Must See Places in India-Top 10 Must See Tourist Destinations in India

The moment you set foot on Indian soil you are sure to be attracted by the flora and fauna of this holy land. Here the vast nature is ready to offer you her bounties; at the same time you are sure to win a soft corner in the hearts of the people who have been living on this soil bubbling with the passion of age old customs, creed, rituals and vibrant friendliness. Coming to India if you don’t forget to visit the must see places in India you are sure to be blessed with the grace of the nature here as well as the loving hug of the people who carry the Indian heritage since time immemorial.

1) Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir)

Srinagar

The moment you set foot in India you have to land first on the soil of Srinagar one of the must see places in India, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Situated on the lap of the grand Kashmir valley, nurtured with the loving care of the ripples of the Jheelum River Srinagar is inhabited by various kinds of ethnic group of people. Srinagar is specially noted as the city of lakes and house boats. If you are an ardent admirer of art you may have a glimpse of the Kashmir handicrafts.

 Must See Places in Srinagar

•  Dal Lake
• Wular Lake
• Nagin Lake
• Chasme Shahi
• Temple of Sankaracharya
• Hari Parbat
• Hazratbal Shrine
• Nishat Bagh
• Shalimar Bagh
• Jama Masjid

Best Time to Visit Srinagar

It is better to visit Srinagar from the months of April-October

How to Reach Srinagar?

You can easily go by air if you like. Srinagar Airport is only 14kms away from the city. The nearest railway station is Jammu, 290kms away. It is connected with different parts of India. If you wish you can opt for the spine chilling bus journey by the side of the gorges watching the beautiful nature casting a spell on you every time you cast a glance outside the window. Jammu is connected with Delhi and the surrounding areas by road.

2) Manali (Himachal Pradesh)

Manali

People who come from foreign lands never miss to visit Manali at least once as it is one of the must see places in India. Manali is ready to offer the tourists even the Indian residents who live far from the nature’s abundance the cool atmosphere that is absolutely a rare element in a sub tropical country like India. About 30,000 people live in this hilly town in the district of Kulu. Once, this town was the route to different places through the dangerous Karakoram Pass. The Pass is always covered now under thick snow most of the time in the year. Manali is associated with the ancient history of India as it is often told that great Seven Sages used to live here once in the by gone days.

You can enjoy in Manali after your heart’s content unending frolic and mirth vide different adventure games like skiing, mountaineering hiking, rafting, paragliding, trekking and obviously mountain biking along the precipices of the Himalayan ranges. Yak sporting is an exciting event in Manali. Besides, there are hot springs to offer you extreme coziness, religious temples to take to the land of ancient myths and legends of gods and goddesses and Buddhist temples where you are sure to bow before the Great Soul.

Manali is an ideal place for spending some precious moments tinged with the warmth of first love when you are newly married. As a spot for honeymoon Manali is an ideal must see place in India too. The ideal time to visit Manali is April to June and in the months of autumn.

Must See Places in Manali

• Naggar Fort
• Hadimba Temple
• Solang Valley
• Rahala Waterfalls
• Manikaram
• Kothi
• Rohtang Pass
• Vasisht Temple

How to Reach Manali?

If you want to go to Manali you can easily opt for the air services as the nearest airport is Bhuntar 50 km away from Manali.  You can not avail proper train services in Manali, one of the must see places in India, as the nearest broad gauge railway station is Kalka 310 km away. The narrow gauge one is Joginder Nagar 135km away from Manali.  Manali is connected with most of the parts of India via the national Highways.

3) Dharmshala (Himachal Pradesh)

Dharamsala

Once again you have to come down to a valley named Kangra where the picturesque town of Dharmshala rests surrounded by dense Deodar forest. You can enjoy trekking and different adventurous sports if you sojourn for a few days in Dharmshala one of the must see places in India.

The nearest village Mcleod Ganj is famous for the presence of Dalai Lama the spiritual Guru. Dalai Lama along with his disciples lives in this holy town.

