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An obelisk is a tall stone pillar that is square at the base and pointed at the top. It is generally erected as a monument or landmark or to commemorate an event. There are many important obelisks to be found around the world. Touriosity likes to bring to its readers a compilation of important attractions around the world. For those who find interest in Obelisks, this article is a compilation of 123 amazing obelisks around the world. 17th century 1. Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins (Place: Aix-en-Provence, France; Year: 1667) 18th century 2. Market Square obelisk (Place: Ripon, United Kingdom; Height: 24 m; Year: 1702; Fact: The first large scale obelisk in Britain) 3. Stillorgan Obelisk (Place: Stillorgan, Dublin, Ireland; Height: 30m; Year: 1727) 4. St. Luke Church (Place: London, United Kingdom; Year: 1727–33; Fact: spire by Nicholas Hawksmoor) 5. Boyne Obelisk (Place: near Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland; Height: 53 m, Year: 1736; Fact: To commemorate William of Orange’s victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. It was destroyed in 1923, only the base remains) 6. Conolly’s Folly (Place: Leixlip, County Kildare, Ireland; Year: 1740) 7. Killiney Hill Obelisk (Place: Killiney, County Dublin, Ireland; Year: 1742) 8. Mamhead obelisk (Place: Mamhead, United Kingdom, Height: 30 m, Year: 1742–1745; Fact: An aid to shipping) 9. General Wolfe’s Obelisk (Place: Stowe School, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom; Year: 1754) 10. Montreal Park Obelisk (Place: Riverhead, Sevenoaks, Kent, United Kingdom; Year: 1761; Fact: Lord Jeffery Amherst’s Obelisk) 11. St George’s Circus Obelisk (Place: St George’s Circus, London, United King­dom; Year: 1771; Fact: Obelisk by Robert Mylne) 12. Kagul Obelisk (Place: Tsarskoe Selo, Russia; Year: 1772) 13. Chesma Obelisk (Place: Gatchina, Russia; Year: 1775) 14. Villa Medici (Place: Rome, Italy; Year: 1790; Fact: A 19th-century copy of the Egyptian obelisk moved to the Boboli Gardens in Florence) 15. Obelisk Fountain (Place: James St., Dublin, Ireland; Year: 1790) 16. Constable Obelisk (Place: Gatchina Palace, Gatchina, Russia; Year: 1793) 17. Moore-Vallotton Incident marker (Place: Wexford, Ireland; Year: 1793) 18. Rumyantsev Obelisk (Place: St Petersburg, Russia; Year: 1799) 19. Obelisk at Slottsbacken (Place: Stockholm, Sweden; Year: 1800) 19th century 20. Nelson memorial (Place: Springfield Park, Liverpool, England, United King­dom; Year: 1805) 21. St. Emmeram’s Palace Obelisk (Place: Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany; Year: 1810) 22. Constitution Obelisk (Place: St. Augustine, Florida, United States; Year: 1814; Fact: In commemoration, of the Spanish Constitution of 1812) 23. Brightling Needle (Place: Brightling, East Sussex, United Kingdom; Height: 20m; Year: 1815) 24. Patriots’ Grave, Old Burying Ground (Place: Arlington, Massachusetts, United States; Year: 1818) 25. George IV Monument (Place: Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, Ireland; Year: 1823) 26. Blantyre Monument (Place: Erskine, Renfrewshire, United Kingdom; Height 24 m; Year: 1825) 27. Captain Cook’s Monument (Place: Easby Moor, Great Ayton, North York­shire, United Kingdom; Height: 15.5 m; Year: 1827) 28. Groton Monument (Place: Fort Griswold, Groton, Connecticut, United States; Height: 41 m; Year: 1830) 29. Bunker Hill Monument (Place: Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States; Height: 67 m; Year: 1827-43) 30. Spencer Monument (Place: Blata l-Bajda, Malta; Year: 1831) 31. Thomas Jefferson Obelisk, Monticello (Place: Charlottesville, Virginia, United States; Year: 1833; Fact: Erected by his family, Jefferson had willed that only three achievements be sketched onto it: Author of the Declaration of Independence, author of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and father of the University of Virginia) 32. Obelisk of Lions, Copou Park (Place: Iași, Romania; Height 13.5m; Year: 1834) 33. Villa Torlonia (Place: Rome, Italy; Year: 1842, Fact: Two obelisks) 34. Reggio Emilia obelisk (Place: Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; Year: 1842; Fact: Commemorates marriage of Francis V, Duke of Modena to prin­cess Adelgunde of Bavaria) 35. Rutherford’s Monument (Place: Anwoth, Scotland, United Kingdom; Year 1842; Fact: A memorial to Samuel Rutherford) 36. Political Martyrs’ Monument (Place: Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom; Height: 27 m; Year: 1844) 37. Lansdowne Monument (Place: Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom; Height: 38 m; Year: 1845; Fact: Erected by the 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne to commemorate Sir William Petty) 38. The Obelisk (Place: Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; Year: 1850) 39. Wellington Monument (Place: Wellington, Somerset, United Kingdom; Height: 53 m; Year: 1854) 40. Stoodley Pike Monument (Place: Todmorden, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom; Year: 37 m; Year 1856) 41. Hyde Park Obelisk (Place: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Height: 22 m; Year: 1857) 42. Herndon Monument (Place: Annapolis, Maryland, United States; Height: 6.4 m, Year: 1860, Fact: Erected by the US Naval Academy to commemorate the loss of William Lewis Herndon.) 43. Obelisk of Fontenoy (Place: Fontenoy, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France; Year: 1860) 44. Wellington Monument (Place: Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland; Height: 62 m; Year: 1861; Fact: The tallest in Europe) 45. Prince of Wales’ Obelisk (Place: Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Fact: Intended for one George Kemp but erected to commemorate the marriage of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales and Alexandra of Denmark in 1861. Originally on Market Square, now in front of the Bayworld Museum Complex) 46. Lincoln Tomb (Place: Springfield, Illinois, United States; Height: 36 m; Year: 1865) 47. Tyndale Monument (Place: North Nibley, Gloucestershire, England; Height: 34 m; Year: 1866) 48. Nicholson’s Obelisk (Place: Margalla Hills, Rawalpindi–Islamabad, Pakistan; Height: 12 m; Year: 1868) 49. Captain Cook Obelisk (Place: Kurnell, New South Wales, Australia; Height: 1870) 50. Dauphin County Veteran’s Memorial Obelisk (Place: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States, 34 m, 1876) 51. Washington Monument (Place: Washington, D.C., United States; Height: 169 m; Year: 1884) 52. Oriskany Battlefieldmonument (Place: Rome, New York, United States; Year: 1884) 53. Monument to the Restorers [Place: Restauradores Square, Lisbon, Portugal; Year: 1886; Fact: Erected to celebrate the victory in the Por­tuguese Restoration War (1640–1668)] 54. Ludwig van Beethoven’s grave (Place: Vienna Central Cemetery, Austria; Year: 1888) 55. Bennington Battle Monument (Place: Bennington, Vermont, United States; Height: 92 m; Year: 1889) 56. Monolith “The Obelisk” (Place: Villalar de los Comuneros, Castile and León, Spain; Year: 1889) 57. Dalhousie Obelisk (Place: Raffles Place, Central Area, Singapore; Year: 1891) 58. The Obelisk, Penn State University (Place: University Park, Pennsyl­vania, United States; Year: 1896) 59. Confederate War Memorial (Place: Dallas, Texas, United States; Year: 1896) 20th century 60. William Dudley Chipley Memorial (Place: Plaza Ferdinand VII, Pen­sacola, Florida, United States; Year: 1901) 61. Sergeant Floyd Monument (Place: Sioux City, Iowa, United States; Year: 1901) 62. Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial (Place: South Royalton, Vermont, United States; Height: 15 m; Year: 1905) 63. McKinley Monument (Place: Niagara Square, Buffalo, New York, United States; Height: 29 m; Year: 1907) 64. Veterans’ Monument (Place: Elizabethton, Tennessee, United States; Year: 1904; Fact: Dedicated to American Civil War veterans from Carter County, Tennessee) 65. Finn’s Point National Cemetery (Place: Pennsville Township, New Jersey, United States; Height: 26 m; Year: 1910; Fact: Erected by the U.S. government in 1910 to memorialize Confederate soldiers buried at the cemetery.) 66. Coronation Memorial (Place: Coronation Park, Delhi, India; Year: 1911; Fact: To commemorate the founding of New Delhi in 1911 followed by other obelisks around the Rashtrapati Bhavan) 67. Victory Memorial (Place: Fort Recovery, Ohio, United States; Height: 31 m; Year: 1913) 68. Rizal Monument (Place: Luneta Park, Manila, Philippines; Height: 12.7 m; Year: 1913; Fact: Built to commemorate executed Filipino nationalist, José Rizal.) 69. National Women’s Monument (Place: Bloemfontein, South Africa; Year: 1913) 70. Ozark Trail (Place: Various locations including Stroud, Oklahoma, Farwell, Dim­mitt, Wellington, and Tulia, Texas, United States; Year: 1913; Fact: Formerly a series of 21 obelisks) 71. PAX Memorial (Place: Walmer, Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Height: 6 m; Year: 1919; Fact: A World War I memorial to local fallen soldiers) 72. Flagler Monument (Place: Flagler Monument Island, Miami Beach, Florida, United States; Height: 34 m, Place: 1920) 73. Southport War Memorial (Place: London Square, Southport, Lancashire, Eng­land, United Kingdom; Height: 20.6 m; Year: 1923) 74. Veterans Memorial Plaza (Place: Indiana World War Memorial Plaza, Indianapo­lis, Indiana, United States; Height: 30 m; Year: 1923) 75. Jefferson Davis Monument (Place: Fairview, Kentucky, United States; Height: 107 m; Year: 1924; Fact: Commemorating the birthplace of the President of the Confederate States of America) 76. Boer War Monument (Place: King’s Domain, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Height: 23 m; Year: 1924) 77. Camp Merritt Memorial Monument (Place: Cresskill, New Jersey, USA; Height: 20 m; Year: 1924; Fact: Monument dedicated to the soldiers who passed through Camp Merritt, New Jersey, en route to Europe in World War I, particularly those who died at the camp due to the influenza epidemic of 1918) 78. Hobart Cenotaph (Place: Queens Domain, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; Year: 1925; Fact: A World War I memorial) 79. The Big Red Apple (Place: Cornelia, Georgia, United States; Height: 2.4 m; Year: 1925; Fact: A short square obelisk with the world’s largest apple on top) 80. Prague Castle Obelisk (Place: Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic; Height: 15.42 m, Year: 1930) 81. Obelisk of Montevideo (Place: Parque Batlle, Montevideo, Uruguay; Height: 40 m; Year: 1930) 82. High Point Monument (Place: High Point, Montague, New Jersey, United States; Height: 67 m; Year: 1930, Located on top of New Jersey’s highest point, 550 m above sea level) 83. Foro Italico (Place: Lungotevere Maresciallo Diaz, Rome, Italy; Year: 1932; Fact: Erected to honour Benito Mussolini) 84. Paterson Monument (Place: Windmill Point, George Town, Tasma­nia, Australia; Year: 1935, Fact: Erected to commemorate the 1804 landing of William Paterson) 85. Obelisk of Buenos Aires (Place: San Nicolás, Buenos Aires, Argen­tina; Height: 71.5 m, Year: 1936) 86. Trujillo Obelisk (Place: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Height: 42 m; Year: 1937) 87. War Memorial (Place: Floriana, Malta; Year: 1938) 88. San Jacinto Monument (Place: La Porte, Texas, United States; Height: 172.92 m; Year: 1939) 89. Trylon and Perisphere (Place: 1939 New York World’s Fair, Flushing, New York, United States; Height: 190 m; Year: 1939; Fact: Not a true obelisk, but an art deco variant.) 90. Maungakiekie Obelisk (Place: One Tree Hill, Auckland, New Zea­land; Year: 1940) 91. Victory Monument (Place: Bangkok, Thailand; Year: 1941; Fact: To commemorate Thai victory in the Franco-Thai War, a brief conflict waged against the French colonial authorities in Indo-China, which resulted in Thailand annexing some territories in western Cambodia and northern and southern Laos. These were among the territories which the Kingdom of Siam had been forced to cede to France in 1893 and 1904, and patriotic Thais considered them rightfully to belong to Thailand) 92. Plaza Francia Obelisk (Place: Altamira, Caracas, Venezuela; Year: 1944) 93. Banská Bystrica Obelisk (Place: Banská Bystrica, Slovakia; Year: 1945; Fact: Commemorates the soldiers of the Red Army and those of the Romanian Armywho fell while liberating the town. 94. Cenotaph on Leinster Lawn (Place: Leinster House, Dublin, Ireland; Height: 18.28 m; Year: 1950; Fact: Erected to commemorate the memories of Arthur Griffith, Michael Collinsand Kevin O’Higgins; and replaced an earlier temporary cenotaph, erected in 1923) 95. Lucas Gusher Obelisk (Place: Beaumont, Texas, USA; Year: 1951; Fact: Recognizes the 50th anniversary of the birth of the liquid fuel age as the Lucas Gusher came in at Spindletop on January 10, 1901) 96. Heroes Monument (Place: Surabaya, Indonesia; Height: 41.5 m; Year: 1952; Fact: Commemorate the events of November 10, 1945 at the Battle of Surabaya) 97. Israel War of Independence Memorial (Place: Safed, Israel) 98. Obelisk of São Paulo (Place: São Paulo, Brazil; Height: 72 m; Year: 1954) 99. Monument to the abolition of slavery (Place: Abolition Park, Ponce, Puerto Rico, Height: 30 m; Year: 1956) 100. Obelisk of La Paz (Place: La Paz, Bolivia) 101. Demidovsky Pillar (Place: Tsentralny City District, Barnaul, Altai Krai, Russia; Height: 14 m) 102. Victory Obelisk (Place: Poklonnaya Hill, Moscow; Height: 141.8 m) 103. Bayonet-Obelisk of the War Memorial (Place: Brest Fortress, Brest, Belarus; Height: 100 m) 104. Trinity Nuclear Test Site Obelisk (Place: Jornada del Muerto, Socorro, New Mexico, United States; Height: 3.7 m; Fact: The location of the first atomic bomb explosion) 105. Cairn to mark the Geographic Centre of North America (Place: Rugby, North Da­kota, USA; Height: 4.6 m; Year: 1971; Fact: The structure is more like a cairn sited near the geographical center of North America (Mexico, USA and Canada). The location of the geographical center is approximately 15 miles (24 km) for the location of the cairn.) 106. Pirulito da Praça Sete (Place: Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil) 107. Oregon Trail (Place: Boise, Idaho, United States; Fact: 21 obelisks that mark the trail) 108. Islamic Summit Minar (Place: Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan; Height: 47 m; Year: 1974; Fact: An obelisk-shape structure built to commemorate the Organisation of Islamic Conference) 109. Monumen Nasional (Place: Merdeka Square, Jakarta, Indonesia; Year: 1975; Fact: Symbolizing the fight for the independence of Indonesia) 110. Juche Tower (Place: Pyongyang, North Korea; Height: 170 m, Year: 1982) 111. Leningrad Hero City Obelisk (Place: Vosstaniya Square, Saint Petersburg, Russia; Year: 1985) 112. 1948 Arab–Israeli War Memorial (Place: Ad Halom, Ashdod, Israel; Fact: Memorial to Egypt’s fallen soldiers) 113. Avis Obelisk (Place: Avis Farms Office Park, Pittsfield Township, Michigan, United States; Year: 1998) 114. Bahá’í House of Worship (Place: Bahá’í World Centre buildings, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel; Year: 1971; Fact: Marking the site of the future Bahá’í House of Worship) 115. Independence Monument (Place: Maha Bandula Park, Yangon, Myanmar) 21st century 116. Capas National Shrine (Place: Tarlac province, Philippines; Height: 70 m; Year: 2003) 117. Kolonna Eterna (Place: San Gwann, Malta; Height: 6 m; Year: 2003; Fact: Egyptian obelisk by Paul Vella Critien) 118. Colonna Mediterranea (Place: Luqa, Malta; Height: 3 m; Year: 2006; Fact: Abstract art by Paul Vella Critien) 119. Plaza Salcedo Obelisk (Place: Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines) 120. Cyclisk (Place: Santa Rosa, California, United States; Height: 20 m; Fact: Made of 340 bicycles) 121. Obelisco Novecento (Place: Rome, Italy; Year: 2004; Fact: Sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro) 122. Armed Forces Memorial (Place: National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, United Kingdom; Year: 2007) 123. Särkynyt lyhty (Place: Tornio, Lapland, Finland; Height: 9m; Fact: Made of stainless steel)

