51 Offbeat destinations in India - Part II

Contd from Pàrt I

11. Freak out on the Frozen River Trek:

Image Source: Christophe Roudet – Flickr

Walking on the frozen river of Zanskar is an amazing experience for an adventure lover. Experiencing the thrilling walk on Chadar Trek in the windswept moorland of the Buddhist kingdom of Ladakh, where sub-zero temperatures fit. The frozen sheet is the only way out for Zanskaris during winter when all other ways are filled with heaps of snow.

Image Source: Partha Chowdhury – Flickr

It is also famous for winter trekking for all those dauntless people. On the way back are the ancient monasteries of Karsha and Zangla which pledge to heighten your imminent mysteries of this Shangri-la, a land and culture frozen in time behind the parapets of the Zanskar Mountains, stiffed between the mighty Karakoram and the Great Himalayan ranges.

12. Indulge in the gloriousGurez Valley:

The Gurez valley is a beautiful grandeur in the mighty Kishenganga River of Himalayan regions near Srinagar in northern Jammu and Kashmir, India. The place is one of the most edgily guarded as the high-altitude Line of Control that separates India and Pakistan here. Thankful to the topography of Gurez, which is on the Indian side, was closed till 2007 for security reasons.

[Check out Top 10 interesting Himalayas facts]

Dawar is the central township which will be almost buried under the snow for half the year, is completely sealed off from the outer world with no electricity, telephone or plumbing. The Valley is beautifully enveloped by the snow capped mountains, has its own unique flora and fauna to its credits. Himalayan brown bear and the snow leopard are the best examples for its diverse wildlife.

13. Khajuraho – The Temple of love:

Image Source: Dennis Jarvis – Flickr

The amalgamation of science, art of architecture and eroticism, Khajuraho is situated in India’s Tiger State- Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho oozes out the passion in the culture, dance, music, eroticism and other creative arts portrayed on the walls and towers of the temple which date way back to 11th century.

Image Source: Saad Akhtar – Flickr

This temple was built by the Chandela dynasty and is famous for its ‘Nagara’ style of architecture. The localities of the city believe that this temple was built to be the hub of tantric theology, which conveys that sex is an important part of human life and so is the attainment of “moksha”. Khajuraho is a small reticent village with not more than 3000 populace surrounded by the forestland and is a perfect example of the bold architectural statement which attracts tourists across the world.

14. Valley of Flowers,Uttaranchal:

Image Source: Alosh Bennett – Flickr

The great Himalayan range is the house of most exotic fauna and flora and is a popular meadow for endemic alpine flowers and dazzling natural beauty. The Himalayan ranges of Garhwal hills of Uttaranchal dwell the most charming Valley of Flowers National park which features the rugged and Rocky Mountain wilds of Nanda Devi National Park.

Image Source: Prashant Ram – Flickr

The park stretches over an area of 87.50 square kilometres and is the home to the rarest flowers ever found on Earth. Flowers such as orchids, poppies, primulas, marigold, daisies and anemones look exuberant and vivid. The medical plants such as Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Aconitum violaceum, Polygonatum multiflorum, Fritillaria roylei and Podophyllum hexandrum are also found in abundance.

[Explore the mesmerizing Kedar Kantha trekking adventure]

It is one of the best travel places in India [want to know why] and most startling experiences Mother Earth can offer  everyone who visits this place.

15. The historical platter –Orchha:

Image Source: sabamonin – Flickr

Orchha is a town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, was in the year 1501 by Maharaja Rudra Pratap Singh. Orchha lies on the seasonal island on the bank of the Betwa River, 15 km from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. The fort, enclosed by a fortification wall, stands a huge palace-fort, is coupled with buildings belonging to different times, and most remarkable of which are the Raja Mahal and the Jahangir Mahal.

Image Source: Dmitry Shakin – Flickr

The Ram Raja Temple is built on a quadrangle base and has an almost utterly plain exterior, reassured by foretelling windows and a line of fragile domes down the summit. Singularly beautiful specimen of Mughal architecture to be found here is the Jahangir Mahal. Another notable structure is an old temple from the 9th century called Chaturbhuj Temple, which is built on an enormous podium of stone.

WEST INDIA

The awe-inspiring festoon of highlands,the plains and the villages, provide the picturesque vista of the landscapes of West India. The most alluring experience of West India is for someone who has never seen dazzling sunsets and has only weaved dreams or drawn paintings thinking about the dusks and dawns.

