Mighty Mountains, Tropical Beaches, and Pristine Hill Stations, a Holiday in India is a Perfect Treat for Your Senses: 7 Holiday Destinations in India for a Shoestring Budget

Places to visit at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

• Jaisalmer Fort – Constructed by Raja Jaisal in the year 1156 AD, Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest forts in the world. It rises from the sands like a mirage and with its golden and yellow sandstone, it is something truly magical to look at.


• Thar Heritage Museum – Located at the main market of the city, this museum was founded by Laxmi Narayan Khatri. If you are a lover of all-things-history, then, you are going to love this museum for it shows the art, culture, and history of the Thar Desert. Apart from that, this museum also houses the coins, documents, and weapons used in Jaisalmer in ancient times.


• Jain Temples – Dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras, Jain Temples are a series of temples, that are located inside the Jaisalmer Fort. Known for their distinctive architectural style, they can be traced back to the 12th century. Entirely made out of yellow sandstone, the Jain Temples are a sight to behold.



• Other places that you can visit in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
  - Bada Bagh
  - Patwon-ki-Haveli
  - Sam Sand Dunes
  - Gadisar Lake
  - Nathmal-ki-Haveli
  



• Lodging & Fooding - One can easily find rooms at low rates, starting 800 INR and fooding can cost anything from Rs. 400 - Rs. 600 per day.

Places to visit at Hampi, Karnataka

• Vijaya Vittala Temple – Regarded as a 15th-century structure, Vijaya Vittala Temple is one of the largest historical structures in Hampi.
• Dedicated to Lord Vittali – one of the many incarnations of Lord Vishnu – this temple is a must-visit place at Hampi.
• Hanuman Temple – Known to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, the Hanuman Temple is located on the top of the Anjaneya Hill. However, to reach the temple, one has to cross a river by using a small boat and then climb up the stairs to reach the temple.
• Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple – Deriving its name from the resemblance between the belly of Ganesha and that of a mustard seed – known as Sasivekalu – this temple is located on the southern part of the Hemakuta Hill. One of the majestic scenes is that of a 2.4-meter statue of Ganesha that is carved out of a single boulderstone and depicts a snake coiling around the stomach of Lord Ganesha.


• Other places that you can visit in Hampi, Karnataka
  - Lakshmi Narashima Temple
  - Riverside Ruins
  - Hampi Bazaar
  - Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex
  - Daroji Bear Sanctuary
  
  
• Transportation - Since Hampi is only 356 km from Bangalore, the best way to reach Hampi is by train. First, you will have to make a stop at Hospet, and then from there, you can take a bus to Hampi. Lodging - One can easily find guest houses under a price of Rs. 500 - Rs. 600 at Hampi. Fooding - The cost of food is even less, starting from Rs. 400 .

Places to visit at Durshet, Rajasthan

• Mahalakshmi Temple – Regarded as one of the major tourist attractions in Mumbai and located near the Bhulabhai Desai Road, this temple was built in the year 1831 by a Hindu merchant, named Dhakji Dadaji. This temple contains various images of three powerful deities on its walls – Mahalakshmi, Mahakali, and Mahasaraswati.
• Shaniwar Vada – Regarded as a symbol of Maratha glory in the Peshwa period, this historical monument is one of the major attractions of Durshet. Located in Pune, its foundations were laid by Bajirao and built for the residences of the Peshwas.
• Dagdusheth, Ganpati – Situated in the heart of the city, Pune, Dagdusheth, Ganpati, is in fact, a temple which houses the beautiful Dagdusheth idol. Built by Dagdusheth Gadve in the memory of his late son, Gadve, your visit to Durshet will be incomplete without visiting the Dagdusheth Temple.


• Other places that you can visit in Durshet, Maharastra
  - Imagica Theme Park
  - Durshet Forest Lodge
  - Uddhar Hot Springs
  - Pali Fort
  - Bhushi Lake
  


• Transportation - Since Durshet is not that far from Mumbai, you can take a cab.


• Lodging & Fooding - One can easily find hotels under a price of 1000 INR at Durshet. Did you know that the street food of Durshet is also one of its major attractions? So, why go to any restaurants when you have street food?

Places to visit at Pondicherry

• Green Quarter – Pondicherry is known to offer guided tours around its settlements in vintage bicycles. Known to encompass Muslim Quarter (also known as Green Quarter), the tour is further followed by Tamil and French houses as well as the traditional and historical places.
• Serenity Beach – Sparkling sand, glittering waves, clear shoreline – this pretty much sums up the Serenity Beach in Pondicherry. From sparkling waves to fishermen’s nets and boats, this beach has it all. This beach offers a relaxed ambience for the tourists who generally go for surfing and rejuvenating.
• The Light House – Pondicherry is also known as heaven for food lovers. From French food to the continental dishes to the traditional South Indian cuisine, this restaurant has it all. Located in the Promenade Hotel, the Light House is the roof-top restaurant and is one-of-the-top-places to visit in Pondicherry.