Rock climbing is a popular adventure sport across the world and is gradually becoming popular in India too. For our adventure loving readers, we at Touriosity thought of bringing out a snapshot of rock climbing destinations to check out. The following is a list of the most important and popular rock climbing sites across the country. 1. Sar Pass, Himachal Pradesh Sar Pass, in Himachal Pradesh, is a gigantically prevalent rappelling and shake climbing destination with charming perspectives and excellent trails. For the most part of the year the area is covered with shimmer­ing snow. The place is swarmed by crowds of adventure lovers particularly during summers. 2. Miyar Valley, Himachal Pradesh It is classified as a climb of moderate difficulty. It is ideal for climbers who want to experi­ence something completely different. This climb is ideal for first-timers who have decent levels of fitness. 3. Shey Rock, Kashmir Located close to Leh, the Shey Rock is one of the best spots for rock climbing in the Kashmir region. At the Shey Rock, you will find around 20 bottled sport routes that are ideal for climbing. Difficulty levels range from easy to moderate and the safety facilities provided are top-notch. The Hiram Crack is the best place for rock climbing at the Shey Rock. 4. Madhugiri, Karnataka Popular for its numerous monstrous rocks, it is consid­ered as the second biggest stone monu­ment in Asia and is a preferred place for rock climbers from all around the globe. 5. Paithamala, Kerala It is a scenic destination that has much to offer to the soul, but then if you want to do something exciting and thrilling, you can take part in trekking and rock climbing. The latter is very popular here, and tourists come here from all parts of India to explore the adventure sport options that it offers. 6. Hampi, Karnataka Hampi allures ad­venture seekers with its huge rocks placed in and around the historical town where one can see numerous rock climbers hiking up to the summits. The rocks at Hampi are quite different from the rocks at other places in Karnataka in terms of their age and formation. 7. Malshej Ghat, Maharashtra A beau­tiful destination in Maharashtra, Malshej Ghat should definitely be on your wish-list, more so if you are a rock climber. The destination is great for adventure sports as well, and rock climbing is one such sport. 8. Badami, Karnataka Badami is located 150km north-west of Hampi, and is home to some of the best sport climbing in India. With routes ranging in difficulty levels from 5b to 8b+, there is something in Badami for every rock climber, amateur to pro. 9. Ramanagara, Karnataka Ramanaga­ra is more of a trekking destination rather than a site for rock climbers. However, you can still test your energy on the highest rocks if Ramanagara. Even though the rocks settled in and around the town of Ramanagara are of small height, they are always busy with rock climbers. Interest­ingly, this place was the setting for the Hindi blockbuster Sholay. 10. Ramadevara Betta, Karnataka This mountain is located in the Silk City of Ramnagara, which is just 50 kms from Bengaluru. Numerous Rock climbing and adventure camps are set up here which cater to the booming apetite of the adven­ture loving urban crowd. 11. Savandurga, Karnataka The mono­lithic extensions, Karigudda and Biligudda, of Savandurga hills offer great opportuni­ties for the rock climbers. The rock climb­ing trails begin from near the temples. The routes for climbing are marked in white on these monolithic hills. The midway of rock climbing is marked with the brick wall of Kempegowda Fort and the summit with a statue of Nandi. 12. Kabbal, Karnataka This place of­fers several climbing opportunities and explorations, thus drawing rock climbing enthusiasts. Climbers can look forward to few climbing routes (two bolted routes) and plenty of other opportunities for exploration. 13. Kambakkam, Tamil Nadu Located approximately 100km north of Chennai, this area is ideal for camping, hiking and rock climbing; there’s scope here for a range of new climbs. 14. Tilaboni, Purulia, West Bengal Tilaboni is a rock climbing spot in Purulia district of West Bengal which is gaining more and more popularity with time and is being visited by numerous adventure enthusiasts from different areas. There are rocks for everyone here - both beginner as well as the most seasoned rock climbers. 15. Susunia Hills, West Bengal It is an excellent place for rock climbing in the state of West Bengal. If you are looking for a new experience then head to the Susunia Hills. 16. Tenzing Norgay Rock, Darjeeling A huge natural rock is present here, where you can enjoy rock climbing experience with the help of expert trainers. 17. Kanheri Caves, Maharashtra These caves provide a pleasant and breathtaking walk exploring the different options of rock climbing. 18. Mumbra Boulders, Maharashtra Mumbra Rock Nursery is very famous place among the rock climbers of Mumbai. This place has a 70 feet nature rock wall and also on there are some boulders which provide as perfect place to train new rock climbers. 19. CBD Belapur, Maharashtra This is Maharashtra’s first ever natural rock climb­ing trail. 20. Manori Rocks, Maharashtra Rock climbing at Manori offers a thrilling op­portunity to rock climb at Manori, in the outskirts of Mumbai. During this activity you will climb up a near vertical natural rock surface using a harness. The Manori rocks are ideal for beginners as well as experienced climbers. 21. Pavagadh, Gujarat This place of­fers several climbing opportunities and explorations, thus drawing rock climbing enthusiasts. 22. Mount Abu, Rajasthan Here you can indulge in an amazing short trek and rock climbing in the hills of Mount Abu city. Whether you are a pro trekker or a newbie, this trek is for everyone. Enjoy this short trek with your family or friends and make a lot of amazing memories. 23. Bhimbhetka, Madhya Pradesh Rock climbing is one of those expeditions that is gaining momentum in Madhya Pradesh. Bhimbhetka is breathtaking and climbing in such topography is something that every tourist shouldn’t miss out. 24. Panchmadi, Madhya Pradesh A game of endurance and strength, rock climbing in Panchmadi is quintessentially a heady mix of breathtaking vistas of the surrounding hills and verdure, and the difficult terrain that needs to be overpowered. 25. Sanjayvan, New Delhi Sanjay Van was discovered a few years ago and has some very nice bouldering. Climbing real rock is one of the greatest experiences of the discipline of climbing. Every rock has a different spirit and it takes teach­ing differently. One finds oneself in the process of climbing real rock. This place familiarizes climbers with real rock and helps them apply the techniques learned in the gym for true climbing. 26. Manali, Himachal Pradesh Due to its gorgeous scenery and mountainous terrain, Manali is a haven for adventure sports. One of the sports that is growing in popularity here is rock climbing. It doesn’t require any experience to begin Manali rock climbing. In fact, regular tourists can take a rock climbing course during Manali trip and get the certificate. 27. Sethan, Himachal Pradesh Sethan is a veritable mecca for rock climbers. In the beautiful alpine valley that leads to Hampta Pass, thousands of boulders lie right off the side of the road. The abundance of rock has prompted local climbers to rent rooms in the small village and go to work doing first ascents wherever there are climbable lines. 28. Chattru, Himachal Pradesh A paradise for climbers, Chhatru is full of granite boulders and big walls. 29. Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh The imposing mountains act as a fortress for this busy city. Cradled amidst the Dhauladhar ranges, the hilly terrains of Dharamshala possesses numerous challenges for the adventurous soul. Test your limits by engaging in the Rock Climbing expeditions at Dharamshala-Nayagroeon region. 30. Leh-Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh is a well-known destination among adventure lovers because of the various thrilling activities organised here. This plateau consists of some parts of the Himalayan and Karakoram Ranges, making it a paradise for rock climbers. 31. Chembra Peak, Kerala Experience a challenging and adrenaline induced climb to the top of the formidable Chembra Peak, located near the heart shaped Chembra Lake in Wayanad. 32. Ranipuram, Kerala It is well known for trekking and climbing. The natu­ral walk through the forest and the landscape view on top of the hill are mes­merizing experience. This peak is vehicle accessible but only up to the entrance. 33. Nashik, Maharashtra Nashik is the destination for all types of adventure sports lovers. Rock climbing is one of the sports on offer. 34. Bilikal Rangaswami Betta Every year locals from the surrounding area climb this hill to celebrate a festival at the Ranganathaswamy temple at the top. The way they have been following throughout the years has turned into a standard trekking and climbing trail. 35. Nun and Kun Peak The Nun Kun mountain massif consists of a pair of Himalayan twin peaks: Nun, 7135 m (23,409 feet) and its neighbor Kun, 7,077 m (23,218 feet). Mt. Nun is located in the remote landscape of the Zanskar ranges in northern India and is the highest mountain in the region. Climbing this peak is a great chance to get high altitude climbing experience on a classic expedition.) 36. Sickle Moon Peak The small Himalayan peaks of Kishtwar are quite difficult to climb. One of the popular peaks of Kishtwar is the Sickle Moon. 37. Sunset Peak, Jammu and Kashmir Rock climbing here is possible year-round. You may need snowshoes in winter and a lot more endur­ance unless you can get your hands on a snowmobile. 38. Tatakooti Peak It is located in the Pir Panjal peaks, a sub range of the Himalayas. The Peaks here are: the Sunset Peak and the Tatakooti Peak for which the expeditions and climbs take place. 39. Turalli, Karnataka It is a famous rock climbing destination among the rock climbers of Bangalore. This place offers excellent opportunities in bouldering, a form of rock climbing in which the climbers have to climb on short, low routes without the use of the safety rope. 40. Kanchenjunga, Sikkim Kanchenjunga is the third-tallest moun­tain in the world. Only Everest and K2 are taller. It sits in the eastern Himalayas, on the border between Nepal and Sikkim. According to many who have seen it, as well as to those who have climbed it, Kanchenjunga is not only one of the tallest mountains in the world, but one of the most dangerous as well. 41. North Cachar Hills, Assam The North Cachar hills in Assam are ready to receive tourists for mountaineering and rock climbing. 42. Karbi Hills, Assam This are a good place for rock climbing and is slowly becoming popular with tourists, mountaineers and rock climbers. 43. Elephant Rocks, Morigaon, Assam There is a rock hill in Morigaon District of Assam which is known as the ‘Elephant Rocks’. It offers ample scope for Rock Climbing. 44. Simhasana Hills, Karbi Anglong The Simhasana Hill of Karbi Anglong is also known for rock climbing. 45. Guwahati, Assam The main city of Assam, Guwahati, is bounded on three sides with beautiful hills and thus has great op­portunities for rock climbing. 46. Champai, Mizoram This commercial town located 192 km from Aizwal, is a good base for trekkers and climbers especially dur­ing the spring season. 47. Phawangpui, Mizoram Known as the ‘Blue Mountain’, it is the highest peak in Mizoram with a height of 7,100 feet above the mean sea level. The whole plateau is a garden of rhododendron skirted by beautiful trees and flowers of all colours and shapes. There are splendid views of the blue hazed hills and valleys. This spot is one of the most ideal places for the mountaineers. 48. Lunglei, Mizoram Natural landscape, cool and pleasant climate, rich flora - all make this place a beautiful Hill Station and a great place for rock climbing. 49. Shillong Peak, Meghalaya If you are an adventurous soul and have been craving for some adrenaline rush in the city of Shillong, rock climbing is the best adventure for you. There are many opportu­nities for this activity in the beautiful city, and the best place to do it is at the outskirts of Shillong, in some parts of East Khasi Hills. 50. Sohpetbneng Peak, Meghalaya One of the most liked attrac­tions in Shillong by the visitors is Sohpetbneng Peak. For those who want to spend few moments of their life in solitude, this place is the perfect pick. For taking the full pleasure of this spot, however, they have to hike to a height of 1,343m above the sea level. On reaching the peak, one is mesmerised at the view of Shillong city and thick forest around. Literally, ‘Sohpetbneng’ means the naval of heaven, and refers to this heavanly beauty. Initially, this place was famous for celestial focal point but it has, over the years, taken the shape of a major tourist attraction. 51. Khoh Ramhah, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya Popularly known as Mohrop or Pillar Rock, Khoh Ramhah is a famous tourist attraction in Cherrapunji. It is an ideal picnic spot and is formed on a huge rock which is cone in shape. According to the legends, Khoh Ramhah is a fossilized cone shaped basket associated with an evil spirit. The place offers spectacular views of the cascading waterfall along with the view of the Bangla­desh plains. During monsoon, the beauty of the place reaches the epitome with the ascending clouds moving across the huge rocks. Rain water passing between the rocks presents an over­whelming sight for the visitors to be enjoyed in monsoon. 52. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh Tawang is already a famous tourist destination. Now it is even starting to receive tourists for mountaineering and rock climbing. 53. Gorichen Peak, Arunachal Pradesh This peak is ideal for mountaineering and rock climbing. 54. Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand Surrounded by legends and fables, the Panpatia Glacier trek and rock climbing that takes you through Panpatia Col route requires endurance and willpower to get through harsh yet beautiful nature. 55. Nainital, Uttarakhand Rock Climbing is one of the fascinating and fastest growing sports in Nainital because it combines physical agility with the conceptual skills of problem solving in finding the way up the routes that are new to you. Rock Climbing thus attracts a broad spectrum of participants here. 56. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand Rock Climbing Adventure in Mussoorie and Dhanaulti is a traditional adventure sports activity played by every country of the world. There is a Snow Activity Zone which provides various type of Rocks for climbing like - 50 ft., 100 ft., 150 ft. 300 ft. up to 600 ft. This is a very unusual thing about this Adventure Park. 57. Gangotri, Uttarakhand Pandav Gufa is located near Gangotri and can be reached af­ter a trek of 1.5 km from the town. The place is of mythological importance as it is said to be the site where the five Pandavas mediated on their way to Kailash) 58. Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand The hilly terrain of Uttarakhand provides plenty of op­portunities for mountaineering, trekking and rock climbing. 59. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand If you are travelling to Rishikesh you should try Rock Climbing here. As Rishikesh is located near the foothills of the the Great Indian Himalayas the nearby cliffs and mountain Rock Climbing in Rishikesh ranges offer ample challanges and opportunities for climbers. 60. Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand Situated at a height of 2,286 meters above the sea level, it is a very good place for rock climbing. Chauli ki Jaali is the place in Mukteshwar where one should go to do rock climbing and rappelling. 61. Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand Rock climbing is an adventure activity that is traditionally done at Dhanaulti and must definitely be tried once if you are visiting here. 62. New Tehri, Uttarakhand It is a preferred location by the mountain trekkers and adventurers. Rock climbing at various places is usually car­ried out in an artificial environment. But, here at Tehri, the trek lovers get to experience the entire activity and be a part of the natural environment it is carried out in. 63. Ramnagar, Uttarakhand While visiting Jim Corbett National Park, you can challenge yourself with this very thrilling sport at Ramanagar. Proper guidance and tool support are available here. However, personal safety concerns should be kept in mind. 64. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu The Perumal peak is a high peak at Ko­daikanal, which is a part of the greater Western Ghat mountain range in Tamil Nadu having an elevation of 2,440 metres. It is a favourite spot for rock climbers from across India. 65. Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu The Nilgiri Hills is a great place to indulge in an off-beat backpacking trip. It provides an array of adventure filled activities like mountain trek and rock climbing. 66. Parvatti Valley, Himachal Pradesh The Parvatti Valley is a very rocky valley of Himachal Pradesh and is characterized by many alpine flower plantations and rocky outcrops. The rocky outcrops ensure that one gets ample opportunity for rock climbing. 67. Eruthavoor, Kerala Situated on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, Eruthavoor is fast developing as a rock climbing site. The craggy rock here is 160 ft in height. 68. Thenmala, Kerala The adventure zone at Thenmala offers options for recreational rock climbing and rappelling with rocks of different heights and sizes, equipped with pegs and ropes. 69. Munnar, Kerala While the pristine beauty of the place is no secret for travellers thereby drawing visitors in large numbers, Munnar’s hilly landscapes also provide the perfect terrain for rock climbing and rappelling. Adventure enthusiasts can trek right up to the top of the misty peaks here and also hike off a steep cliff. 70. Yana Rocks, Karnataka Comprising of two monumental rocks, Yana Rocks are very popular amongst rock climbers. These gigantic rocks test the patience and endurance of rock climbers who come here through the dense forests of the Western Ghats. 71. Skandagiri, Karnataka With a height of 1,450 metres, Skandagiri has become a rock climbing destination since its discovery. Even though it is not very popular amongst hardcore rock climbers, it is definitely a place for beginners. 72. Shivagange, Karnataka Being a mountain peak with a height of 2,640 feet, it is natural for Shivagange to attract trekkers and rock climbers towards it. Even though climbing this wonderful summit started as a Hindu pilgrimage, today, it is a destination for all rock climbers and trekkers apart from Hindu devotees. 73. Kalay, Goa Goa is blessed with excellent rock faces which are good for introducing rock climbing to beginners. Learning the techniques of rock climbing under the watchful eyes of qualified instructors here is a once in a lifetime experience. 74. The Sahyadri Mountain The Sahyadris or The Western Ghats in Goa, stretch to the border of Karnataka. It is an ideal place for rock climbers. 75. Damdama Lake Located in the Sohna district of Haryana, the Damdama Lake is known for its pristine beauty and people come here to do boating. In the recent years it has been gaining popularity also as a rock climbing destination. The place also provides a few other adventure sports options.

