One of our favorite, jet-set movers and shakers, Waris Ahluwahlia, has contributed to a destination guide of his native India for The Luxury Collection Guide to India, part of a series published by Assouline, which highlights some of the most fancy-pants spots to visit around the world.

We asked Waris some hard-hitting questions about the land of his birth.

What's your favorite place in India?

Picking a favorite place in India is close to impossible. Every region has something other-worldly to offer. Rajasthan and the Great Thar Desert are mystical, Mumbai is bananas (and that's coming from a New Yorker) and the south I've yet to explore. A place close to my heart is the Golden Temple in Punjab -- it was on that marble that I took my first steps. 

What would you say to someone who's never been to India before and is interested in going?

India is an adventure for your heart, mind, body and soul. That may sound a little overwhelming at first and may not be comforting to someone who's maybe nervous about going. India should be a required trip in everyone's life time -- you'll thank you me later.

What's your favorite Indian food?

My favorite dish is, daal (lentils), the most basic of all. But just because it's basic doesn't mean it's simple to make. My favorite daal is, of course, served at my mother's home. My second favorite is prepared by chef Manjit S. Gill of Bukhara at New Delhi's Maurya Sheraton hotel.

Photo of Waris by Billy Farrell/BFAnyc.com