15 Places to Visit in India According to Mr. Amitabh Kant

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to the nation to explore 15 new destinations within India by 2022, many celebrities and industry leaders have spoken about this. Today, we bring to you the Top 15 list as shared by Mr Amitabh Kant (IAS), CEO NITI Aayog and Former Jt. Secy. Tourism in the Government of India.

These are the top 15 places to visit in India as per Mr. Kant-

1. Sundarbans

The Sundarbans, located in the low-lying delta of the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for being the largest mangrove forest in the world, the Sundarbans is unique due to the large biodiversity of flora and fauna found here. Sundarbans National Park is also known as the habitat of the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger. A trip to this one-of-a-kind place should definitely be on your bucket list! 

Read More: Things to do in Sundarbans

2. Ziro Valley

Pristine and green Ziro Valley in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh is not yet on the map of mainstream tourism. Offbeat travellers who visit this hilly paradise are struck by the stunning landscapes and the charming and friendly Apatani tribespeople that live here. Visit this World Heritage Listed candidate to understand what sustainable living in tune with one’s environment is all about. If you are planning a trip to Ziro Valley in the near future, then the Ziro Festival in September might be just the right time to do so!

3. Namdapha National Park

This National Park in Arunachal Pradesh is described as an ecological hotspot because of the extremely large variety of plant and animal species it contains within its boundaries. Not only is Namdapha popular with birdwatchers with nearly 500 species having been seen here, but it is also the only National Park in India where as many as four Big Cats (snow leopard, clouded leopard, leopard, tiger) can be seen–if you are extremely lucky!

Read More: Things to do in Arunachal Pradesh

4. Brahmaputra River Cruise

The mighty Brahmaputra River, one of the most famous rivers of Asia, has a number of legends and beliefs around it. One way to experience the true might of this river is to take a Brahmaputra River Cruise. A cruise can last anything from two hours (e.g. sunset cruise on the river in Guwahati) to multiple days. A multi-day river cruise would take you past riverside towns, islands like Majuli, National Parks, ancient temples and tea plantation centres. Truly, a cruise on the Brahmaputra River can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Book Your Flight to Guwahati

5. Zanskar Valley

One of the more remote corners of the Trans Himalaya region, the starkly beautiful Zanskar Valley is a lesser known part of Ladakh. This high-altitude cold desert is known for its ancient Buddhist monasteries, snow-capped mountains, glaciers and sparkling rivers. Adventure lovers will love Zanskar Valley for the variety of activities here such as trekking, camping, river rafting and biking.

6. Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tanjore

The ancient town of Tanjore or Thanjavur is synonymous with the Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and still a living temple. This 11^th century temple, constructed completely of granite during the reign of the famous Chola Emperor Raja Raja Chola, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This Living Chola Temple is one of the most important Shiva temples in South India, and definitely deserves to be on the Top 15 list! Here is an interesting fact about this temple – the tall main tower of the temple (Vimana) is 66m high and was the tallest structure in South India at the time. This was topped by placing a large 80 ton capstone on top of the tower – to this day, nobody knows how this feat was achieved!

Book Your Tanjore Holiday Now!

7. Bekal

One can visit Bekal, a small town in Kasaragod district of Kerala, for two main attractions – the fort and the beach. Bekal Fort, constructed in the 17^th century, is the largest and best preserved fort in Kerala. This seaside fort was controlled at various times by different rulers including Tipu Sultan and the British, and today provides an atmospheric ruined spot to explore. Bekal beach is a palm-fringed stretch of golden sand edged by calm waters, inviting you to spend some time watching the spectacular west coast sunset.

8. Mandu

The ruins of Mandu near Indore are a testament to the architectural brilliance of that period of our history. With its medieval monuments standing as witness to the famous love story between Prince Baz Bahadur and Queen Roopmati, Mandu attracts visitors from all over the country with its history and legends. Under Mughal rule, Mandu with its beautiful palaces and lakes served as a pleasure resort. Lovers of history and architecture will definitely enjoy visiting this heritage town.