There are many villages around the world that draw tourists due to their uniqueness. This article is a compilation of 30 such villages from around the world which every traveller must try to visit at least once in a lifetime. 1. FLOATING VILLAGES, HALONG BAY, VIETNAM Halong Bay is located at the shore of northern Vietnam. The bay is famous for its beauty and mysterious allure. Halong Bay is a UNESCO world heritage site and it is also considered as one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the world. Dating back thousands of years, Ha­long Bay has been populated by small local communities living on floating villages tucked away in between the karst, sunken moun­tains. At the centre of the bay lies an area of 330 sq.km that consist of islands, caves and its famous floating village. People have inhabit­ed the area for centuries but made no damage to the heritage. In fact they preserved the unique beauty of the bay. The beauty of the bay is remarkable enough to make it to the big screen. Filming of some movies have been done in the Halong Bay area. What’s unusual about the karst towers at Halong Bay is that the beautiful place inspires not just geologist but also artists, scientists and painters to come together to explore and understand the landscape. 2. BIBURY, ENGLAND Bibury is a charming village, nested in the eastern hills of the Glouces­tershire Cotswolds, just a short drive from the capital of Cotswolds – Cirencester. It has also earned its title as ‘the most beautiful village in England’ by William Morris, the famous artist. In Bibury, Arlington Row is regarded as England’s most iconic and photographed site. It is famous for its honey-coloured stone cottages with their steep pitched roofs. Other most attractive spot in Bibury is the Bibury Trout Farm. It is one of the oldest and most attractive trout farms in England. The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, a Saxon church, is delightful to see with its medieval windows and stained glasses. Moreover, Bibury comes under one of the most famous locations in Cotswolds as well as in England also, because the quintessential cottage and pretty riv­erside location comes under the must visit spots. Don’t miss a visit to the beautiful gardens at Barnsley House at Barnsley, 3.3 miles away. 3. AIT-BEN-HADDOU IN MOROCCO Ait-Ben-Haddou, located on the foothills in the Ounila Valley is an Ighrem or Ksar (fortified village), along the former caravan route be­tween the Sahara and Marrakech in present-day Morocco. Recog­nized as a UNESCO site, the Ksar is one of the most extraordinary Kasbahs in Morocco. This giant fortification, which is made up of six kasbahs and nearly fifty Ksours (individual kasbahs), is a great exam­ple of clay architecture. The village sitting on a hilltop is decorated with a labyrinth like series of sandstone colored towers and walls. The village is divided into two parts. The modern part is filled with sou­venir shops and parking lots and the traditional part is full with Kas­bahs, small streets and alleys, palm trees and decorated motifs. The community areas include a mosque, a public square, grain threshing areas outside the ramparts, a fortification and a loft at the top of the village, two cemeteries (Muslim and Jewish) and the Sanctuary of the Saint Sidi Ali or Amer. Climb to the top of one of the neighboring hills to get a magnificent view of the village. Sunrise is best time to get a photo shoot from the neighboring hills. 4. HALLSTATT, AUSTRIA Hallstatt, one of Austria’s oldest and possibly most photographed vil­lages and an UNESCO heritage site, is located between Stalberg and Graz in the Salzkammergut Lake district of the country. This was once a quiet and inhabited place but in recent years Hallstalt has become one of the most popular places to visit in Austria. There are a few op­tions for arriving in this spectacular Alpine village, but the best way to experience this famous location is with a ferry ride across the lake. This village is a very small one and you can walk from one end to the other in a few minutes but there are handful of sites located inside the village which will take few hours to explore. The world first salt mine is also located here and there are few stunning salt caves which can be vis­ited by tourists. The Hallstatt Ossuary, also called Charnel House or the Bone House, is the most unusual spot to visit in Hallstatt. In this small cave-like room, over 2,100 skulls and various other human bones are perfectly stacked along the walls. The World Heritage Skywalk above 350 meters over the top offer panoramic view of the entire region. 5. JUZCAR, SPAIN Juzcar is located 113 km away from Malaga and 25 km from Ronda in Spain. Juzcar is the first ever Smurf town in the world. The transforma­tion of the village is owed to the fact that every single building here are painted blue; the houses, the church, the cemetery and the town hall, embrace the premier of the world renowned film The Smurfs 3D. Once with the village dramatic transformation into a fairy tale realm, tourism started flourishing. After the positive reactions the residents voted to keep their homes blue permanently. In Juzcar not only the buildings are still blue, but they are still accompanied by the giant murals and portraits of Smurf characters, with statues of The Smurfs also standing on street corners. So, as you walk through the village you may meet many characters of The Smurf on your way. The walls are adorned with Smurf scenes and giant toadstools which makes for a great fun activity for children. Hence, this village is a must visit for those who love art. 6. EZE, FRANCE Eze, located between Nice and Monaco, is a hilltop village in France that dates back to the Middle Ages. It owes its name to an ancient Egyptian goddess, Isis. The village surrounds the ruins of a 12th-century castle. It was shaped by the Romans, Moors and the House of Savoy. The village was built on top of the rocky outcrop for security reasons, and its stun­ning views over the Mediterranean Sea. As you wander through the cobblestoned sloping streets you will find ancient fountains, archways, superbly restored stone houses, shady square and quiet courtyards. The structures here are several hundred years old, and the oldest building in Eze is the beautiful Chapelle de laa Sainte Croix built back in 1300s. The village of Eze is also famous for its greenery, like you can visit the exotic Jardin Exotique, the botanic garden where an impressive col­lection of cactus, plants and rare vegetation surrounds the remains of an ancient chateau. This botanical garden has spectacular panoramic views of the Mediterranean, Monaco, Monte Carlo and the hills below. Do have a drink or a lunch during the day time at Chateau Eza. The restaurant here has some of the best views and picture opportunities. 7. INLE LAKE, SHAN STATE VILLAGE, MYANMAR The villages around Inle Lake are located in the middle of Myanmar in the western Shan state. The lake is shallow, 13.5 miles long and 1 mile wide. This lake is famous for its floating villages and gardens. Here, the local people live in a unique way with their living communities based entirely on water. There are ten different Shan ethic groups living in the villages around the lake. In these villages you will find wooden houses which are built on stilts and the fisherman steer their one-man boats with a characteristic rowing style, wrapping one leg around their oar. Hydroponic tomato farming is also big here, based on an aquabiotic system in use since the 1960s. Cruising along channels hemmed in by floating gardens is simply sublime. Numerous monasteries can be found on the land and its shores. You will find many handicraft workshops also as handicraft is an important part of the local economy apart from fishing. The natural and unpolluted scenic beauty of the Lake and its surrounding villages makes it as one of Myanmar’s most popular desti­nations for travellers. 8. LAMAYURU, LADAKH, INDIA Lamayuru is a small village between Kargil and Leh in the Ladakh re­gion of Jammu and Kashmir. The whole region has moonlike landscape carved into the greater Himalaya. It is home of one of the oldest monas­teries in Ladakh. It is believed that this place was once a lake that dried up. The village has around 100 houses scattered around the Lamayuru Monastery. The tranquil ambiance and scenic location of the monastery is mesmerising. It is one of the most intriguing places to visit for sure. Being one of the oldest and largest Monasteries it has many stories and legends associated to it. Lamayuru is also known as ‘the moon land of Ladakh’. Tourists are attracted because of its extraordinary and incred­ible landscape. The best location to view the moonscapes of Lamayuru is to climb up what is known as a Meditation Hill. Stones lay strewn on the way up the Meditation Hill. These centuries old prayer rocks are an im­portant part of the Buddhist culture. Carved meticulously with the beau­tiful Tibetan script, these stones are a piece of art. Although the place is quite remote, it is favourite hunt for photographers and trekkers. 9. ISLA DEL SOL, BOLIVIA A short boat trip from Copacabana, Isla De Sol is an archeological mar­vel. Believed to be the birthplace of the Sun and Inca dynasty, remnants of these old civilizations is spread over several small villages in the rug­ged 70 km island in which only 800 indigenous families live. Without cars and telephones, you will feel as if you have taken a trip back in time. Wifi is a rarity. The village of Yumani, located on the south side, Cha’llapampa, on the northern side and Cha’lla, on the central east coast, are the main tourist spots. Isla del Sol itself boasts a stunning landscape that juts up in dramatic fashion out from Lake Titicaca, which is not only South America’s largest lake but also the largest navigable lake in the world. While hiking the rocky and hilly trails, you’ll pass by agricultural terraces, serene beaches, tiny settlements and giant euca­lyptus trees. There is a noticeable swell of visitors between 10.30 am and 4 pm. But when trekking around the island in the morning and late afternoon hours, you may feel like you’re the only person around. It’s not possible to fully experience the serenity of this special place during a rushed day trip to Isla del Sol. So the best idea is to spend a night and enjoy a view of stars and planets on the night sky and if you are lucky, may even spot a shooting star. 10. LARUNG GAR, TIBET Larung Gar is the world largest Buddhist institute and one of the most significant sites in Tibetan Buddhism. The village is spread around hills in Serta country in Kardre in eastern Tibet. When you reach this place your mind is sure to get blown by the strange beauty of this place. Larung Gar is built in a very unique way. It seems like a maze when you walk around and it is very easy to get lost in the small alleys and streets of this village which is quiet fun experience too. There are several mon­asteries which welcome monks, nuns and students from Tibet, China as well as as other countries. Larung Gar is one such place which you visit and experience for yourself as it is full of charm as well as historical past and traditional stories. Despite the restrictions imposed on Tibetan Buddhism under the Chinese occupation, Larung Gar has contributed greatly to the spread of the religion and to the preservation and inter­national spread of Tibetan culture. 11. MARSAXLOKK, MALTA Marsaxlokk is a charming fishing village situated in the south-eastern part of Malta. Surrounded by green vegetation, this port is totally shel­tered and has deep water. It is very quiet village compared to oth­ers, but at the same time it has become a very touristic location with many fish restaurants and cafes lined along the promenade. At present Marsaxlokk has the largest population of active fisherman with many traditional fishing boats of all sizes anchored in the port. The village is famous for its big Sunday fish market and its many decorative boats called Luzzus. It will be an fascinating opportunity to mix with locals and experience Maltese life if one wanders in and around the market. Marsaxlokk has a small sandy beach on the eastern side and stunning St. Peter’s pool at Delimara which is a 20 minutes walk away. St. Peter pool’s bay is excellent for diving, snorkelling and cliff jumping down into the natural pool. Visit the Parish Church, which is worth seeing for its majestic interiors. Also one must see the St. Lucian Tower, which is one of the largest watch towers in the Island. 12. OIA, GREECE Oia is the most scenic village on the north-west edge of the Santorini island. In fact, its beauty is so unsurpassed that it is almost impossible to describe in words. The natural beauty of Oia village in combination with its traditional architecture which consist of white washed houses, old mansions, narrow streets and blue domed churches, which makes the village unique and extremely popular among the tourists. The whole village is built along the cliffside and the beaches are located on a flat side of the island. Its streets have plenty of tourist shops, taverns, cafes and other shops. Oia is one of the most photographed place in Greece. Its beauty has inspired artists, poets and visitors who visit San­torini. It is best known for its breath-taking sunset. Everyday thousands of people gather to see the famous Oia sunset. But if truth be told the sunrise at Oia is also very magical. There are some notable restaurants here like the Golden Chef’s Hat, Ambrosia, Ochre, Dimitris and Katrina where you can have delicious Greek cuisine. Do not miss Kastro, the old Venetian castle, Atlantis Bookshop and the Maritime Museum. 13. NAVALA VILLAGE, NADI, FIJI One of the most picturesque villages in Fiji is the Navala Village where people are still living in thatched roofing ‘bures’. It is a home to roughly 1000 people. Navala is very special because all the houses here are of the same size. Located near the mountain of Ba, it is only a three hours drive from Nadi / Denarau. You will get a Kava welcome ceremony once you reach the village. Get firsthand knowledge about the traditional Fi­jian lifestyle by mingling with the locals and listening to the old folklores about this ancient village. Take a dip in cold water of the upper source of Ba River. Climb up to the top of the adjacent hill to have a great panoramic view of Yasawa Island Group. Witness coconut tree climbing and enjoy fresh coconut juice from freshly picked coconuts. Visit the vil­lage market and learn how the locals harvest wild fruits and yams. Join the local people on hunt for wild pigs in the jungle. Visitors must spend at least a night in the village to have a lifetime experience but remember consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in the village. 14. ENKERI VILLAGE, MASAI MARA, KENYA Enkeri Village is situated within 3 km (approx) of Olololoo main entry gate of the Mara Conservancy. A drive of 3-4 hours or a flight of less than an hour duration from Nairobi will take you to this village via the Game Reserve. Make a plan to stay here for a couple of nights to learn about the culture and traditions of Masai tribe, who have been beauti­fully harmonizing their life with wildlife and environment for centuries. Stay in a local hut mostly made up of mud. There is no electricity or running water, so hurricane or solar lamp will be available for use. Take traditional meals including rice, maize porridge vegetables and meat. Water is precious here and so try to carry enough bottles of water. Par­ticipate in local village activities like grazing cattle, ploughing the field in primitive way, carrying water on your head, milking the cows, etc. Also try to learn how they make fire using nothing more than two sticks. Spend the day with the tribal women and learn the art of making of Masai jewellery. It is also possible to participate in the famous ‘Adumu’ dance with the enchanting tribal songs. Enjoy the traditional singing and dancing in the evening around camp fire under the starry sky. 15. NUBIAN VILLAGE, ELEPHANTINE ISLAND, EGYPT Nubia’s history can be traced as far back as 2,000 BC. An area between northern Sudan and southern Egypt is what is left of the ancient King­dom of Nubia. Less than a 10 minute Felucca ride from Aswan Centre, 3 hours drive from Luxor, and a 1 hour flight direct from Cairo to As­wan are the two Nubian villages of Siou village and Koti village, both of which run across the center of the Elephantine island. The two vil­lages nestling amid lush palm groves are connected by a footpath, and collectively, they are remains of three distinct settlements. The village features mud brick alleys. Houses painted sky-blue, pink or yellow and often decorated with hajj scenes. Walls are painted with scenes from everyday life or nature. Henna is an important part of Nubian culture. Visitors usually leave with tattoos of reddish-brown flowers and geomet­ric shapes. Nubians also traditionally made necklaces and bracelets from camel bones. The village has many places to buy souvenirs, handicrafts and aromatic herbs. Crocodiles are also a feature of village life here. This is a tradition that dates back to ancient Nubia. Crocodiles are taken in as pets and still live in some households, though only a few houses have them now, most people use these to attract tourists. 16. NUUK, GREENLAND Greenland’s capital Nuuk, sits atop a barren grey rock and moss land­scape. Though Nuuk is the capital and largest city of Greenland it is built slightly isolated. You can reach here by boat, plane or a helicopter. The peninsula is surrounded by bare rocks and mountains. Nuuk is home to many historical sights. In the picturesque old harbour you will find dreamy wooden homes, which are nested like pearls along the water’s edge. Nuuk is full of experience that won’t be found anywhere else in Greenland. It mixes the fascinating lives of old traditions with modern twists and diverse influence. Imaneq Street is a must go destination for traditionally made goods where most shops offer items of local need, thus giving the chance to find something unique and authentic to carry back home. Tourists must visit National Art Museum housing notable collection of artifacts. Most iconic piece here is the bronze sculpture ‘Mother of Sea’, the most revered statue in Greenland. In recent time, Nuuk is quickly shedding its old image and transforming into a Nordic cultural capital. During winter the whole village is buried in snow. 17. PARIANGAN, WEST SUMATRA, INDONESIA Pariangan village is located on the slopes of Mt. Merapi, in Tanah Da­tar at west Sumatra, Indonesia. It is the oldest village, thought to be the cradle of the Minangkabau culture. Pariangan is one of the best-preserved traditional Minangkabau villages, containing many ‘rumah gadang’ or traditional houses. The oldest of these are said to be three hundred years old and feature beautiful wood-carving. The surround­ing of the village with paddy fields, traditional houses and one of the oldest mosque is very beautiful and charming. This historical village still reflects the pure social structure of the Minangkabau concept of village. It also has some historical relics, such as stone basurk and long grave. Apart from these is a hill, called Sirang Kiang, which is a perfect place for the tourists to enjoy the breath-taking view of the scenery along the foot of the mountain and the hot spring. Pariangan has a natural beauty that provides comfort and a traditional atmosphere which is appreciated by the tourists who visit this village. 18. PALANGAN, IRAN Palangan (which means ‘leopard’) is located at the north-western part of the city of Kamyaran in the Kurdistan Province. It is one of the most beautiful and amazing villages in Iran. Palangan is a must-see and a unique place especially for those who seek to spend some days off in a natural environment. This village has much to offer to its tourists like scenic nature, tasty food, authentic village life, unique architecture and mysterious history. According to the latest census, about 1000 people live here, mostly employed in the local fishing industry. The vil­lage is spread over both sides of a steep valley. In the middle flows the Tangi Var River. Connecting both sides of the village are several narrow bridges. But Palangan is most famous for the distinct terraced structure of the stone houses. The roof of each house is the yard of the one above it. Without a doubt the best time to visit Palangan is during the annual Nowruz (Iranian New Year) celebration, usually held in the mid­dle of March. In short, this village is a hidden gem or treasure in Kurd­istan region of Iran. This place has become popular for the tourist, not only because of its beauty but also for its polite and welcoming local people. Far away from the endless distractions of big cities, Palangan offers visitors a glimpse of a lifestyle that is different from the modern world but filled with calm and tranquillity. 