Embark on a Journey to Discover India. Your Guide to the Best Places to Visit in India in Every Season (2020)

India is known as a land of unity in diversity because it’s the only country on the planet to include so many different cultures, languages, ethnicity, food habits, festivals, attires, music and dance. India has so many beautiful and amazing places that all the best places worth visiting can’t be described even in an encyclopedia. Every state, region, union territory and area has a story behind it, a scenic place, some history and even some magnificent architecture which will perplex you with the marvel of the ancient technology and the perfection of the sculptures would leave your mesmerised.

India has something to offer to everyone, be it an adventure enthusiast, an art lover, a pilgrim or a history lover, you’ll find many places which would surprise you with the details. Though the Hindus (the majority population of India) believe that their religion (Sanatan Dharma) is immortal, however, based on the archaeological findings, the Indus Valley Civilisation is predicted to be more than 5,000 years old. Due to the Mughal and British invasions in the last 1,000 years many old monuments, libraries, treasures and scriptures have either been destroyed or looted and you can still see the signs of the Mughal and British era in contemporary India which includes many famous buildings and heritage sites.

India i.e. Bharat, is the seventh largest country in the world as per land area and covers a massive 3.287 million square kilometres. Surrounded on three sides by water (Arabian Sea on the west, Bay of Bengal to the east and the Indian Ocean in the south), the mighty Himalayan range stands tall protecting India in the north and the Thar Desert lies in the west expanding from India to Pakistan; India has varied climatic and geographical conditions which makes different places worth visiting in different seasons.

One of the most beautiful places in India, Ladakh has scenic views, adventure, nature and tranquillity. Summers in Ladakh fall between June to September when the weather is pleasant and the temperature is in the range of 15-25°C. Leh is the nearest airport which is about 3 km from Ladakh, but many adventure enthusiasts get there by road on bikes or SUVs in groups. The 2 most important events to check out during summers are the "Sindhu Darshan Festival (June)" and the "Hemis Festival (June or July)". Ladakh was a part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, but is now a separate union territory since October 2019.

Rejuvenate yourself in the summers while being surrounded by the enchanting views of numerous islands. Enjoy the sea life, the corals, swim with the fishes, indulge in water sports, try scuba diving in the pristine waters or simply sit on the clear sand along the beach and soak in some serenity. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also a union territory of India and have 572 islands with population inhabiting 37; the group of islands is located at the meeting point of the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. This union territory also has a rich history, so the history lovers would also find something interesting in this destination. You can get direct flights from Delhi, Kolkata and other major cities to Port Blair, from where the islands are about 30-40 km by road.

One of the most beautiful, yet unexplored places in India, Sikkim has a lot to offer to the visitors. Be it the cascading waterfalls, the gushing rapids or the unexplored caves, this state situated in India's northeast is bordered by Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and West Bengal has natural beauty abound. Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim and one of the most beautiful cities and the other visit worthy places are Pelling, Tsomgo Lake, Goechala, Yuksom, Nathula Pass, Ravangla, Yumthang Valley of Flowers and Khangchendzonga National Park among many other places. The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri from where buses and private taxis ply for Gangtok which is about 130 km away. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri which is about 170 km from Gangtok. The best months to visit during summers are between March-May.

Located in the foothills of Himalayas on the banks of river Ganga, Rishikesh is famous as a centre for those seeking guidance in yoga and meditation and is also known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’. Rishikesh is also famous among the adventure lovers for adventure and water sports like cliff jumping, bungee jumping, kayaking, mountain biking, river rafting, etc. The best time to visit Rishikesh is between late September to November when the temperature is moderate and you’ll be able to enjoy the serenity as well as the outdoor sports with ease. The mighty Himalayas, the temples and the river Ganga provide such a mesmerising view that your visit will be very memorable. Rishikesh has its own railway station and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun which is just 35 km away.

If you are looking for a peaceful place to spend a few days of your summer holidays in solace, then this scarcely populated town of Arunachal Pradesh is the right destination for you. Tawang is spread in an area of 2,085 sq. km and its population is close to 60,000. March to June is the best time to visit Tawang as the temperature is moderate and the climate is mild. Some of the famous monasteries are situated here including the Tawang Monastery which has great political and religious significance and is visited by people from neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bhutan as well. You would require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Arunachal Pradesh and it can be obtained from the concerned Government offices located in Guwahati, Tezpur, Kolkata and New Delhi.

A beautiful hill station in Karnataka, Coorg is the perfect monsoon destination which is blessed with lush green scenic views of coffee plantations and waterfalls of pristine water. The famous Abbey and Jog waterfalls are in their full might during the monsoon season and create a delightful natural painting. The temperature remains in the moderate range of 23-26°C and some of the famous places to visit are the source of the Kaveri river, Madikeri Fort, Raja’s Seat and Nagarhole National Park. The nearest airport is Bengaluru Airport which is 270 km away via road and the nearest railway station is Mysore.

