1) Goa

A small state situated in the western region of India with coastlines stretching along the Arabian Sea. Its lively nightlife, sandy beaches and world heritage architectural spots attract over 2 million international and domestic tourists every year. Its the only state in India that officially owns motorcycle taxis making the state rushed with two wheeler taxis where tourists can be worry free while asking a lift and actually paying a charge. Tourists can explore length and breadth of state without actually spending much into fuel and travel charges. Some of the oldest rocks in India are found in Goa between Molem and Anmod. Classified as Trondjemeitic Gneiss these rocks are over 3,600 million years old. Dudhsagar Falls which has a height of 310 m is one of the highest falls of India, is a place one must visit in a lifetime.

2) Leh-Ladakh

Geographically surrounded by Tibet Border in North to South east and Pakistan border in North west and Kashmir valley in the west section of Leh. Down south section of Ladakh called Zanskar range which is the North section of Himachal Pradesh. Connected by air from Delhi to Leh regular flights and national highway from Manali to Leh and Srinagar to Leh. A Biker’s paradise, Leh-Ladakh is a must visit place resembling heaven on earth.

3) Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a town in Chengalpattu district in the southeastern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, best known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of 7th- and 8th-century Hindu Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram. [SOURCE WIKIPEDIA]

• Monuments at Mahabalipuram
• Shore Temple
• Pancha Rathas
• Arjuna’s Penance
• Krishna’s Butter Ball

Are some of the places that shows marvellous architectural and construction technology of 7th Century India.

4) Jaisalmer

 Jaisalmer, a City in the heart of the Thar Desert also known as the “Golden City,” is distinguished by its yellow sandstone architecture. Dominating the skyline is The Jaisalmer Fort, a sprawling hilltop citadel buttressed by 99 bastions. Behind its massive walls stand the ornate Maharaja’s Palace and intricately carved Jain temples.

If geology interests you, then Jaisalmer is where you need to journey. The Wood Fossil Park or Aakal is located about 15 kilometres away from the city. Here, one can discover and trace geologic tragedies that occurred in the Thar Desert 180 million years ago.

The city of Jaisalmer also acts as the guard to western Rajasthan (and India’s) frontier. This ‘Golden City’ is located close to the Pakistan border and in close proximity to the Thar Desert. The city’s most prominent landmark is the Jaisalmer Fort, also called Sonar Qila (Golden Fort). Unlike most other forts in India, Jaisalmer Fort is not just a tourist attraction. It houses shops, hotels and ancient havelis (homes) where generations continue to live.

5) Mathura

Located in the western part of Uttar Pradesh, Mathura is a jumble of never-ending lanes teeming with folks, rickshaws and glittering shops. The city is dotted with magnificent temples, most of them dedicated to Lord Krishna, the city’s presiding deity and its first citizen. These temples depict various phases of Lord Krishna’s life, taking the devotees back to the divine era. Mathura is an important pilgrimage destination of the Hindus and is one of the seven sacred cities of India. Lord Krishna was born around 5000 years ago on this land as an 8th child to Mata Devaki and Vasudeva in the prison cell of the tyrant Kansa, Lord Krishna’s maternal uncle. The land is daubed with an enchanting culture, which is enough to capture your heart and touch your soul. Vrindavan is a holy town in Mathura and is the most significant pilgrimage site in Braj region, attracting around 500000 pilgrims every year. It is believed that Lord Krishna spent his childhood here. Even the dust of this holy place is said to be sacred and devotees are often seen smearing it on their forehead. It is believed that Vrindavan was lost over time, until the 16th century, when it was rediscovered by the saint from Nabadwip, Chaitanya, Mahaprabhu, who travelled to Vrindavan in 1515.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

• Shri Krishna Janam Bhoomi Temple
• Geeta Mandir
• Shri Rangji Temple
• Cheer Ghat
• Dwarkadhish Temple
• Goverdhan
• Kansa Qila
• Iskcon Temple
• Prem Mandir

After the pandemic, it is a good to go place for relaxing your mind and to gain some spiritual calmness.

6) McLeodGanj

Located in the Kangra district and at the suburbs of the town of Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh is one of the most favourited tourist destinations of recent times. Mcleodganj is also sometimes referred to as the Little Lhasa because of being occupied by a lot of Tibetans who moved here after China’s invasion of their own homeland.It is also noteworthy that the exiled government of Tibet is also based in Mcleodganj.

