Independence Day Special: 29 States, 7 Union Territories, 36 off-beat destinations in India

#1 CHAMBAL, UTTAR PRADESH

The once notorious land of dacoits, Chambal has finally emerged out of its infamous reputation to woo nature lovers, who are raring to 'shoot' (the non-violent way) rare birds and animals. If you’re looking at a day trip, you could stay at Agra (3-hour drive) or Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (2.5-hour drive) and for a longer stay there are several forest rest houses. But the heritage Chambal Safari Lodge is possibly the best base close to Chambal National Sanctuary. Thanks to Draupadi’s curse, the Chambal River has an ‘unholy’ status and hence is not polluted by bathing devotees. A leisurely boat ride in search of Gangetic River Dolphins, ghariyals, turtles, otters and over 330 species of birds is a lovely treat. And a camel or jeep safari is the best way to explore remote villages and meet the elusive black buck at the Sarus Conservation Reserve. Fort Ater, which has  witnessed several wars between Rajputs, Mughals and Marathas, is a must visit. Cycle through villages and watch villagers collecting water chestnuts, from marshy water, in their round metallic boats, or walk through yellow mustard fields. By the River Yamuna is the Bateshwar temple complex, which has over 100 temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva; this is also where you’ll find the snake-worshipping Naga Sadhus, who live in little caves carved out in the ravines.
—Piya Bose Desai

#2 MAJULI, ASSAM

Image by Dianne Sharma-Winter

Shrinking year by year because of the ever- flooding Brahmaputra, Majuli is possibly no longer the world’s largest river island, but it remains a place where you're sure to find pleasurable. The only way to get there is by taking a ferry from Jorhat to the island. Once here, you’ll pass through a foliage of trees and travel on elevated narrow lanes with paddy fields and marshes on either side. You'll meet grazing cattle and school kids. Hundreds of migratory birds such as pelicans, Siberian cranes and adjutant storks come to the island in winter and interestingly people from all over have migrated here too. For instance, the owner of Ma Po Okum (Happy Home) belongs to Arunachal’s Mishing tribe that still worship the moon. In Majuli, most of them weave silk and saris with handlooms. A fascinating facet here is the Neo-Vaishnavite culture thriving in the sattras (temples),  some of which also hold remnants of the ancient Ahom (Assam) Kingdom. During Raas Leela locals perform plays, for which masks–small and life-size–are made. Cycle around, like the locals, join them for fishing, enjoy!
—Pooja Bhula

#3 ALDONA, GOA

Poi are traditional breads of Goans (Image by Richa Gupta)

Paddy fields, vast meadows, traditional Portuguese homes, quaint churches along Mapusa river... the unassuming, sleepy village of Aldona, in Bardez, breaks the tourist myth that south Goa is the place for serenity and natural beauty, while north Goa is only about booze, parties and for history buffs—monuments. Aldona retains the authentic Goan charm. The traditional poi (Goan bread) bakery here, uses an earthen oven, built in the wall. It rolls out fresh batches of bread every morning (4.30 am) and evening (4.30 pm). The pao walla delivers it across the entire village on a bicycle. Another delightful discovery–the village has backwaters! A local family gives kayaks and speed boats on rent. If you’re up for pure indulgence ask about their luxury yatch–Lady M. There are various lodging options in Aldona, but for a truely local experience try their traditional homestay, a 500-year-old villa–Cancio’s House. Ambling around the uneven terrain, visit St Thomas Church (Aldona’s main church and important local, cultural space) and the ruins of Corjuem Fort across Mapusa river. Look out and lose yourself to uninterrupted views of the landscape.
—Richa Gupta

#4 ANDRETTA, HIMACHAL PRADESH

Andretta Pottery (Image by Abhishek Joshi CC BY 3.0)

Just an hour from Dharamsala, Andretta is flanked by the Shivalik hills and the Dhauladhar range. It’s little wonder that when late Norah Richards, a Punjabi theatre artist of Irish origin, decided to move here and turn it into an artist colony, the idea caught on. Freda Bedi, Prithvi Raj Kapoor, painters–B C Sanyal and Sobha Singh began visiting the village regularly. Renowned potter, Sardar Gurcharan Singh went a step further and made it his home. He realised her idea of truly turning it into an artist village. Andretta has seen its lows, but this hamlet in the dense pine forests of Kangra valley, continues to inspire art. Not many Indians know of it, but artists from around the world treat it as a creative retreat and set up mud-and-bamboo studios here. Works of locals and global artists (from Mexico, England and Holland) are displayed at the Sobha Singh Art Gallery. The new Norah Centre of Arts is a space for artists, musicians, dancers and writers to interact and hold workshops. Stay at one of the mud houses, take the pottery lessons they offer (there's also local body that offers three-month-long courses on Andretta pottery). When you're in mood to explore the place go on treks, for bird watching and simply feel like you're on top of the world with paragliding.
—Richa Gupta

#5 TUTICORIN, TAMIL NADU

Rafting at Tuticorin (Image by Aqua Outback)

