The early months of the calendar see heavy snowfall in the northern parts of India. Many of your friends might have already visited a snow-white destination and posted their pictures on Instagram. Others must be planning where to go to enjoy a heavy snowfall, and do not mind spending a few more hours in traffic jams towards these destinations. But if the sight of snow sends a chill down your spine or you are not a person who likes to be stuck in a jam, there are many more options for you:
1. Sambhar Lake
Sambhar Lake is a salt water lake just an hour away from Jaipur and is a white wonderland without snow. The landscapes are very similar to those of the Rann of Kutch with large white fields perfect for photography. Winter is the ideal time to visit this place when migratory birds including gorgeous flamingoes can be spotted here.
2. Wildlife SOS Agra
This is really unusual, and you wouldn't have thought of it. Wildlife SOS is an animal rehabilitation site in the jungles between Agra and Mathura. You can stay in the midst of nature and enjoy a volunteering opportunity here. There are various programmes in which you can interact with elephants, sloth bears and black bears. Not joking, there are activities like making hammocks on trees for bears to rest.
3. Sujangarh
South Indian architecture in Rajasthan, unusual isn't it? There is a Tirupati Balaji temple in Sujangarh which surprises people with its resemblance to the more popular one in Andhra Pradesh. About 10 km away from the city is Taal Chappar Black Buck Sanctuary where you can have the pleasure of seeing these endangered animals.
4. Mandawa
This town is known as the Open Art Gallery of Rajasthan. Mandawa has a haveli at every nook and corner and the walls here are painted in Rajasthani colours. There can be no place as authentic as Mandawa to understand and live the true Rajputana heritage.
5. Bhatinda
You have certainly heard the name of this city in popular culture. But many may not know that Bhatinda has a glorious history worth exploring. Qila Mubaraq in Bhatinda is the oldest surviving fort in India with a history of about 2,000 years. The fort is mentioned in some of the earliest Indian texts. Beyond its history, Bhatinda is known for its warm people and delicious Punjabi cuisine.
6. Kannauj
We have all heard of the glorious past of India before the foreign invasion. But we do not know about the city that was the centre of power in this golden era. Kannauj is an ideal destination for history buffs who can revisit its 2,500-year-old legacy. But wait, Kannauj is now the perfume capital of India and is known for its rose fields. Instagram worthy?