Must See Places in Dharmshala

•  Bhagsunath
•  Bhagsunath Waterfall
•  Dal Lake
•  Masrur
•  Naddi
•  Triund
•  Mcleod Ganj
•  St John Church
•  Kunal Pathri
•  Dharamkot
•  Cricket Stadium

Suitable time to visit Dharmshala

April-June and September-November you can visit Dharmshala without any hazards.

How to reach Dharmshala?

You can reach there by air as the nearest airport Gaggal is only 14 km away. The nearest railway station is Pathankot 95km. From Pathankot you have to enjoy another train ride up to Kangra from where you can no other way than to opt for the roadway. The buses of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation ply daily from Kangra and different parts of the beautiful town.

4) Darjeeling (West Bengal)

Darjeeling

I request you once again to visit another hill station, but this time you have to come to the eastern Himalayas and to be overwhelmed with the beauty of the ‘Queen of Hills’, none other than Darjeeling where you have the chance to ride the World Heritage Site Darjeeling Toy Train recognized by UNESCO. From the ground level you have to climb at least 6,710 ft.

Actually Darjeeling is the brain child of the British rulers under whose rule India had to pass more than two centuries. They made Darjeeling their summer resort and engaged enough time in the cultivation of tea. As a result within a short period the tea of Darjeeling stole the hearts of the people who liked tea and since that period the tea of Darjeeling ranks in the top among all other teas produced in different other countries.

Tourists from different corners of the world flock here to have a glimpse of the town and the surrounding beauty of the hills and the Himalayan ranges. Once you come here never forget to have a glimpse of the sun rise from the Tiger Hill. If you are lucky you can view the most celestial sight of your life that can be framed in the core of your heart for ever once you set foot here one of the must see places in India.

People of diverse ethnic group live in the town of Darjeeling. They are Bengalis, Buddhists, Lepchas, Gorkhas, Bhutias, Tibetans and many more. The most popular food available in Darjeeling is the Momo.

Suitable Time to Visit Darjeeling

It is better to visit Darjeeling in the months March-May and September-November.

How to reach Darjeeling?

If you want to avail train journey you can do so easily. You have to get down at New Jalpaiguri Station (88Km) well connected with all the major cities of India. From NJP station you can enjoy the Toy Train journey along the Meandering railway track. At every moment you have to be scared lest the train derails and there is chance to be lost in the depth of the gorges beneath. But once you overcome the fear you are sure to enjoy the nature’s grandeur at the fullest.  You can go to Darjeeling by bus or hired cars and taxis via Siliguri. You have to cross only 90km.  The nearest airport is Bagdogra 95km.

Must See Places in Darjeeling

•  The Mall
•  Chowrastha
•  Observatory Hill
•  The Mountaineering Institute
•  Botanical Garden
•  Tiger Hill
•  Sandakphu and Phalut
•  Kurseong
•  Mirik
•  Kalimpong
•  Batasia Loop
•  Natural History museum
•  Zoo

 5) Goa (Goa)

Goa

Now you are requested to come to the close proximity of the soil and visit one of the must see places in India. If you want you can heave the sigh of relief as you have not to visit the hills now. Be ready to have a dip in the blue sea after your long tour in the hills. I shall take you to Goa, the smallest state in India in all respect by area and population respectively. It is actually located in the South West corner of vast India on the lap of the Arabian Sea. Goa is regarded the richest state in India. Panaji is the capital city of Goa but Vasco Da Gama is the thickly populated city here.

Goa remained for a long time under the Portuguese rule. In the year 1961 Goa won liberation and was annexed with India. Goa is famous for the sea beaches and world heritage places. Each year people from different corners of the globe come here to enjoy the fun and frolic after Goa’s own style, in the night clubs, beaches, casinos and festive occasions. Goa also is enriched with different rich flora and fauna and is one of the must see places in India.

Goa is ready to cater you all sorts of adventurous games related to sea and land. You can enjoy wind surfing, jet skiing, parasailing, scuba diving and water skiing.

How to Reach Goa?

