By Sudha Mathew
I have never understood why monsoon holidays in India are not wildly popular with more travelers. With the first hint of moisture in the breeze around early June, people across India start dreaming about cooler weather and a chance to switch off the air conditioning. As the petal soft pre-monsoon showers flirt with the sun’s rays, everyone starts thinking of ways to enjoy the rains. For some, it is as simple as hot fried pakodas on a rainy evening while for some it means chasing the monsoon from Kovalam to Cherrapunjee. The wet season in India is a great time to plan at least a weekend away to enjoy this most wonderful of nature’s open-air shows. The number of things in favor of monsoon holidays far outweighs the points against it.
So why should you go on a monsoon holiday?
1. Lush greenery everywhere
2. No crowds
3. Rates drop steeply, unto 40% in some hotels.
4. Gushing waterfalls
5. With curtailed sightseeing or activity, it is the perfect relaxing getaway
6. Unbeatable combination of chai, a good book and raindrops on the windows of a cozy room.
Who wouldn't want to drive on this beautiful road?
Where can you do a monsoon holiday?
Best places to plan a monsoon holiday
KERALA
Think of Kerala and green vistas or dreamy backwaters are the first visuals that come to mind. Now imagine that beautiful verdant greenery multiplied by fifty. Sounds beautiful? It looks even better in reality! Whether you are watching the rain with a hot cup of tea in Munnar or in a heritage home in Alleppey or standing on empty Mararikulam beach, Kerala in the monsoon is a wonderfully rejuvenating destination. That’s why the ancient Ayurveda practitioners recommend monsoon as the best time to start treatments. And if you want to experience the majesty of nature first hand, you should consider visiting Athirapally falls which is in full flow between June and September.
Calicut Beach
GOA
Unlike Kerala, Goa is usually associated with sunshine and beautiful beaches. But the charms of the monsoon holiday are a well-kept secret amongst the residents. Goa does a Jekyll and Hyde act in the monsoon. It is hard to recognize the “party state” in its quieter and to me, far more beautiful avatar. The beach shacks will be shut and going to the beach in the rain is pointless but I can tell you that seeing Old Goa without the usual crowd is priceless.
Another reason to plan a monsoon holiday in Goa is San Joao. Named after St John the Baptist, San Joao falls during the rains in Goa and is celebrated with childlike revelry. People jump into wells, ponds and pools, wherever they can see some water.
Beautiful Goa after the rains
Nature puts on a splendid show
COORG
Abbey Falls Coorg
Coorg is a beautiful year round destination with a pleasant climate, green hills and great coffee. But the monsoon brings one big change. In the rains, Coorg has waterfalls everywhere you look. Small and big, waterfalls are the best reason to head to Coorg in the monsoon. Irrpu falls and Abbey falls are the most famous waterfalls in Coorg. But have you heard of Chelavara and Mallali falls? There are many more that can be seen only during the monsoon in Coorg. Stay at a cosy homestay on a coffee plantation and do a day trip to a waterfall.
MANDU
Mandu is beautiful when it rains
Mandu in Madhya Pradesh is an ancient hill fort that was fancied and fought over by many rulers over the ages including the Mughals. But the story that fascinates visitors is that of Baz Bahadur and his queen, the beauteous Rani Rupmati. One of the wars was fought because a commander of the Mughal army was charmed by the queen and wanted to capture her. She committed suicide rather than suffer dishonor. But in the monsoon, you are the one who will be entranced by the picturesque ruins of Mandu with its fine architecture framed by mist and verdant vegetation.
What should you pack for a monsoon holiday?
Tips for a monsoon holiday
1. Lightweight quick dry clothes and sturdy shoes. If you are going trekking, then pack good quality trekking shoes, as rock faces are slippery with moisture and moss.
2. Hand sanitiser and wet wipes to keep diseases at bay.
3. Avoid street food. Avoid salads and cut fruits unless you are certain they have been prepared hygienically. Have hot tea or coffee rather than fresh juice. Be careful of the water you drink. Most water borne diseases are contracted through food and water.
4. Carry basic medicines to nip a cold or cough in the early stage.
5. Carry mosquito repellent and wear long sleeved clothing at night.
6. A heavy-duty umbrella, raincoat, rainproof bag or luggage cover. A hairdryer will not just dry your hair but also small items that get accidentally wet like papers, currency.
7. Extra batteries for phone and camera in case they get soaked.
8. A good book and an iPod full of music
Umbrella not by Rihanna
Rain inspired romance
Photo credits
Driving in the rain and Beautiful Goa- https://www.facebook.com/goaexplorers
Calicut Beach - Bobinson
Umbrellas - Ranjith Shenoy
Romance in the rains - Maks
Mandu - Satyajit Chatterjee
Abbey Falls - Kaveri Jain
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Cheers
Sudha