India, a country known for its natural beauty and cultural diversity offers many places which are perfect for a holiday. With the wide range of popular tourist destinations that this marvelous sub continent has to offer, visitors across the globe and within the country have made their vacations memorable. Along with popular sites, there are many lesser known, yet charming and interesting destinations that highlight the natural and cultural beauty of this heavenly country.
Based on my travel experience, below is list of 20 places in India that is recommended for you to add to your bucket list. With no particular order or ranking, the list covers places being very less known and some being popular destinations.
Nubra Valley
Part of the newly formed Union Territory, Ladakh, Nubra Valley is a place like no where else in the country. Situated about 150kms from Leh (capital of Ladakh), this valley provides breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayan ranges where the Shyok river meets Nubra river. The cold desert in Hunder offers tourists beautiful vistas and sand dune rides on the bactrian camel that has two humps on its back (these camels are found nowhere else in the country).
The valley is also of religious importance as it has some of the most beautiful Buddisht monasteries and learning centres such as Samstanling and Diskit. Another attraction at Diskit is the very large statue of Maitreya Buddha.
Nubra valley also has hot sulphur water springs in its small village of Panamik. The valley offers tourists an amazing camping experience with deluxe Swiss cottage tents available at Sumur and Hunder.
The most common way to reach the valley is to cross the awe-inspiring KhardungLa, World's highest motorable road.
Manikaran
Located in the Parvati valley of Himalayas in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, Manikaran is about 4kms from Kasol [Kasol is considered Mini Israel due to its Israeli settlements] and 45kms from Kullu and is a Hindu and Sikh pilgrimage site with temples and a gurudwara. The beautiful landscape along with the Parvati river flowing right in front of the Gurudwara-Temple complex, makes this place absolutely heavenly.
The site also has hot water springs in which devotees take a dip as it is believed to have curative powers. [As per Hindu belief, this is the site where Sheshnag, the serpent god, hissed thereby resulting in these hot waters and in these hot waters emerged the precious stones (Mani) of Goddess Parvati that she had lost]
Chitradurga Fort
Kallina Kote (Stone Fort) or Elu suttina kote (Seven circles Fort) as it is called in Kannada [Native language of the South Indian state of Karnataka], Chitradurga Fort is in Chitradurga district of Karnataka and is about 200kms from Bengaluru [capital city of Karnataka]. This picturesque fort was built between 11th and 13th century by various dynasties like Chalukyas and Hosyalas. The fort is built in seven concentric fortification walls with many temples, masjid, passages and warehouses. There are many irrigation tanks within the fort.
It is this fort through which we are reminded of the heroics of Onake Obavva [a brave woman who fought the forces of Hyder Ali with a pestle (known as Onake in Kannada). Hyder Ali's soldiers sneaked out through a hole in the fort (called as Obavva Kindi) and it is here that Obavva single-handedly fought them].
Currently the fort is managed by the ASI [Archeological Survey of India] and visitors are allowed from early morning till 5PM.
Bhubaneshar
This capital city of Odisha, is rightly called 'The Temple City' with many old historic Hindu temples built in the Kalinga style of architecture such as Lingaraj Temple, Raja Rani Temple and Mukteshwar temple ranging from 6th to 13th century. Lingaraj temple is a prominent landmark of the city dedicated to Lord Shiva and the temple complex has more than 50 small temples.
The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves situated on two adjacent hills near Bhubaneswar has a number of finely carved caves built during the 1st century and is considered a place of historic, archeological and religious importance.
One can also visit the Nandankanan Zoological park, a 437 hectare zoo and botanical garden which houses more than 150 species. The park offers Bear, Herbivore, Lion and White Tiger safari along with Reptile park, Aviary, Aquarium and a Toy train. It is also home to Kanjia Lake, a wetland of national importance and boating is made available for tourists.
Another place of importance is Dhauli, the site of Kalinga War, a place close to Bhubaneswar and is home to the Shanti Stupa, a hilltop Buddhist shrine [called as peace pagoda]
Bhubaneswar is also in close proximity to the popular Puri Jagannath Temple and the Konark Sun Temple which is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Murdeshwar
Murdeshwar, a small coastal temple town in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is the place where one can witness the second tallest Shiva statue in the world with a height of 123 feet. The Murdeshwar temple and the Shiva statue are surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Arabian Sea.
