Karvaan’s Five Recommended Places to Visit in India

India’s grand diversity makes traveling from state to state an unforgettable journey. While the places to see and localites to visit are many, we selected five different places to visit in India. Karvaan’s recommendations are places that are each different from one another; offering a unique experience to travelers.

Mcleodganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Mcleodganj is also known as “Little Lhasa” because of the large population of Tibetans living there. Its lush greenery and rolling mountains and hills dotted with vibrantly coloured Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries make it unforgettable to its visitors. Among its many attractions, outdoor trekking and visits to various Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries are the most popular. Places like Bagsu Falls and Triund are great for trekking and enjoying Mcleodganj’s natural beauty. The Tsuglakhang Complex is another major attraction with the Dalai Lama Temple, Tibetan Museum, a library, and a cafe inside. The Norbulingka Institute is another popular place for visitors. This replica of the Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace is surrounded by lush greenery, flora and fauna, and is a Tibetan Art and Craft Preservation Centre. Here visitors can observe students in their Tibetan art classes, visit the Dosel Doll Museum and the Shakyamuni Temple and library.

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

In the City of Nawabs, sign boards written in Urdu are visible all around. What may strike a first-time visitor most is the beauty of the city’s monuments constructed by the nawabs of centuries past. Of the numerous heritage sites to visit, Bada Imambara is perhaps the most well-known. Built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784, its grand size and exceptional beauty leaves its visitors speechless. One can venture through its bhool bhulaiya (labyrinth) but must be careful not to get lost in its winding, narrow passageways. Only 3 km away from Bada Imambara, is Chowk market in Old Lucknow where one can eat delicious shami kebabs and shop for Lucknow’s famous chikin work kurtas. The famous shami kabab from Lucknow can be eaten in many places in the city, but Tunday Kababi is the most famous place for lazeez shami kebabs. Some ways away from Old Lucknow is Ambedkar Memorial Park, which is another must-see place. Built on 107 acres in April 2008, this extensive memorial park is a fun and lovely attraction for couples, singles, and families alike.

Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh

Located in Andhra Pradesh, Araku Valley offers respite to those wanting to escape the hectic pace of urban life. Rice paddy fields are found all along the lush hills of Araku Valley and the scent of sandalwood fills the air. The majority of residents in Araku Valley belong to different tribal communities. The Araku Tribal Museum showcases handicrafts, textiles, and customs of the Eastern Ghat Tribal group. In addition to rice, spices and blue coffee beans are also grown here. Bamboo chicken, roasted seasonal vegetables, and freshly made filter coffee can all be found and eaten on the side of the road here. Borra caves, Tatiguda Waterfalls, and Dharagadda Waterfalls are just a few examples of the beautiful, natural attractions found in Araku Valley.

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

The Pink City (Jaipur) and the Blue City (Jodhpur) are well-known and some of the most popular attractions for tourists from around the world. Jaisalmer (also known as the Golden City) is another attraction to visit in Rajasthan. Located in the heart of the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer is known as the Golden City due its native stone that is golden in colour. Various forts, monuments, and havelis such as, Sonar Qila (Golden Fort), were constructed using jaiselmer’s stone thousands of years ago. They stand beautiful and strong today; blending into the desert dunes. Guided camel rides in the middle of the desert are another fun attraction in Jaisalmer. Live music can be heard along these rides as local artists play well-known folk songs such as Mast Qalandar and Kesariya Balam. In addition to local artists playing music in the desert, there are cultural programmes that run in the evenings with live folk music and dance performances by Kalbeliya groups.

Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh’s City of Destiny (Visakhapatnam or Vizag) is an ideal place to visit for those who love being in a coastal area. From its beautiful beaches, military bases, maritime museum, and various churches and temples, Vizag offers myriad of attractions to its visitors. Both historical and providing access to the rocky coastline, Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse is a must-visit site in Vizag. Other naturally beautiful beaches in Vizag include Rushikonda and Yarada. Rose Hill Church is another place to visit wherein one can see the whole of the city, the nearby port, and visit not only the Catholic church that is on top of this hill, but the masjid right below it, and the Hindu temple below that. The INS Kusura Museum or submarine museum is an attraction for those interested in military history. Of Vizag’s many beautiful parks, the hilltop park, Kailashgiri, is enjoyable tourist spot with a panoramic view of the ocean and coast. While temples are many in Vizag, Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha or Simhachalam Temple, situated on Simhachalam Hill about 500 meters above sea level, is an unforgettable place with its lush, natural surroundings and peaceful atmosphere.

Cover Photo Credits: Sahil Pandita