Truly, India is the place where there the Gods reside. So secretive, sacred, lovely, outlandish, beguiling, and grand, that is what India is all about. Perhaps, India has been the most favored place for the gods. India is a land of rich culture and diverse people. It has hills, mountains, beaches, gulfs, deserts, forests and what not! If you are looking for some unexplored adventurous destinations in India then stay tuned!
Winding roads, the fresh smell of the mountains, thick pine and oak forests, a long walk on fresh crunchy leaves with unhindered views of the Himalayas. Indulge in a one of a kind experience in the mountains with unobstructed vistas, while you enjoy the solitary comfort of a good book on the deck, or lounge with a glass of wine and company of your partner.
With a lot of wonderful spots to visit, if you are on an excursion to the heavenly places of India, here are the famous tourist spots to visit in India.
1. Thajiwas Glacier, Jammu
Who would not like to be surrounded by the white beauty of snow? You can pack your bags and visit the famous Thajiwas Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir. Here, you will be able to enjoy snowfall as well as subzero temperatures. The delicacy that you can enjoy while having a gala time with your family includes Rogan Josh, Yakhni and Dum Aloo.
2. Haryana
Want a Valentine holiday but don't have too much time to head out of town? Or do you want to have a private un-valentine with your family or gal pals? Either way, this farmhouse in Sohna Hills is a great chance to escape the city without going too far. A mere 40 minutes drive from the NCR, it's a great spot to walk through fields, enjoy a smooth drink, and have a picnic party.
3. Rajgir, Bihar
Rajgir is a city which has seen repeated historic events in every thousand years. Under the Magadha Pradesh during Mahabharata, it was the capital city of Jarasandha, which also was one of the richest cities of that time. Later, the city became the hub of Chanakya-Chandragupta duel and even after that, it became the connecting place for Buddhism and Jainism.
Collecting all, this city of Bihar is one of the historically significant cities of India and a place which visitors should never miss out. Son Bhandar cave is quite popular and it is located in the Nalanda district. There are two caves and they are western and eastern cave. Son Bhandar caves have been associated with Jainism and they date back to third to fourth century AD.
As per the inscription, the caves were created by Vair, a Jain muni for the ascetics. There were Teerthankara sculpture and these are found in caves. There is similarity with Nagrjuni cave and also Barabar cave of Mauryan period. Digambar group is associated with the caves. Vaibhar Hill has been controlled by the jains of Digambar order.
The primary attraction for tourist is the city walls of the period of Ajatshatru. It is also great to see the jail of Bimbisar. There is Akhara of Jarasandh. Rajgir has been known for hot water springs and local people call it Brahmakund. It is important to note that seven springs or Saptarshi combine here and this is popular for the healing.
Peace pagoda or vishwa shanty stupa was created in 1969 and it is one of 80 peace pagodas across the world. This has been regarded as the oldest peace pagoda in our India. There is a rope-way which helps the visitor to reach another tourist spot. A spiritual leader from Japan named Fuji Guruji had gifted it in 1960s.
There is a temple of Japanese origin named Venu Vana. This has been artificial forest. Budhha had used it at the time of meditation. There is a popular spot known as Makhdoom Kund. Ramakrishna Math has been involved in humanitarian activities. They are also engaged with social service. Rajgir Heritage Museum is a popular tourist spot.
Sariputta Stupa is situated on top of Giriyak Hills and there is some distance from Ghora Katora Lake.
4. Nalanda, Bihar
Nalanda, one of the most popular monasteries of antiquity, a significant Buddhist seat of academic excellence and a spiritual pilgrimage centre, continues to be an equally enriching place even today. The city has one of the oldest and best residential universities in the world which is itself an architectural masterpiece.
Although in ruins, the whole complex presents a beautiful picture and tourists visit day after day. It is preceded by "Bihars" or monasteries and to the west by "Chayas" or temples. In addition to these, the complex has an interesting small collection, which contains a collection of several original Buddhist stupas, bronzes, coins, terracotta jars, burnt rice specimens, etc.