The temple has a 20 storied gopura with two life-size concrete elephants guarding the gopura. This temple complex is probably the only one that has provided a lift facility in the gopura through which visitors (devotees) can reach the top of the gopura. From the top, one can witness the enchanting beauty of the Shiva statue and the magnificent waters that surround. Around the Shiva statue is a beautiful stretch of green lawns which has various flowering plants and stone sculptures
The Murdeshwar beach is an excellent place to spend time. The beach is surrounded by small hills and lush greenery along with abundant coconut trees.
Borra Guhalu
Borra Guhalu as it is locally called is a naturally formed caves and one of the largest in the country. It is situated in the Araku valley which is about 90kms from Visakhapatnam city in Andhra Pradesh. The name 'Borra Guhalu' is derived from two words Borra (hole in Odia) and Gulahu (caves in Telugu) [Odia is the native language of Odisha and Telugu is the native language of Andhra Pradesh]
The caves exhibit a variety of cave formations [stalactites and stalagmites] ranging in size which are basically limestone structures. With the caves being deep, there are areas in the caves with very limited light penetration.
The caves can be reached by road from Visakhapatnam (a hill road taking about three hours) or one can take a train from Visakhapatnam and reach the Borra Guhalu Railway station which is about 1km from the caves. The train journey on the Kirandul-Kottavalasa railroad from Visakhapatnam to Araku via Borra Guhalu is one of the most scenic train journeys in India with the train going through multiple tunnels and bridges.
Living Root Bridges, Mawlynnong
Mawlynnong, considered India's cleanest village is in the North-East state of Meghalaya and is about 75kms from the state capital Shillong. It is close to the India-Bangladesh border. About 2kms from Mawlynnong, one can witness one of nature's amazing wonders, the Living Root Bridge
This is a single-decker bridge where roots of living trees form a bridge like structure over a water stream. The bridge is not very long and very easy to cross. The bridge can be reached by taking a fleet of steps downwards and this hike is definitely worth. While the bridge here being a single-decker one, a double-decker root bridge can be seen in Cherrapunji of Meghalaya. However, the one at Cherrapunji requires a bit difficult trek.
On the opposite side of the bridge, is a hiking trail of about 1 to 1.5km that leads to the not so explored Nohwet village and the Nohwet view point. One has to climb/walk on a Bamboo skywalk to reach the viewpoint that provides enthralling views of the valleys.
Nearby places include India-Bangladesh border and Dawki river boating site.
Khajjiar
Often called "The Mini Switzerland of India" due to its topographical resemblance to the European country, Khajjiar is a small hill station in the Dhauladhar ranges of Himalayas situated in Himachal Pradesh and about 24kms from Dalhousie. This is a place with an unique ecosystem with a lake (known as Khajjiar Lake) in the centre, surrounded by thick forest of cedar trees (deodar or devdar) and a large green pasture. The lake consists of a floating island with patches of grass floating on the surface.
One can spend enough time walking around the lake on the pastures and in the thick forests witnessing some amazing views of the Himalayas. Activities such as zorbing and horse riding are added attractions.
Other than this, the place has some temples such as Khajji Nag temple dedicated to serpent god which was built in the 12th century.
Kurukshetra
Kurukshetra or as it is rightly called "Dharmakshetra" is one place with significant historic and religious importance. It is in this sacred place of Kurukshetra that the holy scripture of Bhagwad Gita was preached by Lord Krishna to Arjuna at the start of the Dharma Yuddha in the epic Mahabharatha. The Dharma Yuddha or the Kurukshetra War was also fought here in Kurukshetra between Pandavas and Kauravas.
One important place to visit here is the sacred Brahmasarovar, a large water tank. The sarovar is believed to be used by Duryodhana during the Mahabharata war to hide himself. The sarovar has a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is believed that Lord Brahma offered prayers to Shiva here.
