India - Places to Visit 

India is a vast country with a diverse terrain - from the mighty Himalayas to the coastlines. With history dating back almost a 5000 years, there are a lot of places to visit in India. Places of historical importance, religious places, places where you can be one with nature and many many more.
I have divided the places in various categories.

Nature :-

If you love to be lost in the harmony of nature, then are many places in India which you can add to your bucket list. Whether it is the snow clad mountains of Himalayas or the lush greenery of the Western ghats, Whether its the dry and arid deserts in Rajasthan or the back waters of Kerala, you can always find something for yourself.

Here are a few of them :-

1. Kashmir : -

Also known as the 'Heaven on Earth' is known for its enthralling beauty.With its picturesque lakes, fruit orchids, vardant meadows surrounded by thick thick woods of pine and deodar, lush green gardens teeming with vibrant flowers and captivating valleys enclosed with snow covered peaks of Himalayan and Pir - Panjal ranges, Kashmir seems to have directly made its way out of picture postcard. You can fine some traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and handlooms and some world famous Warzan delicacies.

2. Sikkim: -

Sikkim is breathtakingly one of the most beautiful places in India. This glittering gem is located in the North-Eastern Himalayas. With its snow clad mountains, pristine lakes and Buddhist monasteries, it is one of the best places to enjoy peaceful and laid back holidays.

3. Meghalaya: -

Also known as the 'Abode of Clouds', Meghalaya is one of the most picturesque places in Eastern Himalayas. It is the only place where you can find living root bridges which are grown and not cultivated by humans. One such bridge can be found in Cherrapunjee which is about 200 years old but still stands strong.

You can also enjoy awe inspiring claustrophobic caves of 'Krem Mawsmai'. 

4. Western Ghats: -

The Western Ghats is one of UNESCO's world heritage sites. It is famous for its thick rain forests and wild life, some of which can be found only in this part of the world. The world's 1st King Cobra sanctuary is located in Agumbe, Karnataka in Western Ghats. There are many famous destinations in this area like Wayanad and Munnar in Kerala, Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra and Coorg in Karnataka.

Munnar is famous for its hills covered with beautiful tea plantations.

5. Rann of Kutch: -

This is one of the remotest places in India and also the largest salt desert in the world. The Rann of Kutch comes to life around October as the otherwise locale watered begins to dry up. Spending a night on full moon day in a traditional 'Bhungas' a cylindrical shaped hut with conical roofs can be unforgettable experience.

6. Thar Desert: -

The Thar Desert in Jaisalmer is place that never fails to disappoint anyone. Experience the invigorating camel and jeep safaris when here. Camping in tents which are specifically designed to suit your requirement. They have all the enhancements and are completely outfitted,yet hold the customary path.

Treks and Adventure :-

If you want to experience a adrenaline rush and want to go on some adventures, then India is one of the best countries for that. You can enjoy trekking in Himalayas, road trips to Ladakh, white water rafting in the Ganges river, paragliding, bungee jumping, scuba diving and many many more.

1. Chadar - The Frozen River Trek: -

If you are an adventure aficionado, then this has to be on your bucket list. The Chadar Trek route connects the remote villages of the Zanskar valley deep in the mountains with chilling and the frozen Zanskar river. Moreover it gives you a much needed nudge to be physically fit before you even get here.

2. Treks in Himalayas: -

Being one of the most mesmerizing mountain ranges, the treks in Himalayas are one of the best things for adventure lovers. Walking through the dense oak, pine and deodar forests, the snow clad mountains, green pastures and some beautiful lakes is a lifetime experience. Himalayas offer a wide range of treks depending upon your trekking and hiking experience and physical fitness. Some famous treks in Himalayas are the Roopkund trek, the trek to the Valley of Flowers, Haar ki doon and the Hampta pass trek.

Roopkund lake

Valley of Flowers trek

3. Shimla and Manali: -

No description is needed to explain the incandescent beauty of these 2 places. The high hills tell their stories all the time. Cascading waterfalls, serene valleys and hiking trips, these are among the best tourist places in India. You can enjoy many adventure sports like skiing,ice skating and paragliding here.

4. Andaman and Nicobar Islands: -

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are for everyone who is looking for a peaceful stay and lots of fun at the beaches. All adventure lovers particularly love this place. There are numerous water sports centers here which allow you choose from a wide range of activities. The waters are crystal clear and with coral reefs still good, scuba diving is a major water sport activity here. Besides this you can also enjoy banana rides, jet skiing, snorkeling, under water walking, parasailing and many more. Besides you can also go sport fishing or angling and speed boating. Andamans is a adventure package in whole.

