Let me mention all the lovely places that I know of in India. I am leaving out the major cities that everyone knows of (I am an Indophile, as must be quite obvious to anyone who reads my posts):
Rajasthan
1. Chittorgarh - Vast rugged ruins of Mewari Fort. Story of Rani Padmini and Ala ud din Khilji is legendary.
2. Jaisalmer - Jewel in the desert (though apparently the desert is all gone now). The golden fort and
Patwon ki Haveli.
3. Udaipur – The city of lakes. Dripping with a sense of romance.
4. Jodhpur – Imposing fort.
5. Ranthambor – Tiger sanctuary
6. Jaipur – Several great palaces and the Jantar Mantar!!!
7. Ajmer – Khwaja Moin ud din Chisti’s Dargah...and nearby Pushkar, which was a hippie paradise.
........well, Rajasthan alone has so many places to see that it will take a lifetime I guess. The state has more palaces and
havelis than any other place in the world.
Kerala
1. Backwaters – supposed to be the best in the world. Houseboats, excellent food and beer. What more can a person want?!
2. Kovalam Beach – Favourite of the eat, drink and laze around crowd.
3. Munnar – Lush green tea gardens.
4.Thekaddy – Famous wildlife park.
5. Guruvayur Temple – Being an atheist not big on these things but apparently Indian temples are a must see just to know how many people live in India! The size of the crowds is unbelievable!!
....Kerala has the highest density of tourist places within an area this small. How did they manage to fit so many of them?
Tamil Nadu
1. Mahabalipuram – Famous for the chariot temples along the beach. The whole stretch of beach around the area is supposed to be heavenly.
2. Crocodile Park – No it’s not a zoo. I have seen photos. The place has so many crocs it will numb the senses.
3. Kanchipuram and Madurai – Old, old temple cities.
4. Ooty and Kodaikanal – Hill stations in the Nilgiris. Former known for tea plantations while latter for coffee.
....Don’t know much else about other places.
Ladakh
1. Leh – The capital city is as remote and exotic mountain place as any. Only Lhasa is more remote and exotic, I guess.
2. Pangong Lake – Other-wordly place, just like Mansarovar Lake.
3. Shanti Stupa – Buddhist Holy place
4. The rugged lanscape in general. Looks like another planet. People from KPK may not be too impressed. They are used to it.
5. Many, many Tibetan Monastries.
To be continued....
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Meghalaya
Siju cave, Meghalaya
This is awesome...I am speechless...