The sacred place where the Bhagwad Gita was delivered is known as Jyotisar, approx 12kms from the Kurukshetra town. At Jyotisar, there is a banyan tree which is believed to be immortal and is part of the same banyan tree that witnessed the Gitopadesha. Also, there is a beautiful statue of Krishna sitting on a chariot made of marble preaching the Gita to Arjuna.
Hebbe Falls and Kemmanagundi
Located in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, Hebbe falls is about 8kms from the hill station of Kemmanagundi. The dense green forests and rocks surrounding the waterfalls makes this falls very picturesque. The falls has a height of about 550m where Bhadra River drops as two stages [Dodda (bigger) Hebbe and Chikka (smaller) Hebbe]. A small pool formed by the waterfalls at its base is an ideal place for swim and a dip.
The waterfalls is best reached using government approved forest jeep with the last stretch of about a kilometer to be trekked but one has to be careful of the many leeches on the trek paths (especially during monsoon)
One can also visit the Kallathi or Kallathigiri falls which is about 10kms away from Kemmanagundi. The waterfalls cascades down in front of the Veerabhadraswamy temple (a cave dedicated to Lord Shiva) from the adjoining hills and these hills are a good place for trekking.
Another place of interest is the Kemmanagundi resort, which was the summer retreat of the Wodeyars and later donated to the Government of Karnataka which now develops and maintains the resort and its surroundings. Nearby attractions include Mullayanagiri Peak, the tallest peak in Karnataka which has a temple on the peak.
Rameshawaram
Situated on the Pamban Island, off the mainland India in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, this town is an important religious place for Hindus and is one of the Char Dhams. It is also a place that is considered as the closest to the neighboring country Sri Lanka. According to the epic Ramayana, it is believed that Lord Rama built a bridge from Rameshwaram to Lanka in order to rescue Sita.
The Ramanathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is the most visited site in Rameshwaram. The temple's magnificent outer corridor has more than 1200 sandstone pillars that are carved and the ceiling is filled with colorful art. In addition to the regular darshan, devotees can have the Spatika Linga darshan which happens in the early morning around 5AM is considered very auspicious.
The temple consists of the holy Thirtas (water bodies). Bathing in these 23 Thirtas is a major ritual as part of the Rameshwaram Char Dham pilgrimage and is considered to wash away the sins (Out of the 23, the main Thirta being the Agni Thirta which is the Bay of Bengal sea shore associated with the temple, while the other 22 are within the temple complex)
A trip to Rameshwaram is incomplete without seeing the Pamban Rail bridge, an unique bridge which is the oldest and second longest sea bridge in India. The central part of the bridge has a section that can be opened for the passage of ships and boats. There is a road bridge that runs parallel to this rail bridge.
Other interesting places to visit nearby include Dhanushkodi (an abandoned town in the southern tip of the Pamban Island) and Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam National Memorial built in memory of the renowned scientist and former President of India [Kalam] who was from Rameshwaram
Alleppey
Popularly known as "Venice of the East", Alappuzha or Alleppey located in "God's own country" (the South Indian state of Kerala) is about 55kms from Kochi and is a town with canals, backwaters beaches and lagoons. It is home to a huge network of Kerala backwaters and thousands of Houseboats.
Houseboat cruises in the backwaters is quite popular attracting many domestic and international tourists to Alleppey. These cruises can be booked in advance and there are packages available for night stays on the houseboat with meals served onboard while cruising. The modern houseboats come with all the comforts of a good hotel room including air conditioners and modern toilets. The cruise is the best way to get an uninterrupted view of life in the backwaters (the lush greenery alongside the backwaters with many coconut trees) and is an awesome experience. Alleppey also hosts the Kerala Snake Boat Race event titled Nehru Trophy Boat race, a most anticipated event that draws huge crowds and is conducted every year usually during the Onam festival. The Chundan vallam [Snake Boat] used in the race is about a 100feet long with about 64 paddlers rowing in a rhythm. Other attractions include the Alleppey beach and the 17th century old lighthouse
Chandigarh
Serving as capital for two states of Punjab and Haryana, the city and union territory of Chandigarh is about 260kms from New Delhi. It holds the distinction of being one of the most well planned cities of post independence era and also one of the cleanest. Here one can witness modernization co-existing with nature's preservation.