The shades of blue of the ocean and the fine golden sandy beaches of Tuticorin have greeted travellers and maritime traders since antiquity. Historically, it has also been renowned for pearl fishing. Now, the spirit of adventure in and around Tuticorin has taken a new form—surfing. Aqua Outback, an adventure initiative, takes you snorkelling, kayaking, fishing and even kitesurfing, which is yet to pick-up in India. Unlike Pondicherry, Tuticorin doesn’t bear the indelible mark of its many colonial overlords (barring its name, anglicised from the Tamil–Thoothukudi) and another exception is Our Lady of Snows Basilica, a 500-year-old Portuguese structure. Stroll into Dhanalakshmi or Ganesh bakery and you’ll be surprised to find exotic macaroons–conical in shape and with cashews, rather than almonds, as the primary ingredient; although the story of their arrival in Tuticorin is still a mystery. Another sight that stands out is the almost extraterrestrial landscape of the salt pans; Tuticorin is one of the largest producers of salt in Tamil Nadu.
—Satyavarat Krishnakumar

#6 KOYNA, MAHARASHTRA

The giant squirrel in Koyna National Park  (Rakesh Kumar Dogra CC BY 2.0)

While reserves and national parks in other parts of the country are well known, Maharashtra’s Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary in Satara is known to few. Take a jeep safari (you can easily find private ones; the government doesn’t organise it) through the forest and say hello to the barking deer, sloth bears, leopards, giant squirrels, cobras and if you’re lucky even tigers! Up in the sky, watch colourful kingfishers fly by. If you want a relaxing trip, staying at resorts near the sanctuary are the best option, but if you’re on a budget there’s the government rest house too. Rivers Koyna, Solashi and Kandhati, as well as the Koyna Dam add to the beauty of the Sahyadris. If you’re an adventure seeker, go on a jungle trek to Vasota Fort; you’ll have to take a boat ride on Shiv Sagar Lake from Bamnoli to the base of the fort. Once there, your climb to your destination over 3,000m above sea level. At some lakes, watersports like kayaking and speed-boating are also organised.
—Pooja Bhula

#7 KADMAT ISLAND, LAKSHADWEEP

Viewing marine life through glass boats in Lakshadweep (Image by Abdul Salam)

You’ll get small local boats or speed boats from Agatti to take you to Kadmat Island. The reward? Solitude, white sand beaches, clear blue waters, lagoons for kayaking, an abundance of coconut trees, great diving sites, where you’ll spot sharks and plenty of tropical fish including lobsters, rays and others. The only accomodation here is the government-run Kadmat Island Beach Resort, known for basic standard of food and amenities. On the positive side they organise local folk perfomances like parichakali and kolkali that locals traditionally participate in during weddings and other festive occasions. You can also request for a tour of the coconut powder factory. At Kadmat you can meet students from different parts of Lakshadweep because the Calicut University has a centre here. But the islands best offering is an opportunity to explore its rich marine life through scuba and snorkelling.
—Pooja Bhula (With inputs from Abdul Salam)

#8 RAGHURAJPUR, ODISHA

Traditional paintings on betel nut (Image by revanthv552 CC BY 3.0)

An hour away from the laid back beaches of Puri, lies the art village of Raghurajpur, where houses are coloured in bright frescoes depicting mythological scenes. Due to their excellent artistic skills, the ancestors of this community were the only ones given the privilege of decorating the famous Jagannath temple. Interestingly, the tradition has continued and all the villagers here are still engaged in the primitive art of painting scenes from mythology on cloth (patta chitra) and on palm leaves, using natural dyes and a fine brush, which is sometimes made from the fine hair of a rat’s neck. Today, they  also design masks, idols, and decorate beer bottles with traditional art, turning them into interesting artefacts. In the home of Odissi grand master Kelucharan Mohapatra and Gotipua Nrutya, a precursor to the present day form of Odissi, the village amphitheater still sees live Odissi performances. Also visit the nearby Pipli village, famous for its appliqué work. Traditionally, this craft, involving mirrors and the stitching of one cloth over the other, was used to decorate temples and deities. It is now used for making giant umbrellas for the Rath Yatra.
—Piya Bose Desai

#9 BARREN ISLAND, ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

Smoke from the live volcano in Barren Island

While most tourists visit the popular Havelock Island and Port Blair, the Andamans have some of India’s best kept secrets. The remote, easterly, Barren island is home to the only active volcano in South Asia. As you approach the island, you’re treated to stunning views of the volcano emitting smoke and ash. With crystal clear visibility, lush and fast growing coral gardens, majestic manta rays, abundant and diverse marine life, and unique underwater stone and lava formations, this is simply the best diving spot in the Andamans. It’s also excellent for snorkelling as the visibility stretches upto 40m and some of the coral gardens and the manta ray bay are fairly shallow. If you want to dive, get to the island on a diving live-aboard, so you can spend a few days anchored near the island (it is uninhabited, has no facilities to stay, and in fact, landing is not permitted).
—Sunil Bakshi

#10 KURUKSHETRA, HARYANA

Statue of Arjun at Arjun Chowk in Kurukshetra (Image by Giridhar Mamidi CC BY 3.0)

