Home » Independence Day India » 15 amazing Indian holiday destinations off the beaten path
 
SPEED NEWS

15 amazing Indian holiday destinations off the beaten path

Catch Team | Updated on: 13 August 2016, 22:57 IST

India is a land of diverse beauty and unusual landscapes. It would take a lifetime, if not more, to travel and experience the length and breadth of the country. So this Independence Day, Catch has curated 15 holiday destinations that were probably not on your radar.

A perfect holiday is one where you get to rediscover yourself in an unexplored place. So here is a list of some offbeat yet breathtakingly beautiful places for you to visit in this extraordinary country of ours. You're welcome.

1) Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh in it's entirety is absolutely unique. With the lowest population density in the country, Arunachal has an air of tranquility that few places can match. The beauty of Tawang (see picture above) stems from precisely this.

Tawang is 10,000 ft above sea level and is a sparsely populated. Despite its near-complete isolation, Tawang is a holy site for Tibetan Buddhists as it is the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama and is home to a 400-year-old monastery.

The faint but calming sounds of Buddhist chanting, fog rolling over the mountain - covering Tawang, almost like a bedsheet, delicious local food and welcoming locals, all make Tawang a must visit.

2) Kalimpong, West Bengal

File photo

Pleasant and peaceful, Kalimpong is an ideal retreat for the traveler who wants to avoid the rat race of the city while still enjoying its comforts.

Since it's situated some 1200 meters above sea level, Kalimpong enjoys a pleasant climate all year round - Neither too hot in summer nor too cold in the winter. While other hill stations like Darjeeling and Shimla generally grab tourist attention, Kalimpong, while lesser known, is no less stunning.

Situated in North Bengal, it truly is a hidden gem. With a panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga mountain ranges, Buddhist monasteries, churches, exotic flowers and beautiful Tibetan handicrafts, Kalimpong will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

3) Spiti, Himachal Pradesh

File photo

Spiti seems like an odd choice for a holiday. Its terrain is inhospitable - almost dangerous - yet it has a stark beauty that sets it apart from most other places.

Hidden amidst the Trans-Himalayan belt of Himachal Pradesh, Spiti sits at an altitude of 3600 metres above sea level. It is cold. It is dark. It's desert landscape is mostly rocky. Yet travelers, almost unanimously, swear by its beauty. It's the sort of place that reminds you to stop staring at the ground and look at the sky, because Spiti promises a sky full of stars that put city lights to shame.

If you're going to visit Spiti, keep in mind that it is shut off from the world from November to April due its extreme climate.

4) Bhedaghat, Madhya Pradesh

File photo

Bhedaghat is a small town about 25kms from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. Famous for its glittering marble rocks that stand nearly 100-feet tall on the banks of Narmada, Bhedaghat is a treat for the eyes. These famous rocks glisten white with hues of black and dark green which shine through its seams.

As if that view alone wasn't already enough, the Narmada creates a majestic reflection of the rocks. Even better, the river, which flows peacefully by the rocks, gains momentum slightly further on, culminating in the mighty Dhuandhar waterfall.

5) Shillong, Meghalya

File photo

Surrounded by pine trees and serene waterfalls, Shillong is a place that should be on every traveler's list. Shillong is affectionately called the Scotland of the east thanks to the heavy monsoons the city experiences. It is also probably why Meghalaya is one of the greenest states in India.

Apart from it's pristine natural beauty, Shillong also boasts of a unique cultural heritage. The majority of Shillong's population belongs to the Khasi tribe, who are predominantly Christian. The Khasis are a matrilineal society where the mother is head of family, youngest daughter owns all the property and mother's surname is passed onto the children.

6) Talasari Beach, Odisha

File photo

Talasari Beach is one of Odisha's most beautiful and pristine beaches. What makes this beach a dream destination is that its untouched by the sort of commercialisation that usually ruins these sort of places.

But don't be fooled, this place will not bore you if you're looking for a quiet weekend trip. The palm trees surrounding the beach give the place its name. 'Talasari' comes from 'Tala' meaning palm and 'Sari' meaning row. Talasari promises a peaceful ambiance, clear waters and relaxing tropical weather.