Gardens in Chandigarh such as Rock Garden and Zakir Hussain Rose Garden are worth visiting. The Rock Garden spread over an area of 40 acres is built completely from home and industrial waste. The Garden has some man-made waterfalls and is full of sculptures made out of scrap such as bangles, bottles, glasses, broken pipes, etc.
The Rose Garden, being the largest in India, is spread over an area of 30 acres with more than 1600 species of roses planted on beautiful carved lawns. The Garden serves as the venue for the annual Rose Festival held during February-March
Other landmark in Chandigarh is the Sukhna Lake, an artificial rainfed lake at the foothills of Shivalik hills that offers beautiful vistas along with boating, kayaking and other water activities
One can also visit the Mughal gardens of Pinjore, about 25kms from Chandigarh which is a nice outing place and amazing for photoshoots
Syntheri Rock, Dandeli
Located in the middle of the Dandeli Wildlife sanctuary, Syntheri Rock is a huge 300 feet monolith volcanic rock named after an English lady who discovered this place in the 20th century. It is at a distance of about 30kms from Dandeli in Karnataka. River Kaneri flows along the sides of this rock and due to the flow of this river, it has resulted in erosion and the rocks getting hollowed. The rocks are also home to many pigeons and honeybees.
Entry is restricted by the Forest department and one has to take more than 200 uneven steps down to reach the Rock. Along the staircase path, there are descriptions of various types of rocks and trees which can be engaging and educative. As one climbs down, they are treated with the giant face of the rock which has different colors and textures.
Syntheri Rock is definitely a good place to enjoy some quality time with nature and a treat for people who enjoy treks and adventure.
The main tourist attraction in Dandeli is the river rafting in the Kali river offering a rafting stretch of about 12kms.
Amritsar
A city closer to the neighboring country of Pakistan, Amritsar is the most populated city in the state of Punjab. The city is about 220kms from Chandigarh and is known for the religious and spiritually significant Sikh gurudwara, Harmandir Sahib also called as Golden Temple. The gurudwara is situated on a large man made pool called Amrit Sarovar in which pilgrims take bath. The sanctum is overlaid with gold foil leading to the name Golden Temple and this reflection on the sarovar makes it a beautiful sight. The temple is open for visit to all and mandates covering of head for all. The complex has a Langar that serves basic free vegetarian meals and is available to all.
The Attari-Wagah International border between India and Pakistan (Attari on the Indian side and Wagah on the Pakistan side) is about 28kms from Amritsar and is a must visit place where Indian patriotism can be witnessed live. At the border, there is a flag ceremony and border crossing ceremony done by the Border Security Force [BSF] of India and the Pakistan Rangers and is done every day around 4 to 5PM with hundreds of people gathering here to witness this spectacular event that emphasizes peace and harmony between the two countries. There are separate men and women pavilion and it goes without saying that this is an area with tight security. Cameras and photography is allowed though.
The trip to Amritsar is not complete without paying homage to the people who died in the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre by the British Indian Army that killed many unarmed Indian civilians. The site (a 5 minute walk from the Golden Temple) is now converted to a memorial park with the bullet holes visible on the walls of the park and the well into which the people jumped to escape the bullets, is now a protected monument.
Gulmarg
A popular skiing destination in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg is a place whose landscapes are a visual treat. Situated in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas, it is easily reachable from the capital Srinagar at a distance of 50kms. A perfect destination for family outing, snow adventure and romantic holiday, it is here that one is treated with lush greenery, variety of flowers and snow capped mountains.
An attraction not to be missed is the Gulmarg Gondola ride, a cable car which is one of the highest in the world with two stage ferries. The first stage takes tourists to Kongdoori and the second stage takes all the way up to the Apharwat peak, a summit at a height of about 14400 feet. For most of the year, this peak is covered with snow and reaching the peak is weather dependent. The Line of Control [LOC] is very nearby from the peak.
Other places of interest include Maharani Temple, St Mary's church and Golf course.