Also once called Dharmashetra–the battleground of the epic war between the Pandavas and Kauravas–Kurukshetra is like a live museum of Mahabharata with sculptures of Arjun, Krishna on his chariot and the epic-based names of places. For instance, Fort Amin, not too far, is apparently the site of Chakravyuh and is named after Abhimanyu. At Bhishma Kund, Arjun is believed to have shot an arrow into the ground to get water for Bhishma Pitamah; Krishna is said to have revealed the Bhagvad Gita under a banyan tree at Jyotisar. Visit the Sri Krishna Museum to view artefacts pertaining to the epic and watch its war scenes being scientifically demonstrated at the Kurukshetra Panorama and Science Centre. If you’re looking for moksha, bathing in the sacred Brahma Sarovar tank during an eclipse is supposed to lead you to it. And bathing in Sannhit Sarovar on amavasya is considered the equivalent of performing the ‘Ashwamedha Yagna’. Another must-do is the Bhadrakali temple, one of the 52 Shakti Peeths where Godess Sati's ankle fell. Archaeologists have also managed to unearth a Buddhist stupa here and some historians believe that Emperor Ashoka had made the original area of Kurukshetra, which was much larger, a centre of learning for people from around the world.
—Piya Bose Desai

#11 JAGDALPUR, CHHATTISGARH

Chhattisgarh brings to mind adivasis, naxals and red ant chutney. But in and around Bastar’s Jagdalpur city you’ll find amazing caves and waterfalls. Hidden deep in the forest, the 330-meter-long subterranean Kutumsar Cave is the world’s second largest natural cave. But it is pitch dark, so you can’t explore it on your own. For a small group, usually one guide leads from ahead and one follows behind. They carry special lamps for light to prevent fire or explosion, due to the natural gases present inside. This limestone cave is perennially cold and has stagnant water in some parts. At the end is a huge Shivaling-shaped stalagmite; tourists are not allowed beyond a certain area. Kailash Gufa, close to the city, is smaller, but has spectacular stalactites and stalagmites that look like pillars. Another must-see here is India’s largest waterfall, the Chitrakot Falls that plunge a 100 feet and can spread a 1, 000 feet wide.
—Pooja Bhula (With inputs from Pavan Shinde)

#12 & 13 SANGHOL, PUNJAB AND CHANDIGARH
When an Air Force officer discovered old gold coins near a mound in his village Sanghol, he got them verified for the date and to his surprise, found that they belonged to the Gupta period! Excavations followed and incredible ruins of several civilizations were unearthed from the time of the Harappans to the Mughal era. The oldest ruins include terracotta figurines, broken pottery and beads from Harappa, grey and black coloured fragments from a later period and finally two monasteries, a few stupas and coins from the Kushana period (including those from the reign of Samudragupta and Kanishka) the foundations of which can still be seen right in the middle of this inconspicuous agricultural village. From the same period,117 sculptures of the Mathura School of Art have also been excavated. On pillars and crossbars, women holding wine caskets and others breaking branches of trees to signify fertility are important discoveries. Other artefacts found were seals and coins from the Gupta period, Mughal dynasty and Central Asia. Other findings are displayed in Sanghol museum and the Chandigarh museum. This lesser know village, locally referred to as Ucha Pind, is  just 40 kms from Chandigarh.
—Piya Bose Desai

# 14 MAJNU KA TILA, DELHI

Representational Picture (Image by Getty Images)

The name itself conjures up imaginery stories in one’s mind–a place, perhaps a rock or hill (tila) dedicated to some hopeless romantic in history...Well, let these imaginations rest in peace, for, Majnu ka Tila was actually named after a kind Muslim hermit--‘Majnu’ for his eccentric ways and complete immersive search of God. Guru Nanak blessed him for his kindness and selfless service to mankind and a gurdwara was later built and named after him. Flanked by lackadaisical Yamuna river on one side, the gurudwara still stands tall, but the area around looks like its neighbouring colony, Little Tibet (officially, Samyeling New Aruna Nagar Colony). Tibetan refugees settled here after Dalai Lama moved to India. As soon as you enter, tattered fluttering prayer flags will welcome you through narrow alleyways lined with cafés and shops (selling various Tibetan curios, jewelry, wall hangings, souvenirs, T-shirts with Buddhist mantras and music CDs), run and managed by Tibetans. Besides Thukpa, you’ll also get the traditional Laping (a kind of handmade spicy noodle) to be eaten cold as a snack or with soup. It’s not uncommon to find ‘Free Tibet’ signages in every other corner. The sounds of gongs, Tibetan music, sights of monks in red robes or some traditional dresses and smells of Thukpa everywhere make you forget that you’re in Delhi. The two Buddhist Temples in the vicinity are worth visiting for their architecture, design and spiritual importance. The local monks are very friendly and if contacted, they will share their knowledge about the religion and nuances of Buddhist prayers with you. Majnu ka Tila is a perfect offbeat experience in Delhi and of importance to those interested in exploring its crowded narrow alleyways for the Tibetan life that thrives within.
—Richa Gupta

#15 MALPE, KARNATAKA
There is nothing more significant to life than feeling insignificant before the might and glory of that which surrounds us. Human's love for the sea is perhaps as old as his reverence for it and there is nothing better than a surfboard to bring both these together. Think of surfing and one remembers an insane blonde haired bloke taking on a monstrous wave in a beach filled with visibly non-Indian faces. Well, there’s good news and more good news--surfing is possible in India. And you can do it too! A good drive down the western coastline takes you to the beach-town of Malpe and because great things must necessarily be hidden, surfing happens at the wonderfully virgin shores of the closeby Kodi Bengre. Two young architect-turned-surfers Tushar and Ishita (Malaviya), India’s first professional female surfer, gave up their stencils for surfboards and started the fabulous Shaka Surf Club. They will teach you to surf, get tanned and get a life, provided you know how to swim. Both short and long courses are available. What’s more? You can gorge on local seafood delicacies, fresh toddy and play with the adorable dog Marley when you’re not battling the waves. Beware, surfing is a hobby you could get addicted to.
—Chirag Jain

