Explore Indian culture in London
Britain and India have long and intertwined historical and cultural ties, with the latter having once been the gem of the British Commonwealth. After India gained independence, the country has continued to foster very close ties with Britain. There are hundreds of thousands of Indians that migrated to the UK to study, work and settle in Britain. Consequently, the Indian immigrant community in the UK is one of the largest and this is reflected in the UK’s culture, music and culinary traditions.
Travellers to the British capital looking to stay at luxury hotel rooms in London without having to spend too much will find a hotel in Marble Arch, a great choice. There are several boutique hotels in the area with the Montcalm Marble Arch one of the best in terms of price and amenities. While in London one of the best spots to experience the diversity of Indian culture in the city is Southall.
Southall in West London is where you can dine on the best Indian culinary fare and enjoy a wide variety of Indian music, customs and traditions. For an authentic Indian experience, a visit to Southall is a must. There is the famous Sri Guru Sabha Gurdwara, the largest Sikh place of worship out of India. A beautiful and serene place to visit, all non-Sikhs visitors must cover their heads and remove their footwear out of respect when visiting the holy venue.
Music lovers with an interest in Indian musical traditions will enjoy a trip to Jas Musicals, which houses a large collection of Indian folk music instruments like the flute and the sitar, apart from plenty of CDs covering a diverse range of Indian musical traditions. There also are music sheets and literature detailing the early origins of Indian music through the centuries, making it a very interesting spot to visit if you are an Indian music buff.
Step away from the bustle of the main street and there are plenty of indoor markets selling an eclectic variety of things all over the area. From jewellery items to the most exotic fabrics and the Indian sari there are plenty of unique things to shop for at the stores in the heart of Southall. For the best sub-continental stuff not found anywhere else in the UK, Southall has stores selling everything ranging from spices to Indian sweet delicacies. The sweet shops and the Bombay Street food stalls are particularly popular with visitors to Southall.
Those looking to taste the famous kebabs in the area will find Shahi Nan Kebab that offers the most budget-friendly culinary fare in the area. The kebabs are succulent and perfectly cooked with the venue located just across Southall Station. If you enjoy spicy and hot dishes this is the joint to visit.
The Indian festive season is a great time to visit Southall especially the traditional annual “Festival of Lights”, known in India as Diwali. There is a festive look to the area with a host of activities along with some of the best authentic Indian dishes to savour on a trip to the area.