Shilong, the capital of Meghalaya and a serene hill station is one of the best places to visit in India during monsoon. A perfect getaway from the bustling noise of metros, you can get drenched while soaking in the beauty of roaring waterfalls, misty clouds and a lush green landscape spread across the horizon. Elephant Falls and the Spread Eagle Falls are the must visit places during monsoons and the charismatic view of the town will be wedged like a scenery in your memories. The Don Bosco Museum, Shillong Peak, Umiam Lake and Mawlynnong are the famous must-visit places in Shillong and the nearest airport and railway station is in Guwahati, which is 150 km from Shillong.

Touted as one of the most beautiful places on Earth, the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand is located near Govindghat, which is about 300 km from the Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun and the Dehradun Railway Station. This place turns into a paradise during monsoon with more than 400 flowers of different shades, origins and colours blooming in the valleys and hills. It’s an ideal trekking destination as you have to take a picturesque and easy trek to reach here from Govindghat. September is the best month to visit here for a monsoon vacation when the climate is pleasant and the mercury swings between 13-20°C.

Udaipur, Rajasthan is famous for its destination weddings, palaces, lakes, temples and shopping of traditional items. This place receives one of the lowest rainfalls in the country and you can enjoy your monsoon vacation without the fear of choked roads and flooding rivers. The City Palace, Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace and Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the must-visit destinations in Udaipur. The city has its own airport and railway station, so reaching here is quite easy.

‘’God's Own Country’’, Kerala is divine during the rains and Alleppey is no exception. Famous for its lakes, rivers and canals, the waters can be explored and enjoyed in a backwater cruise. You can also benefit from the traditional Ayurvedic massages and therapies as monsoon is the best time to get optimum benefits from Ayurveda as the weather is cool, moist and dust free which helps to open up the pores of your skin and makes the therapy more effective. Alleppey is famous for houseboats and Alleppey beach and the nearest airport is Cochin and Cochin Railway Station is the nearest railway station.

Kutch in Gujarat is famous for the largest salt desert in the world i.e. Rann of Kutch which has a white salty desert sand and is spread in an area of 7,500 sq. km. Visiting Kutch in winters is a good idea for a chilling vacation as the scorching sun will not burn you on the salty marsh plus the three month long Rann Utsav is also a major attraction for tourists during the winters.

Surrounded by oak and coniferous forests, Auli is a hill station and ski resort in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Auli is famous for places like Nanda Devi, Rudraprayag and Trishul Peak. Moreover, the cable car ride from Joshimath to Auli is also quite popular, which is a 24 minute mesmerising ride and this 4 km cable car ride is the longest in Asia.

Goa needs no introduction when it comes to the best places to visit in India. One of the most enjoyable beach winter destinations, well known for its stellar nightlife with trendy bars, beach snacks, discotheques and elegant cafes; white-sand beaches and delicious seafood, here you can also enjoy the Sunburn Festival which happens every year in December. Similarly, New Year parties and the Goa Carnival also attract many visitors from across the globe. Adventure enthusiasts can also enjoy various water sports like parasailing, jet-skiing, bumpy rides and banana boats, etc.

Located in the Pir Panjal Range of Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg is an ideal honeymoon and skiing destination. It’s 2,730 m above sea level and is surrounded by the snow laden Himalayas, green forested valleys, deep ravines and meadows of colourful flowers. Gulmarg is also famous for the world’s second highest Gondola ride and the average temperature ranges between 2-9°C, so you can enjoy a nice winter vacation in Gulmarg.

Hampi in Karnataka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is protected by hills and valleys which add to its serenity and charm. A historical delight for the art and history lovers, it offers beautiful temples, fascinating remains of the Vijayanagar Empire and is surrounded by over 500 ancient monuments.

The Kumbh Mela, celebrated every 12 years is the world’s largest religious gathering and is so grand that it can be seen from space. The last one which was held in 2019 in Prayagraj set 3 Guinness World Records and an estimated 250 million pilgrims visited during the mela. The wettest place on earth is also in Cherapunji, Meghalaya, India. The length of the steel wires used in the Bandra-Worli Sealink in Mumbai is equal to the earth’s circumference and the world’s highest cricket ground is in Chail, Himachal Pradesh.

Indian has given the word ‘Shampoo’ to the world which is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Champu’, meaning massage. Water on the moon was discovered by ISRO in 2009 and the first rocket in India was transported on a bicycle. India has the largest number of vegetarians in the world with almost 40% of the population being vegetarians. It is also the first country to consume sugar, diamonds were first mined in India and it’s the world’s second largest English speaking country.