#16 VISA TEMPLE, TELANGANA
On the banks of Osman Sagar, very close to Hyderabad, lies the ancient temple of Balaji called Chiklur Balaji Temple. While it has never had a dearth of devotees, in recent times it has gained popularity as a Visa temple. Apparently several students who wanted a seat in universities abroad found that their wish of obtaining a visa came true after taking the required number of circumbulations of Balaji in this temple. Ever since, this nickname has caught on and a lot of locals who want a visa, especially for the US, come here. You can gauge its popularity from over 137 reviews it has got on Trip Advisor; a majority (120) of the ratings fall between excellent and very good. People have appreciated several things about it from its vibes and calm to the discipline (also no VIP lines) and for not accepting any donation. Several bloggers have put up positive stories and testimonials too. A common complaint though is how crowded it is, but with this kind of popularity, crowding is inevitable. Want a visa? You can give it a shot, whether your wish is fulfilled or not, you're bound to have an interesting experience.
—Pooja Bhula (With inputs from Rohan Kotapally)

#17 MON, NAGALAND

Skulls of animals (Image by Preethi Anirudh)

300 km from Dimapur, sitting on the Indo-Myanmar border, is the Mon district, home to the Konyak tribe who were head hunters once upon a time. Still retaining a largely traditional lifestyle, men go hunting or make wooden carvings while women sit around a fireplace in the kitchen, cooking in pots suspended from the ceiling, weaving colourful shawls and conversing. Even today, you'll find skulls of enemies displayed outside the house of the Chui village's chieftain. Make a trip to Longwa village and make sure you visit the house of the 'Angh' or the hereditary chief. It is a very interesting experience as half his house lies in India and the other half in Myanmar! Some older men have traditional tattoos on their faces. During local festivals, particularly the one for spring harvest–Aoling Monyu, the locals adorn colourful shawls, headgears, and dance rhythmically with spears. The best way to experience the place is through homestays.  Pork with bamboo shoots, wild boar and a swig of home brewed liquor makes for a perfect meal.  Only if you're really brave, try the fiery Naga chilly.  In some remote villages, you may feel less like a tourist and more the object of attention as hordes of villagers curiously come to check you out.
—Piya Bose Desai

#18 MURSHIDABAD, WEST BENGAL

Hazarduari Palace or Palace of thousand doors (Image by Debaditya Chatterjee)

Once the capital of Siraj Ud Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, Murshidabad is a treasure trove of neglected history. Hazarduari Palace or the ‘Palace of Thousand Doors’, the primary attraction here, showcases the rich heritage of the nawabs. Interestingly, in the mirror at the palace entrance you can see the reflection of everyone, except yourself. You must also visit the Kathgola palace to see the large metallic ball suspended from the ceiling at the entrance of the palace’s semi-open sit-out, where all movement miles away can be seen remove bracketed part. During an enemy attack, this gave the royal family enough time to escape through underground tunnels or prepare for counter attack. There is a lot to see in Murshidabad, but don’t miss out on Nashipur and Cossimbazar Rajbari–home of erstwhile nobility, Motijheel Masjid–on the banks of lake after which it is named, where pearls were said to be found, Nizamat Imambara–the tomb (one of the largest in India) of Siraj ud Daulah, the 17.5 feet long Jahan Kosha Cannon, Krishnath College, which has been styled like Oxford University and the Armenian church. A boat ride on the Bhaghirathi, while treating yourself to the sweet ‘Chana Pora’ is the perfect end to this fantastic experience.
—Piya Bose Desai

#19 MORENA, MADHYA PRADESH

Batesar Temple complex (Image by Piya Bose Desai)

Morena, meaning ‘home of peacocks’, has over 200 temples belonging to the Batesar temple complex, built between the 8th and 9th centuries. Found in complete ruins and used as dacoit dens, they were painstakingly reconstructed some years ago by the Archealogical Survey of India. A pair of stone lions guards the entrance of nearby Padawali fortress. The interiors of the central temple are covered with intricate mythological carvings and erotic carvings reminiscent of Khajuraho. The temple of Mitawali, also close by, sits on a hill and is one of the few surviving 64 Yogini temples that were known for Tantric mysticism. It is believed that architects of the Indian parliament took their inspiration from the design of this temple that has two concentric circles, set with columns. While in Morena you must try out its popular sweets--Gajak, Bedaai, Gujia and Pede. If you have more time, you should also visit Gwalior, only 40 km away. At the Gwalior Fort immerse yourself in history, spanning several dynasties,  at the Sound and Light show. Today, the fort houses several Buddhist and Jain temples, and intricately designed palaces. The imposing Jai Vilas palace, a must visit is still home to the Scindia family, whose ancestors once ruled Gwalior and the palace museum showcases Persian rugs, a silver train with glass wagons and much more.
—Piya Bose Desai

