List of Best Holiday Destinations In India

India has become a great attraction for tourists and travelers from across the globe. The diversity of the cultures and the different types of climatic conditions, here, makes it different from the rest of the world. So here’s a list of some splendid holiday destinations in India:

Srinagar

Truly called “The Heaven on Earth”, Kashmir has a host of tourist attractions that makes this place one of the most visited places in India. Kashmir is a treat for travelers because of its major tourist attractions like Sonamarg, which is 2 hours 30 minutes ride from Srinagar. Sonamarg is very often known as The Meadow of Gold. The beauty of the valley surrounded by the snow clad mountains in the winter months is a phenomenal view. The snow capped mountains make it a major destination for trekkers. People who fall short of time, due to the hectic schedule of their tour packages, can opt for a pony ride to the peak of the mountain ranges.

The Meadow of Flowers, Gulmarg, is a paradise for nature lovers. The best time of the year to pay a visit to Gulmarg is from December to March when the entire area is covered by a blanket of snow. This part of the year is best for skiing, thereby naming it as the skiing season. Another source for a whim, here, is the cable-car ride. It is popularly termed as Gondola by the locals.

Goa:

Goa, a perfect blend of the Portuguese and the Konkani cultures, is considered as a tropical paradise by travelers. Every year, Goa attracts tourists from all parts of the world. The stretch of the coastlines along the Arabian Sea makes it a homeland for beaches. This beautiful place is a center for tourism because of its serene atmosphere and the laid-back life led by the residents here.

Goa is also famous for its preserved 17th-century churches and forts that exhibit old European kind of architecture. These ancient churches are mostly located in Old Goa. Basilica de Bom Jesus, Chapel of Our Lady of The Mount and Church of St. Francis of Assisi are among the most visited churches in Goa. The Aguada Fort at Old Goa and the Chapora Fort at Bardez over the Chapora River are also excellent places to visit in Goa. The Naval Aviation Museum is also included among the marvels of the state. The museum showcases the evolution and development of the Indian Navy over the past years. Apart from the churches and Portuguese forts, there is one more thing that Goa is famous for its beaches. The state comprises of over 26 beaches which include both, the crowded ones as well as the serene ones. The most famous of all is the Calangute Beach. The beach is crowded throughout the year and hence, has an ample of bars and cafeterias along the coastline. The tourists paying a visit to this beach are likely to spend a little of their time in shopping as there is a number of shops lined along the street leading to the beach.

Best Time to Visit: Any time of the year due to the tropical climate of the state which is moderate throughout the year.

Nainital-Corbett Park:

Situated on the serene waters of the Naini Lake, Nainital is a beautiful valley and is among the top holiday destinations in India. The hills of the Kumaon range are ubiquitous in the valley as the city is surrounded by the Kumaon Hills from all sides. A major tourist place in Nainital is the Naina Devi Temple, which is located just by the side of the Naini Lake. Boating in the Naini Lake is also a sport enjoyed by the visitors traveling exploring the valley. There are some other tourist attractions in the city including the Himalayan Point, which is at a great height above the main city. The point is remarkable as the tourists can take a view of the Himalayan ranges, including Mt. Everest with the help of a highly powered pair of binoculars. The one and the only way to get to this point is the cable-cars that help the visitors to reach this place. The travelers may stop and revel at the amusement parks and the cafes that are located near the Himalayan Point. The tourists can go for shopping at the Mall Road, which is a local market of woody items and molded candles.

Kerala:

Kerela is an exotic state surrounded by the intense aroma of Indian spices which does not let the travelers forget of their presence in the Land of Spices. Kolukkumalai Tea State located at Munnar in Kerela is a spectacular site with great scenic beauty. Tourists can have a pleasant time going around the tea plantations and seeking leisure in the laps of Mother Nature. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is an another point of tourist interest. The sanctuary is home to many species of birds including Waterfowl, Cuckoo, Owl, Egret, Heron, Brahminy Kite, Siberian Crane, and many others. Most of the birds have migrated from the Himalayas or Siberia. The sanctuary is situated at Kumarakom in the district of Kottayam. Tourists who show a great interest in birdstreaming can opt for a stay at the resort which is located on the huge campus of the sanctuary. The tourists can go for backwater cruises in the district of Alapuzza. The Alleppey backwater cruises the ones that compel us to name the state as the Venice of The East.

Apart from the natural picturesque sceneries, Kerela has a lot more in its platter. Sreepadmanabhaswamy Temple at Trivandrum is considered as a very important pilgrimage center for the Hindus. There are many Kathakali Theatres in Kerela which organize Kathakali plays on a regular basis.  Kathakali is a major form of entertainment for people, here, in Kerela. The art includes characters that wear heavy face masks and depict ancient stories from the Puranas in the form of dance and drama. The tourists can relax for a while in the Ayurvedic spas that are available everywhere throughout the entire state.

