Places to Visit in India
Covering a parameter of thick jungles, chaotic chants near the Holy Ganges, the tropics and enduring mountains make up for what India is. India is rich in culture, heritage, food, things and what not! This subcontinent has every nook and corner to keep you in awe. Each place in India is different. Some places are for adventure while some are just for seeking blessings. The best 20 places of India are listed as under:
Top Places to visit in North India
North India has a topography that is diverse and vast-ranging from different cuisines to a variety of traditions. This is where truly you can savour the great foods of India. The Himalayas, Indo- Gangetic Plains and subtropical areas, the Northern side of India has it all. It has many places worth seeing but places which should not be missed are listed as under:
Agra
Declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Agra holds the famous Taj Mahal which is purely made of white marble by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved. Being the city of Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort should not be missed out because it is flooded with historic values and embodiment. Agra Fort needs a guide so that you understand it properly. Espahan is a truly delectable restaurant where you will find delicacies of Agra and they taste simply outstanding. Go out shopping at the Sadar Bazaar for collecting souvenirs for your loved ones. Taj Mahal is crowded with thousands of people daily and the best time to visit it in the early morning at about 6 am for a glorious remembrance of the monument.
Delhi
Being the capital of India, Delhi is flooded with traditions from new and old alike. Old Delhi has the charm of Mughal architecture and the rustic bazaars with famous items from the Mughal times. Whereas the moment you step into New Delhi, malls and skyscrapers fill up your eyes with delight. Street foods of Chandni Chowk, the ever wanted markets of Sarojni and Janpath and an array of Indian handicrafts in Dilli Haat wait for you. The Gadodia Market is the biggest spice market of India and if you want to try out something offbeat, you must visit this market. Check out folk dancers under the Shadipur Depot Bridge which will leave you amused.
Amritsar
Punjab, the home of Sikhs is the land of the Golden Temple where equality prevails. Amritsar has nearly everything to keep you occupied for the whole day. Be it the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum or the amazing street foods which are a must-try. In every nook and corner of Amritsar, a surprise awaits you. Amritsari Kulchas are famous worldwide and are a must-try. Golden Temple can be visited early in the morning if you want to avoid the crowd.
Manali
Manali is a beautiful hill station in Himachal Pradesh and it attracts a large number of tourists and trekkers to the glacial mountains. The Solang Valley is dedicated to the skiers and Hampta Pass to the trekkers. The scenery of the entire location with lush green vegetation is picturesque. Visit the 500-year-old Naggar Castle as it depicts the olden times. The Manu Temple and momos are to die for in Manali. It is completely a place for adventure and sports like paragliding, rafting, and mountaineering.
Kashmir
Called the Switzerland of India, Kashmir is paradise on Earth. It is so beautiful and serene that one can't take off their eyes from this little heaven. The snow-clad mountains and alpine peaks trigger one's soul. Try out a Shikara ride at the Dal Lake and visit Shankaracharya Temple. Trekking, paragliding are also some adventures to try out. You should try out a night in the houseboat for a true experience of Kashmir and you will not be disappointed. Boats should be booked in advance for the same.
Varanasi
Varanasi is the poetic city of India which is too much crowded but if you are a spiritual person, Varanasi offers to you about 2000 temples in total to view. This place is completely for the person who is in search of life lessons and wants to devote their time to the Almighty. Click pictures of the temples and take a boat ride to the place where chants take place in the evening and you are going to be mesmerized by the sights of it. The Sarai Mohona village displays some of the best collections of Banarasi Saris. The Evening Arti Ceremony cannot be missed at any cost.
Leh Ladakh
This is another breathtaking place of India which extends from Himachal Pradesh to the Himalayan extent. The Buddhist Tibetan Monasteries are what make this place famous. The roads to Ladakh are extreme and good for adventurers to try out a road trip to Ladakh. Trekking, jeep safari, camel safari, etc. Are some of the awesome things to try out. The Kargil Highway, about 30 km from Leh is known as Magnetic Hill. Even if your car runs out of fuel in the middle of the road, it will keep on moving magically.
Rajasthan
The moment you step into Rajasthan, you will be welcomed by a mismatch of different cultures and techniques. The Aravalli ranges and the Thar Desert are what makeup Rajasthan. The Mughal buildings and monuments ornate the entire place of Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur to top the list. The Keoladeo National Park consists of about 250 varieties of birds and the Sariska Tiger Reserve is home to wild cats, hyenas, and other animals.
Meghalaya
Meghalaya in Shillong makes you feel like you are above the clouds. It is so serene and so peaceful that you will forget all your worries in this city. Pine trees, dangerous rocky caves, and eventuating waterfalls are a pleasure to watch. Move to Dawki and try boating in the famous Umngot River. Elephant Falls is famous for rappelling and try walking in the longest living root bridges. Mawlyngot, Asia’s cleanest village should not be missed out. You can learn about tea gardens and how tea is processed.
