We're home to Tagore and Ruskin Bond. So why is literary tourism missing in India?
I have been a traveller since the age of 11. I have experienced the beautiful coastlines of Southern England and seen the moors of Yorkshire
I have been a traveller since the age of 11. I have experienced the beautiful coastlines of Southern England and seen the moors of Yorkshire. I have also strolled through the winding lanes of Dehradun with rhododendrons whispering by my side, and wandered through the quaint old towns of Kolkata. Yet I have done all of this without ever setting foot in any of these places. Read Full Story Curious how? Through books! As Jhumpa Lahiri wrote in The Namesake, "That's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet." And that's exactly how I have been travelling vicariously ever since. Now, I want to follow those stories back to where they were born – to the mansions, lanes and landscapes that shaped them. Turns out, I'm not alone. The world calls it literary tourism. According to Skyscanner's travel trend report 2026, 84 percent of travellers have booked, or would consider, a trip inspired by literature. It is shaping the way people travel: from book-inspired itineraries, reading retreats to iconic bookstores and libraries. However, the conversations almost always begin with Jane Austen's guided tours, The Lord of the Rings-inspired landscapes or Harry Potter experiences. But where are India's literary landscapes in this global reading travel map? Left hidden in folded corners of a page. At a time when pop culture draws travel itineraries, the landscapes behind India's greatest stories remain largely unread. For many, books are simply inevitable travel partners. (Photo: Getty) "It's a nice way to travel. Instead of just doing sightseeing of the principal cities – which is always important – following a book, doing readings, makes travelling a much more holistic and fulfilling experience," Mandip Singh Soin, founder of Ibex Expeditions, tells India Today. Books teach you to notice details ordinary tourists often walk past. "I remember once we were in Chile, visiting Pablo Neruda's house. While we were doing all the sightseeing, a simple idea came – "we should buy a book of his poems". We sat down inside the house and each of us read paragraphs before passing the book around. It was like doing a deep dive into the author's spirit." Literature helps you explore the same place in a different manner is what Kartik Chauhan, a commissioning editor at a reputed publishing house shares. "I know a lot of people who travel and deliberately read books about the places they're visiting.
I myself do it. I recently visited Darjeeling and read the excellent book No Path in Darjeeling Is Straight." He shares how a book published a decade ago still holds relevance. It's one thing to know the name of a place. It's another thing to comprehend through words weaved in a book. (Photo: Getty) Just as Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara inspired Indians to travel to Spain, and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani made trekking with friends a bucket-list experience, books, too, leave us with places we long to visit. The only difference? Instead of following a video, you're following an author's imagination. So, how about we take you through some of those places that exist beyond the pages? Ready for a literary detour? Tanana nananana na...Tanana nana nananan... Remember Malgudi Days' intro track? RK Narayan's stories captivated generations before they were adapted into the television series, much of which was filmed in Agumbe and Arasalu, Karnataka. Today, the restored Arasalu station lives on as the Malgudi Museum – a nostalgic tribute to a fictional town that still feels wonderfully real. Meanwhile, in Bengal, Satyajit Ray gave his detective Feluda the address "21 Rajani Sen Road, Ballygunge." While the road exists, the elusive house at No. 21 continues to intrigue readers. His Sonar Kella also transformed Jaisalmer's Golden Fort into a literary pilgrimage. Satyajit Ray's mystery novel Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress) was published in 1971 and was later adapted into a film in 1974. It's often credited with popularising Jaisalmer. (Photo: Incredible India/X) And then comes the Bard of Bengal. Tagore's literary trail extends far beyond Santiniketan. His Gouripur House in Kalimpong is being restored as a museum and heritage stay, while Mungpoo (a village in Kurseong, West Bengal) - where he spent several summers - still attracts visitors. Tagore's Gouripur Mansion in Kalimpong is reportedly where he spent a few of his birthdays in the 1900s. In 2026, the mansion is still under restoration by the West Bengal Heritage Commission. (Photo: West Bengal Heritage Commission website) And you cannot miss out on Ruskin Bond's world! The scent of deodars, whispering rhododendrons and the winding lanes of Dehradun and Landour have long-lived through his writing. Today, his Ivy Cottage in Landour remains a stop for readers. Rusky still finds peace in the mountain lanes. (Photo: Ruskin Bond/Isnatgram) Similarly, writers like Mamang Dai have also painted a word picture of North-east India for readers.
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