India is full of hidden gems that makes for the best tourist destinations( with very little tourists though). From pristine villages, dense frosts, adventurous treks and architectural beauties, there is a lot to be still explored in India. To feel lucky to be surrounded with places that you probably never knew existed, a trip to some these places is a must. And trust us when we say, travelling experiences like these is sure to reward you with lifetime memories. So here are seven of the lesser-known, untainted places of India for you to explore this year and to get away from the maddening crowd and city chaos.
1. Unakoti, Tripura
Unakoti is a beautiful Shaiva pilgrimage site in Tripura that boasts of numerous Shiva sculptures. Located some 178 km from Tripura’s capital of Agartala and 8 km from Kailasahwar town, Unakoti literally means one less than a crore. The entrance to this beautiful place is a stone gate. Pass through the gate and you are welcomed by magnificent neatly sculpted idols of Shiva. According to beliefs, there are 99, 99,999 idols and there are several theories about how these sculptures came into being. But whatever the theories say the fact that remains that these sculptures are stunning and because there hasn’t been too much promotion about this place, it still remains untouched and unspoiled by humans. Unakoti has an appeal and pristine allure that no other city has. The major attractions of this place are the sculptures of Shiva , Ganesh Vishnu, Hanuman and many others. Now that you know of this place, make it a point to visit and marvel the archaeological beauty of our country.
How to reach:
- To get to Unakoti, one can hire a taxi from Agartala, the state capital.
- Kailasahwar town is connected with flights from Agartala.
2. Gavi, Kerala
Situated in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, God’s own country, Gavi gained its popularity after it was named as one of the best eco-tourist spots. Every nature lover must visit this place for the untainted natural beauty that Gavi has. With a rich flora and fauna Gavi is also home to many endangered species including the Lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri Tahr. A paradise for bird watchers, you can also spot birds like woodpecker, kingfishers, hornbill and several others with a total of 269 different species of birds. Instead of visiting the regular tourist spots that are crowded, plan a trip to Gavi to know what we are talking of.
How to reach
- 28 km from Vandiperiyar ( a town on NH- 212) and 51 Km from Thekkady
- 160 km from Nedumbassery Airport Ernakulam and 199 Km from Madurai Airport
- 128 km from Kottayam Railway Station and 168 Km from Ernakulam Railway Station
3. Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand
A quaint hill station some 24 km from the very famous Mussoorie, Dhanaulti in Uttarakhand is known for its calm and serene environs amidst the mountainous forests of Deodar, Oak and Rhododendron. What sets it apart is the peace and quiet that seems to pervade the place thanks to the presence of very little little crowd. Though its fame comes from the neighboring tourist spots, the misty mountains and lush greenery spread all over makes Dhanaulti a must-visit place. The Dhanualti Eco-Park (pictured above) that houses many Deodar trees is a one place that you must visit when in Dhanaulti.
How to reach:
- It is 325 km from Delhi, an 8-9 hrs drive away
- Nearest railway station is at Dehradun, 66 km (41 min) away
- The nearest Airport is Jolly Grant Airport , Dehradun , 82 km (51 min) away
4. Netarhat, Jharkhand
‘Queen of Chotanagpur’, Netarhad is a beautiful hill station situated in Latehar district of Jharkhand. Covered with barren rocks, thick and dense forests and misty hills, Netarhat is a real hidden gem of Uttarakhand. This place is flocked by tourists who want to get a view of the most stunning sunrise and sunset. Magnolia sunset point is one place where you get the best views of nature. This region has a plateau which extends up to 6.4 km in length and is located on the Netarhat Plateau with many other popular attractions like the Upper and Lower Ghagri Falls. Netarhat is never brimming with too many people and hence for those who want to be away from the crowd, this place is an ideal choice.
How to reach:
- Located some 156 kilometres (97 min) on west of Ranchi, the state capital, you can take a cab to reach Netarhad
- The nearest station is Ranchi, at a distance of 110 kms from Netarhat
5. Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh
Situated in the Sutlej river valley in Himachal Pradesh, Kalpa is a small town which overlooks the mighty and beautiful Kinnaur Kailash mountain range. No less than a paradise, the mountain ranges are neatly covered in snow and as the sun rises from behind the peaks, it makes for a beautiful visual delight. A town that lies calmly on the lap of nature is a place that every nature lover should visit. The well known apple orchard of Kalpa just adds to the beauty. While you are in Kalpa, do take out time to visit the Buddhist Hu-Bu-Lan-Khar monastery where you can seek solace.
How to reach:
- Nearest Airport (267 km) and Railhead (244 km) is at Shimla.
- One can also reach Kalpa via Manali – Rohtang Pass – Kunzam Pass – Kaza (400 km).
6. Jorhat, Assam
One of the major cities of Asam, Jorhat is a gateway to upper Assam and also the state of Nagaland. Also famously known as the Tea capital, Jorhat has a rich cultural heritage. The largest riverine island of the world, Majuli Island (pictured above) lies at a distance of 20 km from Jorhat. Apart from the vastly spread picturesque scenic beauty, this place is also known for many tourist attractions like Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Bangalpukhari and many more.
How to reach:
- Jorhat Airport,is located at Rowriah which is approximately seven km from the city. Jorhat airport has flights to Kolkata, Guwahati and Bangalore as well.
- Jorhat Town Railway Station and Mariani Junction railway station are major stations of Jorhat.
- Jorhat is well connected with all major cities of Northeast. Auto rickshaws are the main mode of transport.
7. Har Ki Doon Valley, Uttarakhand
Har ki Doon Valley in Uttarakhand is a cradle-shaped hanging valley surrounded with snow-capped mountains and dense forests and hilly peaks. This place is an ideal spot for those who love adventures, The trek that starts from the Taluka village to the valley is the most exciting thing to do in this nature’s beautifully maintained valley. The trek passes through some of the remotest villages of Uttarakhand that still carry the charm of raw and natural landscapes. A must-visit, offering many trekking options, Har ki Doon valley should be visited by you at least once. You will get to see a little piece of heaven on earth.
How to reach:
- The best way to reach is from Delhi-Meerut-Roorkee-Dehradun-Mussoorie-Taluka and then trek to Har ki Dun.
NOW READ 10 places in India you must visit in 2015
Have interesting travel photos you’d like to share with us? Send photos from your travels to travel@corp.india.com, don’t forget to mention where you’ve shot the picture and get a chance to be featured on our website! So what are you waiting for? Hurry!
Have something to add to this story? Post your comments in the discussion board below; we will be thrilled to hear from you!
The post Top 7 lesser-known places to visit in India before the year ends! appeared first on Travel India.