If you desire you can come to Goa from Mumbai via NH-17.Within Goa you have no other way than to hire taxis or private buses. There are Government run buses too, Kadamba Transport Corporation that can take you to the remote areas of Goa. The most exciting transport to enjoy Goa tour is to hire motor cycles. You can hire them or ride on them driven by the “pilots”. While crossing the rivers or seas you have to ride on ferry boats.  Goa has two railway sectors, the Konkan Railway and the South Western Railway.  The only airport of Goa is the Dabolim Airport that caters international and domestic flights.

Must See Sea Beaches in Goa

•  Arambol
•  Candolim
•  Baga
•  Dona Paula
•  Bogmalo
•  Colva
•  Palolem
•  Verca

Places to Visit in Goa

•  St Anne Church
• St Michael’s Church
• Basilica of Bom Jesus

You can visit Goa anytime in the year but it is better to avoid the months of Monsoon, June and July.

6) Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu)

Kodaikanal

Now let us go to South India and climb the rock once again. You can be amazed to find why do I take you all the time to the mountain tops? Actually I think to look downwards atop the mountain is much finer as it comes to the mind that we have left the clatters and mundane shouts and appeals on the hard soil beneath. Again it is better to look at the beauty of the earth at the very close proximity of the soil looks awfully fine from the top of the mountain peaks. Don’t you think so? Hence I have taken you here one of the must see places in India.

Whatever it may be now we are in Kodaikanal that is located in the southern corner of vast India. The meaning of the place in Tamil goes thus “Gift of the forest”. Kodaikanal is one of the princesses of hill stations; there are a few more I think. Established as a refuge to avert the tropical diseases of the low land Kodaikanal bears the same status as a cool place to take refuge when you are dog tired in the heat of the soil. Kodaikanal is basically a spot that you have hardly visited in your life. Meadows and dales, valleys and lakes, rocky caverns and green pastures on the mountains, meandering rivers flowing after their own will- all have added a specialty to this place. In a word, if you come to such a place, one of the must see places in India, you are sure never to retreat to the human land once again.

Must See Places in Kodaikanal

•  Kodaikanal Lake
• Coaker’s Walk
• Bryant Park
• Bear Shola Falls
• Shembaganur Museum
• Solar Observatory
• Pillar Rocks
• Guna Caves
• Dolphin’s Nose
• Silver Cascade

How to Reach Kodaikanal?

The nearest airport is the Madurai Airport 120km.  The nearest railway station is Palani 64km and Kodai Road Station 80km.  From Chennai and Bangalore you can reach Kodaikanal on any vehicle by road.

Suitable Time to Visit Kodaikanal

April-June and September and October

 7) Coonoor (Tamil Nadu)

Coonoor

We are now in Tamil Nadu and once again want to have a plunge into the beauty of the South India. Located in an altitude of 1,800mt from the sea level Coonoor is an ideal place and one of the must see places in India for those people who want to spend a few days amid endless adventurous funs like trekking and rock climbing. We can easily go there if we get board on the Nilgiri Mountain Railways declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Once you are in Coonoor you can coin the fine chance of having a majestic view of the coffee and tea gardens in the plains of Coimbatore. You can have a panoramic view of the mighty Nilgiris raising their heads high to the sky from the Lady Canning’s Seat.

If you wish you can easily trek to Dolphin’s Seat 12km from grand Coonoor. You can enjoy the rainbow in the Law’s Fall when the Sun blazes driving away the mists that hang heavily on the sky. From this place it is possible for you to trek to Droog only 13 km away where you can dip delve into sweet reminiscences of the past having viewed the Pakkasuran Kottai a dilapidated fort made in the 16th century.

How to Reach Coonoor?

The nearest airport is the Coimbatore Airport approximately 80km from Coonoor.  The nearest railway station is the Mettupalayam 46km.You can also get down at Coimbatore Rly Station 80km.  Coonoor can be easily accessed by road from different major cities of South India.

