India has always intrigued and fascinated the tourist fraternity with its cultural and geographical richness, architectural marvels, exclusive heritage sites, majestic monuments, and exotic flora and fauna. The awe-inspiring country has zillions of unexplored travel places which offer an unforgettable experience to all types of tourists. Let's have a glimpse on the most fabulous of them.
A UNESCO world heritage site, Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) is an archaeological marvel known for its sculptured temples that are exquisitely carved with stone figures of deities. The 9th-12th century temples constructed of red sandstone are famous for the eroticism carved on their walls in the form of erotic postures of the sculptures.
The land of coconut palms, meandering lagoons, mangrove forests, backwater stretches, and lush green paddy fields Kumarakom (Kottayam, Kerala) is undoubtedly one of the most invigorating and effervescent places to unwind in India.
Traditional houseboats provide a wonderful opportunity to explore the Kumarakom. A houseboat is a huge country boat converted into floating living quarters with spacious interiors and all modern luxurious amenities. A Houseboat cruise is a great way for tourists to skim the breathtaking beauty of the backwater and natural marvel of Kerala.
Houseboats Travel Itinerary includes:
Kottayam is the land of breathtaking Kerela backwaters. The backwaters are rich in a variety of species of both flora and fauna namely exotic pearl spotted fish, tiger prawns, crabs and rare varieties of migratory birds. The Vembanad Lake has become an important aqua tourism destination with its enchanting picnic spots and shallow backwaters. A pleasure trip to Vembanad Lake gives you an opportunity to explore the rich flora, the abundant marine life, boat cruises, rural sights, and angling tours. You can freely indulge in boating, fishing, canoeing, catamaran riding, dingy sailing and other water sports.
Backwaters host electrifying boat races that are held in connection with Onam, the harvest festival from August to September. These races are essentially religious, based on a temple festival, only exception being the sporting Nehru Trophy race at Alappuzha. Scores of long snake boats - each manned by hundreds of oarsmen four steersmen, 20 singers and 100 - 110 stout oarsmen who row in unison to the song of the boatman participate in these races. Thousands of people gather over the water's edge to cheer the huge carved wooden boats as they slice through the waters to a mind blowing finish. Caparisoned elephants replete with colourful silken umbrellas, colorful water parades of rafts, and highly ornate boats make this a must watch.
Chitrakoot, 'the hill of many wonders' is a place of great mythological relevance and religious importance. Chitrakoot is associated with historic Ramayana epic as this was the place where Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshman spent their 11 years of exile. The majestic city is ornamented with scenic woods, gleaming streams, pretty rivers, and lofty peaks that provide idyllic surroundings to tourists. The tourists and devotees find a majestic religious and spiritual experience in the soothing and serene atmosphere of Chitrakoot.
A renowned piligrim centre, Chitrakoot offers many vistas of tourist importance. Janaki Kund, an idyllic pastoral river was believed to be the favorite bathing spot of Sita.
Gupt Godavari has two caves on the hillside one larger than the other. Here a subterranean stream emerges from one cave, flows for a distance, and fills a distant pool before disappearing again. According to a legend Lord Rama and Lakshman, the leading personae of the epic Ramayana held court in this cave during his exile.
Ram Ghat, the main pilgrim centre is a long stretch of steps cut into the banks of the river Mandakini where pilgrims perform religious ablutions and rituals. The hallowed sanctity of the place stands at par with that of Rishikesh and Benaras.
Hanuman Dhara, a shrine with a 360-step stairway is devoted to Hanuman, the great disciple of Lord Rama. According to a legend Hanuman, after setting fire in Lanka cooled his rage under a stream of crystal-clear, cold water.
Sphatik Shila is a large boulder having impressions of footprints of Lord Rama. Deva Ganga, and Sati Anasuya are other must visit places for tourists embarking on a tour to Chitrakoot.
Ajanta and Ellora Caves (Aurangabad, Maharashtra) is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most amazing archaeological sites in India
The 29 rock-cut caves of Ajanta created between 200 BC and 600 AD by Buddhist monks speak tales of bygone era of Lord Buddha. The ancient paintings, exquisite frescos, and huge sculptures ornamenting the walls of these caves are considered masterpieces of Buddhist art. Several types of human and animal figures are also elaborately portrayed in the rocks. The hand-crafted caves served as Chastiyas (Temples) and Viharas (Monasteries) of the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rituals. The Chastiyas and Viharas were considered as the nerve centres of the Buddhist cultural movement.
The 34 Ellora caves dating from between 600-1100 AD are an incredible piece of ancient architectural heritage. The caves are not natural caves, but were crafted by hand by generations of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monks, who lived, worked, and worshipped in the caves. The caves house finest facades and exquisitely adorned interiors consisting of statues, paintings, pillars, meditation rooms. These structures accurately convey the nobility, grace and serenity of three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism that stood over several centuries.
Anantagiri is a splendor hill resort nestled in the state of Andhra Pradesh near Visakhapatnam. Rushing streams, wonderful waterfalls, lush greenery, and cool and pleasant environment through out the year make it an ideal retreat to head off during the scorching summer months. More of a health station, Anantagiri is thronged by loads of honeymoon couples, nature lovers and tourists who come here to bask in the nature and replenish their energies.
The salubrious Anantagiri hills wrapped with medicinal plants and herbs, mango groves, apple orchards, and tracts of coffee plantations give an enthralling sight seeing experience to tourists. The one-million-year-old Borra caves near Vishakhapatnum are an excellent excursion destination from Anantagiri. The natural formation of the limestone in the caves is unique of its type.
The breathtakingly beautiful hill resort offers unforgettable tourist vistas such as sacred Bhavanasi Lake, Vuda Park, Bheemunipatnam, Ramakrishna and Rishikonda Beach, Sri Venkateswara Konda, and Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Simhachalam Temple and Dolphin's Nose.
Varanasi (also known as Kashi, Banaras) is sited on the banks of River Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. More than 3000 years old, the sacred city is symbolic of spiritualism, philosophy and mysticism and has given birth to great saints like Guatama Buddh, Mahavir, Kabir, Tulsi Das, Shankaracharaya, and Patanjali. Also known as city of lights, it is the eternal pilgrimage destination for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains.
The magical city inhabits a never before heard number of temples, ashrams and ghats. 3300 million ancient temples showcasing the grandeur of Indian tradition and culture fill one with awe and wonder with their sheer number. Along with this, the colourful, charismatic and auspicious bathing ghats lining holy river Ganges are where the most important rituals of life take place in public. It has been believed that bathing in the holy river Ganges washes all the sins of one's self. Thousands of devotees throng the ghats every year to take a holy dip in the river and attain salvation. The splendour view of the practices of ancient religious traditions captivates domestic as well as international tourists who come to witness the interesting happenings at this place.