19. PUNJI, BANGLADESH Magurcherra Punji is a tribal village located in Sreemangal Upazila, Maulvibazar District in Bangladesh. It is located on the Sreemangal–Kamalganj Highway. It is the larger of the two villages located within Lawachara National Park, the other being Lawachara Punji. These are inhabited by the Khasi ethnic minority. These tribal villages are located within the tea plantations of the Sreemangal region of Bangladesh. While Sreemangal with its green hills, tranquil atmosphere and bird-and gibbon-filled Lawachara Forest is an attractive region for visitors, these tribal villages offer a glimpse into the cultures of the Khashia and Monipuri people. The Monipuri village of Ramnagar is located near the Tea Research Institute and Tea Factory. Those who wish to visit a Khashia tribal village, like Magurcherra on the road to Kamalganj, must take per­mission from the local chief. Tea plantations are located in these villages and surrounding areas. It is assumed that the entire internal parts of that Park are the residences of these tribal. 20. PYGMY (BATWA) VILLAGE, MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH WEST UGANDA Batwa, more commonly known as pygmies, used to be known as the ‘Keepers of the Forest’ because they lived in harmony with the jungle in small huts made out of branches and leaves for over 50,000 years. These indigenous people, who are about 120 centimeters tall were given the name ‘Pygmy’, which means ‘dwarf’, by the Europeans. Pygmy men are approximately 10 centimeters taller than their women. With their curly hair and fuzzy bodies, Pygmies differ from other groups. They live in small groups and construct temporary cottages to live in by using bamboo trunks and large leaves they gather from trees. Still leading a primitive life, Pygmies spend most of their time hunting in the deep for­ests and gathering fruit and plants. In 2011, Uganda Wildlife Authority started the now famous Batwa Cultural Trail in Mgahinga Gorilla Nation­al Park, where members of the Batwa community lead tourists through the forest in the shadows of the Virunga Volcanoes and show them their old way of hunting and living. On your way you will learn how to make fire without matches, you will fire an arrow with a bow, extract herbal medicines and learn a lot about Batwa traditions and legends. Also by the end of the tour they will do a local dance performance for you which is yet another great experience. 21. SHIRAKAWA-GO, GIFU, JAPAN The Shirakawa-go is located in a mountainous region of Ono district, Japan. The old gassho-zukuri style houses (about 112 in numbers) are spotted in this mountain village and some of these are more than 250 years old. The name ‘Gassho-zukuri’ means ‘hands together’ as in prayer, referring to the steep roofs that keep the snow off in the winter. Processing the most original and beautiful scenery in Japan, Shirakawa-go was chosen and enlisted as one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. This village shows different faces in four different seasons - cherry blos­soms in spring, bright green rice fields in summer, autumn leaves in autumn and snow-clad in winter. This means you can enjoy a trip to Shirakawa-go throughout the year and to see all its faces, one has to make at least four trips during four different seasons. There are various attractions within the village, within them the key attractions are the Wada House and Nagasa House. Visitors are given a rare opportunity to enter these traditional houses that were built as early as the Edo period. There are several beautiful natural landmarks nearby. One is the Mount Haku, one of Japan’s three famous mountains, surrounded by a virgin forest at its foot. The Three Amo Waterfalls: Taka falls, Naka falls and Ki falls can also be seen along the pass leading to the Amo highlands. This beautiful traditional village is the definition of picture- postcard perfec­tion and is a ‘must visit’ if you are around. 22. XIDI, CHINA Xidi Village is located at the south foot of Mt. Huangshan, China. Its original name was Xichuan. The old merchant village was cited in 2000 by the UNESCO World Heritage List for its well preserved old archi­tecture and water systems. Xidi is an outstanding representative of Huizhou traditional culture, building techniques, agriculture and land­scaping. The village has historical, artistic and scientific value. There are about 124 Ming and Qing houses (dating from the period between 1368 - 1911 AD), dining places, sightseeing options and shop for sou­venirs and country products. Among the residences, only some are open to the public including Linyun Pavilion, the Eastern and Western Gardens, Ruiyu Courtyard, Taoli Garden, Da Fu Grand House and Lufu Hall. Carvings on wood, stone and brick are an important part of these residences. The clan made an ingenious use of the local water resourc­es to provide running water to all the houses. The ancient halls and houses attract many student artists here to do sketching. If you are in­terested in history and culture, Xidi Village is a good place for you. The best time to visit Xidi Village is spring and autumn. If you visit in March or April, you can appreciate plenty of flowers around the village. Yel­low Mountain and Hongkun Village are the added nearby attractions. 23. SWAT VALLEY, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN The Swat Valley is located in the northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paki­stan. Swat lies in the lap of the Hindukush Mountain Ranges. The larger part of Swat is covered with high mountains and hills, the crests of which are hidden by everlasting snow. Swat was home to the last iso­lated pockets of Gandharan Buddhism, which lasted until the 11th cen­tury, well after most of the area had converted to Islam. The charm of the valley attract thousands of tourists; hence it has become a popular tourist destination. Swat is also known as the Switzerland of Pakistan. One who will visit the valley will get amazed by its scenic surroundings. Its roaring rivers, waterfalls, meandering streams, glacier-fed lakes, pine forest, fruit laden orchards, flower filled mountain slopes and above all the friendly Swati people makes this valley one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Pakistan as well as in Asia. One should spend a few hours at local Mingora Bazar to mingle with local people. Spend the night beside River Swat in Fiza Ghat. Visit Malam Jabba, the most famous ski resort in Pakistan which is only 40 km away from Swat. Swat with its magnificent scenic beauty and rich historical past is a must visit destination that must feature on every tourist’s bucket list. 24. TAMAKI MAORI VILLAGE, ROTURA, NEW ZEALAND Situated in the midst of ancient Tawa Forest in Rotura, the Tamaki Maori Village will give you a glimpse of the Maori way of life, which dates back to an era before European settlement in New Zealand. When you arrive, you will not be permitted to enter the village until a formal welcome ceremony named ‘haka’ takes place. It is a traditional war dance which will show the strength and power of the Maoris. It is accompanied by a chant and, in some cases, by fierce facial expres­sions meant to intimidate, such as bulging eyes and the sticking out of the tongue. Then a peace offering will be made and you have to listen to ‘karanga’, a welcome call. Finally you will to watch ‘powhiri’, a welcome dance which would permit you to enter the village. One can get a crash course in war dancing here. Take part in the daily life of a Maori such as planting and tending crops in communal gardens, fishing or gathering seafood and hunting moa, other birds or seals. Ride on the ‘wakas’ and hear about the ancient stories of the great Maori war­riors. Take traditional ‘hangi‘ meal, which consist of meat and vegetables cooked underground for hours. At night enjoy a cultural performance with harmonious singing and traditional dances. 25. WENGEN, SWITZERLAND A scenic village, located in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, Wengen is a part of the Jungfrau region. Wengen is located on a south facing plateau at 1,274m above the sea level with many nostalgic timber houses, dis­persed holiday chalets and hotels dating from Époque Period. This village has all the characters of a picture-postcard mountain village. This car-free village has age old Alpine summits with inherent Swiss culture with white floral pastures, lush green countryside views and the picturesque snow–drenched Alpine ranges forming a wonderful fairy tale backdrop perfect for holiday. The village is a perfect base to explore the Jungffrau region. As Wengen is located high enough, the place gets plenty of snow in winter. Hence, it is the best place to enjoy winter sports activi­ties and other snow activities. A special cultural feature of Wengen is the so-called ‘Pfeifende Lurch’ (German for ‘whistling amphibian’). It is a legendary creature from myths and tales that only exists in Wengen. 26. JUKKASJÄRVI, SWEDEN Jukkasjärvi village in Kiruna region of Northern Sweden is home to only about a 1,000 inhabitants; it is rather known for the Ice Hotel. There are lot of winter activities involving snow and ice available here for tourists. Temperature in winter can go down to – 55°C at night. Daylight is very limited during winter, with darkness until around 10 in the morning and a pale twilight until around 3 in the afternoon; the sun does not rise for two months between mid-November and mid-January. One can still find here the traditional husky sleighs for transport, however, mostly for tourists and competitions now-a-days. 8 to 10 dogs pull each sleigh (depending on how heavy the tourists are), and they are eager to get going, yelping and tugging at the reins. The paths are quite narrow and surrounded by fresh, loose snow; often the sleighs topple over when go­ing round a bend or over a mound, leaving you to fight your way out of the thigh-deep snow. The dogs would carry on regardless of it until the handler can stop them; so you may have quite some distance to walk to catch up with them. The Sami are indigenous people who live in tents here and still have a fairly traditional and nomadic lifestyle; they herd their reindeer for weeks across the wild tundras in the frozen north. The tents are quite basic inside, with reindeer skins creating the seating area around the edge, and a fire in the middle to keep you warm. 27. KASH GOZ, AFGHANISTAN In the hotbed of conflict and terror, the villages of the Kyrgyz and Wakhi people are nestled peacefully in the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan. Modernisation and technological development is a far cry in this remote corner of the world, although the people here live peaceful life amidst nature. There is a Kyrgyz yurt camp at Kash Goz at an altitude of ap­proximately 4,150m. Like most camps this nomad camp has five yurts and one mud house which is home to the mosque of the clan. An en­closure formed by mud walls also gives shelter to the sheep and goat herd. Yaks move around the yurts freely at night. There are no trees or bushes at that altitude. The high plains receive a lot of water but ex­treme altitude and tough weather conditions do not allow any farming on this arid land. The arctic winter lasts for six months and can badly decimate the livestock, which is a big problem since Kyrgyz nomads completely depend on their cattle. All types of daily needs are covered by stock farming or by trading in their products like wool, ropes, yurt cover, clothes, milk, yoghurt, quark, cheese, meat and leather. These are traded for flour, tea, sugar and all other goods the Kyrgyz cannot produce by themselves. A yak caravan to the closest Wakhi settlement takes a troublesome 5 day’s march. The region being surrounded by the Hindu Kush, Pamir and Karakoram Range of mountains, is remote and difficult to reach. However, this is accessible for mountaineers. 28. GIETHOORN, THE NETHERLANDS This is a car-free village in Overijssel Province of the country that is known mostly for its waterways in which boats are the main transport. It is often referred to as the Venice of the North. The village has a popu­lation of about 3,000 people. The centuries-old thatched roof houses, cycle paths and greenery add to the charm of the place. There is a na­tional park and a museum for tourists. The marshy Weerribben-Wieden National Park is interesting to explore. Adjacent to it is the Giethoorn’t Olde Maat Uus which is a farm museum illustrating the history of the region. There are quaint canalside restaurants for dining and spending time in the beautiful environment. The peaceful ambience of the village and its sheer beauty makes it look dreamy. There are day trips to this place from Amsterdam. 29. GÁSADALUR, FAROE ISLANDS, DENMARK This is a scenic village on the western side of Vágar in Faroe Islands. It is named after wild geese which are said to be found in abundance here. From this village one can have panoramic views over to the Mykines Island of the Faroe archipelago. The village is surrounded by the high­est mountains of the region like the Árnafjall, Eysturtindur, Tindhólmur and Gáshólmur and this adds to its pristine beauty. Despite the beauty of the place, the population here has been declining due to the diffi­culty in transportation. As of now, only about 16 people still live here. However, a tunnel was blasted recently in one of the mountains thus making a road for easier entry. This makes it easier for tourists to reach the place now. 30. FREUNDENBERG, GERMANY This is a village in North-Rhine Westphalia region of Germany that seems to come straight out of the fairy tale books. The village is full of beautiful half-timbered houses that add a Medieval charm to it. The village is situated in a valley surrounded by picturesque mountains that provide hiking trails for adventure tourists. There are also other sports options. The Altstadt or the Old Town area dates back to 1605 AD and has a single road to explore. There is a museum that has exhibits relat­ing to the local history and especially interesting here is the collection of clocks. There is also a museum of technology that displays exhibits relating to the industrial history of the place and the biggest attraction here is the steam engine dating from 1904. There are also ruins from a former castle and a church dating back to the 14th century. The village has served as backdrop of films due to its sheer beauty. Around the place are a few accommodation options for tourists who come here to spend some time away from the crowds of citi Article by Miles with Smiles

Amidst the iconic landscape of snow-capped mountain peaks, one also comes across in Uttarakhand picture perfect waterfalls where water gush down break­ing the silence of the pristine surroundings. While most of these waterfalls are perfect for a short trek, being away from the busy tourist attractions, there are others that are crowd pullers. The waterfalls have an average height of 126m and an elevation of 1400m above the sea level. The falls add more charm to the beautiful state and visi­tors can spend time fishing, bathing under the glimmering falls, boating, swimming or just enjoying a good meal around nature. 1. Kempty Falls Located 14.5 km from Mussoorie and 48 km from Dehradun on the Mussoorie-Yamunotri Road, this fall is a fascinating one and among the best in India. Set at an elevation of 1364m above the sea level, this is a perfect picnic spot where one can enjoy water activities or just spend a re­laxed evening. Developed as a tourist des­tination in 1835, the name came from the words Camp-tea, as the place was used by the Britishers for organizing tea parties. The water here drops from a height of 50 feet flowing through five cascading falls in the downstream. Below there are big pools that offer excellent opportunity to swim and play in crystal clear water of the mountain stream. 2. Bhatta Falls It is located 7 km from Mussoorie on the Mussoorie-Dehradun Road near Bhatta village. On reaching here one has to walk for about 3 km on narrow and steep but smooth road. The waterfall cascades down from a height of 30 feet into a naturally created pool where people of all ages come to bath and play. The location of this waterfall is in a quaint area making it a good place for relaxing. There is a children’s park nearby that is ideal for kids. Eateries around offer basic ready-to-eat food like noodles, soups and coffee. 3. Jharipani Falls This cascading falls is known for pristine beauty of its surroundings. Located about 9 km from Mussoorie on the Mussoorie-Jharipani road, one can get beautiful view of the Shivalik Range of the Himalayas from here. 4. Tiger Falls Located 111 km from Dehradun, 105 km from Mussoorie and 26 km from Chakrata, it is a beautiful waterfall in the middle of hilly terrain at an elevation of 1395m. It cascades down from a height of 50m forming a small pond at the base. Visitors can enjoy a relaxed bath in the pond. It is a favourite spot for basic trekkers and picnic goers. It takes a 5km trek from Chakrata through forest with rhododendron and oak trees to reach this falls. 5. Sahastradhara Falls Located about 14 km from Dehradun, the water of this falls is said to have medicinal properties. The sulphur water spring attracts huge number of tourists. The caves around are added attractions. It is particularly crowded during the rainy season. 6. Jimi Ghat Waterfalls Blessed with lush greenery all around, this waterfall in the Pithoragarh District offers scintillating views of the Nanda Devi Moun­tain. The ghat is encircled by the rhododen­drons and birch trees. 7. Vasudhara Falls These falls are often said to be the most beau­tiful in Uttarakhand. Located 11.5 km from the holy city of Badrinath and 6 km from Mana Vil­lage, near these falls are a perfect relaxing spot from where one can enjoy the views of lofty mountains against the blue sky. It is popular as a short trekking route from Badrinath. The water falls from a height of 400 feet here. Dur­ing the short trek to this waterfall, visitors pass through scenic views of the Vasudhara River valley and the Chaukhamba, Nilkantha and Balakun mountains at a distance. A refresh­ing bath under the cascading water washes away all the exhaustion of the arduous trek. There are no shops around, so one must remember to carry water bottle and food. It is said that the beauty of the Vasudhara falls can only be enjoyed by those who are clean, pure and un­stained from guilt and to those who are not, the waterfall is invisible. Monsoon is the best time to be here. 8. Garud Chatti Falls Located 9 km from Rishikesh and 4 km from Lakshman Jhula, this is a small waterfall nestled amidst lush greenery. One needs to trek for about 1.5 km from a temple dedicated to Garuda in Lakshman Jhula to reach the waterfall. 9. Chineshwar Waterfall Located in a small village called Garaun in Kumaon, this giant waterfall measur­ing 160 ft in height is hidden inside a dense pine forest. 10. Corbett Falls This cascade is 38 km from Nainital and 25 km from Ramnagar on the Ramnagar - Kaladhungi highway inside a dense teak wood forest. It cascades down from a height of 20m in to a pool. Although not huge, bathing in the pool is not permit­ted. One can visit here for enjoying the natural beauty though. Trekking in forests, bird watching and nature walks are some activities to indulge in here. 11. Patna waterfall Located at a distance of 13 km from Rishikesh and 6.5 km from Lakshman Jhula in Patna vil­lage, this waterfall is famous for the limestone caves nearby. This trek to the waterfall is steep and difficult. However, the waterfalls is almost dry in summer and hence summer time should be avoided. There are many other waterfalls in Uttarakhand. Some of the most prominent ones are the Rudrad­hari Waterfall near Kausani, the lesser known Kimona Waterfall in Chakrata, Maldevta Waterfall and Shikhar Waterfall near Dehradun, the Moigad Fall located 69 km from Dehradun, jade blue coloured Neergarh Waterfalls located about 5 and 7 kms from Lakshman Jhula, the Phool Chatti Waterfall in Rishikesh, Birthi Falls near Tejam and Mossy Falls in Mussoorie. All come with their own uniqueness, but what is common to them is abundant beauty and pristine charm. All of them deserve to be seen with naked eyes.