• Other places that you can visit in Pondicherry - Paradise Beach
  - Serenity Beach
  - Promenade Beach
  - Conception Cathedral
  - Goubert Avenue
  
  
• Transportation - You can reach Pondicherry by train, though at first, you have to make a stop at Chennai.


• Lodging & Fooding - As a city bustling with life, Pondicherry has many budget hotel that suits your tastes. Prices start from Rs. 1,000. Like Durshet, Pondicherry is also famous for its street food. Need we say any more?

Places to visit at Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu

• Arapaleeswarar Temple – Built by the then-ruler Valvil Ori, the Arapaleeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is quite an integral part of the Kolli Hills. It has a rich culture and its historical significance dates back to the 1st century CE.
• Botanical Garden – Regarded as one-of-the-must-visit places in Kolli Hills, the garden is located at a distance of three kilometres from Semmedu. One of the main points of the Botanical Garden is that it features a beautiful rose garden surrounded by eco-friendly cottages.
• Siddhar Caves – Even though only two persons can enter the caves at a time, Siddhar caves has its own charm. Believed to be encircled on all sides by the medicinal herbs, Siddhar caves at one time, served as a home to the sages who practised traditional medicines and natural healing.


• Other places that you can visit in Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu
  - Masila Falls
  - Agaya Gangai Waterfalls
  - Kolli Hills Boat House
  - Vasalurpatty Boat House
  - Agaya Gangai Waterfalls
  
  
• Transportation - One of the best ways to reach Kolli Hills is through the National Highway Road 45. First, you have to take a bus from Salem to Chennai and from there, you will get a local bus which will take you to our destination.


• Lodging & Fooding - Since very fewer people visit Kolli Hills, you can easily find hotels with price starting from Rs. 400. The prices of food are even less - it starts from Rs. 150 .

Places to visit at Digha, West Bengal

• New Digha Beach – Considered to be one of the major tourist attractions, this beach is best preferred for spending weekend holidays as well as to enjoy the tranquil beauty of nature. Surrounded by casuarina trees on all sides, this beach is a must-visit-place in Digha.
• Chandaneswar Temple – Located only a few miles (3 – 4 miles) away from Digha, the Chandaneswar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. That being said, you should definitely pay a visit to this temple in the month of Chaitra as it holds the renowned Chaitra Mela for 13 days.
• Talasari Beach – Lying in the Baleswar district of Orissa, the Talasari Beach is only a few kilometres (7 km) away from the Digha Beach. Deriving the name from the palm trees surrounding the beach, the beach is a haven for the nature lovers. Multiple rivers, green paddy fields, blue hills – this beach has it all.


• Other places that you can visit in Digha, West Bengal
  - Bat Tola Market
  - Marine Aquarium
  - Shankarpur Beach
  - Marine Aquarium
  - Mandarmani
  


• Transportation - In order to reach Dighu, you can take a bus from Kolkata.


• Lodging & Fooding - Digha has many budget hotels and guest houses to meet your needs. Prices start from Rs. 600. Fooding is also included along with lodging and won't cost you much. Prices start from Rs. 400 if you choose to eat in restaurants.

Places to visit at Alleppey, Kerala

• Kuttanad – Regarded as the lowest points of India, Kuttanad is all about coconut lines, fishing, duck farming, paddy fields, and spice cultivation. Also known as the Rice Bowl of India, Kuttanad is one of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems.
• Alappuzha Zakariya Market – A visit to Alleppey is nothing without spending a few minutes at the Alappuzha Zakariya Market. South Indian jewellery, handicrafts, artefacts – this market has it all. This market is also quite renowned in spices – in fact, they are the best around – and if you are the type who’s really good at bargaining, then, you are good to go.
• Krishna Ayurveda – A visit to Kerala is nothing with going for an Ayurveda treatment. Ayurvedic treatments in Kerala need no introductions and the spa offers is literally to die for.


• Other places that you can visit in Alleppey, Kerala
  - Marari Beach
  - Alappuzha Beach
  - Vembanad
  - Pathiramanal
  - Ambalapuzha Krishna Temple
  


• Transportation - You can reach Alleppey by taking a train from Bangalore.


• Lodging & Fooding- .Alleppey has numerous hotels, guest houses, resorts to meet your needs. Prices start from Rs. 300. If you want to keep your budget low, then, it's best to go for street food - they are delicious and worth dying for.