking a bunch of pics. I even wrote a post called “Sacred Cows & Holy Crap” about India’s most famous residents. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 23 December, 16 at 12:52 AM

      Interesting, I’ll have a read through it. Yes they can be scary because of their size sometimes but mostly are docile creatures. Thanks

      Reply
  • Neha Verma
    Posted 23 December, 16 at 9:57 AM

    Being from India, it’s aways amusing to see a tourist’s perspective. You are right, the famous sites are.. well… famous and everyone knows about them. The highlights are really the unusual little experiences here and there πŸ™‚

    Reply
  • Iza Abao, Two Monkeys Travel Group Writer
    Posted 23 December, 16 at 2:12 PM

    I thought I would reading about temples. Well seeing cows & sheep on the road is that not common in other countries. What part of India can a traveler expect to see these animals? Can a traveler give them some food?

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 23 December, 16 at 2:15 PM

      That’s the fun thing Iza, you can see them everywhere and nowhere. Busy city street, villages, small towns, or outside the most expensive hotel in India. As for food, yeah you can but sometimes the owners of the animals are there so it’s best to check with them.

      Reply
  • The Travel Ninjas
    Posted 23 December, 16 at 2:31 PM

    That sounds awesome! I would go for the Taj Majal but stay for the cows and sheep πŸ˜‰ Can’t wait to visit India someday soon. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 23 December, 16 at 2:36 PM

      πŸ˜€πŸ˜œπŸ΄πŸ‚πŸ„πŸ«πŸ˜

      Reply
  • Marlies - Crazy Dutch Abroad
    Posted 23 December, 16 at 7:17 PM

    I have never been to India but this madness on the streets looks really impressive. The Taj Mahal would be of the reasons to come but this would be the real local experience. Animals on the road are fun.

    Reply
    • Post Author
      Ticker Eats The World
      Posted 23 December, 16 at 7:21 PM

      You’ll most probably get to see cattle on the road before you get to the Taj πŸ˜€ If you are lucky 😜 Thanks

      Reply
  • explorelovetravel
    Posted 23 December, 16 at 7:54 PM

    Haha, I expected to read just a basic post on touristic sites or local recommendations in India, and did not at all expect a post on animals roaming the streets! I loved reading it and I love the photos! thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • Himadri Negi
    Posted 10 January, 17 at 1:24 AM

    Love the blog. Happy you could visit India πŸ™‚

    Reply
  • SueT唐 ζ’¦ 琇
    Posted 10 January, 17 at 5:40 AM

    Enjoyed reading your post. Love your photos.

    Reply
  • Sally
    Posted 18 September, 17 at 9:26 PM

    India is a very interesting place. I was there for two weeks a couple of years ago for a motorized Rickshaw challenge. I, along with two teammates, drove a Rickshaw over 1200km across the country. We were in many towns and villages and saw things and places tourists never see.

    Reply
  • AllGudThings
    Posted 20 September, 17 at 1:11 PM

    This was really an interesting read. When I started reading, I was expecting some unknown monument to come out but the sacred cows, sheep, and donkeys came out. Exactly they roam and cross the road more freely and at their own pace than the humans.

    Reply
  • Farah Al Zadjaly
    Posted 22 January, 18 at 4:15 PM

    I love this !!! Keep up the great work.

    Reply
  • Trackback: Life by the Road – India’s Top Roadside Businesses – Ticker Eats the World
  • Hiral Pandya
    Posted 8 April, 18 at 5:09 PM

    I’m an Indian too and high five! for this post. Amazing, funny and I loved it. πŸ™‚

    Reply

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