#20 ARANGOTTUKARA, KERALA
Don't expect the coast, don't expect the backwaters, don't expect the typical. Arangottukara near Thrissur is a tiny village in Kerala and trip here should be to feel, experience and participate in its folk dance. Vinod Nambiar, a software engineer who grew up here with traditional music and dance, which were never just 'performance pieces', but a part of life, a way of the village upbringing, felt a sense of incompleteness as the tradition began to die. He started the Vayali Folklore Group, bringing together the villagers–many of them carpenters, masons, daily wage labourers–to learn the folk forms over several years and managed to revive the tradition. The best part? They now welcomes travellers too. You could stay at one of the few hotels in the village or a traditional house that they give on rent; they're especially used to interns coming. You can spend a weekend (or more) here, watch the group perform around ten different types of folk dances pertaining to the village. While one depicts a fight between a demon and Godess Durga, another has performers holding a minitiature umberella in one hand and a fan in the other. You're encouraged to join, dance and feel the rhythm. You can also explore other interests like cooking local food with the locals, doing pottery and helping bell metal craftsmen in their work. To explore more, there are heritage walks, treks and fishing expeditions too!
—Chirag Jain

#21 NALANDA, BIHAR

Remains of the ancient Nalanda University

The world’s first residential university founded in the 5th century AD, Nalanda is going commence courses next month after a gap of 800 years! The revival project, in a building near the ruins, is being led by none other than Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and a group of eminent scholars from various countries. 62 km from Bodhgaya, this seemingly small, busy town crowded with shops, housing structures, traffic and push-carts has everything that represents the pulse of an Indian semi-urban town. But electricity problems and underdeveloped civic amenities cannot undermine the indisputable rich history of this town. Xuanzang, who stayed in the university in ancient past, reported an excellent education system and monastic life practice. It is said that Nalanda offered numerous subjects in Buddhist tradition like Sanskrit, medicine, economics... to about 10,000 monk students from all over the Buddhist world including Korea, Tibet, Japan and Turkey. Relive its past through its red-bricked ruins spread over about 14 hectares. A central pathway divides the complex into east, which has the viharas (resting place for monks) and west, which has the chaityas (complex of stupas). Also visit the Nalanda Archaeological Museum for a glimpse of the excavated discoveries--coins, pottery, terra-cotta jars, Buddhist and Hindu statues.
—Richa Gupta

#22 SVARAM, PUDUCHERRY

(Image by Svaram)

When you first look at Svaram's exhibits, you'll wonder whether you've accidentally stepped into a disneyland of musical instruments. Everything here strains the eye with pleasure–the larger than life 6-feet wind chimes hanging from banyan trees, the artistically cut block of granite, which is as much of a sculpture as it is an instrument and the therapeutic sound-bed with musical strings under the cot, which are plucked in a patterned manner to "let the vibrations heal your mind, body and soul". Svaram is an impressive little jewel tucked away in the remote utopian forests of Auroville. The founder of this institute is the wonderful French musicophile Aurelio; he spent three decades experimenting with materials and crafts in India to identify and create interesting new musical instruments. Svaram engages deeply with local communities and over the years has trained several young, local talents to become skilled craftsmen. Checkout their exhibitions space and if you like creating music too, buy any of these exotic instruments. Their event calendar will tell you of interesting artistic collaborations or shows that they may be hosting at the time of your visit. This is the ‘Incredible’ in Incredible India. Hands down.
—Chirag Jain

#23 IMPHAL, MANIPUR
To herald Manipur as an ideal tourist destination would be a spurious exercise in disinformation. The media often portrays Manipur as a state embroiled in strife, characterized by insurgency, outbreaks of violence and a tenuous relationship between the Indian state and its many, sometimes internally divisive, communities and tribes that inhabit the area. However, looking at Manipur from this myopic lens would beggar us the opportunity of experiencing the distinct cultural and natural cornucopia that is Manipur. Its capital Imphal offers a lot to the inquisitive traveller. The city trudges along to its own unique rhythm and most of the streets are desolate after 8 pm, owing to the curfew imposed by the Indian army. Imphal’s Manipur Cycle Club, a group of fledgling bicycling and BMX enthusiasts, have successfully engineered a bamboo bicycle and fashion cycling ramps using locally available raw material. Most of the young BMX enthusiasts learn the ropes auto-didactically by watching videos of professional BMX events. The club also comprises of many environmental activists who believe that the citizens of Imphal should adopt the cycle as a means of transport within the city.
Walking through the bazaars of Imphal, where indigenous Manipuri herbs and the famous Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Chilli) are hawked, you will catch sight of an odd and distinctly foreign article—pirated Korean movies. In 2000, when the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) banned Hindi films and Hindi satellite channels in the state, the result was an influx of pirated Korean movies and television serials in Manipur, which only buttressed the rising popularity of Arirang TV, a Korean channel broadcasted in Manipur. This led to a cultural tectonic shift and now many young Manipuris adopt Korean fashion and are nurtured on a diet of Korean entertainment, making Bollywood and other regional film industries subdued outliers in the Manipuri milieu.
—Satyavarat Krishnakumar

#24 SHEKHAWATI, RAJASTHAN

Beautiful frescoes, Intricately designed (Image by Richa Gupta)