It is also an attractive tourist destination considering its rich heritage and historical significance. Due to the influence of most of the Buddhism, very common food habits are found in Nalanda. The recipes made from a combination of dal bread and vegetarian seasonal vegetables are quite spicy and healthy. A few other popular dishes are Singara, Kachori, Alu Kabli, Bhuj, Ghughni Chura, Dahi Chura etc.
You must try dipping the crispy fried dish made with water-fried flour dipped in sugar syrup. The place is also great for sweets made from condensed milk. Sour and pineapple are some of the more popular sweets in the region. The best time to visit Nalanda is September to March. It is very hot in summer and the temperature of the sun is high so it is time to go out.
Heavy rains in the rainy season fill the mud all around so it can disrupt your travel plans. So lastly it can be said that the best time to see Nalanda is winter (September-March).
Other than these places, you can also consider visiting hotspots such as Auli, Dehradun, Darjeeling, Nainital, Ooty, Munnar and Kodaikanal.
7. Maluti Temples, Jharkhand
Deep in the forests of Jharkhand lies the unique Maluti Temple Complex, unlike any other temple you may have visited in the country. This collection of 72 terracotta temples, dating back to the 17th century and located near Shikaripara, stands out in the desert as a stunning piece of architecture. The temple walls depict stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Once part of a dynasty, it is now considered one of the top ten ruins in the world and is the twelfth most endangered cultural heritage site in the world.
8. Khimsar, Rajasthan
Known for its spectacular Khimsar Fort, which masterfully blends the mysticism of the Thar Desert with the royal heritage of Rajasthan, Khimsar is a captivating desert settlement.
Visitors can experience the ancient glories of the past by visiting the fort, which was once a royal residence and features exquisite architecture and elaborate ornamentation.
9. Mandu, Madhya Pradesh
Mandu, also known as Mandavgarh, is a historic city nestled in the Vindhya Mountains. Known for its Afghan-inspired architecture, it is home to numerous tombs, palaces, and temples. Notable monuments such as the Jahaz Mahal and the Hindola Mahal, set amidst lush green fields and lakes, make Mandu an underrated treasure for heritage lovers seeking peace and solitude.
10. Giridih, Jharkhand
Parasnath is a Jain temple on the highest mountain peak in Jharkhand. Situated at 7 km uphill from the ground, one has to climb this by walking, so people prefer to visit in winter. Khandoli Dam and Usri Falls witness a good footfall around New Year. People from all over Jharkhand and mostly West Bengal) visit here for picnic.
11. Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh
If you love waterfalls and wildlife, Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh might be your best choice. Home to temples and museums, Jagdalpur is a less popular, yet exhilarating, alternative to well-known temple sites like Tirupati Balaji. You'll be captivated by the simple architectural marvel of the Danteshwari Temple and the myriad other temples in Basoor, as well as the waterfalls of Chitrakote and Tirathgarh.
3. Janjehli, Himachal Pradesh
The beautiful Janjehli Valley, 67 km from Mandi, is a peaceful place. Surrounded by beautiful forests, covered in lush grasslands, and characterized by a satisfying climate, Janjehli also serves as a base camp for several trekkers and campers on their way to places like Shoja, Karsag, Chindi, and Shikari Devi. Janjehli is one of the unspoiled tourist spots, where tourists encounter the serene beauty of nature. It is also a trekker's paradise, offering treks up to an altitude of 3,300 meters. After covering 32 km on a motorable road, you reach Gohar and the rest of the journey is on foot.
4. Andretta, Himachal Pradesh
Nestled in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Andretta is a haven for art lovers and nature enthusiasts. The village is renowned for its arts and crafts workshops, where you can learn pottery, painting, and other traditional arts. Immerse yourself in the peaceful countryside, visit the famous Andretta Pottery and Crafts Society, and unleash your creativity in this unique retreat.
