India has a host of popular tourist destinations for travelers from all over the world, and here we list the 10 most famous ones.
If you talk about tourist destinations, India would rank among the top. The country is chock full of tourist places, popular for their cultural significance, natural beauty, adventure activities or a mix of everything. But to cover each of these famous tourist places in India would take years, and not every destination can turn out as you expected it. So to make things easier, here are 10 most famous tourist places in India.
1.Pondicherry
Pondicherry is Known simply as Pondy, this little union territory is a world apart from the state of Tamil Nadu. It remained under French rule around 7 years after the rest of India gained independence, and the influence remains to this day. Pondicherry could be forgiven for a quaint little beach town from France, with its bright and colourful houses, hotels, shops and restaurants. The architecture is, in fact, one of the highlights of this coastal town, with a healthy dose of Tamil influences added to the mix. Another reason for Pondicherry’s popularity is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the related Auroville, which are hangouts for those looking for some soul-searching. The relaxed, quiet atmosphere of Pondicherry may draw parallels with Goa, but this is a destination that has its own unique charm and identity that is well worth exploring.
2.Tirupati
We have talked about India’s beaches, mountains and palaces, but to get a glimpse of the country’s spiritual heritage, Tirupati is worth the visit. Built on the holy hill of Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh, the Tirupati temple is one of the biggest pilgrimage spots in the world. Thousands throng every day into the temple, which is open to darshans throughout the day. This is also one of the most professionally administered temples in the world, with a workforce of thousands ensuring that everything is going smoothly. Needless to say, Tirupati is among the most crowded tourist places in India, but the place is managed well enough to keep things in order.
3.Shimla
Once the summer capital during India’s British Raj, Shimla is now one of the most popular hill stations of India and also the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Given its popularity, the town is packed with tourists. But walking is the only way to get around within the central area, which can be a rather pleasant and enjoyable experience. Like most other hill stations, Shimla too has long-winding and narrow alleys that are worth exploring. It also gets a healthy dose of snow during its winter months, making the view of the mountains around it that much more awe-inspiring. The Viceregal Lodge, Christ Church and Gorton Castle show you Shimla’s British era legacy. And if you are walking around Shimla, you cannot miss out on the Town Hall at its centre.
4. Goa
Let’s take a break from India’s historically-rich cities and scenic hill stations, and move to the laid-back beaches of Goa. With 51 beaches along its coastline, Goa is considered by many to be the party capital of India. Its white sandy beaches and palm trees that curve to touch the ocean are just one part of the equation that makes Goa such a hit. Despite its popularity, Goa remains a sleepy and slow town with a rich culture of its own that is worth exploring and experiencing. Its night life is another popular aspect, with pubs like Tito’s and Montego Bay being mainstream favourites. And then there are the numerous trekking trails up the hills surrounding Goa that can satisfy the adventurer inside you.
5.Shillong
The hill station of Shillong also serves as the capital of the state of Meghalaya, and so can be rather busy tourist destination. But the town still holds on firmly to its roots as a British Era-capital, and it offers a number of beautiful sights. Shillong peak, for instance, lies 10 km away from the main city and is the highest point of Meghalaya, giving you a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. The Spread Eagle falls, Sweet falls and Elephant falls are also popular locations that are a treat for the eyes. For an experience of Shillong’s colonial era past, visit the All Saints’ Cathedral, Anglican Church or Pinewood Hotel.
6. Manali
As the monal pheasant chirps magically to the western tragopan that is the disdainful state bird and stands high on the same base the spruce trees remind you that you are in the snow capsule Manali. The loving cold and exciting weather surely would leave you speechless and baffled. Manali is a little heaven one should visit at least once in a lifetime.
This is one such destination that offers religious tourism, adventure tourism, wildlife tourism in just one trip and that is what makes it a clear paradise. Snow covered pines and fir trees are the show stoppers while you elevate upwards and drive in to the loveliness of the world. The gorgeous snow leopards and brown bears put up great shows together when you go searching for them.
7.Nainital
Surrounding the scenic emerald green Naini lake, Nainital is the quintessential hill resort. What was once a sleepy town is today a busy hill station complete with dozens of hotels around the volcanic leak and an bustling bazaar. This is possibly the most famous hill station too, with hundreds of families and couples coming into the valley on the foot of the Himalayas to enjoy the scenic views and boat rides on the lake. Nainital also has several walking tracks that take you up the dense hills around the town to viewing points with vistas of the Himalayan mountains. Thus, Nainital is a great place to sit back, relax and take in the majesty of India’s mountains without overwhelming.
8.Ooty
Ooty, like Nainital, is another of India’s hill stations that started off as a little town but hit it off, becoming a major tourist centre. As such, it can be a little too crowded during its peak seasons for those who prefer a little more peace and quiet. But it can still offer an arresting view of India’s Western Ghats, a chilled out atmosphere, pleasant weather and some of the best tea in the country. Known as the Queen of Hill Stations, Ooty offers a rather interest mix of expansive gardens, vivid green tea estates, British-era bungalows and the typical busy streets of India. The hill station has gone through a lot of commercialisation in the past decades, but you can still experience the magic of the past by travelling through the miniature trains.
9. Dehradun
Dehradun is the capital city of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Located in the Doon Valley at the foothills of the Himalayas, Dehradun is bordered by the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers of India.
The city is known for its pleasant climate and provides a gateway to the popular hill stations like Nainital, Mussoorie etc. and pilgrim sites like Haridwar and Rishikesh. The city receives high amounts of rain during the monsoon season and get really cold during the winters. Being a part of the Princely Garhwal State the local customs of the Garhwali people have influenced the culture in the city.
The city is known for its pleasant climate and provides a gateway to the popular hill stations like Nainital, Mussoorie etc. and pilgrim sites like Haridwar and Rishikesh. The city receives high amounts of rain during the monsoon season and get really cold during the winters. Being a part of the Princely Garhwal State the local customs of the Garhwali people have influenced the culture in the city.
10. Mussoorie
Mussoorie is a picturesque hill station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The hill station is located at the foothills of the Garhawl Himalayan ranges, and is also known by its nickname “The Queen Of Hills”. The place is also known as the gateway to the “Gangotri and “Yamunotri” shrines. The best time to visit the place is between mid-March to mid-November as the rains during monsoons and cold during the winters make it pretty inaccessible.
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