Manali:

Manali is a hub for adventure sports. Hence, it is a paradise for the travelers who are ready to seek adventure at all times. Manali is located in the Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh. The ever-flowing waters of the River Beas provide a host of watersports for the travelers. The tourists can go for Rafting in the icy cold water of the river. They can also prefer camping near the banks of the river. A major site for adventure sports is the Solang Valley. The valley provides for paragliding and camping during the summers. While, during the winters, the snow-covered valley provides for skiing and sledding. Some other major tourist attractions are the Rohtang Pass, which is at a distance of 51km from Manali, the Bhringhar Lake and the Pandoh Dam.

Another great site to visit at Manali is the Great Himalayan National Park. This wildlife forest reserve is the home for the Snow Leopards which are a species found in the Himalayan region. Manali also has many shawls and woolens emporiums that exhibit hand-loomed materials. The visitors are always greeted and welcomed, here, for shopping.

Amritsar:

Amritsar is the birthplace of Sikhism as here is the holy shrine of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Ji. Famous among the Sikhs all around the world, the city is considered among one of the perfect holiday destinations in India. The travelers visiting the holy campus of The Golden Temple, also known as the Son Mandir by the local Punjabis, are awe-struck by the beauty of the temple. The Gurbani sung by the Gurdwara singers is so soothing that it enhances the mesmerizing atmosphere in the premises of the temple.

People, after visiting the main temple, go to the huge Langar halls, which are large dining halls arranged for the visitors to take the Prasada. Many people prefer to help the temple community in cooking or serving the Langar. Many also assist the people working at the Jodaghars(the shoe submitting counters). Legend says that Babaji(God) can come in any form at any time in the temples, hence the people, here, believe in treating and helping their visitors as they consider them as forms of God. There are many Dharamshalas(inns) which are run by the temple community throughout the city. The visitors can book rooms for themselves in these inns and can have a stay of 2-3 nights. The authorities at these inns also provide transport facility to the visitors for Gurudwara Darshan. These inns also provide free food to the guests and neatness is maintained throughout the campus by the authorities.

Just at a distance of five minutes from the temple, is the Jallianwala Bagh located. This place is famous because of its heritage history. This place is marred by the blood of several Indian who struggled for freedom till their last breath. Before India’s independence, in the year, the British men gunned our Indian men at a public conference held at this place. The walls of the Bagh were too huge for the Indians to escape. Eventually, they were all gunshot and lost their lives and a few of the number jumped into a well which is still preserved inside the campus of the Jallianwala Bagh. The site is surrounded by beautifully decorated shops selling Punjab’s famous Phulkari embroidered apparels. The tourists may find it a deal worth their money.

The next great thing to witness, here, at Amritsar is the parade organized at the Wagha-Attari border, which is a 1 hour 30 minutes drive from the main city. The parade is organized every evening by the BSF(Border Security Force) soldiers. This India-Pakistan border is the most important tourist place in Amritsar. For this reason, every day a huge crowd of travelers from across the globe comes here to see this parade. Before entering the stadium, the visitors are requested to take care of their valuable belongings like cell phones, wallets, handbags, etc. because of pickpockets and robbers, who take advantage of such a great crowd and loot the tourists. People can buy accessories like tricolor caps or bands to promote patriotism during the parade. The audience can also participate in some of the activities in the parade. A special dancing session is also arranged for the ladies in the audience. The parade begins at 5, every evening, so the visitors must arrive before 4: 30 pm(IST) so that they can usher themselves. This memorable parade is a must for every traveler to add in their traveling list.

Gangtok:

The scenic delights of Gangtok include the Tsongmo Lake, Rumtek Monastery, Deorali Orchid Sanctuary, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok and many other places for sightseeing. The Tsongmo Lake is a glacial lake situated at an altitude of 12,313 ft. above mean sea level. It is the most popular tourist site in Gangtok. The Rumtek Monastery also called the Dharmachakra Centre is another great destination to explore. Situated 24km away from Gangtok, this monastery is run by the Tibetan Buddhists and is open for travelers. Similar to this place is the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology which is also a Buddhist monastery. The monastery also has a museum located in its premises open for visitors.

The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is a very popular wildlife reserve with some of the rarest species of animals. The sanctuary is famous for Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, and the Himalayan Tahr. The Deorali Orchid Sanctuary is a botanical nursery which is well known for its exotic exhibition showcasing a rare collection of Orchids.

The travelers, who have ample of time during their tour, can book a bus or a car to Darjeeling which is just 3 hours from Gangtok. Darjeeling is a hill station which lies in the state of West Bengal, but being near to Gangtok, people can add this place to their Gangtok’s traveling list. Darjeeling is famous for its Toy Train which is also termed as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Travelers can board the train which runs between Darjeeling and New Jalpaiguri and enjoys their ride through the hills and valleys of Darjeeling, sitting in the Deluxe Coach.