The tribal lives of West India can get you to experience the edgy lifestyle existing centuries ago! It’s one of the best experiences India can offer. The Shetpal, Vadi, kila are few of the villages which can shower you with never-seen-before experiences.Temples, lakes, rivers, villages, valleys are some of the tranquil realm with the feeling of abundance and spiritual rejuvenation.

 16. Door-less Houses of Shani Shignapur:

Image Source: womenpla.net

Shani Shignapur is a village located about 35 km from Ahmednagar of Maharashtra. This village is known for its popular temple of Shani, the epitome of Hindu god of the planet Saturn who is worshiped with supreme reverence and devotion. The uniqueness of this small village is that none of the houses in this village has doors or even a door frame, including the commercial buildings, schools etc for safety.

This is the best offbeat destination in India. The people here believe that it is the blessing of the god that no crime ever happens in this village. The first of its kind in the country, the United Commercial (UCO) Bank opened a ‘lock less’ branch in the village taking note of the near-zero crime rate in the region in January 2011.

17. Karni Mata Temple – Jai Mata Di:

Image Source: Alexander Schimmeck – Flickr

Karni Mata temple is one of the popular and unusual holy shrines of India. This Temple is situated in the small town of Deshnok, in south of Bikaner, Rajasthan and is one of the famous offbeat destinations in India. During the 14th century it is believed that, Mata lived and performed many miracles during her life time and is an incarnation of Hindu goddess Durga.

Image Source: S. N. Johnson-Roehr (JR) – Flickr

The inimitable fact about this temple is that rats are considered to supremely auspicious and are taken special care to safeguard them as they believe that these rats are the children of the Goddess Karni Mata and are holy.

[Wanna visit this amazing temple check out our Rajasthan tour packages]

Out of all of the thousands of rats in the temple, sighting white rats are meant to be specifically holy as they are believed to be Karni Mata and her own sons.

18. The Levitating Stone at Shivapur – Dave Ja Vu’!!

Levitating Stone

Source: http://www.indiaghumonow.blogspot.com

Shivapur is a small place in Pune in Maharashtra which is famous for its levitating stone. According to the popular belief, Qamar Ali is a famous Sufi Saint and is renowned for its magical powers. 800 years ago a gymnasium existed on the place where the shrine now stands. Two huge stones were used by the wrestlers to exercise. Qamar Ali was always targeted by the other boys as he was not interested in all these.

[Wanna explore trekking in Pune]

Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh then proclaimed that only his name power can lift the stone and then declared that the large rock could be raised with just eleven finger tips touching it but only if his name was loudly called. Similarly the smaller rock could be raised by using nine finger tips. From that day onwards the stones could be raised in the same manner only by applying that formula!

19. Vociferous Vihigaon –Waterfall rappelling in Vihigaon falls:

waterfall rappelling

Source: http://www.picstopin.com

Rappelling over 120 feet of garrulous waterfall is one of those experiences every adventurous mind longs for! Canyoneering is one of those sports which has become famous all over the world. The Western Ghats have many waterfalls and flowing rivulets which are best suited for water rappelling. Vihigaon falls in Kasara Mumbai is one such nature’s gift to mankind.

[Check out the marvellous hill stations near Mumbai]

It’s a one-of-its kind of adventure that includes rappelling, down-climbing and river tracing in the midst of thick forest.  It’s the best way to overcome Acrophobia – The Fear for Heights! To experience the thrill of suspension at the height of about 100 ft and rappelling along side of water is one of the most incredible adventure experiences.

[Also check out 15 places for weekend trip near Mumbai]

20. Super deadly combination of food and ambiance – The New Lucky Restaurant in Ahmedabad:

New Lucky Restaurant India

Source: http://www.vagabondish.com/

There must be only a few fervent things that you imagine doing. Here is one such thing you wouldn’t have even thought of! Yes… We are now talking about The New Lucky Restaurant in Ahmedabad, a tea stall outside a centuries-old Muslim cemetery.

The graves are situated between tables and often topped with candles, and resemble green-painted concrete coffins. Business is brisk at the restaurant where the graves are scattered randomly. The graves are said to belong to a 16th century Sufi saint and the owner says that the graves are the lucky mascot for them.

Contd..... Part III