Source : Navbharat Times
India is a
land of different cultures, food, traditions, and many other such things. But
there is another aspect of this Incredible India that is often overlooked, and
that is the mysteries and tons of
secrets that it holds, which are awaiting discovery.
Nowadays,
more and more people are looking for destinations off the usual routes and discover
the secrets buried in this incredible place called India. If you are tired of
the known tourist places, wish to avoid crowds, explore the raw natural beauty, and
are seeking to get away to a new unknown place, try these offbeat destinations
that will give you an experience of your life and leave you with some
cherished memories. India has several unexplored bizarre places which will leave you awestruck. I have listed some
of these mysterious places in India here that are worth a visit:
1. Roopkund
Lake, Uttarakhand
Roopkund Lake, known as 'Mystery Lake’, is situated at an altitude of 5,029 meters, in the Himalayas. It is also commonly known as the ‘Skeleton lake', as the name suggests, one can see hundreds of scattered skulls and skeletons lying at the bottom of the lake, which makes for a distinct natural spectacle when the snow melts. Roopkund, the mystery lake is surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers and snow-clad mountains. The lake is about two meters deep and invites hundreds of trekkers and pilgrims every year. Pilgrims attend the Nanda Devi Raj Jat that takes place once every twelve years at Roopkund, during which Goddess Nanda Devi is worshipped.
2. Bada Bagh, Rajasthan
Bada Bagh in the local language means a ‘Big Garden’, but this place is more than a garden. Amidst the beautiful sand dunes and majestic desert of Jaisalmer, in this ‘Big Garden’ there are many royal ‘chhatris’ or cenotaphs built in the memory of a member of a royal family who passed away. However, in the 20th century, the death of the son of Maharwal Jawahar Singh, who was building the cenotaph for his father, was considered being bad luck and the tradition was discontinued.
When to Visit: The best time to visit Bada Bagh would be between October to March
3. Tawang,
Aruunachal Pradesh
Surrounded by snow-covered mountains ranging from 3500 feet to 22500 feet above sea level, and at a height of 10000 feet, the scenic town of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh comprises the charm of North East India. It is known as the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama. Whilst there you may visit the Tawang Monastery, one of the oldest and largest monasteries in India, and Taktsang Gompa for bliss. The monastery is an important pilgrim center for the followers of Buddhism. Tawang is famous for its beauty and offers one of the best offbeat vacations in India.
When to Visit:T he best months to visit are March to June, September and October.
4. Majuli,
Assam
Majuli is a picturesque, lush green, and pollution-free world’s largest river island in the mighty River Brahmaputra, a river island in Assam. This island is so isolated and cut off from the rest of the country that it is accessible only by ferries, that too during daylight hours. Majuli, mostly inhabited by tribals, is one of the strong contenders of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of those places you must visit once in a lifetime. This island is said to be fast disappearing, so visit while it is still there.
When to Visit: Best time to visit Majuli island will be during the Raas Festival of Lord Krishna which is held during the full moon in the month of November.
5. Hemis,
U.T. of Jammu & Kashmir
Hemis Festival ( Mask Dancers)
Ladakh itself is relatively offbeat and unexplored because of its topography, favoured only by adventurers. One of the less talked about places in Ladak, Hemis is a beautiful place surrounded by snowcapped ranges all around and can stun you with its natural beauty. You can pay a visit to the Hemis Monastery( Gompa) and also experience the Ladakh culture in the form of the two-day Hemis Festival(Mask Dances), one of the major attractions here. In case you are a wildlife lover, you can see the endangered snow leopard at the Hemis National Park. The best time to visit Hemis would be around the Hemis Festival, which can be either June or July.
When to Visit: The best time to visit Hemis would be around the
Hemis Festival, which can be either June or July.
6. Champaner,
Pavagadh, Gujarat
7. Ziro,
Arunachal Pradesh
Ziro, one of the most beautiful places in Arunachal Pradesh is a beautiful offbeat destination in India. It is renowned for its terrace paddy fields, floating puffy white clouds, and inhabited by the Apatani tribe. One can enjoy the beauty of beautiful green patches of rice fields as far as one can see. It is famous for the Ziro Music Festival, which offers an opportunity to the talents and music of North East. It is included in the Tentative List for UNESCO's World Heritage Site for the Apatani cultural landscape.
8. Khajjar,
Himachal Pradesh
Khajjar a hill station in Himachal Pradesh, at about 6500 feet above sea level, and known as “Mini Switzerland of India”, is an offbeat town. The beautiful town is surrounded by hills, meadows, and forests. Khajjiar sits on a small plateau, with a small stream-fed lake in the middle, amidst cedar forest. It is famous for the popular Khajji Naga temple dedicated to the serpent god and there are some snake idols inside. The temple also has idols of Shiva and Goddess Hadimba. Khajjiar can be easily visited throughout the year, the summers are pleasant while the winters come with snow.
When to Visit: Khajjiar can be easily
visited throughout the year, the summers are pleasant while the winters come
with snow.
9. Bhangarh – Rajasthan
If you love to visit haunted places, Bhangarh Fort is the one for you. Bhangarh is considered to be the most haunted fort in India. Entry into Bhangarh is restricted after sunset, as according to some there are ghosts in Bhangarh. It is said that when the princess refused to marry him, a Tantrik Singhia cursed the princess, her family, and the entire village around the Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan. This curse is the reason why Bhangarh Fort is haunted as no one in the village or fort could be reborn and are doomed to roam the place.
10. Patan, Gujarat
Patan in Gujarat has had an old history, with several Hindu and Muslim dynasties
making it a thriving trading city. Patan is a spiritual city and contains
many Hindu and Jain temples as well as mosques, and dargahs, and stepwells.
Ran Ki Vav stepwell, of more than 1000 years, being the most prominent one and is one
of the newest addition to India’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 11th century,
this grand step-well of Maru-Gujarat architectural style is designed as an inverted temple
as obeisance to life-giving water.
Patan is also quite famous for Patola sarees, one of the finest handmade textiles in the
world.
When to Visit: October to April is the ideal time to visit Patan
11. Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
At 3352 to 3658 meters above sea level, one of the most beautiful offbeat places one can visit in India is the Valley of Flowers National Park in Uttarakhand. It is blessed with indigenous mountain flowers, insects, and butterflies. In the rainy season, the valley looks like a carpet of flowers as almost 300 species of flowers in every possible shade bloom in the valley. The area is also home to many rare and endangered animals like the Asiatic bear, Musk deer among others. The valley can be reached only by trekking.
When to Visit: It is
open only during summer from June to October as you can see the valley in full bloom
with flowers.
Inputs & pics courtesy Google, Unsplash, Navbharat Times, envigblogs.com,oyorooms.com
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