Kaziranga National Park
An UNESCO World Heritage site, situated along the banks of the Brahmaputra river in the north east state of Assam, Kaziranga National Park is a large protected area (about 437 sqkm) whose forests, grasslands and wetlands are home to many species such as tigers, elephants, wild boars, water buffalo and swamp deer. The park is known for having the world's largest population of the Indian one horned Rhinoceros (nearly two third of its population is here at Kaziranga). The park is also identified as an important bird area as it is home to many migratory and inhabitant birds. The natural beauty that this park presents makes it a heaven for wildlife enthusiasts.
The major attraction of the park is that it provides options to explore the jungle riding on an elephant [Elephant Safari], an excellent way to move in the open grounds of these species [This is also the best way to spot the different species including the rhinos and at closer proximity]. Visitors are also treated with adventure rides in an open Jeep Safari which can be booked in advance. While the park is divided into four zones [Central, Eastern, Western and Burapahar], elephant safari is available only in central and western zones and Jeep safari is available in all four.
Another place of interest that one needs to visit is the Orchid and Biodiversity park close to the Central range of the park which has more than 500 species of wild orchids, more than 100 species of fruits and vegetables and different species of bamboo.
Assam is also known for its tea plantations and quality tea. There are many tea gardens at Kaziranga in the proximity of the National Park and a visit to a tea garden is definitely worth.
Gangtok
The capital city of the northeastern state of Sikkim, Gangtok is well connected by road from Siliguri [in the neighboring state of West Bengal].
Considered a center for Buddhist culture and learning, Enchey and Rumtek Monastery are the city's worth visiting Buddhist centers. The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is an important centre in Gangtok that houses huge collections of Buddhist scriptures and statues.
Ganesh Tok and Hanuman Tok are Hindu temples about 6-7kms from Gangtok that provide spectacular views of Gangtok and weather permitting, one can get views of the mighty Kanchenajunga (the third highest mountain). The mountain peaks can also be witnessed from Tashi view point.
The Himalayan Zoological park (which is close to Ganesh Tok) is the first zoological park in Sikkim. The zoo houses various species of Himalayas such as Red pandas, Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, etc in their natural habitats. The park is set in the mountainous terrain with an area of more than 200 hectares.
Nearby attractions include Nathula pass (about 50kms from Gangtok) that connects Sikkim and Tibet and Lake Tsomgo (about 40kms enroute Nathula pass), a glacier lake surrounded by mountains. A visit to Nathula pass requires permit to be taken at Gangtok and is only for Indian citizens.
McLeod Ganj
Known as "Little Lhasa" or "Land of his holiness the Dalai Lama", McLeod Ganj is a beautiful hilltown located in Upper Dharamshala in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Amidst lush greenery and picturesque majestic hills, the place is filled with Tibetan culture since there are large Tibetan settlements here.
The important places to visit are the Dalai Lama Temple (the official residence of the 14th Dalai Lama) and Namgyal monastery
One has to visit the Bhagsu waterfalls, about 2kms from McLeod Ganj. This is a scenic 20m waterfall located about 1km. from Bhagsunag temple, along a trail lined with street cafes. Other nearby attractions include the HPCA [Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association] stadium in Dharamshala, Norbulingka temple, Chime Gatsal Ling Monastery and Gyoto Monastery [about 6-8kms from Dharamshala].
Varkala
Located in Kerala, Varkala is a coastal town about 50kms from the state capital Thiruvanathapuram and about 30kms from Kollam city. The town sits on top of a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea.
The Varkala beach is a popular spot for Indian and foreign tourists and is a perfect place to spend the evening. The red sandstone cliffs that surround Varkala beach gives this place an unique touch. One needs to descend a few steps to get to the golden sand and the inviting sea waters. There are many shacks and restaurants on the cliff that provide some stunning views.
A visit to Ponnumthuruthu Island [also called Golden Island] in Varkala (about 10kms from the beach) makes Varkala trip even more interesting. The tranquility of the place makes it the best choice to escape the urban crowd. Here, one can also take a boat ride through the backwaters on a country boat.
While this brings us to the end of 20 fascinating destinations in India, stay tuned for many more places offering amazing experiences.