Speaking of Mcleodganj tourism, this quaint little town is some 3 km away from Dharamshala and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. People come here for various reasons like spirituality, volunteer programs, Himalayan experiences and adventures, and for much other sightseeing, photo and excursion opportunities in this religious small town cum hill station in the Himalayas.

This town is majorly famous for spiritual getaway and pilgrimage of Buddhists from around the globe. The 14th Dalai Lama of the Buddhists, Lama Tenzin Gyatso after his exile from tibet in 1960, settled in this town and formed government of tibet (in exile) into this beautiful town.

Apart from this, Mcleodganj is considered by many to be an adventurous hub, especially in terms of trekking in Mcleodganj. Home to one of the most beautiful, scenic and exciting treks of the country, the Triund Trek, Mcleodganj is the base camp for reaching the summit of the famous hill. Starting from Dharamkot in Mcleodganj, the 9 km trek leads the trekker through forests of Oak, Deodar, and Rhododendron before opening up to one of the best sceneries that you will find in the Himalayas.

7) Amritsar

Sri Harmandir Sahib, also referred  as  Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple located in Amritsar (Punjab), is the most sacred temple for Sikhs. This temple spreads Sikhism’s message of tolerance and acceptance through its architecture that has incorporated symbols from other religions.

Another mind soothing place to cure your post pandemic trauma and obtain some peace of mind. This temple is a marvellous combination of arts and faith with its beautiful architectural design.

8) Andaman & Nicobar

With a close to 5 Hour journey via Delhi to Andaman through air, travelling a distance of 2,481 Km, you are now at India’s Island paradise Andaman & Nicobar.

Long fabled among travellers for its mesmerising beaches, deep water wonders and primeval location in the middle of nowhere, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are still the ideal place to get away from it all. The archipelago has around 572 islands of which only 36 are open to the tourists. The island population is an interesting mix of south Indian and Southeast Asian settlers, as well as Negrito ethnic groups on some islands whose arrival here still has anthropologists baffled.

The island houses some rare creatures to its ecosystem– Spectacular Coral Reefs, The Biggest Crabs, Largest Turtles, the most vibrant fishes and butterflies.

The names Andaman and Nicobar are taken from Malay Language. As the great Tanjore inscription of AD 1050, the name Andaman is derived from Lord Hanuman’s name which pronouced in Malay as Handuman and the name nicobar seems to be an erroneous alternation of south Indian term ‘Nakkavaram’ (Land of the Naked).

The most widely spoken language on the islands is Bengali followed by Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. If you’re aware of any of these languages it might turn into your favour, while exploring the 36 of 572 islands.

9) Hampi

Listed under UNESCO’s recognised world heritage sites, Hampi is now ruins of the Mighty Vijaynagara Empire. A place generally less visited by tourists is unknown to many. Should we blame at governments for not uplifting this traditional stone crafted city owning royal residences, temples, towers, roads, and statues, all spread over a massive area.

Another marvellous example of ‘How advanced were India’s ancestors’, from us! they were more technologically sound and had some genius geologists, engineers, architectures, meteorologists, physicists astronomers and many more.

Here you’ll find an extraordinary architectural marvel having 56 melodic columns or the musical pillars amongst the most appealing structures of the Vittala Temple. These pillars create melodic sounds when tapped delicately. The most intriguing thing is that the columns are constructed using stones. The melodic mainstays of Vittala Temple are also called SAREGAMA pillars.

There is a typical misguided judgment that Hampi was built up by the Vijayanagara Empire. Nonetheless, the primary historical record of settlement in Hampi goes back to 1st Century. Evidence shows that the district of Hampi was under the governor of Ashokan Kingdom amid the third century BC. Therefore it is so hard to even imagine that how and with what sort of advanced technology this empire was built in the 1st century.

10) Pondicherry Auravilla

Did you ever knew, there existed an entire universal town that has its own set of rules and it belongs to nobody but the humanity as a whole. An experimental town in viluppuram district mostly in Tamil Nadu and some parts in Puducherry. It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (known as “the Mother”) and designed by architect Roger Anger.

The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity. It wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities, Mirra Alfassa had said. The town has a total population of 3000 people from over 58 nations from worldwide.

The whole idea to build an ideal society, an ideal city where differences among humans are diminished close to zero. How much does it cost to stay at a guest house in Auroville? On average, a guest house in Auroville costs $19 (₹1400) per night (based on Booking.com prices).