Whether A Beach Lover or Spiritual Seeker India Will Leave You Amazed: 10 Famous Tourist Places in India That are Not to be Missed!

India is the perfect melting pot where various cultures, races and religions coexist in unparalleled harmony. Each culture in India is very different from each other and yet there exists a wonderful unity among this diversity. But diversity is not just restricted to the peoples, it extends to the geography as well. The geographic landscape of India is diverse having lofty mountains, prosperous plains, mesmerising deserts, picturesque coastal areas and relaxing islands. All this not only makes India a colourful and interesting place, but also one that has many diverse tourist spots.

India is a unique and interesting country. Quirky and of the box is normal here. Even the way regular activities are done here is worthy of headlines. Boredom is just a word in this country and interesting phenomena are commonplace. Some activities are possible only in India. 5 of the most interesting of them are as follows:

You might ask what is so special about a lake that it be called the best-kept secret of Maharashtra. Well, the lake in question is truly special for it was made by a meteor. About 52000 years ago a meteor crashed into that spot, creating a crater that formed a lake after getting filled with water. This astronomical marvel is just a 4-hour drive away from the city of Aurangabad and is a must-visit place.

India will always remain a spectacle as the rest of the world doesn’t think like this nation. Take this post office, for example. Having trouble getting adequate land to build a post office? Just built it on water. This post office is situated on a houseboat and floats on the Dal Lake in Srinagar. Not only does it provide postal services, but also has a museum on board for visitors. Needless to say, this is the only floating post office in the world and deserves a visit.

Mawsynram, a small town in the North-East Indian state of Meghalaya holds a Guinness world record for the highest average rainfall in a year. This spot in the world receives as much as 11873 millimetres of rain during the rainy season. The inhabitants of this town spend the winter months preparing for the upcoming rainfall. Only in India can the most common natural phenomenon, rain, hold the Guinness world record.

The Bandra-Worli Sea Link is a bridge spanning the wide coastline of Mumbai and is a modern marvel in civil engineering. It is an 8 lane bridge that caters to 37500 vehicles a day. But that is not the only mind-boggling fact about this bridge. The steel wires used to build this bridge when placed from end to end is equal to the circumference of the earth and the weight of this bridge is equal to 50000 elephants. The Bandra- Worli Sea Link is the practice version of the phrase ‘larger than life’.

A democracy is built on the votes of the citizens. The people express their preferred candidates for governor by casting their votes in the general election. Thus, in a democracy, every vote counts and India have taken that literally. Mahant Bharatdas is the only eligible voter in the small hamlet of Banej which is situated in the middle of the dense Gir forest in Gujarat. And the Election Commission of India has set up a polling booth in Banej so that this voter can cast his vote on the day of elections. Yes, you read that right. Polling arrangements made for a single voter. This not only is one of the most striking features of India but also speaks volumes about the democratic spirit of this country.

As already stated, India is a diverse nation, both geographically and culturally. This enables India to have multiple tourist spots that are widely different from each other. Each of them provides a unique experience that you can get only if you are present there. As such, travellers find it difficult to draw up an Indian travel itinerary. They are confused as to which place to visit and which to skip to get a comprehensive tour of India within time and budget constraints. Follow this BP Guide to learn about the 10 best places in India to visit.

Sitting pretty at 2050 metres above sea level, Darjeeling is of the best hill stations in India. Aptly dubbed as the “Queen of the Himalayas”, this tourist spot is resplendent with lush green hills, sprawling tea plantations, views of the majestic Kanchenjunga hills and unparalleled natural beauty. It boasts of a cool climate throughout the year and hence provides a good escape from the oppressive summers. Darjeeling was the summer capital of the erstwhile British colonial empire in India and as such, you can see some remnants of that time through the colonial architecture of old mansions and churches. Besides, Darjeeling is populated by Tibetan, Nepali and Gorkha peoples that gives the place cultural diversity and make it colourful. This hill station is best for visiting during February- March and September- December.

If you want to get a feeling as to how heaven might look, make a trip to Ladakh and you will get a fair idea. Situated between two majestic mountain ranges, the Karakoram and the Himalayas, Ladakh has some of the most picturesque landscapes upon the planet. The cool mountain air and the sound of the solitude is bound to make you feel alive. The natural beauty about will not only be a treat to your eyes but touch your soul as well. Then there is the town of Leh which adds to the glamour of Ladakh. It is resplendent with beautiful monasteries, striking natural beauty and bustling markets that is sure to give you a wonderful time. The best time to visit is from April- June.