Kousani (Uttarakhand)

Kousani

Please don’t mind as we have come once again to another hill station Kousani one of the must see places in India in the district of Almorah in Uttarakhand. But this time we have trekked along distance from the southern part of India to the Northern one. A comprehensive topsy  turvy tour but if you have to take the essence of the beauty of the must see places in India you have to bear the pain. Actually if you love the grandeur of the mighty Himalayas you can not but visit Kousani located at 1890mts.From this particular place you can have a quick view of the great Himalayan peaks like Panchchuli, Trisul and Nanda Devi provided the weather offers you the scope.

Kousani has such a mystique beauty that can not be described in words. Only a visit to this place one of the must see places in India proves it. Here along with the scenic grandeur of the surrounding places you can have a bird’s eye view of the total Himalayas. Based on two valleys Kousani is sure to offer you the charm that you have never tasted in your life. Simply unparallel is the panoramic view of Kausani, one of the must see places in India. Everyone who sets foot on the rocks of Kousani can not but love her.

How to Reach Kousani?

Pantnagar 177km from Kousani is the nearest airport. You have to hire taxis or Government buses to reach Kousani one of the must see places in India.  Kathgodam is the nearest railway station 142km.  If you want you can come to Kausani by bus or car or taxi from any major city of India.

9) Sunderbans (West Bengal)

Sundarbans

Now we have come closer to earth but amid the dense forest of the Sunderbans in West Bengal one of the must see places in India. Have you ever seen a mud clad crocodile basking in the sun all day long in an idle manner? Have you felt the warmth of a jubilant Chital Deer hopping past you to make you bewildered? Have you won the opportunity to have a sight of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger drinking water in a lake completely unalarmed? If your answer is no you have to come to this marshy land of Sunderbans, a World Heritage Site and the world’s largest sprawling estuarine forest.

It is the largest delta, covering an area of about 9630 square km, in the world thoroughly covered by the mangrove forest and saline water land. A land of about 54 small islands crisscrossed by different small and big rivers and rivulets once the den of the pirates now a perfect abode of the varieties of flora and fauna.

The moment you get on the land of Sunderbans one of the must see places in India, you are sure to be awed by the chirping of varieties of birds. The lone visitors you may face are the local commoners who thrive hard catching fish and collecting honey.

How to Reach Sundarbans?

You have to go by car or bus up to Sonakhali or Canning. Now you have to get board on the boat or steamer. You can be helped by West Bengal Tourism Department too. But you are forbidden to enter into the core area of the forest. From Kolkata Sonakhali is about three hours journey. From Sonakhali to the forest is about a three hour trip.

Must See Places in Sundarbans?

•  Lothian Island Bird Sanctuary
•  Tiger Project
•  Piyali
•  Ganga Sagar
•  Kalsdwip
•  Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary
•  Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project

10) Amritsar (Punjab)

Amritsar

Now we have reached Amritsar one of the oldest cities in India and one of the must see places in India. Amritsar is a holy city and is ready to welcome you cordially. The moment you are in Amritsar you are sure to feel awed noticing how the divinity and activity mingle together in a nice manner in the life of the people who reside here. As Amritsar is one of the religious centers of the world you are sure to feel how the Golden Temple showers on you the blessings of great religious saints who were born on the soil of India to make it holy in all respect.

The meaning of Amritsar is literally the ‘Holy pool of Nectar’. When you are walking along the roads of Amritsar you are sure to be swayed with pride and joy that the great city offers.

Must Sell Places in Amritsar

• Akal Takht is a five storied building made of white marble with the gold roof at the very top.
•  Amrit Sarovar is a large pure water pool that surrounds the Golden Temple. The moment you touch the water of the pool you are sure to feel a celestial divinity.
•  Central Sikh Museum is a must see in Amritsar
•  Durgiana Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga.
•  Jalianwala Bagh is a historical place where thousands of innocent Indian people were brutally killed by the British Force under the command of a British general on 13th April in the year 1919.

How to Reach Amritsar?

Amritsar is well connected by road with the major cities of India.  Amritsar is connected too with major cities of India by railways.  The nearest airport is Raja Sansi 11km from Amritsar. `

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