Rann of Kutch
The Rann of Kutch located in the Thar Desert of Gujarat covers 10,000 sq kilometers and is the largest salt desert in the world. When monsoons arrive, this place is totally submerged in water and during October dries up for people to get a glimpse of it. Villages display large varieties of textiles and handicrafts which are famous in the region. Kala Dungar makes you take a view of the entire desert in a go. A Rann Utsav Festival is held in the months of December to January where stalls are set for different foods, styles and handicrafts bazaars and tents are put up for people who come to this festival. Bhuj is an in house knowledge of the working of handicrafts and how they are made. If you are interested, you can learn about it.
Best places to visit in South India
Southern India is well known for its solitude and tea plantations. South India depicts greenery and it is more relaxing and enjoyable to be in. Coasts, forests, and alpines make up for Southern India. You can get lost in any given opportunity of South India and you will like it to your very best. Some of the places are as under:
Coorg
Coorg has massive expansions of tea and coffee plantations and the aroma of both fills up the entire surrounding. It has numerous waterfalls, The Abbey Falls being the major among them. Nagarhole National Park and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary are the two most important wildlife sanctuaries of this place. Madikeri in Coorg is heaven for coffee lovers as you will find the best-unfiltered coffee in this region. The Cheyyandane village is splendid with its vegetation growth during the monsoon seasons.
Pondicherry
The French Capital of India, Pondicherry is far from beautiful. It was ruled by French during the 1700s and the French colony in Pondicherry makes you feel like you are just somewhere outside India. This city is so clean and composed. With a brightly painted house, boulevards and French signboards, Pondicherry is everything to make you feel you are in French. Gothic Churches and a trial to the French cuisine make your heart feel with joy. Build your own sandwich at the Suffren St. Is Domus from a wide selection of pieces of bread and accompaniments. You in Pondicherry and it would be incomplete without the fine taste of beer.
Goa
Goa is the perfect destination for beach lovers with a lot of water activity sports. It has a 17th-century Portuguese colony where you can witness the culinary of Portuguese not to be found in any other parts of India. The Spice Plantation, having the thrill of crab catching, exploring the rural landscape are some major attractions of Goa. Baga beach is a famous beach with warm sands and pristine waters. Mario Miranda is a Goa cartoonist and unique paintings of his can be found on the walls of various restaurants of Goa. His quirky collections include bowls, cups, and saucers.
Kerala
Kerala is famous for its backwaters and his pristine waters. It is located in the Western Ghats and the experience of houseboats is a perfect combination in this area. People can find their own personal chefs in these houseboats and it has many national parks. Marari, Kovalam, etc. Are some beaches with water activities to its maximum. Don’t forget to shop at Triveni which is a floating market from the 16th century. This market covered 53 places and has been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Record.
Hampi
Hampi is a place which you can visit if you are fond of ruins of older buildings and monuments. It is filled with banana plantations and paddy fields. If you are looking for something offbeat, Hampi is the right place. Every place has a story to tell, and it is best visited by taking a bicycle found in rent. Matanga Hill and Tungabhadra River are attractions. The Sunset Jam Session can be enjoyed at the Sunset point and it is so relaxing. It is the best place for music and dance lovers.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Underwater diving, snorkeling, vibrant marine life and if you want to experience all of these, head to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With thick jungles and mangrove forests, turquoise waters surrounding the entire place. It is a mix of southeast Asian and Mainland Island and you will simply love it. Havelock Island is a favorite among people who are in love and planning to celebrate their honeymoon. Barren Island is a major volcano spot in this place.
Madurai
Madurai has a touch of Rome in it and it is the third-largest state of Tamil Nadu. Madurai Boats are well known and have been in use from the 4th century. The Meenakshi Amman Temple has a labyrinth structure with rich architecture. The palaces and temples are cornered with technology and it is truly great. Chithirai Festival is the longest festival in India celebrated during the months of April.
Gandikota
Gandikota is a small village located in the river Pennar. It is in the form of Grand Canyon from the 18th century and it cuts through Erramala Hills. The Gandikota Fort was built with huge walls to give you great views of the place. There are temples to display great architectural work. The Belum caves should be visited which is a 3km long cave. It takes you through narrow lanes and chambers made by Buddhists long ago.
Mysore
If you want to live a royal lifestyle for some days, Mysore is the right place to be in. The Mysore Palace is 44 m tall and it is 3 stories. The Brindavan Gardens are another sight to behold. Give a spying look to the birds and animals in the Mysore Zoo and try out delicacies of Mysore. Mysore is not for nightlife but for clear blue skies.
Ooty
Ooty is known as the Queen of Hill Stations as it is just everything you want to explore in a hill station. The British colonial is kept in a highly reserved manner and Raj Era bungalows add shining armor. Go boating in Ooty Lake and mountain biking in Mountain Bike Park. The Rose Garden in Ooty is a must-visit as you can see a variety of roses growing in it. It has 20,000 rose bushes and the smell is out of the world.
These are some of the most visited places to visit in India. Plan one by one to experience what you deserve!