Goa is the best youth destination of India. Characterised by sun-kissed beaches, great food and the best nightlife of the country, you just cannot have enough of Goa. It not only attracts Indian travellers by the thousands but also foreign travellers in almost the same numbers. Goa is situated on the west coast of India and has a coastline of over 100 kilometres which enables it to have some of the most spectacular beaches of the country like Arjuna, Arambol, Baga and Calangute to name a few. If you prefer less crowded beaches than the less explored beaches of south Goa should be on your itinerary. But Goa is not just about beaches, seafood, cafes and parties. It was a former Portuguese colony and hence you will get to see amazing colonial architecture in the churches and bungalows. The best time to visit this party destination is during November to February.

Lakshadweep stands for ‘A hundred thousand islands’ but in reality, it is an archipelago of 36 islands situated on the Arabian Sea 400 kilometres of the western coast of India. 10 of these 36 islands are inhabited. The charm of Lakshadweep lies in its exotic beaches and remoteness. It is located far off the beaten track and is the best locale for relaxation. Each island is this archipelago is unique and mystical and consists of a blend of tourist spots for you to explore. Besides, there are also water sports that you can enjoy. The best time to visit Lakshadweep is from September – February.

Rajasthan is the largest museum in the world. This Indian state which was previously comprised of two dozen princely provinces is peppered with historical monuments, cities, forts, palaces, art and architecture. Visiting this place is like taking a tour of a history book. Some attractions of Rajasthan are the historical cities of Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur, forts and citadels in Neemrana, Kumbhalgarh, Chittorgarh, Alwar and many others, and Mount Abu. Besides, it has a beautiful landscape of sprawling desert sand. Get mesmerised by the magnificent architecture of the many monuments and the historical tales of royalty associated with it. Since it is a desert, the best time to visit Rajasthan is during the cooler months of November to February.

Rann of Kutch is the most surreal place in India. It is a salt desert that is shaped like a tortoise and stretches as far as the eye can see. When standing on it, you can witness the remarkable phenomenon of being surrounded by pure white land. You cannot help but be overwhelmed by its unique beauty. The best feature of the Kutch desert is the Rann Festival that happens during the winter months. Tent settlements are set up during this time that offers a plethora of cultural programs, adventure activities and other functions. Other attractions of the place include the ancient city of Dholavira, Flamingo Sanctuary, the Wild Ass Sanctuary, native arts and embroidery. Also, the place lies next to the India- Pakistan border and parts of Pakistan can be seen from there. The best time to visit the Rann is from November to February when the Rann Festival is in progress.

The capital city of the state of Uttar Pradesh is an amazing concoction of Nawabs, kebabs, history, architecture, culture, literature and amiable locals. The city is divided into two parts, Old Lucknow and New Lucknow. The former belongs to the Mughal era, while the latter is a post-independence marvels. On the border of these two parts lies Rumi Darwaza, a Mughal era historic site. Old Lucknow consists of many iconic Mughal monuments like the Bara Imambara that embodies the magnificent Awadhi architecture. Inside this structure is the famous Bhool Bhulaiya which is an intricate labyrinth having 500 identical doors. There is also Husainabad Clock Tower that has traces of colonial design and Moti Mahal provides excellent opportunities for bird watching. While Old Lucknow has the charm of the past, New Lucknow has modern attractions. Two of them are the Ambedkar Park and the Gomti Riverfront Park. The best time to visit this unique city is from October to March.

The thing about history is that the older the period the more interesting it is. Take for example the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi. Nestled in the shadows of the valleys and hills of Karnataka, the ruins of this ancient city are a delight to explore. It is like an open museum that consists of over a hundred locations worth exploring. Hampi was the capital of the Vijaynagar Empire around 1500 AD and consists of the remnants of those times in its architecture; intricately carved temples, remains of aqueducts, military barracks, stables and canals. The most famous site of this ruin is the Virupaksha Temple, which was built to commemorate the patron deity of the empire. The surrounding geography is as interesting as the ruins itself. There are boulders of various sizes peppered around the city. You can climb one of them and get a stunning view about. The best time to visit this place is from October- March.

Mumbai, the commercial capital of India, is a wonderful paradox of tradition and modernity. Home to the Hindi Language Film Industry popularly termed Bollywood, the city is as colourful and vibrant the movies Bollywood produces. Some of the most popular places to visit in Mumbai are the Gateway of India, Juhu Beach, Elephanta Caves, Bandra Worli Sea Link, Essel World and Film City. Besides, Mumbai is one of the most active urban centres of India. The city never sleeps and is perfect for you if you enjoy the many activities offered by the metropolitan cities. The winter months of November to February is the best time to visit Mumbai as the weather remains pleasant.

Agra was one of the important cities built by the Mughals and a trip here would a walk down the rich past of India. Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, The Taj Mahal, Agra is a destination filled with the magic of history, architecture and the romance of the past. It is also home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites namely the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. The abundance of Mughal art and architecture makes this place a paradise for history buffs and if you happen to be one then you must not miss this place. The best time to visit Agra is from October- March.