The tiny state of Sikkim is filled with wonders of Mother Earth. Tucked away in the Himalayas, it has some of the best scenic spots in India. Magnificent passes, spectacular lakes and views of some of the highest peaks in the world make it a place worth visit. To top it all, there are some breathtaking waterfalls here. 1. Kanchenjungha Falls The Kanchenjungha is the third highest peak in the world and the highest in India. It is located on the border of India and Nepal in Sikkim. Gorgeous views of the Kanchenjun­ga are not the only treat here; the Kanchen­junga Falls that originate from Mt. Kanchen­junga is a splendid waterfall. Located close to Pelling, the falls, surrounded by a thick forest, is a perennial one, which means that it can be seen gushing throughout the year, without freezing. It is a popular spot for day trips. One can reach the viewpoint here by a half an hour drive from Pelling. 2. Banjhakri Falls One will come across these falls on the way to Ranka monastery from Gangtok. The falls start from a height of 40 metres and falls with full force over the rocky terrain. The name comes from ‘Ban’ which means forest and ‘jhakri’ which means traditional healers. Ban Jhakri is said to be a man with healing powers who resides in the forests here. Nearby is an energy park which also attracts a lot of tourists nowadays. It has beautiful gardens and statues of ethnic cultures like Lepcha and Mangpas. The park has solar power generated activities for the public. It is located 12 km from Gangtok. 3. Bakthang Falls Bakthang Falls are located only about 3km from the capital city Gangtok. It can be seen from the roadside, hence easily acces­sible. It is in North Sikkim, very close to the Tashi View Point. The falls start from Ratey Chu, which is the main water supplying river in the city Gangtok. The waterfalls are quite wide and that makes it even more spectacular. One can experience an adrena­line rush here by taking the rope sliding. From the spot one can see the Himalayas and the town of Gangtok below. 4. Naga Falls These falls are situated near Lachung, on the Gangtok-Chungthang road, about 82 km from Gangtok. It is one of the longest waterfalls of Sik­kim. Surrounded by snow capped Himalayas, the falls has many levels. The main fall being very far from the road, one has to trek to see it. There is a scenic rocky path for trekking up there. It is not safe to visit during monsoon as the flow of water becomes quite heavy. 5. Changey Waterfall This popular waterfall is located only 9 km from Pelling, on the Pelling-Dantam Road. It is a white stream of water cutting through thick green slopes of the mountain. The waterfall is sur­rounded by hills. The water crashes down from a height of 300 feet. One has to walk for 20 minutes through a rough pathway till the falls. The Dantam Bazaar located nearby, is popular for shopping. 6. BhimNala Falls It is a mesmerizing waterfall located in Khedum near Lachung in North Sikkim. This waterfall is among the highest in the state of Sikkim and a very popular tour­ist spot. The fall has three levels through which it cascades. The falls is located on the Chungthang-Lachung road, so one can stop here and admire the natural beauty. The impact of the gushing waters of the falls creates a loud and continuous sound which can be heard from far off. 7. Phamrong Falls These falls probably has the most power­ful flow of water. It is the highest waterfall in Sikkim and is located between Yuksom and Tashiding. The source of this waterfall is also the Kanchenjunga. The waterfall crashes through a green plateau and then take a steep downward spiral. It is a multi-tiered waterfall creating huge spray of water that has created natural water pools between the road and the main falls. There is a bridge from which one can view the falls. To reach this viewpoint, one has to trek for about 200 m. The Kanchenjunga can be viewed up close from here. From Pelling it is only 35 km away. 7. Rimbi Waterfalls Located near Darap village, this is a very popular sightseeing spot in Sikkim. It lies on the way to the famous Khecheopalri Lake and Yuksam. The falls are part of the Rimbi river which is popular for activities like swimming and fishing. There is greenery around through which the white stream of water cascades. It is located only 12 km from Pelling. The waterfall is most spectacular in summer, as the flow is perfect. During monsoon, the flow of water is too high, making it dangerous. A very old hydro electric power station is located near the water­fall, which supplies water to towns in West Sikkim including Pelling. It is quite pleasant during summer and in winter, temperatures drop below -5. 9. Seven Sisters Falls It is a very popular spot near Gangtok situated near the highway between Gangtok and Lachung. These are seven smaller falls together. The waterfall is most gorgeous during monsoon when the flow of water is at its highest. The water falls through very rugged terrain over limestones and creates a picturesque ambience. It also creates a thunderous sound. 10. Kyongnosla Waterfalls These falls are located about 31 kms away from the state capital Gangtok in the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary on the way to Nathu La pass and Tshangu Lake. The water falls from a height of 10,400 ft. The impact of the gushing water creates a massive amount of spray. Since the wa­terfall is so high, the top is covered with clouds. Because of its height, locals call it Amitabh Bachchan Falls! In the sanctuary one will be able to see many rare species like the Snow leopard, Tibetan Gazelle and Tibetan wolf. Monsoon is a good time to visit as the rhododendrons and primulas are in full bloom at this time. 11. Kali Khola Falls These falls, also known as Kuikhola Falls, are located on the way to Rongli from Rorathang on the Old Silk Route. These falls are also often re­ferred to as the Lonely Falls as these are located in a secluded spot, hidden by greenery. The spot is perfect for photography and the place draws a number of visitors just for this reason. Summers are cold here and in winter, temperatures drop below -2. The waters of the Kali Khola Falls are very crystal clear. The waterfalls are about 100 metres in length. The water flows over lush green slopes before crashing over rocky mountain.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 20 September 2024:  Renowned Swedish artist and DJ Eric Prydz will perform his renowned concert HOLO, at the Expo City Arena in Dubai on October 18. This event marks the first time HOLO will be held in Dubai and the Middle East, serving as the grand finale to the programmes and sessions of GITEX GLOBAL 2024, the most sought after technology and startup event in the region.   Enchanting Holosphere Performances HOLO has captivated audiences worldwide with its blend of musical aesthetics and cutting-edge technology, featuring stunning three-dimensional visuals that evoke beauty, wonder, and excitement. This live audio-visual show is organised by M-Premiere, a pioneering and inspiring events company that has operated in the UAE for over 15 years. It will be conducted in collaboration with GITEX GLOBAL and the international Sónar festival and brand, which has been a beacon of innovation in music and culture since its inaugural event in Barcelona in 1994. The Dubai concert represents the second collaboration between HOLO and Sónar, following their joint event held (WHERE) during the 30th anniversary of the Sónar festival in June 2023.   Diverse programme Attendance at the HOLO event at Expo City Arena is open to individuals aged 16 and older. Tickets are available on the website: www.platinumlist.net , and starts at AED 175. The event is set to begin at 7:30 pm on Friday, October 18, and will feature performances by several prominent DJs. Performers names and performance times to be announced in the coming days. Following these, Eric Prydz will take the stage for the main performance, promising to enchant the Dubai audience with his captivating works. Prydz will be journeying through a landscape of melodies and technology, promising a night filled with joy, wonder, and excitement.   200,000 professionals This event holds significance not only due to the stature of the artist but also because of the pivotal role of GITEX GLOBAL 2024, which HOLO will conclude. The exhibition will take place across two venues in Expo City Dubai, and is expected to attract over 200,000 professionals in technology, entrepreneurship, and investors who will engage in sessions and discussions about the future of innovation in the sector.   Pioneering music development HOLO is one of Eric Prydz's distinguished creations, stemming from the ideas of this globally acclaimed artist, who jave been recognised as one of the leading producers and developers of electronic music in the last 20 years. He is internationally known by the names Pryda and Cirez D, and is celebrated for his commitment to live performances, utilizing technology, lighting, and lasers to create an inspiring and captivating experience.

Contributors (159) Abdul Salam Usta, Rajasthan Abhik Sarkar, Bangalore Abhirup Ghosh, Kolkata Abira Chakraborty, Mumbai Agnimitra Paul, Kolkata Ajay Kumar Tharavath, Kolkata Ajay Nath, Kolkata Alakananda Chaudhury, New Delhi Alok Ganguly, Kolkata Alolika Banerjee, Kolkata Amartya Mukherjee, Kolkata Ananya Chakraborty, Kolkata Ananya Dutta, Kolkata Ananya Ghosh, Mumbai Anil Pradhan, Shillong Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Kolkata Anjan Ghosh, Kolkata Ankita Ghosh, Kolkata Anubhuti Nath, Gurgaon Anupam Chanda, Mumbai Arindam Chowdhury, Kolkata Arindam Dhar, Hyderabad Arindam Maury, Barrackpore Arindam Roy Choudhury, Chennai Arindam Sengupta, Kolkata Aritra Karmakar, Kolkata Arka Roy, Kolkata Arkajyoti Shome, Kolkata Arpita Chanda, Hyderabad Arshdeep Singh, Jalandhar Arumita Biswas, Kolkata Arup Chowdhury, Kolkata Ashwini Nagar, Kolkata Atanu Paul, Kolkata Atanu Pradhan, Midnapore Ayan Mitra, Kolkata Ayan Sengupta, Kolkata Ayesha Mahajan, Gurgaon Bibhash Chakraborty, Kolkata Biplab Banerjee, Kolkata Bisheshwar Yadav, Patna Bratati Choudhury, Kolkata Debabrata Das, Kolkata Debaditya Das, Kolkata Deepjyoti Biswas, Bangalore Dicky Sinha, Mumbai Dilip Kalokhe, Mumbai Dr. Arunaloke Bhattacharjee, Kolkata Dr. Haradhan Sarkar, Kolkata Dr. Jaydeep Choudhury, Kolkata Dr. Kaushik Mitra, Kolkata Dr. Kumar Kanti Das, Silchar Dr. Paritosh Nandi, Kolkata Dr. Sayan Bhattacharjee, Kolkata Dwaipayan Paul, Kolkata Evelyn Sharma, Mumbai Gita Nandi, Kolkata Jai Gakhreja, Udaipur Janki Parwal, Jaipur Jency Samuel, India Jignesh Patel, Gujarat Jitendra Nagar, Kolkata Joy Banerjee, Kolkata Jwalaprasad Deore, Pune Kakoli Bose, Kolkata Kimsuk Ray, Kolkata Kishore Nagar, Kolkata Krishanu Bhattacharyya, Kolkata Lopamudra Ray, Kolkata M. Sunitha, Hyderabad Madhurima Chakraborty, Bangalore Mahuya Paul, Bangalore Malav Parekh, Mumbai Mallar Banerjee, Kolkata Mallar Sarkar, Kolkata Manish Kumar Arora, New Delhi Md. Masarrath Ali Khan, Cuddapah Meghna Paul, Bangalore Mitul Kajaria, Ahmedabad Mohorshi Chakraborty, Kolkata Mohua Datta Gupta, Kolkata Mousikta Dutta, Bangalore Muktinath Shil, Kolkata Nemo, Kolkata Nilabja Ghosh, Kolkata Nilanjana Paul, Mumbai Nirav Patel, Baroda Nivedita Chakraborty, Siliguri Nupur Basu, Kolkata Ovinandan Bhaduri, Bangalore Pallav Mitra, Pune Pankaj Deore, Pune Papiya Dasgupta, Kolkata Papri Barua, Kolkata Papri Chatterjee, Kolkata Parna Mukherjee, Ahmedabad Pradeep Debnath, New Delhi Pralay Lahiri, Kolkata Pratiti Moulik, Kolkata Preeti Narayan, Mumbai R. Samuel, India Raees Alam, Ranthambhore Rahul Basu, Burdwan Rajib Saha, Bangalore Rakesh Kapadnis, Mumbai Randeep Singh, Jalandhar Ranjan Mehta, Mumbai Ravikiran Rangaswamy, Ahmedabad Reet Chatterjee, New Delhi Rohit Das, Kolkata Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Kolkata Samar Das, Kolkata Sanchita Dasgupta, Bangalore Sandeep Sarkar, Kolkata Sandip Mitra, New Delhi Sanghamitra, Kolkata Sarasij Chakraborty, Kolkata Sarbani Dhar, Mumbai Satyaki Biswas, Mumbai Saumyodeep Bagchi, Mumbai Saurabh Dutta Gupta, Kolkata Sauvik Dutta, Kolkata Sayak Chakraborty, Kolkata Sayondeep Choudhury, Kolkata Seema Sarkar, Kolkata Shashank Birla, Mumbai Shreya Biswas, Mumbai Shreya Sikdar, Kolkata Shrirang Joshi, Pune Shubhadeep Mullick, Kolkata Shubhro Saha, Mumbai Sohini Munshi, Baroda Somshubhro De, Kolkata Sonali Jash, Kolkata Soumen Mondal, Barasat Soumitra Dasgupta, Kolkata Soumitra Dasgupta, Mumbai Soumitra Mitra, Chandigarh Srinjoyee Aloka, Kolkata Subhankar Mondal, Kolkata Subhasish Chakraborty, Kalyani Sucharita Laha, Kolkata Sudip Hom Chowdhury, Kolkata Sudipta Chatterjee, Kolkata Suman Sengupta, Kolkata Supriya Chatterjee, Kolkata Supriya Paul, Shillong Surajit Sarkar, Kolkata Swarup Banerjee, New Delhi Tanisha Mukherjee, Mumbai Tannistha Nandi, Kolkata Tanushree Dutta, Kolkata Tuhin Kanti Das, Kolkata Vijay Kumar Harishchandre, Pune Vikas Singh, Ghaziabad Vinod Kumar Yadav, Kolkata FOREIGN Contributors (62) Adriana Abreuvoir, Mauritius Adrianna Silas, Spain Aline Dobbie, Scotland Andreas Schnall, Germany Angela Mathews, Berlin Arijit Dutta, USA Ashwin Ladha, Thailand Buddy, Brunei Caroline Couret, Spain Chris Romeike, Germany Chris Thompson, France Christina Becker, Germany Christof Nettekoven, Germany Claus Andersen, Denmark Clayton Bradley, Germany David Bowen, USA David Howard, UK Deepa Sanyal, USA Donna Young, USA Fu Fu Wan, China George Rajna, USA Georgetta Donos, Moldova Girls that Scuba Graeme Edgerton, Australia Grete Howard, UK Harry Kirschenhofer, Germany Ilika Chakravarty, UK Ingo Roger, Germany James Wagner, Germany Jay Magh, USA Joaquin Gonzalez Dorao, Spain Josip Novosel, Croatia Kai Hoffman, Frankfurt, Germany Keidra Chaney, USA Konstantin Trubavin, Indonesia Laurie Delaittre, USA Lisa Niver Rajna, USA Lucas Martin, France Marina Kameneva, Russia Marina Wills, England Martin Hughes, UK Matthias Bohe, Germany Michael Pfeiffer, Germany Monica Szczupider, USA Nils Beste, Munich, Germany Olga Mamonova, Russia Peter Wagner, Germany Philipp Moser, Germany Priscille D’Arifat Koenig, Mauritius Rumu Biswas, USA Sabrina Sayas, France Samer Abu Wandi, Jordan Samit Bhattacharjee, UAE Sarah Richard, USA Soma Mukherjee, Kenya Svetlana Schwarz, Slovakia Tamar Valkenier, The Netherlands Thomas Curle, USA Uwe Erkelenz, Germany Vachik Galstyan, Armenia Valentina Miscovska Petrovich, Macedonia Will Palmer, UK Cover Stories and their Contributors (Total number of covers) Top contributors (73) Sanghamitra (20) Rupanjana De (18) Christof Nettekoven (8) Arup Chowdhury (5) Amartya Mukherjee (4) Grete Howard (3) Tamar Valkenier (3) Dr. Sayan Bhattacharjee (3) Rakesh Kapadnis (2) Pralay Lahiri (2) Anindita Datta (2) Dr. Arunaloke Bhattacharyya (2) Digital (1) One time Cover Contributor (27) Ingo Roger, Soumitra Mitra, Sarasij Chakraborty, Abdus Salam Usta, Vijay Harishchandre, Ananya Ghosh, Abhirup Ghosh, Claus Andersen Will Palmer Subhra Ray Dr. Jaydeep Chaudhury Randeep Singh Vikas Singh Jignesh Patel Aline Dobie Konstantin Truvabin Shubhadeep Mallick Mohorshi Chakraborty Debaditya Das Soma Mukherjee Saurabh Dutta Gupta Girls That Scuba Josip Novosel Harry Kirschenhofer Nils Beste Marina Wills Dr. Paritosh Nandi Celebrity contributors Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Actor Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Indian Film Director Tanisha Mukherjee, Model, Bollywood Actress and VJ Evelyn Sharma, Bollywood actress and Model Agnimitra Paul, Fashion Designer Bibhash Chakraborty, Theatre Personality