A two and half hour drive from Jaipur (7 hours from Delhi) will bring you to a semi-arid landscape sprinkled with khejri scrubs and home to largest concentration of frescos in the world, the region of Shekhawati. Comprising of districts like Jhunjhunu, Sikar and Churu, Shekhawati is like an ‘open-air art gallery’ with fresco-walled havelis, intricately designed step wells (the best one, Mertani Ji Ki Bawari in Jhunjhunu, has hundreds of staircases and several cells and corridors, where passerby would rest in shade after having fresh water.) and dominating forts made by Shekhawat Rajput rulers and marwari merchants.  Haveli were to marwaris, what forts were to Rajputs—a matter of pride. Rich paintings on walls were first introduced by Rajputs in their forts and were soon adopted for havelis by the merchant community, who started flourishing during 18th century due to build up of trade between the Middle-East, China and India. Huge sums of money were spent on frescoes, which were initially painted using natural dyes like kajal (lamp black) for black, safeda (lime) for white, neel (indigo) for blue, geru (red stone powder) for red and kesar (saffron) for orange; these were later replaced by chemical dyes with the advancement of British in 19th century. The eclectic paintings drew inspiration from several mythological and contemporary subjects ranging from Hindu Gods to British Raj scenes and trains to gramophones. It’s a pure delight to see them. Many of the havelis have now turned into heritage hotels. Nawalgarh and Mandwa are not only good bases to explore the region from, but also have some of the best frescoes. Like Aath (eight) Haveli Complex, Jodhraj Patodia Haveli, Bansidhar Bhagat Haveli and Chokhani Haveli. Also explore here the colorful bazaar to see the local life move on. In Mandawa, a must-see is the fort-turned-hotel Mandawa Castle. Fatehpur, Mahansar and Dunlod are also great places to explore the local architecture and intricate paintings of Shekhawati.
—Richa Gupta

#25 DAMAN, DAMAN AND DIU

Church in Daman (Image by Piya Bose Desai)

A three hour train journey from Mumbai brings one to Vapi, the closest railhead to the little Union Territory of Daman. While you may have heard and possibly even visited the place for its cheap liquor, plan your next trip there to explore its vibrant Portuguese heritage. You'll be treated to old Portuguese houses, churches and forts, from where you can watch and listen to the sea. It makes for a perfect weekend getaway if you're in Mumbai, Surat or Baroda, possibly even Ahmedabad. Besides housing the church of Our Lady at Sea and a quaint cemetery, Fort of St Jerome offers a lovely view of the river dotted with colourful boats. From the top of the fort you can also see Moti Daman and a towering lighthouse, which looks especially pretty at sunset. Built in the 16th century, the massive fort of Moti Daman is still in use–it houses all administrative buildings pertaining to the Union Territory. Take a tour of the large, ornate Portuguese churches of Bom Jesus, chapel of Our Lady of Rosary and church of Our Lady of Angustias inside the ramparts and forts that boasts of ten bastions. Food lovers should try out the excellent seafood, especially the local delicacy Dara fish.  Daman is a shopper’s paradise--you can buy  imported chocolates, shoes and clothes at reasonable prices from the foreign goods market.
—Piya Bose Desai
 
# 26 DALMA HILL, JHARKHAND
An hour away from India’s first steel city Jamshedpur lies Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary. A network of hills, valleys and fields it is home to the barking deer, sloth bear, leopard, hyena, wolf, porcupines and most famously wild elephants that are notorious for running down the hill and trampling through nearby villages. Head to the museum and rescue centre for deer at the base of the hill, envy the elephants of the forest department lazing around and drive or a trek up the hill to the forest of sal, mahua and gamhar. For spotting rare birds and animals a visit to one of the many watering holes will afford you the best chance. Visit the open shrine of ‘Dalma Mai’ and walk up to the Shiva and Hanuman temple at the summit. Several dams here date back to the colonial times, when the area was used for coffee and indigo plantations as well as gold prospecting. For an overnight stay on the hill, the Dalma guest house is the only option and on your way here from Jamshedpur you'll pass villages that will give you a glimpse of the culture of the Santhals, India's largest tribal/adivasi community.
—Piya Bose Desai

#27 NONGKHNUM ISLAND, MEGHALAYA


At Nongkhnum Island you'll find forests, meadows, waterfalls, lakes and best of all bliss (Image by Pooja Bhula)

As the approach road to this island is not the best, until this May, when the state government organizing here the first spring break festival—complete with motocross, beach volleyball, a flower show, fancy dress competition for children, ethnic food spread and indigenous fruits wines—even most Shillongites may not have been to Nongkhnum. Although the festival sounds like a lot of fun, a visit to the island should require no occasion. Take your car to Nongkhnum’s beach or if you care for a trek, then start at the other end of the island near the Weina Falls. Although it is not as mighty as several other falls in India, as the water gushes down, rainbows constantly form at its end before it sinks into the ravine below. Watch in wonder and once you’ve had your fill, take the walking bridge to the island. In several parts it is so completely deserted that you feel like you’ve reached land’s end and there’s only the sky, the meadows and you. You may spot a herdsman walking far behind his cattle, lost in his own music or a lady tending to some chore. The locals seem so united with nature, like it’s an extension of them. Inspiring, no? At every step the island has something different to offer, look here--it’s a rocky terrain outlining the emerald river water, look there--the thickets are a maze… deep gorges, more waterfalls and now the at the end, the sandy beach. The water has decided to be calm and wear blue. Open your backpack, bring out the snack, talk or don’t. Just listen to the universe. This is bliss.
—Pooja Bhula

