India, the incredible country is home to an array from attractions, facilities, activities and beauties. This diverse land has a long list of destinations that include valleys, beaches, monuments and festivals. Choose India for a perfect vacation and traverse the various awe-inspiring places for a memorable vacation.
The magic of Mughal Empire and the legacy they left behind is what defines Agra. Amid the hustle bustle of a modern busy city, it continues to live in the Mughal era and talk about Persian monuments they left behind. City of Taj, as it is known, Agra can be sketched as an array of monuments, mausoleums, relishing cuisine, bustling chowks and local guides.
On the foothills of the Aravalli Mountains, amid the enchanting Sufi music, Ajmer owes its reverence to the dargah of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti. Surrounded by the expansive Ana Sagar Lake, the Chauhan Dynasty epicenter today has turned into a bustling and chaotic city, while maintaining its rustic Islamic charm.
Breathtakingly beautiful shoreline, verdant woodlands, incredible diving possibilities and sun-toasted beaches; that’s Andaman, a sigh of relief! Once a painful Kala Pani, Andaman, today is a popular tourist destination. Thronged for its turquoise waters, primeval jungle and mangrove forests, it is the ultimate relief for a city bruised soul that looks for an escape.
Once the capital of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the city of Aurangabad, has risen from its tumultuous past, to the level of a famous tourist destination. Famous for Silk fabrics, Aurangabad served as Aurangzeb’s capital from 1653 to 1707 and saw the birth of many historical monuments. From Bibi-qa-Maqbara, ancient Buddhist caves to Ajanta and Ellora, the 'City of Gates' wears a rustic charm that is still alive amid the harsh winds of modernity.
Queen of Arabian Sea, Cochin or Kochi, is an intriguing mix of Portugal, Holland and Britain. It lives in a remnant past that is untouched by the complications of modernity. For more than 600 years, tourists, traders and explorers have visited here and left their presence in synagogues, mosques and fishing nets that has given this city a unique identity.
Arguably West Bengal’s premier destination, Darjeeling is all about emerald-green tea plantations towering over the majestic Khangchendzonga. One of the most brilliant hill resorts in the country, Darjeeling is immersed in the hues of every shade. Blooming with red rhododendrons and white magnolias, the ‘Queen of Hill stations’ is applauded for its emerald green tea bushes and silver fir forests. Darjeeling - the crest of Kanchenjunga shines with the first dawn!
To know Delhi, one has to travel through time machine and take a walk in the lanes of Old Delhi when the Mughals were at their zenith. Physically they might have left this land, but continue to live through the historical monuments and food enriched with culture and heritage. Classified as New and Old Delhi, the National Capital has overcrowded narrow lanes on one hand and skyscrapers on the other.
The magical lure of Gangtok winds up into a creation of the heaven. The city has its legendary mountains, landscape that defies imagination with its unity in diversity. Gangtok, where different beliefs, cultures and religion stay in perfect harmony, has a strong bond with the timeworn traditions and customs.
Sandy beaches, quaint villages, mouth watering seafood and a sheer magical experience. Yes, this is Goa – The Land of Beaches. Nestled in the Konkan Coast Belt, Goa boasts of being the most popular tourist destination on the West Coast of India.
Enthralling, royal, colourful, yet simple, the majesticity of Pink City Jaipur takes one back to 18th century, as established by Sawai Jai Singh. Amid the honking cars, camels and cycle rickshaws, one finds the evoking grace and splendour of the Maharajahs that elegantly transfers a visitor to another world.
Amid the bounteous golden dunes of Thar Desert, near the Pakistan Border, sits the Golden City Jaisalmer – A World Heritage Site. Clad in Yellow sandstone, the Queen of Thar, ‘Jaisalmer’ meaning the Hill Fort of Jaisal acts as a gateway to the historically ostentatious Rajasthan. With its unsurpassed art and architecture, hospitality and adventure, inarguably, it is the best travel destination in Rajasthan, which never fails to impress.
