It’s been said that traveling is the healthiest addiction, and I have to say I agree. We all feel the need for a break from our day-to-day life and go for a vacation once or twice a year. Holidays do wonders for our overall well-being and help reduce stress and relax the mind. It is best to travel to a place which offers many things at once; nature’s beauty, cultural blend, delicious delicacies, friendly environment, etc. India is an ideal place with the perfect blend of the same. Here are some amazing destinations; my list of the ten best places to visit in India in the year 2018.
India is an incredibly diverse and vast country
Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Dharamshala is a must visit place in Himachal Pradesh, known for scenic natural beauty, Buddhist culture and architecture. The snow-covered mountain ranges of Dhauladhar and coniferous trees are breathtaking. The place is great for trekking, camping, and for yoga retreat holidays. The place comprises of lower and upper section. The upper section is popularly known as McLeodganj. Triund trek is the most popular place. Also visit Dalai Lama Temple, Tibetan Museum, Tsechokling Gompa, Norbulingka, Bhagsu Waterfall, and Kalachakra Temple.
Dharamsha
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh is a city situated in the Himalayan foothills besides the river Ganges. Surrounded by picturesque beauty, the place is considered holy and is renowned as a center for meditation and yoga studies. You will find many temples and ashrams for the yoga and spiritual practice. Also, famous for trekking, camping, river rafting, and other adventure sports. Visit places like Rajaji National Park, Lakshman Jhula, Neelkanth Temple, and Parmarth Niketan here.
Statue of Lord Shiva in Rishikesh, at one of the many temples in the region
Varkala, Kerala
A coastal town in Thiruvananthapuram on the Arabian Sea backed by palm-covered red cliffs. The place is also famous for its amazing Yoga, Ayurveda, and Meditation centers. Varkala and Kappil beach, Janardhana Swamy Temple, Sivagiri Mutt monument, and Ponnumthuruthu Island, are must-visit places in Varkala.
A view of Varkala in the state of Kerala
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi is also known as Banaras, Benares, or Kashi. The city is situated on the banks of river Ganges and is considered to be one of the holiest places in India. Famous for Kashi temple, Dashashwamedh Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat, Banarasi Saree and Banarasi Paan, Varanasi is the place which draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in Ganga and perform funeral rites. Varanasi has around 2000 temples. I recommend you visit Ramnagar Fort, Dhamekh Stupa, BHU, Chunar Fort, and experience boat rides at sunrise and sunsets and witness the ecstasy of watching Ganga Aarti. There is a not a list of best places to visit in India that does not include Varanasi.
The ghats of Varanasi on the Ganges River
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Rajasthan is a beautiful place known for its royalty and craft work. The city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is famous for the Thar Desert, also known as The Great Indian Desert. The place is also called the Golden city due to its yellow sandstone architecture. Jaisalmer is a World Heritage Site and famous for the Jaisalmer Fort. You can also go for a desert safari, camping, visit Patwon Ki Haveli, Folklore museums, Gadsisar Lake, and also have a tour of the local market for arts and crafts.
Jaisalmer Fort
Darjeeling, West Bengal
A beautiful town of West Bengal, Darjeeling is noted for its tea industry and the world’s third highest mountain, Kanchenjunga. Darjeeling railway is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This site is famous for the scenic spot in which its situated, toy train, adventure activities, beautiful hill stations, and for romantic vacations.
Visit places like Balastia Loop, Rock Garden, Tiger Hill, Mirik, Singalila National Park, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Nightingale Park, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo, etc.
The tea plantations and mountains of Darjeeling
Leh and Ladakh
Leh is a land of monks and monasteries, with breathtaking landscapes, superabundance of nature and phantasmagoria attractions. It is truly a heaven on Earth and sparsely populated too. The place is known for its trekking areas. The south of Leh is surrounded by the Indus River and is known for the white water rafting. Visit the Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Jama Masjid, Sankar and Namgyal Tsemo, Gompa, Chamba Temple, War Museum, and more.
Shanti Stupa
Mysore, Karnataka
The capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399-1947, Mysore is home to the famous Devaraja Market, filled with silk, spices, and sandalwood. It is a hub for the Ashtanga or Mysore Style yogic practice and has eminent yoga schools. You can visit famous places like the Mysore Palace, Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore Zoo, Railway Museum, Jaganmohan Palace, Brindavan Garden, and Karanji Lake.
Mysore
Kutch, Gujarat
While Kutch is known as India’s largest district, with the main areas known as the Rann of Kutch. “Kutch” means dry and wet, for the place sinks in the water during the rainy season while it remains completely dry the during rest of the year. The district is surrounded by the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Kutch in the South and West. Places like Prag Mahal, Kalo Dungar, Kutch museum, and Shri Swaminarayan Mandir are must visit.
Goa, Maharashtra
There is hardly anyone who is unaware of this beautiful coastal place in India. Many tourists across the globe visit Goa each year. Goa is a land of mesmerizing beaches that is surrounded by natural beauty and is also known for its nightlife as well as its quiet retreat programs. Places like Aguada fort, Dudhsagar falls, Christian art and Archaeological museum, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Madgaon, are must-visits.
Goa is much more than beautiful beaches …
… but the beach of Goa are indeed beautiful
Best Places to Visit in India
Once a traveler, always a traveler. So make 2018 a traveling year and experience the best at these amazingly beautiful places of India.
For More:
- On our site: Visiting India’s Pushkar Camel Fair
- Also on our site: Tiger On: Safari at Rathambhore National Park
- On our site: A Food Lover’s Guide to India Cuisine
- On our site: Five Snowy Hill Stations in Northern India
5 Comments
MANMOHAN, Thank you for sharing this beautiful place. I loved the Statue of Lord Shiva in Rishikesh.–MaryGo
Hi Mary,
Thanks for the nice comment. The statue of Lord Shiva belongs from a place called Rishikesh. It is one of the holiest places in the world and also the yoga capital. Have you ever came to India? If not you must come.
I’ll second that, Manmohan. I haven’t been to Rishikesh, nor most of the other places you write about in this article. But I absolutely found India to be one of the most profoundly beautiful and special places I have been lucky enough to visit. The color and beauty, the history, culture and spirit, and most of all, the people, grab you heart and soul. I too encourage people to visit!
Hi Nancy. You are right and India is a beautiful place to see and live. There are lots of interesting places and things to do.
Next time you come to India, please let me know. I can show you some places which you have never though about.
SO many places! Thank you; I’d love that, Manmohan! And thanks again, Mary!