#28 AGARTALA, TRIPURA

A city that once wooed Rabindranath Tagore and nurtured the musical genius of Sachin Dev Burman, Agartala bears a sharp contrast to the rest of the Northeast. Situated right next to the India-Bangladesh border, it stands apart from the hilly, verdant topography that characterizes most of the ‘Seven Sisters’. Its proximity to Bangladesh also means that it possesses a distinct Bangla/Bengali flavour and explains why Tripura is one of the few states in the North East where the migrant population (primarily Bengalis) grossly outnumbers the indigenous population. The city has the charm of a township with its unhurried and leisurely rhythm. The initiative to transform Agartala into the city it is now, from the hamlet that it had been, was taken up by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur in the 40s. And for better or for worse, Agartala hasn’t undergone any rapid modernization since. The relic of its regal past is best embodied by the Ujjayanta Palace, which is a pastiche of various architectural idioms with its Timurid domes and neo-classical design. The Agartala railway station is also designed in a similar fashion and gives you the harmless delusion of finding yourself in the ornate set of a baroque period film. One can get away with one’s quiet delusions in this town.
—Satyavarat Krishnakumar

#29 KHAMBAT, GUJARAT

Diving at Gulf of Khambat to find ruins of the older cities (Representational Image by Shutterstock)
 

Comparable with Atlantis in the west and Dwarka closer home, Khambat has been submerged several times and what you see of it today is the new city built over several old cities. A tangible proof of this lies in its over 100 Jain temples (in Kharvada mohalla alone), built one over the other such that the new ones are at ground level and the remnants of the old temple are below it in the basement underground. Some such temples were accidentally found, leading to more excavation and discoveries. This also makes it interesting for pilgrims as they can see how the religion has evolved by comparing the old idols--having nails, hair and normal eyes, with the new ones that have metal or glass eyes, long earlobes, no nails and long hair, transforming their look from human to more god-like. Just ask the rickshaw wallas, they’ll take you on a mini tour too. Explorations for other kinds of ruins are also on at the Gulf of Khambat. The city itself is fascinating, it has the feel of a magical, old, wind-swept town covered in wisps of sand. Old houses line its streets with intricately carved wooden doors and balconies with beautiful balustrades and brackets. People here are simple and content and the beach city, once known for its royalty and later its trade, lives at its own slow-paced clock. Back in the days, school children would go to school on the back of a bullock cart. The city is just gorgeous!
—Yashraj Jain

#30 DHA-HANU, JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Dropka woman in colourfull traditional clothes (Image by B R Sharma)

About 160 km east of Leh, lie the villages of Dha and Hanu. Perched on a ledge and overlooking the Indus gorge, at Dha (or Dah) you’ll meet the Dards, believed to be of ancient Indo-Eurpean descent and often locally referred to as ‘Aryans’. Walk through the orchards and narrow village alleys or buy some of their yummy apricot jam from their homes. Another interesting people--the Caucasian looking Drokpas or Brokpas have Tibeto-Mongoloid features. They dress in colourful clothes, sometimes don interesting headgear and the women embellish their hair with flowers. They are both ethnically and linguistically different from Ladakhis. Locals are happy to pose for a picture, if you are courteous enough to ask. Dha’s ‘twin’ village,  Hanu is not far from here, but to explore this lesser known region of Ladakh you’ll need an Inner Line Permit (ILP), easily obtainable from your local agency in Leh. With only a few guest houses open in the peak season, from June to September, accommodation is a challenge, but you can always camp here for a night to experience the region.
—Abhik Dutta


#31 MANA, UTTARAKHAND

At Mana you feel like you can almost touch the mountains (Image by Pooja Bhula)

Just 3 km from the temple town of Badrinath, Mana is as interesting as it is beautiful. It is the last village in this part of the country and shares its border with Tibet. The locals say their language is similar to Chinese. As you walk around the narrow lanes of village, locals consisting of the Bhutia tribe will spontaneously help you with directions. Tiny streams may join you anywhere on your path, from music and shawls to groceries junk food packets, the little shops offer a lot of variety. Definitely keep some space in your stomach, they make the best Maggi and also good chai. You might see a bunch of women out in the open space with their handlooms or doing knitting work; Mana is known for its shawls. Due to extreme temperatures in the cold months, they live in here only for six months and migrate to Gopeshwar once winter sets in. The village is so high up that you feel the mountains are just a touch away. It’s a wonderful experience and so is visiting different caves like Ganesh Gufa and others that form an important part of the Hindu mythology. The 5321-year-old, Vyas Gufa (cave), is where Rishi Ved Vyas is said to have composed the Mahabharat. Bhim Pul (Bhim’s bridge) was built when he lifted a huge rock to help the Pandavas cross river Sarawati. Glassy blue falls gushed near it and mountains smoke fog beyond the stone houses.
—Pooja Bhula

#32 DUDHNI, DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI
Dadra and Nagar Haveli? Where’s that. You’ve heard of it? Then it’s possibly because of Silvassa. Dudhni is just 40 km from there. Surrounded by forests, the route to Dudhni is very beautiful. Little streams are aplenty. You’ll be tempted to stop and click pictures, don’t stop yourself. You will also cross houses of the local tribe, you can spend some time with them and get to know about their life and lifestyle; such experiences always make trips more memorable. At your destination, the lovely take a Dudhani lake go for boat ride. It’s the best way to explore it up close. Accomodation options include several resorts, which are fairly luxurious and some also facilitate water sports like jet ski, speed boats and guess what? Shikara’s too. If you’re into wildlife, there’s deer park 20 km away at Khanvel; it has a variety of deer species and in abundance too. You’ll probably find them at every 50 meters.
—Lloyd D'Souza

