India is a land of multiple marvels when it comes to heritage, culture, architecture, cuisines, and anything else that follows this trajectory. Boasting a rich and vibrant mix of cultures, India has something to offer to everybody. The following list of tourist destinations has been put together keeping in mind the uniqueness of each spot. These are places that usually do not feature on a top 10 list but are nevertheless equally breathtaking and famous among tourists. Further, this list has tried to cover all major portions of the country so that no region has been missed out.
India is a land of multiple marvels when it comes to heritage, culture, architecture, cuisines, and anything else that follows this trajectory. Boasting a rich and vibrant mix of cultures, India has something to offer to everybody. The following list of tourist destinations has been put together keeping in mind the uniqueness of each spot. These are places that usually do not feature on a top 10 list but are nevertheless equally breathtaking and famous among tourists. Further, this list has tried to cover all major portions of the country so that no region has been missed out.
1. Ladakh, Kashmir
Situated at an average altitude of 3000 m or 9,800 ft, this region is arguably one of the most picturesque regions of the country. With a direct view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges and a landscape that is studded with the picture-perfect ‘Gompas’ or Tibetan Monasteries, Ladakh is a perfect getaway from the busy and fast city life. Further, the beautifully crafted prayer flags and prayer wheels that can be found abundantly all over the region, add to this natural beauty.
2. Amritsar, Punjab
A city that is etched in the memories of all Indians, a city that is known for its devotion, Amritsar is an attractive tourist destination that is often regarded as a part of the ‘Golden Triangle’ circuit (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur). Housing Sikhism’s foremost place of worship, the ‘Harmandir Sahib’ or the ‘Golden Temple’, Amritsar is also home to various war museums, Partition museums, and of course the historic ‘Jallianwala Bagh’, a place that changed the trajectory of the Indian Freedom Struggle.
3. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Arguably one of the most beautifully preserved and maintained wildlife reserves in Asia, the Kanha National Park offers a wide variety of species for both flora and fauna. Also known as the ‘Kanha Tiger Reserve’, the park spreads over a sprawling area of 1200 square km making it the largest National Park in Central India. If you need to see a Royal Bengal Tiger, this is the place for you to be.
4. The region of the 7 Sisters
Covering a combined area of 255, 511 square km, the Seven Sisters region consists of Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and Assam. Hosting some of the most culturally rich and vibrant festivals in the country, this region speaks volumes for itself when it comes to its exquisite culture and heritage. The region houses India’s largest freshwater lake (Loktak Lake, Manipur), the cleanest village in Asia (Mawlynnong, Meghalaya), India’s largest monastery (Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh), India’s oldest oil refinery (Digboi, Assam), and the region receiving maximum rainfall on Earth (Mawsynram, Meghalaya). This makes it clear why it should feature on the top 10 list.
5. Kutch, Gujarat
Covering an unbelievable area of 45,000 square km, the Kutch region is India’s largest and most distinctive district. Kutch hosts a number of museums, palaces, sanctuaries, and heritage sites that are a treat to all. The region is known for the ‘Rann Utsav’ which is a breathtaking and culturally stimulating annual festival that is conducted in the ‘Rann of Kutch’. Apart from this, the Kutchi cuisine, mud architecture, and art forms are known and cherished the world over.
6. Konark, Orissa
Renowned world over for the ‘Sun Temple’ which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Konark is a region that illustrates Orissa’s heritage and culture like no other. With intricate carvings and near impossible construction techniques, Konark Sun Temple is considered to be an architectural marvel. To add to this, the Sun Festival, the Annual Dance Festival, and the Handicrafts Mela held during the year in this region truly brings out the beauty and richness of Oriya art forms.
7. Lonavala/Lavasa/Khandala, Maharashtra
This belt of the Lonavala-Lavasa-Khandala region is hill stations nestled in the Pune district of Maharashtra. While Lonavala and Khandala are considered to be twin hill stations, Lavasa is said to be the first officially billed hill station post-independence. Home to great design marvels such as the Panshet Dam, Temghar Dam, Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves, Lohagad fort, Visapur fort, and many more such structures, the region is a famous tourist spot during the Monsoon season. Be it a trek, a family trip, an adventure trip, or a romantic trip, this region is perfect for all travellers.
8. Hampi, Karnataka
Hampi or the ‘Group of Monuments at Hampi’ as it is known, was the centre of the Vijayanagara empire. It was their capital city all throughout the 14th and 15th Century. Regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city of ruins narrates the story of an illustrious and magnificent empire that is centred around. Although it has a multitude of temples and palaces to its credit, Hampi is known for the Sri Virupaksha Temple that is indeed an architectural marvel. Not only is this place a history buff’s dream or a backpacker’s delight but also a perfect family holiday destination.
9. Fort Kochi, Kerala
Walking through the streets of Fort Kochi will transport you into the colonial era. Right from tea estates, individual houses, cemeteries, and forts, you can find the remnants of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British East India Company throughout the town. Among the other exciting tourist spots, a trip to Fort Kochi is incomplete if you do not see the St. Francis Church, the place where Vasco da Gama was buried and the famous Chinese Fishing Nets that are studded through the coast of the region. Steeped in colonial history, this place will truly transport the traveller to another era.
10. Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Known as the ‘Land of the Three Seas’ (since the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean converge here), Kanyakumari is the only place on the planet where you can observe the sunset and the sunrise from the same beach. Along with such geographic marvels, the city also plays host to historic marvels with the Thiruvalluvar Statue, the Rock Memorial, and the Bhagavathy Amman Temple. A true conclusion to the trip beginning in Kashmir is it’s a spectacular end in Kanyakumari.