9. Orchha

The medieval town of Orchha, set on the banks of the Betwa River in Bundelkhand, seems to have been untouched by time. This charming town has a rich collection of architectural gems from the 16^th century, including the Jahangir Mahal, cenotaphs that stand by the river like sentries, and a variety of living temples. Orchha is the only town in the world where Lord Ram is worshipped like a King instead of a God. Spend a weekend here, gazing at the lazy river, conversing with the friendly locals, strolling around the Chattris, and you might not wish to go back to your hectic life!

Book Your Orchha Holiday Now!

10. Badrinath–Kedarnath

The Badrinath shrine of Badrivishal is one of the ancient “Chaar Dham” spots and hence one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in India. Kedarnath, another scenic shrine located against the backdrop of the Kedarnath range, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. A combined visit to these two shrines, known as Do Dham Yatra, is a very popular pilgrimage for Hindus. A trip to these two sacred shrines is definitely worth adding to your Top 15 list!

11. Rann of Kutch

Located in a corner of Gujarat, the Rann of Kutch is one of the most unique spots in India. This is one of the largest salt deserts in the world, and offers ethereal landscapes to the visitor. At the Great Rann, you will find lunar-like surfaces of sparkling white salt stretching as far as the eye can see. The Little Rann, on the other hand, offers a wealth of endemic fauna and birdlife including various endangered species. The best time to visit the Rann of Kutch is the Rann Utsav, the annual festival held during the winter months.

Read More: The Rann Utsav

12. Badami–Aihole–Pattadakal

If you are fond of history, culture and architecture, then a weekend trip to the town of Badami in Karnataka will be perfect for you. With Badami as your base, you can spend a couple of days exploring the Early Chalukya architectural specimens in Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal. This unique architectural style of temple construction thrived between the 5^th and 8^th centuries, and was a fusion of the Nagara (North Indian) and Dravidian (South Indian) styles of temple architecture. Must-visit spots on this circuit include the Hindu and Jain cave temples at Badami, the huge temple complex at Pattadakal (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the ancient temples at Aihole.

13. Shekhawati

The colourful region of Shekhawati in Rajasthan came into prominence due to its location on a historic cross-desert trade route. The Rajputs of this region were prosperous, and constructed numerous temples, baolis and Havelis with beautiful frescos and paintings. Today, Shekhawati is synonymous with these frescoed Havelis. A visitor today will be charmed, not just by the intricately decorated traditional buildings but also by the legendary Rajput hospitality. Stay at one of the old palaces or havelis converted into heritage hotels, and feel like a royal – if only for a weekend!

Read More: Shekhawati Festival: Unearth Rajasthan’s Rustic Beauty

14. Auli

Auli in Uttarakhand is an emerging winter sports destination, popular with those interested in skiing. Visit between January and March if you are interested in learning to ski, or during the summer months if you wish to enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Surrounded by oak and pine forests and with the Nanda Devi mountains looking over it, Auli offers a peaceful retreat away from the madding crowd. Add this to your list of places to visit if you haven’t been already!

Book Your Auli Holiday Now!

15. Spiti Valley

The quaint and other-worldly Spiti Valley in Himachal is a place like no other. With its unique topography, snow-capped peaks, remote monasteries and serene landscapes, Spiti is bound to steal your heart. Whether you visit the highest motorable village in the world at Komik, the ancient monasteries of Ki and Kungri, the Kibber National Park or the lake Dhankar, you will come away awestruck and in love! Adventure lovers will enjoy the various trekking possibilities that Spiti presents. Remember, Spiti can be visited in the summer months only. That’s just another reason to add it to your Top 15 right away, isn’t it?

What do you think of this Top 15 list and #WhatsYour15? Where in India do you plan to travel next? Share with us in the comments section below, using the #MyIndiaMyTrips hashtag!