Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonders of the world, undoubtedly is one of the best things to see in India. Did I just write one of the best…yes, you know why – because there are so many places in India which are just over-shadowed because of the Taj. Don’t mind, I too love Taj, I’ve already been to Taj so many times now and yet never get enough of it. The reality is that India is a diverse, multi-cultured nation, despite this tourists usually prefer Taj and combines it with Jaipur and Delhi at max. Isn’t it unfair to other parts of India with immense beauty receive a cold shoulder? There are so many places to visit in India beyond just the iconic Taj Mahal (read these tips to know before visiting the Taj).
Related Read – India Travel Tips – Top tips for first-time travel to Delhi!
Suggested Read – The 7 man-made wonders of India.
Every time I read a travel blog or a traveller’s bucket list with a mention of India, it just revolves around the Taj Mahal. So, today I would like to introduce my readers to places to visit in India beyond the Taj Mahal. On that note, know how much Andra loves India and not only the Taj Mahal. Planning your trip also includes what to pack & how much it cost to travel in India including what to wear in India. India is fun to travel solo or even with family & friends but plan in advance when coming to India with kids.
Places to visit in India beyond Taj Mahal
Places to Visit in India – Kashmir
Kashmir – also known as ‘Paradise on earth‘ which Indians often even compare to Switzerland. At the origin of the Indian boundary next to Pakistan stands a state with snowy mountains, greenery all around and beautiful lakes to fall in love with.
The capital of the state – Srinagar has the largest tulip garden in Asia with a view of the dazzling Dal Lake which is frozen to snow in winter, snow-studded mountains in Gulmarg and the cold desert in Leh & Ladakh along with gorgeous Monasteries (Read about the biggest & wealthiest Gompa – Hemis Monastery).
The Nubra Valley with sand dunes is a photographer’s gem. A trip to Kashmir will leave you with a million memories to cherish for lifelong. If you’re interested in Ladakh, read this 3-day itinerary to Sham Valley Trek from Alex. Delhi to Manali and ultimately to Leh is an amazing adventurous road trip. The route takes from Manali, Rohtang Pass, and Spiti Valley with amazing views to Leh. I recommend taking this road trip for a memorable experience in India.
Places to Visit in India – Kerala
The southernmost state of India is a land of exquisite beaches, lush green hills, tea plantations of Munnar, backwaters and much more. Kerala also has world-renowned Ayurveda centres and monsoon is the recommended time to treat yourself to an Ayurvedic massage.
Enjoy the majestic waterfalls, click immense pictures of the photogenic paddy fields & take a sip of the fresh coconut water for an everlasting memory. For art lovers, Kerala will present you with the famous dance form – Kathakali. I can assure you after a visit to Kerala, you’ll not leave disappointed. Read more about Travel tips for Kerala from Devesh.
Places to Visit in India – North-East India
You might wonder why I have not mentioned a particular state here and rather mentioned the entire North-east region. It is because North-East states – a total of 7 states – are jaw-droppingly beautiful and are now slowly gaining popularity among travellers. Heavenly for nature lovers with various places to visit in Northeast India.
These states offer a variety of places to see that no matter how many days you spend there, you might not be able to cover all of them. Starting from Gangtok, Pelling and many more. Sikkim has immense natural beauty and might even be considered a perfect Honeymoon destination.
Shillong in Meghalaya which offers panoramic city views, gorgeous waterfalls, and even an artificial lake. Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura & Arunachal Pradesh are the other states having so much to see that we might need a different post for each state to cover.
Places to Visit in India – Rajasthan & Gujarat
I know many of you might have heard about Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan and mainly because of the forts and scenic beauty. But have you heard about Rann of Kutch in Gujarat? Rann of Kutch is in the Thar Desert and is a seasonal salt marsh and has gained the title of the largest salt desert in the world.
Gujarat is also known for grand palaces & forts, shrines with intricate architecture, national parks, and quaint beaches. Considering Amitabh Bachchan is endorsing the state, tourism in the state has been boosted exceptionally.
Every state here has a unique feel and a different architecture with breathtaking views. A special mention to a few of the other states which are to a level already getting a lot of tourism. Hampi a UNESCO world heritage site and a haven for history lovers should be on your India bucket list. Goa, the party capital of the country, with its Portuguese influence, gorgeous beaches, and nearby Islands like Divar Island make it a perfect stopover in itself! Mumbai is like the Manhattan of the east, with its gorgeous marine drive, skyscrapers & slums, Mumbai has many faces and so is a must-see from India.
Chennai – with the nation’s longest natural urban beach & even one of the world’s longest beaches, read more about Things to do in Chennai. Pondicherry – Love French culture? Gets a dose of French architecture and tranquil beaches here.
Suggested Read – Pondicherry Itinerary for 2 days (or more).
West Bengal with a prime focus on its capital Kolkata, but there’s much more in the state including Darjeeling, Sunderbans National Park, and Siliguri. Himachal Pradesh for the natural beauty of the Himalayan mountains and a peek at the summer capital of India ~ Shimla.
Punjab for the largest and most renowned Sikh shrine. Odisha with a history which dates back to King Ashoka and beaches & lakes to experience migratory birds. Thinking of beautiful beaches, only Kerala comes to our minds, but Havelock Island from the Andaman Islands are a delight from India.
Although the list is not yet finished these tops the list of places to visit in India. Whenever you plan a trip to India, I highly recommend including some of these places on the itinerary. Read more about some of the underrated Indian destinations that you must visit from Kate.
Have I convinced you for travelling to these amazing places to visit in India? Check out this Perfect Two Week India Itinerary.
Planning to travel abroad from India? Check out the countries where you don’t need a visa before travelling.
Have you been to India? Did you get a chance to visit these places apart from the Taj Mahal and Jaipur? Do share your experience with me.
HAVE YOU TAKEN A TRIP TO INDIA? WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT IT? DID YOU LIKE MY RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT THE PLACES TO VISIT IN INDIA? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
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