7) Mokokchung, Nagaland

File photo

Mokokchung is the cultural capital of Nagaland as well as one of the most important districts of the state. Its hills are scenic and the sound of its many streams is almost hypnotic. While generally quiet, this traditional city comes to life in festival season with many vibrant activities.

With hospitable locals, rhododendrons and shrines dotting the landscape and interesting and unusual foods, there is never a dull moment in Mokokchung.

8) North Sikkim

File photo

Your journey to North Sikkim - a land of overwhelming beauty - starts from Gangtok. The landscape changes rapidly during the journey as your path winds upwards.

With streams rushing down steep inclines, fog resting over deep gorges, colourful and exotic birds as well as snow-capped mountains, North Sikkim will blow your mind. The beautiful valleys of Yumthang and Tsopta are a must visit for nature lovers.

9) Hogenakkal, Tamil Nadu

File photo

Hogenakkal is sometimes referred to as the Niagara Falls of India. At Hogenakkal, the Kaveri river creates several waterfalls in this tiny village in Tamil Nadu. There are a few resorts and guest houses in the vicinity that ensure a wonderful view of the falls and one can't help but get used to the constant sound of the thundering falls.

While the people of the south may know about it, it has still managed to evade the attention of the rest of the country, allowing it to remain a hidden gem.

10) Papi-Kondalu, Telangana

File photo

Papi-Kondalu" or the "Papi Hills" is a mountain range that is located in Rajahmundry in West Godavari District. Papi-Kondalu is an example of raw, untouched beauty. The area looks like the Dal Lake in Kashmir because of its serene lake and surrounding mountains. The range also boasts of a stunning waterfall at Munivaatnam.

11) Shivanasamundram, Karnataka

File photo

Shivanasamudram is famous for its beautiful waterfalls, the most popular ones being the Gaganachukki and Shivanasamudra waterfalls. It's a lovely place to unwind. While the weather is pleasant throughout the year, visiting during the monsoons can be a tricky affair.

To truly enjoy the natural splendour of Shivanasamudram, plan a trip to the region anytime between August and February. You'll definitely thank us.

12) Hemis, Jammu & Kashmir

File photo

Hemis is a beautiful place in Jammu & Kashmir surrounded by snow capped ranges. While it's a lesser known destination in the state, this is not representative of its vast natural beauty.

The central selling point of this tiny village located 40 kilometres south of Leh, is its majestic national park. Home to many species that are native to the region, lucky visitors may even be treated to the sight of the elusive snow leopard. Get clicking here.

13) Patan, Gujarat

File photo

Patan is one of newest additions to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The place has become popular among travellers because of 'Rani ka Vav,' a beautiful monument constructed during the Solanki dynasty. Built in the Maru-Gurjara architectural style, the monument has an inverted temple and seven levels of stairs. It's also home to over 500 stunning sculptures.

Surrounded by huge walls and an old world charm, this city, which was the medieval capital of Gujarat, will make for a lovely offbeat holiday destination. The best time to visit is between October and March.

14) Sundarbans, West Bengal

File photo

It's the world's largest mangrove forest! But if that isn't enough reason to check out the ysterious, swampy Sundarbans, its many unique attractions will draw you in.

The Sundarbans are meant both for those seeking quiet as well as adventure seekers. Sandwiched by two of the most densely populated countries - India and Bangladesh - the Sunderbans remain remote, inhospitable and largely people-free.

This is a truly wild landscape which is, all at once, both thrilling and serene. While the dark and gloomy aesthetic might lull you into a sense of complacency, that could all change if you catch a glimpse of the majestic and terrifying Royal Bengal Tiger in its natural habitat.

15) Nubra Valley, Jammu & Kashmir

File photo

About 140 kilometres from Leh, the Nubra Valley lies along the historical Silk route in Jammu and Kashmir. The rivers Shyok and Nubra meander through the valley, creating a scene straight out of a painting. If you're looking for serenity, natural beauty, untouched landscapes and utter solitude, this is the place to visit.

Photo Curation and Text by Priyata Brajabasi

Edited by Ranjan Crasta

First published: 13 August 2016, 22:57 IST