5. Road Trip to Leh/Ladakh: -

These road trip are the Mecca of all road trips in India. These are one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. All you need is just get geared up for some adventure, hit the road and reach no where !! These road trips outshine all other back packing trips in India. There are 2 famous routes
Manali - Leh Highway and Srinagar - Leh Highway. You can take any way depending which time of year you go there. The Manali - Leh highway is preferred for bike trips as it provides a more thrilling and gorgeous route.

History and Religious Places

India, a country with such a vast history, there are many places where you can find the ancient forts, palaces, temples and monuments. Places like Varanasi allow you to witness the Hindu religion closely. Here are some of the must visit places.

1. Rishikesh: -

Known as the Vibrant city, Rishikesh has a lot to offer to its travellers. Also known as the 'Yoganagari' or 'City of Yoga', this city is known for its bountiful beauty, sanctity and adventure.
Blessed with the Holy Himalayas and Ganges river, Rishikesh is one of the ancient cities of the country.Jotted with sacred temples, ashrams, pious ghats and evergreen forests,this serene city has something to offer to everyone. You can also enjoy adventure sports like white water rafting, bungee jumping and rappelling here.

2. Varanasi: -

Also known as Kashi and Benares, Varanasi has been continuously  inhabited since the 11th century BC and is also known as the 'Spiritual Capital of India'. The city is known for its Ghats located around the banks of the river Ganges. Today these Ghats attract a large number of devotees who visit Varanasi to seek spiritual salvation. There are temples located all along the river banks.

3. Hampi: -

Hampi was the capital of the erstwhile Vijayanagar Empire and also one of the richest cities of the time. Located on the banks of the river Tungabhadra in Karnataka, Hampi is also one of the UNESCO world heritage sites famous for its carved stone structures. There are a lot of temples and Dravidian style architecture monuments here.

4. Aurangabad: -

This city is famous for Ajanta and Ellora caves. These rock cut Buddhist caves date back as far as the 2nd century BC to 800 AD. The Ajanta caves mainly consist of rock cut monuments dedicated to Buddhist traditions, while Ellora caves contain Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monuments built during Rashtrakuta Empire. The Kailash temple in Ellora caves is one of the largest single rock-cut Hindu temples.

5. Rajasthan: -

Rajasthan or the 'The Land of Kings' is famous for its palaces and forts, which are reminders of the
many historical kingdoms which once ruled over this region. Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur and Jaisalmer are some of the famous cities in the state. There are many small palaces which now serve as resorts and where you can still enjoy the royal treatment like the kings.

6. The Golden Temple: -

The Golden Temple is one of the most revered places of worship for the Sikh Community of India. Located in the pilgrim city of Amritsar in the state of Punjab, the Golden Temple is known for its exquisite architecture and is one of a kind among all the religious places in India.

Night Life and Partying

If you are a traveler who loves to spend time partying, eating street food, shopping and night life,then the modern cities of India  have a lot to offer to you. Make sure to keep these places on your bucket list.

1. Goa: -

Talking about best places to party in India, you cannot leave Goa.This former Portuguese colony is now the major destination for travelers because of its incandescent beauty of beaches, late night parties and tropical vibrations. This destination is famous during Christmas and New Years Eve. Enjoy the Sunburn Festival, sea food, water sports.

2. Mumbai: -

Also known as the 'City Of Dreams', Mumbai is quite the holiday destination. Mumbai has been the dream city for all and while you are here don't miss a chance to explore each and every corner of the city. Enjoy shopping at Fashion Street, a night out at Marine Drive or spend time enjoying the eclectic mix of the most exhilarating places in Mumbai. Mumbai is also famous for its street food. So don't forget to try vada pav, misal pav, pani puri and various other things when you are here.

3. Delhi: -

The capital city of India, has a political and historical aura around its modern culture. Enjoy shopping and street food in Chandni Chowk, a place where you can buy almost anything to everything. There are also many places of historical importance here like the Jama Majsid, Qutubminar, India Gate and the Red Fort. The Rashtrapati Bhavan, the residence of India's president, is also a good place to visit.

4. Pondicherry: -

Situated on the east coast of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry is famous for its beaches and sea food. Formely a French colony, its French legacy is preserved in its French Quartet, with tree-lined streets, mustard colored colonial villas and chic boutiques. The sunrise at Serenity beach is just magical. Besides you can also go cycling along the Rock beach, get a massage and spend time viewing French style architecture.

Also See :-

India-geography; India-history; India-culture-and-festivals;

India-contributions-to-world-and-important-cities; Best Places to visit in China