#33 GURUDONGMAR LAKE, SIKKIM

Gurudongmar Lake (Image by Kulin Shah)

Head north from Gangtok towards Mangan, and the road snakes through beautiful valleys, pretty villages and gushing waterfalls. At Chungthang, the road bifurcates; the right takes you to Lachung and the Yumthang valley, while the left hurtles towards Lachen, a small village about six hours from Gangtok, at 2,750 m. Spend the night at one of Lachen’s guesthouses and start the three-hour journey to Gurudongmar Lake, early next morning. Look out of the window to see the enchanting valleys of Thangu and Chopta. Nestled among the snow-capped peaks of the Eastern Himalayas, and a few kilometers from the Chinese border, at 17,000 ft, this lake is one of the highest in the world. Manned by the Indian Army throughout the year, it remains frozen from end-October to end-March, after which the snow thaws revealing blue waters in an otherwise desolate terrain. Sikhs and Buddhists revere the lake because of legends associated with Guru Nanak and Guru Padmasambhava. A Gurudwara on the banks of the lake is adorned with prayer stones and flags erected by the devout. If the lower oxygen levels haven’t left you dizzy, explore the lake. May to June and end-September to early- November are the best times to visit; later, the route gets blocked by snow. Get an inner line permit for this region from Gangtok.
—Abhik Dutta

#34 ZIRO, ARUNACHAL PRADESH

People of the Apatani tribe with traditional tattoos and western clothes (Ajay Jain)

The closer you get to Hapoli, Ziro's main town, plains give way to a hilly terrain, the temperature drops, the crowd shrinks, the air is cleaner and an awe-inspiring landscape emerges with a variety of ferns, orchids and rhododendrons growing in the wild amidst dense green forests. To experience the traditional Apatani (the main tribe of Ziro) way of life, Hong is where you should stay; the deserted village comprises dense settlements of bamboo houses on stilts. Concrete ones have begun to make their way in other villages. The saying, 'people make a place' truly applies here–Apatanis are among the few in the world to worship the sun and moon and are famed for their unique, sustainable farming and social forestry. They've developed efficient canals and channels and a way tocultivate rice and breed fish in the same farmland. Every inch of the farm is productively used; all this without use of machines. Innovation has earned the Apatani Cultural Landscape a place in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for “extremely high productivity” and “unique” way of preserving ecology. Their ancestors also discovered a way of making salt with the ashes of an indigenous plant. Older women still wear nose plugs and have tattoos running from their forehead to their chin. But modern influence prevents youngsters from doing so. March sees the month-long Myoko festival—residents of villages hosting it keep their homes open 24 x 7 to one and all! Walk in, chat with the hosts, enjoy the rice beer and local delicacies.
—Richa Gupta

#35 NAGARJUNA SAGAR DAM, ANDHRA PRADESH

There are dams all over India, what's the big deal about this one you may wonder. About 150 km from Hyderabad, Nargarjuna Dam built on River Krishna is not only one of the oldest dams in India, but interestingly it is also a masonry dam, constructed with stone. What's more, it's one of the tallest masonry dams in Asia. It's best to visit when the dam is open and watch water gush from this man-made marvel. You can actually see where the individual stones are meeting and how they have remained intact all this time to aid irrigation and electricity to several places in the region. In the middle of the lake is Nagarjuna Kond (Island), which houses remnants of Buddhist ruins that were excavated around the time the dam was built. A larger boat that generally carries about 30 people will take you there. From here the serene and secluded Ethipothala Falls and Srisailam Tiger Reserve are also not too far and worth a visit.
—Pooja Bhula (With inputs from Harshit Trivedi and Rohan Kotapally)

#36 AIZAWL, MIZORAM
A Mizo origin story postulates that man was only created to eat the abundant fruit of the green earth. Nestled in verdant hills, Aizawl seems to be a place where mankind is merely incidental in the grand picture, where civilization is just an afterthought. It is really just a quaint hamlet posturing as an important city--the streets are narrow, the houses are made of wood and although the people don the latest fashions, they possess the grace and hospitality of a noble and hardy mountainous community. Their agricultural techniques too reflect the wisdom of their ancestors.
Walking through the various markets, the city’s most buzzing places, you can buy various handicrafts, clothing and other indigenous products, usually made of bamboo—including traditional bamboo reed headgears that the elders still wear. At the very heart of the hamlet is the Mizoram State Museum, an ideal place for the uninitiated traveller to delve in to the wealth of the history and culture of Mizos. The Solomon Temple, a sacred site for the state’s thriving Christian community, is also worth a visit. It embodies the grandeur of a heavenly overlord and extols the virtues of austerity with its interesting architectural design. However, discovering the real charm of Aizawl involves getting around on foot and enjoying the bounties of nature. As Mizo origin story makes it very clear, man was only brought here to eat the fruit, so go ahead, dig in!
—Satyavarat Krishnakumar

Coordinated by Pooja Bhula