Reputed as the Blue City, Jodhpur is a tangle of Brahmin blue houses and zigzag streets that ramble towards the buzzy markets selling sarees. Home to the mighty Mehrangarh, amid the Thar Desert, beyond the city walls, Jodhpur is larger than life and beyond imagination.
Constructed by the kings of Chandela dynasty in 950-1050 AD, Khajuraho, till date depicts the finest temple art in the country. A World Heritage Site, the architectural skills of those times is depicted in the stunning sculptures that would leave one awe-struck.
Former capital of British India, Kolkata is a splendid example of colonial architecture and nascent hipster. Known as the City of Joy, it is a daily event of human existence, which is culturally desperate amid struggles of poverty. Kolkata or Calcutta, the 3 century old metropolis is believed to be the intellectual, cultural and artistic capital of India.
Once a quaint fishing village, Kovalam today prides itself as the most developed beach resort in entire Kerala. Breathtakingly beautiful, this idyllic destination has three curve shaped beaches backed by fertile coconut palms and stony outcroppings.
Get immersed in the natural charm of Kerala and see its ultimate beauty through the eyes of Kumarakom and its backwaters. Attracting millions of visitors every year, Kumarakom is Kerala’s largest lake with a backwater village, lush mangroves, paddy fields, coconut trees and a legendary bird sanctuary.
A land of unprecedented archipelago lagoons, unspoilt coral islands; Lakshadweep undoubtedly is the ultimate destination of a scuba driver. Stunning yet isolated, its real gem is found under water, in form of corals, hence called a ‘Coral Paradise’. Kavaratti, the capital of this uninhabited island is a cluster known for its virgin marine flora and fauna.
Nestled in the lap of the beautiful green Beas Valley, Manali is an all season destination. It throws an open invitation to honeymooners, backpackers or trekkers to breathe the heavenly mountain air and taste the snow. The area is full of Monasteries and adventure sport options like mountaineering, skiing, hiking, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking.
Settled among the green timberlands, Rajasthan's only hill station Mt. Abu is a myriad of green forests unlike any other place in the state. A sigh of relief from the scorching temperatures, these arid terrains also have a great spiritual importance with more than 80 temples which are 4 to 10 centuries old.
Carpeted with lush green tea plantations, Munnar is swath of soul stirring palm-shaded mountain scenery. Here the clouds form a mist that clings to the mountaintops sculpted like ornamental hedges. A symphony of rolling hills, tea plantations and traffic clogged streets, it is a fabulous languorous network of gleaming backwaters, spice and tea.
One of India’s oldest towns, the magnetism of Pushkar, its Rajasthan-esque charisma and beauty brings tranquility and joy beyond normal consciousness. Home to the country’s only Brahma temple is a famous Hindu pilgrimage, visited by Hindus at least once in their lifetime.
Once the summer capital of the British, Shimla enjoys a happy flow of holidayers who throng here to escape from the heat, pollution and traffic of the county. Amid the awe inspiring mountains, lives the largely pedestrianised Mall. The route passes through the colonial buildings that have changed hands from British to Maharajahs.
Surrounded by green mountains, Srinagar, Kashmir’s capital is rightly deemed as the Paradise on Earth. The enchantingly chaotic city, settled on the banks of the placid Dal Lake, has been the first destination for any visitor. Srinagar can be picturised as an array of houseboats, romantic Mughal Gardens, historic wooden mosques and strong citadels.
Nestled on the purple ridges of Aravalli Hills, Udaipur – the City of Lakes, is a sheer romance of palaces, temples, havelis and amaranthine streets. Venice of the East, as it is known, was established by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559, it served as the last capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Mewar.
As said by the great American writer, Varanasi is one of the oldest, colourful and fascinating places on earth. Also known as Benaras or Kashi, it is the nerve of Hinduism, a pilgrimage and considered an auspicious place to die. The abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, it promises moksha (salvation) to the living as well as dead since 1000 BC.
