Hidden Gems in India

For most of us, travelling is synonymous with tranquillity and peace. It offers us an opportunity to get away from our work-life chaos and the mundaneness of our daily routine. Tourist attractions are called attractions for a reason. They often hold a lot of cultural, historical and artistic importance to a particular community or country. However, in recent years, travel and tourism have become so popular that places which were once our “ideal vacation spots” are now littered with people, and, well… actual litter. The crowds, noise, and pollution can sometimes take away from the peace that travelling brings to our lives. Vacationing turns into yet another stressful event.

If this sounds like you, what you probably need is a getaway to an undiscovered yet magnificent vacation spot which will help you relax, unwind, and connect with your inner self. Here are seven such places in India to help you achieve that state of nirvana:

 

Munnar, Kerala

For all the nature lovers out there, Munnar is the perfect place to be. This lush green vacation place in Kerala is so beautiful, that it is often called the “Kashmir of South India.” Home to the highest tea-grown estates, Munnar is also a preferred honeymoon spot for newly-weds. If this weren’t enough, Munnar has exceptional things to explore too, like the Subramanya Temple, Mattupetty Dam, Carmelagiri Elephant Park, Lockhart Tea Museum, Munnar Tea Museum, Ananmudi Peak, and Idly Hill Viewpoint.

 

Moirang, Manipur

Situated roughly 45 kilometres south of Imphal, Moirang is home to a plethora of biodiversity as well as the breath-taking Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the Northeast of India. Keibul Lama National Park is another gem which nestles in this town. Being is the only floating national park in the world, The Keibul Lama National Park is located on the Loktak Lake. Amongst other diverse fauna, the park is also the last natural habitat of the Sangai or the dancing deer. This place is a treat to the eyes of any nature enthusiast!

 

Spiti, Himachal Pradesh

Located in the Himalayas, this cold desert literally means “the middle land” between Nepal and India. Spiti valley can be hard to access and is certainly not for the faint-hearted— altitude sickness and bad roads are something that should not surprise you should you choose to embark on this adventure. However, if you are a biker or an adventure-junkie, this is your place to be. Some places to visit while you are in Spiti are Kaza, Chandra Tal Lake, Key Monastery, Hikkim Village, Komic Village, Langza Village, and of course, the Rohtang Pass.

 

Kaas Plateau, Maharashtra

For those of you who live in and around Satara, the Kaas Plateau, also known as Kaas Pathar, is the perfect place for you if you want to take a break from your day-to-day activities but don’t have a long vacation. Owing to its biodiversity hotspot, UNESCO named it as Natural World Heritage Site in 2012. Situated 25 kilometers away from Satara, the Kaas Plateau has more than 850 species of flowering plants, some of which are also endangered. Nature lover or not, one visit to the Kaas Plateau will leave you in awe of all the natural beauty our country has to offer.

 

Hampi, Karnataka

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi is perhaps one of the most culturally and historically rich places in India, with over 1600 monuments. This town was once a thriving capital of the Vijayanagara empire, but several wars left Hampi ruined and abandoned. Still, the ruins in themselves have become an important site for archaeologists and historians. There are several things to do here apart from seeing the monuments. One can visit the Matanga Hills, go to the Hampi Bazaar, see the Tungabhadra River. Besides, you can simply walk amidst the beautiful boulders and ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire.

 

Unakot, Tripura

Unakot is a Shavaite place of worship with huge sculptures carved on cliffs. These sculptures are known as ‘rock reliefs’. They celebrate Shiva as well as Lord Ganesh, Nandi Bull, Lord Ram, and Lord Hanuman, and are said to date back to 7th—9th centuries, if not earlier. Even though Unakot is not a popular tourist place, it is a great place for archaeological exploration. Further, owing to the natural hilly topography, this place is also great for trekking and hiking.

 

Dzongu, North Sikkim

Dzongu is truly a heaven on Earth, full of rivulets, hot springs, and forests. This vacation place has everything, right from village excursions in Kusong, Passindang, Tingvong, Sakyong, or Lingdem-Rukum villages, to monasteries like the Hee Gyathang Monastery, which is 100 years old.  There are also museums, lakes, and cane and bamboo craft centres. Tourists can explore tons here and lose themselves in a completely different universe. Note that there are no hotels here. So the only option is home stays which offer opportunities for exploring the Lepcha (local tribe) way of life. Immerse yourself in their food and agricultural practices, and the cultural atmosphere.

 

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