28 Picturesque Waterfalls of Tamil Nadu The state of Tamil Nadu, the cultural capital of the south, topped with some of the best hill stations and beaches in India, is majestic. It is a delight during the monsoons when the many waterfalls here come to life in a glorious flow! 1. Courtallam Waterfall Located in Tirunelveli, it is the largest waterfall of the state and one of the largest in India. It cascades down over 160 metres and meets the river Chittar. The Pongumakadal rock on the waterfall’s course is a popular spot. This fall is also known as ‘The Spa of South India’ due to the presence of many big and small waterfalls in the adjoining areas. The Kutralanathar Tem­ple is a popular attraction nearby. 2. Hogenakkal Falls Hogenakkal Falls are located on the river Kaveri and is often referred to as the Niagara of India. The name is derived from two Kan­nada words – ‘Hog’ meaning smoke and ‘kal’ meaning rocks. This is because of the beautiful foam created from the cascade of the fall. The waterfall covers a height of 20 metres. Boat riding is a popular activity here. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the state. 3. Thalaiyar Falls These falls are located in the Palani Hills of Dindigul, very close to Kodaikanal and is also known as Rat Tail Falls. This waterfall is the tallest one in Tamil Nadu and the third tallest in India. It falls from a height of 975 ft. One has to trek for 2-3 hours to see this waterfall. 4. Monkey Falls Also called Kalahasti Falls, these falls are lo­cated in the Anaimalai Hills of Coimbatore. It is a popular tourist spot, covered in green forests and rocky cliffs. The spot is great for trekking. The falls has a height of 60 feet. 5. Catherine Falls Located in Kotagiri in the Nilgiris, it is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the state. It is the second largest waterfalls in the Nilgiris. The waterfall cascades over 250 feet. Catherine Falls is formed from the Kallar River. It can be best viewed from the Dolphin’s Nose in Ooty. 6. Kumbakkarai Falls It is located in the Kodaikanal Hills. It is formed over the river Pamba. The waterfall cascades down a height of 1300 feet. The major attrac­tions here are the stone inscriptions and the Murugan statue. There is rich wildlife around. It can be reached from Madurai. 7. Agaya Gangai Falls Agaya Gangai or Akasa Ganga Waterfalls are located on the Kolli Hills of the Eastern Ghats in Namakkal. The name of the waterfall transates to ‘Ganges of the Sky’. Arapaleeswarar Swamy Temple is a major attraction here. The height of the waterfall is 300 feet. It is viewed best from the nearby Korakka Siddhar Cave. The waterfall is formed on River Aiyaru. 8. Silver Cascade Falls Silver Cascade Falls is located between Kodaikanal and Madurai. It cascades down over 55 meters. It is formed of the water flowing from Kodaikanal Lake. It is so named because of the silver glimmer in the water flow. 9. Suruli Waterfalls Located in Theni, it is formed by the Suruli river on the Meghamalai mountains, cascad­ing over 190 feet. There is a mystic charm around this waterfall throughout the year. Manalaar tea estate is located nearby. Other attractions nearby are the Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Thousand Lingam Tem­ple and Indian rock cut architecture caves. 10. Shenbagadevi Falls Shenbagadevi or Chembakkadevi Falls are located very close to Chitraruvi falls and Main falls and can be reached by a trek through the Chitraruvi forests. The fall cascades down a height of 40 feet and is so named because of the presence of the Shenbaga trees all around. Shenbagadevi Amman temple nearby is an attraction. 11. Honey Falls Also known as Thenaruvi, this falls is located very close to Courtallam falls, the Shenbagadevi Falls and the Main falls. It cascades down through two massive stones, over a height of 40m and resem­bles a horseshoe. Trek to it is quite risky. 12. Siruvani Waterfalls Located near Coimbatore in Siruvani Hills, formed by the Siruvani River, it is also known as Kovai Kutralam Falls. There are lush green forests all around. The waterfall can be reached through a trek of 4 km. 13. Pykara Falls Pykara Falls are located in close proximity of Pykara Lake near Ooty. It is a multi-tiered waterfall over a rocky slope. It is one of the sightseeing spots in Ooty. It is most majestic during the months of monsoon. It is surrounded by a gorgeous dense forest. Boating and motor boat ride in the Pykara reservoir nearby are popular activities. 14. Bear Shola These falls are located very close to Kodai­kanal. It is located inside a forest. It is so named as it is said that bears used to come and drink water from the top of this waterfall. The water falls over a height of 40 feet into a small pool which is quite safe for swimming. 15. Vaideki Falls Vaideki Falls are located close to Coimbatore near the town of Narisipuram. It has to be reached through a forest, but only with due permission, and accompanied by a forest guard. The main waterfall has to be reached through a trek. One will be delighted by the presence of a large number of elephants here. 16. Kalhatty Falls These falls are situated on the slopes of Kalhatti mountain. It is a great location for trekking through the forests and the wildlife. It has to be reached through a picturesque tea estate. The waterfall cascades down a height of 120 feet. 17. Kuthirapanjan Falls Kuthirapanjan Falls or Panagudi Falls is located near Panagudi town in Tirunelveli. The waterfall is seasonal and picks up volume only during monsoon. It is formed over Hanuman River and falls over 150 feet through the Mahendragiri hills. There are many churches around that one can visit while on a trip here. The lovely view of the western ghats is completed with windmills and thick forests. 18. Papanasam Falls Papanasam Falls or Agasthiyar Falls are located near Papanasam town. It is a mesmerizing waterfall with a legend associated to it. It is said that the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati took place at the Agasthiyar or Papanasathanur temple which is located nearby. The waterfall is formed over Thamirabarani River. Papanasam means absolution of sins and people come here to take a dip and wash away all sins. 19. Olakkay Aruvi Olakkay Aruvi or Ulakkai Aruvi Waterfalls are located near Azhagiapandipuram in Kanyakumari. The waterfall is formed on the Pazhayar River. It is also known as Rod Falls since it looks like a pestle (which is called olakkay). The waterfall is situated inside the Kalakkad Wildlife Sanctuary. It is easily accessible from Kanyakumari, Nager­coil, Trivandrum and Tirunelveli. 20. Law’s falls Law’s Falls are located very close to Coonoor in the midst of a wonderful se­rene forest on the way to Mettupalayam. It is named after Colonel Law who had built the new Coonoorghat. It is a very small waterfall, but beautiful nonetheless. It falls over the height of 30 metres. 21. Five Falls Five Falls are located very close to the­Courtallam Main Falls. It is also known as Aintharuvi Falls. It is so named because the waterfall splits into 5 directions, almost like a 5 headed cobra, which in the local lan­guage is known as Aintharuvi. The Swami Ayyappa Temple, Eco Park and Vinayaka Temple are some attractions located close to this waterfall. 22. Amirthi Falls Amirthi Falls are found inside the Amirthi Zoo­logical Park. It is located very close to Vellore, on the Javadu hills. The falls are formed of the Amirthi river. It is a seasonal and comparatively smaller waterfall. There are a number of animals found here in their natural habitat. A small pool at the bottom of the waterfall is perfect for swimming. 23. Manimuthar Dam / Falls Manimuthar is an artificial dam located 16km from Papanasam and 45km from Tirunelveli at the foothills of the Podhigai Hills. It is built across the Manimuthar River near its confluence with Thamirabarani River. It is a popular picnic spot, with boating as a common activity. 24. Kodiveri Falls Located near Satyamangalam near Erode, it is also a dam on the Bhavani River. The dam not only provides water for irrigation, it also pro­vides wonderful views of the surroundings and a nice place for swimming and bathing. The falls is accessible from Coimbatore and Erode. 25. Kiliyur Falls Kiliyur falls is a wonderful waterfall that flows from the Yercaud lake. It is located in Sher­varoyan Range of the Eastern Ghats. It falls over 300 feet into the Kiliyur Valley. Trekking, boat­ing and swimming are common activities here. Since Yercaud is a popular holiday destination, Kiliyur has added to its charms. 26. Puliancholai falls Puliancholai Falls are located in the foothills of the Kolli Hills near Namakkal. It is located inside a thick forest filled with tamarind trees. There are natural springs around this waterfall where tourists come to take a splash. Shiva Temple and Pithukkuli Cave are the nearby attractions. 27. Thirparappu Falls Thirparappu waterfall is located very close to Nagercoil, in Kanyakumari. It is also known as ‘Kumari Kutralam’. It is known as one of the saf­est waterfalls for bathing. A nearby attraction is the Thirparappu Mahadevar Temple. 28. Kutladampatti Falls Kutladampatti falls is located in Madurai, just about an hour’s drive away from the city. It is found in the village of the same name. The wa­terfall cascades down for about 89 feet. Other places of interest here are the Swami Ramanagiri Ashram which is a centre for meditation. Some of the other falls in Tamil Nadu are the Katary Falls in the Nilgiris, very close to Coon­noor, the Fairy Falls and the Pambar Falls in Kodaikanal, the Shivamathungai Falls near the Main Falls, the Kolakambai Falls, the highest in the Nilgiris, the Tirparappu Falls and Kodayar falls near Kanyakumari and the Chitraruvi Falls.

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125 Hill Stations of India With over 20 mountain ranges across its length and breadth, India has no dearth of picturesque hill stations. While some are already popular and hence crowded, oth­ers are quaint and serene. Out of about 1000 hill stations of the country, this list covers 125, whether crowded, less-explored or totally off the beaten path. Some more have been covered in the pictures only. We hope this list would satiate the travel thirst of our readers by giving them an exhaustive list of hill stations to escape to when they get tired with the din and bustle of city life. Visit these hilly retreats during summer to beat the scorching heat, or go there to enjoy the heavenly beauty during the monsoons or winters to get the best of the ethereal charm. A Almora, Uttarakhand This hill station in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand is the perfect meeting ground of culture, history, heritage and natural beauty. The dreamy place abodes some important temples like Nanda Devi, Asht Bhairav and Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple and it is a pilgrim site as well. Shaped like a horse shoe, this town is famous for its pre-British period heritage. It was well known as place where people came to gain health. Auli, Uttarakhand Yet another sought after hill station of Uttarakhand is Auli. Snow clad peaks, gorgeous views of glaciers and the longest cable car ride in Asia, are what make this hill station special. It is a popular skiing destination as well. Surrounded by coniferous and oak forests and Nandadevi and Nar Parvat mountains, the town is also blessed with other nearby attractions like the Valley of Flowers, Badrinath temple and unique alpine flora and fauna that includes red foxes and snow leopards. One can reach Auli from the nearest airport of Dehradun. Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh This beautiful place in the Eastern Ghats in the Visakhapatnam district is also known as the ‘Food bowl of South India’. Coffee plantations, hills enveloped in green woods, caves, waterfalls and beautiful landscape cut into half by serpentine hill roads makes this a much sought after holiday destination. Tourist attractions like Sangda Waterfalls, Dumbriguda Fall, Katiki Falls, the Ananthagiri hills, the Tribal Museum and Borra Caves are not to be missed here. Vishakhapatnam is the closest Airport and the place can also be reached by road and railways. Aru Valley, Kashmir For those who enjoy rural settings of Pahalgam, the sounds of gushing Lidder River and galloping horses, pitching a tent in Aru Valley will certainly amplify pleasure. From waking up amidst misty mountains in the morning and taking an early morning stroll across the valley, to going for horse riding or trekking, there are ample opportunities for pleasure of tourists. Photographers can click photos incessantly here. Nearby tourist attractions include Betaab Valley, Baisaran and Chandanwari. Aru is also the starting point of expeditions to Kolahoi Glacier and Sonamarg. Andretta, Himachal Pradesh Located only 17 km from Palampur and 44 km from Kangra, Andretta is a small village in Himachal Pradesh for artists and art aficionados. It was promoted as an artist’s paradise and drew the attention of film makers, painters and other eminent personali­ties. There is a theatre and a Pottery and Craft Society here. With Dhauladhar Mountains and lush green forests surrounding the place, it is also a perfect destination for nature and bird lovers. There are around 550 species of birds found here. Andretta can be reached by a car from Palampur or Kangra. Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh With an elevation of 1,048 m, Amarkantak is a decent place to visit if you are looking for a hill station. It is however more popular as the meeting point of the Vindhya and Satpura Ranges from where the River Narmada originates. It is a sacred place for the Hindus. The town is also surrounded by rich flora. Askot, Uttarakhand If you want to spend your holidays in a hill station on the Indo-Nepal Border, Askot is a good option. Rather lesser known, and hence retaining its pristine beauty, Askot is one of the best destinations Uttarakhand has to offer. Located in the Kumaon region, Askot is blessed with surreal beauty that is composed of emerald mountainous views, rhododendrons, dense vegetation and a wildlife sanctuary that is home to the endangered Musk Deer. While for nature lovers there is so much here, for adventure lovers also there are many interesting activities to engage in. There are extremely challenging trek routes along the Dharchula Range up towards the Kailash and Mansarovar. Askot is also a base point for many short treks that offer spectacular views. The hill station is situated 54 km from Pithoragarh and one may hire a cab from Pithoragarh to reach here. Aizawl, Mizoram Aizawl is one of the oldest cities of north eastern India and is culturally very significant. Located at an elevation of 1,130m, the city overlooks the Tlwang and Tuirial rivers. The hill station is an indigenous home to some of the primitive and ethnic groups in North East India. Mizo festivals like Chapchar Kut is a good time to visit the place. It may be noted that even Indians need an Inner Line Permit to visit the state of Mizoram. Amboli, Maharashtra Located in the Sahyadri Hills of Western India, Amboli is an eco tourism hotspot with abundance of flora and fauna. The major tourist attractions of Amboli are the ruins of the historic Mad­havgadh Fort, Amboli Waterfalls, the Shirgaonkar Viewpoint, the caves and nearby Hiranya Keshi temple. This Maharashtrian hill station is located 690m above the sea level and is tucked away in a remote corner, away from the humdrums of the world. This is the last hill station of Maharashtra and is geographically close to the state of Goa. The best way to reach here is by road or train. The nearest airport is that of Dabolim in Goa which is located only 108 kms away. Abbott Mount, Uttarakhand This quaint mountain top hamlet in the Kali Kumaon region of Champawat District of Uttarakhand houses some British style bungalows. The snow-capped cliffs of the Himalayan Range of mountains can be viewed from here. A whiff of fresh air wel­comes tourists here. Tucked away in a remote corner of Uttara­khand, Abbott Mount is perfect for a relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The best way to explore the place is on foot. From this place one can see an ancient cricket in the distance as well as some village in Nepal. Achabal, Jammu and Kashmir The beauty of the state is well known far and wide. Achabal, in the Anantnag district, is one of the lesser explored places in the state. It is home to one of the most stunning gardens in the state – the Mughal Garden that was once the retreat for Noor Jahan, the Chief consort of Mughal Emperor Jehangir. Another attraction here is the beautiful waterfall of Aharbal, located a little away from the main town. One can also consider trekking to the lush meadows of Kungwatar. To reach Achabal one can take a cab from Srinagar or Anantnag. B Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh Located in the West Kameng district of this state in north eastern part of the country, this is a place known for its sheer pristine beauty. The town provides views of the Kangto and Gorichen Peaks. The Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary is located closeby and those visiting here can easily make trips to the forest areas as well. 70 km from here is a 17th century monastery called the Lhagyala Monastery. The beauty of this place was pictured in a Shah Rukh Khan starrer Bollywood movie ‘Koyla’. Banjar Valley, Himachal Pradesh A rather quaint destination in a state that is full of well known hill stations, Banjar Valley has many things to offer to tourists. It is however, not just one town, but has many small destina­tions. The main attractions here are the town of Banjar and the villages of Jibhi, Shoja and Chaini. At Jibhi one can stay by the riverside and enjoy unlimited trout fishing and getting drenched in a beautiful waterfall. Shoja is a quiet hamlet with incredible mountain views and the Jalori Pass which is a little away. The Pass is the beginning point of a trek for the high altitude Serol­sar Lake. Chaini is known for the Chaini Fort. To reach the valley one can take buses from Delhi or Chandigarh up to Aut. From Aut one can take the bus up to Banjar Valley. C Coonoor, Tamil Nadu Of the three hill stations in the Nilgiri hills, Coonoor is the quainter one and perhaps more pristine due to its virgin and unspoilt beauty. Its botanical gardens, tea and coffee plantations are to die for. That apart, for the adventure aficionados trekking paths leading to outside of the town is a big attraction. Chikmagalur, Karnataka Located at the foothills of the Mullayangiri Range, Chikmagalur is often referred as the ‘Coffee Land’ of Karnataka. Away from the din and bustle of city life, a holiday in this region brings the much needed respite. The place is dotted with many hills and mountains and offers an unforgettable experience to visitors. The nearest airport is at Mangalore. Chikhaldara, Maharashtra This lesser known hill station in the Amravati district of Maha­rashtra has a reference in the Mahabharata. It is believed that it is here that Bheema killed Keechaka and threw the body into the valley below. Important attractions here include the tiger sanctuary, Tribal Museum, botanical gardens, Kitchakdari, Sema­doh and Shakkar lakes, the Gavilgad Fort and Narnala Fort and a few viewpoints like the Hurricane Point, Prospect Point and Devi Point. The place is rich in wildlife and abodes panthers, sloth bears, sambar deers, wild boars and wild dogs. Chikhaldara can be reached by train from Akola. Chopta, Uttarakhand This is a more known hill station of Uttarakhand and is often called the ‘Mini Switzerland’ of Uttarakhand. Forming a part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Chopta is especially popular with adventure-seekers and trekkers. It serves as the base for trekking to Tunganath. The majestic Himalayas serve as the backdrop of this pristine hilly retreat and paints a divine beauty around. The pristine beauty of the place beckons you to visit here again and again. The nearest airport is at Dehradun. Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya Meghalaya, the abode of the clouds is home to Cherrapunjee, once known as the rainiest place on earth. Today it is more known for its waterfalls, nearby caves and living root bridges. Located in the Khasi Hills of the state, a 2 hours’ drive from the capital city of Shillong, this place casts a magic spell on its visitors with its misty climate. Chaukori, Uttarakhand Situated in Pithoragarh district of the state close to the Indo-Nepal border, Chaukori is a paradise for nature lovers. It sits at an elevation of 2010 m and is 173 km away from Nainital and makes for a perfect day trip from the latter. Towering Himalayan peaks like the Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and the Panchauli form the background of this hill station. The place is known for its tea plantations. Chatpal, Jammu and Kashmir In this age of technology invasion, if you want to visit a place with the old world charm, Chatpal seems like the best choice. There is no electricity here, but that does not stop the place from being a paradise. It is so cold here that even during summer one needs layers of blankets to sleep comfortably. Apart from enjoying the surreal beauty of the place, trekking to the nearby Thimran village past apple orchards, walnut and oak forest is an option. One can take a cab from Srinagar to reach here. Chail, Himachal Pradesh Located 44 km from Shimla and 45 km from Solan at an elevation of 2,250m, Chail was once the summer retreat of the Maharaja of Patiala. It famously abodes the highest cricket ground in the world and also has dense forests. Apart from the scenic beauty here, one can enjoy adventure activities like Burma bridge, rope walk and rock rappelling at Chail. The nearest airport is at Chandigarh. Champhai, Mizoram Located in the Indo-Myanmar border, Champhai is also known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Mizoram’ because it has the big­gest stretch of plain land used for rice cultivation in the state. Surrounded by hills on all the sides, this hill town in Mizo­ram, some 200 km from Aizawl, is a visitor’s delight. It offers stunning panoramic views of the Myanmar Hills. The place is inhabited by different tribal groups, and is a good cultural experience too. Coorg, Karnataka Located in the Western Ghats, Coorg is one of the scenic and pristine hill stations in Karnataka. It is a popular weekend get­away for wearied city dwellers from Bengaluru and Mysore. Embraced with lush evergreen forests, alluring waterfalls, pleasantly flowing streams and rivers, holidays in Coorg spell a sojourn of natural beauty, peace of mind and enjoyable times. The culture and cuisine of Coorg are also not to be missed. The nearest airport is at Mangalore. Champawat, Uttarakhand Bordered by the enchanting mountain ranges and the majestic Kali River, this serene hill station is one of the least crowded destinations in Uttarakhand, and hence serene. The place provides scenic views in Champawat. The nearest airport is at Pantnagar. Chamba, Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh has many hill stations and Chamba is one of them located at a height of 996 m above sea level at the meeting point of River Ravi and River Sal. The place is home to many ancient temples that attract pilgrims. The Suhi Mata Mela and Minjar Mela are important events to get acquainted with the culture here. The Pathankot airport is the nearest airport at a distance of 120 kilometres. From there one can take taxis to reach Chamba. Chirmiri, Chhattisgarh The lone hill station of the state of Chhattisgarh in this list, Chirmiri deserves special mention. The place is more known for its coal mines than for anything else. However the hill station is blessed with picturesque views around which tourists can enjoy. One also finds here a Sjri Jagannath Temple that was built in the style of the Jagannath temple at Puri by workers coming to work here from Odisha. Apart from this there are a few other temples in and around Chirmiri. D Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand Located 24 km from Mussoorie, Dhanaulti is a quaint hill station on the foothills of the Garhwal Range of the Himalayas. The place attracts the travellers looking for some solitude. The eleva­tion is 2,286 m above sea level. While the nearby Mussoorie is crowded with tourists, those coming to Dhanaulti find the much needed respite in its laid back pace. Darjeeling, West Bengal Located in the Himalayan foothills, Darjeeling is one of the most revered destinations of eastern India and is a craze with tourists from all over India. Tea gardens, UNESCO World Heritage listed Mountain Railway, churches, monasteries and parks make it a place worth visit at least once. One of the biggest highlights of the place is the view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, one of the tallest peaks in the world. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra. Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh Nestled amidst the picturesque coniferous forests of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala is the abode of the snow-clad peaks, spectacular landscapes and stunning views of the Himalayas. It is famously the home to His Holiness Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-exile. It has an elevation of 1,450 m and is the starting point of several treks around the Himalayan Range. It is a centre for Tibetan Buddhism and is a favourite place for foreign tourists. Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh Spread across five hills near the Dhauladhar Mountain Range with an elevation of about 2,000 m, this hill station was the summer retreat of Lord Dalhousie, the British Governor General of India. The place is dotted with many colonial era buildings that add to its heritage look. One can trek up the Dainkund Peak to reach the Pholani Devi temple. Satdhara Falls, Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary, Subhash Baoli etc. are some of the important attrac­tions of the place. The nearest airport is at Kangra. Daringbadi, Odisha Also called the ‘Kashmir of Odisha’, Daringbadi has an elevation of only 914 metres but temperature in winter often reaches sub zero, thus making it a popular winter destination. Coffee and black pepper plantations, a number of waterfalls and viewpoints are the major attraction of the place. Dharamkot, Himachal Pradesh This is a tranquil hill station atop the hill above Mcleodganj in the Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This place is more known for its meditation centres and slow-paced life. It is also a starting point for the trek to Triund. The cafés in Dharamkot are known for their pancakes, lasagnas, pastas and hummus. Fruit wines and apple cedar from here are also popular. The nearest airport and railway station is at Kangra. E Elapeedika, Kerala This is a small village located at an elevation of 1000 m above the sea level in the Western Ghats. It is the highest place in the Kannur district and provides a breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea. At the Periya Pass here Pazhassiraja’s force and East India company had fought a battle. Elappara, Kerala This is a village in Idukki village with an elevation of 1000 m. Its cool climate and tea plantations draw a lot of visitors. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Mullaperiyar Dam are not far from here. G Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir The most popular and liked skiing destination in India, Gulmarg, which means ‘meadow of flowers’, is located 52 km from Srina­gar. This place was once the summer retreat of kings like Yousuf Shah Chak and Jahangir. Gulmarg is truly a white beauty. Besides skiing and ice-skating, you can also chance a ride on the second highest cable car in the world. The nearest airport is at Srinagar. Goeche La, Sikkim At an elevation of 4,940 metres, this is a Mountain Pass in the Himalayan Range. The southeast face of the third highest mountain in the world, Mt. Kanchenjunga, is visible from here. Goeche La serves as the base camp for those climbing the Mount Kanchenjunga. Gangtok, Sikkim Gangtok, the capital city of north eastern Indian state of Sikkim is cosseted by some of the highest peaks of the Himalayas. Pristine beauty and awe-inspiring location of this hill station make it an ideal place to enjoy ropeway cable ride and river rafting. The city is full of monasteries, parks, gardens and other tourist attractions. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra. Gurez Valley, Kashmir Located in the interiors of Kashmir, Gurez Valley is blessed with ethereal beauty and is often dubbed to possess one of the most beautiful scenes in all of Kashmir. Situated very close to the Indo-Pakistan border, Gurez boasts unparalleled natural beauty of which the scintillating Kishenganga River, the lofty snow-capped mountains, sparse wooden houses and acres of meadow are part of. The locals here thrive on homestay facilities provided to tour­ists. Gurez Valley is situated 123 km from Srinagar and can be reached from there by car. H Horsley Hills, Andhra Pradesh Located in Andhra Pradesh around 140km from Bangalore, Hors­ley Hills is quite a mystical hill station. According to the legends, this vicinity was once inhabited by a miracle girl, who had magi­cal power of healing. Named after W.D. Horsley, this place is also a popular ground for adventure activities like zorbing, rappelling and trekking. Haflong, Assam This is a quaint little hill station in Assam and can be reached by rail or road from Guwahati. Bright green surroundings, blue rivers and clouds grazing the blue hills that are covered with around 2 lakh varieties of flowers is what aptly describes Haflong. It is home to warm Assamese tribes and tribal culture flourishes in this place. Haflong Lake, Maibong and Jatinga Village are tourist places to visit here. Adventure lovers have options like paragliding, trekking and boating. From October to April is the best time to visit. I Idukki, Kerala A lesser explored place in Kerala, Idukki is just a bus, or train ride away from Kottayam. Lakes, dams, tea plantations and the Eravikulan Wildlife Sanctuary are the main attractions here. The best time to visit is from October to February. The best way to get here is by private vehicle so that one can enjoy the drive through picturesque forests with sight of elephants from time to time. Imphal, Manipur Having a mere elevation of 786m, it is not among the highest hill stations of north eastern India for sure, but definitely one of the most beautiful and important. The Kangla Fort, which is now in ruins, was once the seat of the local rulers. The other attractions here are a historic polo ground, museum and temples. J Johar Valley, Uttarakhand For trekkers this is the best destination. Difficult terrains, cold climate even in summer and picturesque views make it so. The Milam Glacier can be reached crossing the Johar Valley. One can camp at villages like Pungdeo, Bogudyar and Martoli, from where one has majestic views of peaks, closeness to the temple of Nanda Devi Temple and warmth of hospitality of the locals. River Gori Ganga cuts through beautiful gorges, lush meadows and dense forests in Johar Valley making it a rare beauty. Jogindernagar, Himachal Pradesh Named after the ruler of Mandi, Raja Joginder Singh, this quaint hill station is often called the ‘Powerhouse of India’. The mountain ranges surrounding this place house three of the most effective hydro-electric power plants in India. While nature is at its best here, one can also take part in adventure sports like paragliding and trekking. Jhalong, West Bengal Located near the Indo-Bhutan border, this is a small hill station by the Jaldhaka River. This village in Kalimpong District is only 99 km from Siliguri and 77 km from Jalpaiguri. Jhalong is often also referred to as Jaldhaka, after the river. The Gorumara National Park, Jaldapara National Park etc. are close by. The first hydro-electric project in India was developed here and this is one of the major attractions. Jhalong is also a birders’ paradise. K Kullu, Himachal Pradesh Located at an altitude of 1,230m, Kullu is one of the most cap­tivating hill stations in India with an abundance to visit. It is on the banks the River Beas and has a bundle of adventure activities like paragliding, camping under the starry nights and so on. The landscape here is composed of green woods, majestic hills and shimmery rivers. Kalimpong, West Bengal Perched atop a ridge above the Teesta River at an elevation of 1,250m on the Himalayan foothills, Kalimpong is a delightful experience. Dotted with colonial era buildings, churches, monas­teries and parks, this hill station has a lot to offer to tourists. Kufri, Himachal Pradesh Located in the Shimla district on the foothills of the Himalayas, Kufri is a paradise for travellers. The hypnotic charm of the place with lush greenery and the snow clad hills around coupled with its chilly climate makes it a favourite with couples. In winter the place gets a white snow cover making it a sought after destination for activities like skiing and tobogganing. In summer trekking and hiking are the more popular activities. The closest airport is Jubbarbhatti Airport near Shimla (20 kms). Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu In Kotagiri one can witness the Nilgiris changing its colour. While the Nilgiris are known as the ‘Blue Mountains’, at Kotagiri it turns green. Endless patches of tea plantations are responsible for the change in appearance of the hills. The nearest airport is at Coimbatore. Kohima, Nagaland The capital city of Nagaland is a hill station with an elevation of 1,444m and was founded by the British in the later half of the 19th century. It is home to people from various Naga tribes. The Kohima Cemetery which is a WWII memorial is by far the most popular attraction here. Other attractions include museums, churches, viewpoints and the Heritage Village that is a little drive away. Kurseong, West Bengal Located 32 km from Darjeeling at an elevation of 1,450m, Kur­seong is the land of ‘White Orchids’. It has pleasant climate all year through and is a sought after hill resort especially with the people from West Bengal. Kurseong is known for its beautiful tea plantations, churches and boarding schools, but is equally famous for the spooky Dow Hills which is said to be the most haunted place in India. Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh Located gracefully atop a plateau at an elevation of 1,920m, Khajjiar is called the mini Switzerland of India. The region is cov­ered with lush greenery and cedar forest. Khajjiar was unknown to the rest of the world until 1992 when the Vice Counsellor and Head of Chancery of Switzerland visited this hill station and praised it. Attractions here include the 12th century Khajji Nag Temple, high altitude Khajjiar Lake and Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary. Khandala, Maharashtra Located atop the Bhor Ghat in Maharashtra, this hill station is one of the most celebrated summer retreats in the country. It is also popular for trekking and hiking. It became more famous after the song “Aati kya Khandala” in Aamir Khan starrer movie ‘Ghulam’. Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh Established during British rule as a colonial hill station, Kasauli sits at an elevation of 1,800m. Lined with scenic pine and oak plantations, the colonial architecture of this quaint hill station offers a unique charm of India’s pre-independence era. Kasauli can be reached by road from Chandigarh which is the nearest airport. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu Located in the Dindigul district of the state, Kodaikanal sits at an elevation of 2,133m. Surrounded by lush green forests, grassy hills, waterfalls and granite cliffs, Kodaikanal is often known as the ‘Gift of the Forests‘. It is also said to be the ‘Princess of Hill Stations’ and has a lot to offer to tourists including the star-shaped Kodaikanal Lake, Berijam Lake, Coaker’s Walk, Pillar Rock and Guna Caves. Kanatal, Mussoorie A town within a town, Kanatal is located inside Mussoorie but isn’t at all like it. At Kanatal one is surrounded by pine forests, lush greenery, apple orchards, flower gardens, waterfalls and small temples hidden away. For foodies and nature lovers it is the quintessential town to visit. Khati, Uttarakhand Trekking to Khati is a popular activity, although largely this is still a much unexplored hill station. Khati is the last inhabited village on the way to the Pindari Glacier and is the base for the trek to it. The hill station is lined with oak forests and rhododendrons making it a breathtaking experience. Kausani, Uttarakhand Popularly known as ‘Switzerland of India’, Kausani is a place from where one can feast the eyes on mesmerising view of Himalayan peaks of Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchchuli and the Someshwar valley, Garur and Baijnath Katyuri valley below. Surrounded by dense pine woods and tea gardens, Kausani is also a great place to spot wildlife. Situated at an elevation of 1,890m, natural beauty of Kausani is heavenly to say the least. Apart from that there is not much to do here except to see Anashakti Ashram and Pant Museum. The nearest airport is at Pantnagar. Kaza, Himachal Pradesh This is a high-altitude cold desert on the banks of the Spiti River with an elevation of 3,650m above sea level. The terrain here is similar to that of Tibet or Ladakh. Buddhist culture pre­vails here and the town is accessible from Kinnaur as well as Lahaul Valley. Less frequented by tourists due to rough terrain, Kaza mainly attracts mountaineers, adventure junkies and trek­king enthusiasts. Tangyud Monastery, Kibber Village and Key Gompa are some of the most prominent attractions here. Kibber, Himachal Pradesh At an elevation of 4,205m, Kibber is the highest village in the world, located just 18 km away from Kaza and lies in proxim­ity to villages like Komic, Langshu and Hikkim, which are base camps for many treks. Due to very difficult terrain, the hill sta­tion sees very less tourist. The allure of barren and the majestic mountains besides the overwhelming silence of monasteries adds to the charm of this place. There is a wildlife sanctuary here that is home to Himalayan wolf, Tibetan wild ass, snow leopard, Tibetan woolly hare and blue sheep among others. Kokernag, Jammu and Kashmir Some 60 km from the tourist hub of Pahalgam is situated the lesser known yet beautiful hill station of Kokernag. If you love Mughal Gardens, you will be happy to know that Kokernag has the biggest garden in Kashmir. Asia’s largest trout fishery is also located her. One can go there and learn about breed­ing this species of fish. Kokernag can be reached by cab from Pahalgam or Srinagar. Keylong, Himachal Pradesh Keylong is on the picturesque Manali-Leh Highway, at an elevation of 3,080m. Located on the banks of the Bhaga River, it is often thronged by the tourists during the Manali to Leh motorcycle expedition. In the month of July, tourists can witness its annual celebration which is full of fun, colours and merriment. The nearest airport is at Bhuntar. L Lansdowne, Uttarakhand A quaint hill station, situated at an altitude of 1,706m above sea level, in the Garhwal district, Landsdowne is blessed with a pleasant climate all around the year. The place has a cover of thick oak and blue pine forests and also provides visitors pristine views and peaceful environment. Adventure lovers can indulge in activities like trekking and nature walks, bird watching, boating and paddling. Lonavala, Maharashtra Thanks to Bollywood, Lonavala, a hill station on the Sahyadri Range, is one of the most popular hill stations in India. It is also known as the ‘Jewel of Sahyadri’. Resting at an elevation of 622m above sea level, this place is bestowed with a pleasant climate throughout the year. Visitors may indulge in activities like trekking, fishing and picnicking apart from sightseeing. Lonavala can be reached by road or train from Mumbai and Pune. Lavasa, Maharashtra It is the first ever planned hill station in India, and not a gift of the colonial rule. It was built in the style of an Italian town called Portofino. This yet-to-be completed hill station is located near Pune and is a private property. Lepchaghat, West Bengal Located in wilderness at an altitude of about 6967 feet above sea level, Lepchajagat is a quaint little mountain village which is charmingly beautiful, to say the least. The village lies on a hill slope amidst rhododendron and oaks forests. The best thing about the place is that although it is a mere 19 kms away from Darjeeling, and easily accessible by a 45 minute journey by road, this hilly village has somehow quite miraculously been able to maintain its tranquil atmosphere. Landour, Uttarakhand 6 km from Mussoorie, one finds Landour, a cantonment town that has an old-world vibe. Abode to the famous author Ruskin Bond and others including Allan Sealy and Colleen Gantzer, Landour’s connection to the literary world is not unknown anymore. The laid back lifestyle here attracts tourists here. One can take a walk or rent a bike to explore nearby attractions like Kempty Falls, Dhanaulti, Surkanda Devi or Chamba. Lava, West Bengal This hill station is located only 34 km from the more popular hill station of Kalimpong. It has an elevation of 2,140 meters and is popular for being the entry points of the Neora Valley National Park and the Jelep La and Rechi La Passes. Located about 670 kms from Kolkata, this place brings the much needed respite to the city dwellers from the heat and hustle and bustle. Lolegaon, West Bengal Located at an altitude of 1,675m at the extreme end of a Himalayan ridge, about 24 km from the more popular hill station of Lava, Lolegaon is a small picturesque village. From here one can have beautiful views of the Singalila Range, the Kanchenjunga and Tiger Hill. M Matheran, Maharashtra Located 800m above the sea level, Matheran is known for its mild climate, Neral-Matheran heritage toy train ride and colo­nial era architecture. Motor vehicles are banned inside this pris­tine hill station and you arrive by the train and inside the place, commuting is either on foot or on horseback. The viewpoints offer panoramic views of the Western Ghats mountains. Munnar, Kerala Located 1,600m above the sea level, Munnar in Kerala is a picturesque hill station. Also called the ‘Green Capital of India’, it is laced with scenic mountains, rolling hilltops, tea and coffee plantations, and is a true cradle of nature that befits fairy tales and fantasies. The nearest airport is at Kochi. Mount Abu, Rajasthan Famous for being the only hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu rests on a rocky plateau on the foothills of the Aravalli Range. The place is surrounded by forests and lakes and has many as­sociated myths and legends. It offers respite to travellers from the heat of the desert around. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand Often called the ‘Queen of Hills’, Mussoorie rests at a height of 1,880m above the sea level. It is located at a distance of 35km form Dehradun. The serenity of the place, its pristine beauty, panoramic views of the Doon Valley and an exhilarat­ing ropeway cable ride, are some of the attractions Mussoorie has on offer. Manali, Himachal Pradesh One of the top skiing destinations in India, Manali is known for its alluring beauty and splendour. Located at an elevation of 2,050m beside the Beas River Valley, Manali is popular with honeymooners and sports lovers alike. The snowy blanket of Manali in winter is a heavenly sight. Paragliding in these beau­tiful hills of Manali is a popular activity. Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra Located on the Western Ghats at an altitude of 1,353m, Ma­habaleshwar, with its tranquil and evergreen ambience, used to be the summer capital of Bombay. The hill station is also known as the ‘Land of Strawberries’. Mahabaleshwar can be easily reached both from Pune and Mumbai. Mirik, West Bengal One of the many hilly jewels of West Bengal, Mirik is all about natural beauty and splendour. Located mystically amongst the hills of Darjeeling, this small hill town offers a tranquil holiday experience ornamented with prismatic views of the Mt. Kanchen­junga. Surrounded by lush and evergreen pine forests and exotic gardens, the Sumendu Lake is the main attraction of Mirik. Morni, Haryana The sole hill station of Haryana, Morni is a village on the Morni Hills and is popular with tourists. The attractions here include the Bhim Taal and Draupadi Taal lakes, Morni Fort Museum, Garhi Kotaha Fort, Masoompur Fort, a waterfall, a pheasant breeding centre, herbal forest and the ruins of an ancient temple. Morni lies about 45 km from Chandigarh and 35 km from Panchkula. Mahendragiri, Odisha One of the seven famous Kulagiris in India, Mahendragiri is the second highest peak of Odisha and located 51 km from Berhamp­ore. It is mentioned in the poetry of Kalidasa. It is mainly visited during the Shivaratri festival. Mashobra, Himachal Pradesh Mashobra is a quaint little town connected to Shimla via Hindu­stan-Tibet Road, the historic road built by Lord Dalhousie way back in 1850. Not frequented by tourists often, this place is apt for a relaxing holiday. Thickly wooded with oak, rhododendron, Himalayan deodar and cedar trees, Mashobra is ideal for a crea­tive break for artists. Munsiyari, Uttarakhand A beautiful hill station at an elevation of 2,298m, Munsiyari is extremely popular with adventure-seekers. Deeply forested with rhododendron, cedar and deodar trees, this place offers beautiful views of snow-capped Himalayan ranges. It is a starting point of many treks including the popular trek to Namik Glacier. N Nainital, Uttarakhand A Himalayan resort town, Nainital as a hill station needs no introduction to tourists. Resting at an elevation of 2,084m in the Kumaon region, the town of Nainital is tucked within hills and mountains. Among the tourist destinations here, the Nainital Lake is a popular boating destination. For those willing to have a view of the town from above and of the Nanda Devi Peak, there is a cable car option. Nelong Valley, Uttarakhand Nelong Valley lies in the Gangotri National Park and was historically part of Indo-Tibet trade route. It presents a desert landscape like that in Ladakh. The unexploited natural beauty here makes it a destination to visit. However night stay here is not permitted and permission of the DM’s office in Uttarkashi is required even for visiting. But once here, one realises that the place is worth all these extra efforts. Netarhat, Jharkhand Set at an elevation of 1,070m, Netarhat town in the Latehar district of Jharkhand is known for its sunrise and sunset views. It is the highest point of Chhotanagpur Plateau and is also called the ‘Queen of Chhotanagpur’. A day trip from Ranchi is the best way to enjoy the place. The hill station brings respite to the state that is otherwise depried of mountains. O Ooty, Tamil Nadu The scenic beauty of Ooty makes it one of the most celebrated hill stations of South India. Nestled deep within the Nilgiri Hills, this quaint hill station has been traditionally a delight for the honeymooners, family holidayers and nature lovers alike. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway which is a UNESCO World Heritage can be experienced here as Ooty is one of the stations it connects. Tea, coffee and cardamom plantations, botanical gardens and parks make it a must visit destination. P Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh This hill station is often called ‘The Queen of Satpura’ and happens to be the only hill station of the state. Located at an elevation of 1,100m, this hilly retreat is popular for its scenic beauty, picture-perfect outlook and the tranquil ambience. Shar­ing history with the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Pachmarhi offers many tourist attractions like Dhurgarh, Sunset Point, Sangam, Silver Falls and several caves. Pelling, Sikkim Located about 2,100 metres above sea level, Pelling is a perfect amalgamation of natural beauty and spirituality. It offers the most stunning views of the Himalayas and Mt Kanchenjunga. The Pemayangste and Sanga Choling monasteries are the high­lights of the hill station as is Pelling’s scenic beauty, its waterfalls, the Khecheopalri Lake and its historical architecture. Pelling, being the base camp for a number of interesting trekking routes, is popular with mountaineers. Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir Another hill station that needs no introduction, Pahalgam is situated at an altitude of 2,740m. Be it honeymooners, pilgrims, family holidayers or friends, Pahalgam is a top destination for all. There is a mountain trail running from here to the Amarnath Cave temple. The nearest airport is at Srinagar. Ponmudi, Kerala Ponmudi is nestled at an elevation of 1,100m and is home to acres of tea gardens, national parks and rivers. The quaint hill station offers excellent views of dramatic sunrise from the hill tops. Tea gardens, crystal clear waters of the Kallar River and fresh water springs are its biggest attractions. There is also a deer park, a wild­life sanctuary and a biological park here. Ponmudi is a shutterbug’s paradise. Peora, Uttarakhand A quiet hamlet in the lap of Kumaon region of the Himalayas, Peora is a birdwatchers’ paradise near Nainital. The elevation of the place is 1,997m. It is surrounded by sal, pine, oak, kaphal and rhododendron trees. It is possible to taste locally grown apple, plum, peach or apricot. Pangi, Himachal Pradesh This is one of the remotest places in this list. In the Chamba tehsil of HP exist this hidden beauty where reaching is a challenge itself. But once there, one realises that it was worth all the pain. The lush green Pangi valley, having an elevation up to 3,400m, is as unex­plored as it can be. The place has a unique fragrance due to some rare Ayurvedic herbs and plants. One can trek from here to the Sach Pass (4,400m). But it must be remembered that Pangi Valley is only for the brave-heart and physically fit people. Palampur, Himachal Pradesh Located in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Palampur is embraced by gazing peaks, tea plantations, striking pine forests and other natural marvels. While the Dhauladhar Mountains at the back of Palampur offers a picture-perfect background, the narrow yet intriguing terrains leading to the town makes it more enchant­ing and a must-visit hill station. Pabbar Valley, Himachal Pradesh About 131 km-drive from Shimla is Rohru in the Pabbar Val­ley, which marks the beginning of an unforgettable experience for visitors. Lush green valley with meadows, forests and apple orchards greet you. The valley is also rich in trout fish giving visi­tors ample opportunity to go fishing and angling. Trekkers also have the option of trekking to Chanshal Pass and Kuper Valley. Apart from Rohru, two other important places to see in Pabbar are Hatkoti and Jubbal. Reaching Pabbar Valley from Shimla by private or public transport is easy. Panchgani, Maharastra For those who want to witness and experience how flourishing the colour green can be, Panchgani is a must visit. Discovered during the British era, this tranquil hill station is located in the Satara district of Maharashtra and is guarded by five different hills. The place has an elevation of 1,293m and is replete with tourist attraction in the form of ancient forts and viewpoints. R Ranikhet, Uttarakhand At Ranikhet one gets mesmerised by the breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayas. Surrounded by lush green woods, fields and hills, with meandering roads, Ranikhet is a sheer delight. The place also offers some activities for adventure-lovers. The nearest airport is at Pantnagar Airport and the nearest railway station is at Kathgodam. Raithal, Uttarakhand A small village in the Garhwal Himalayas, Raithal gives you the much needed laid back atmosphere to enjoy a relaxed holiday. Take a stroll, enjoy the breeze, bask under the sun, gaze at the picturesque mountains and lush forests and live in the mud houses with carvings and designs – that’s all you do here. If you want more activity, trek to the gorgeous Dayara Bugyal. From Uttarkashi one can take a cab to Raithal unless you are driving yourself from Chandigarh or Delhi. S Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir Situated on the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar is often referred as the ‘Kashmiri Venice’. One of the most romantic destinations in India, the mystical outlook of this place entices the visitors with its charm and beauty. Visit this piece of paradise and witness the mesmerising beauty of the Dal Lake and enjoy a Shikara rides to several gardens within the lake. Stay in a House­boat for a unique experience. Shillong, Meghalaya Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya is a true paradise to say the least. Popularly known as the ‘Scotland of the East’, it is a must-visit hill station in north eastern part of India. Rolling hills, salubrious ambience, alluring waterfalls, scenic beauty, beautiful lakes, a sprawling park, cool temperature, sumptuous food and cheerful people add to the heavenly beauty of the place. Shimoga, Karnataka With an elevation of only 569m, this hill station is the gateway to the Western Ghats and is hence called ‘Gateway of Malnad’. The place is replete with waterfalls and the Jog Falls is worth special mention. Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh Sirmaur district that lies at a distance of approx 150 km from popular hill station of North India, Shimla, boasts being the Peach Bowl for the state. There are many temples to visit here. It is also a great trekking destination and the Churdhar Peak trek is a popular activity for the adventure-minded. Sirmaur can be reached by cab from Chandigarh and Shimla by public or private transport. Sanasar, Jammu and Kashmir An off the beaten path destination in the Jammu region, 20 km from the famous hill station of Patnitop, Sanasar is an unexploit­ed hill station. This place has vast expanse of meadow which takes you to tiny settlements with mud houses, farms, and streams. The locals are very welcoming. One can reach Sanasar from Jammu City. Sani Village, Jammu and Kashmir It is a village in the Zanskar Valley, located a few kilometres from Padum at an elevation of 3,700m. Time here seems to have come to a standstill. Visitors can stay in the houses of locals at a minimal cost and have local meals and locally brewed Chang (rice beer) as a gesture of hospitality. Local festivals and the Sani monastery are tourist attractions. To reach here cabs are avail­able from Kargil and Leh. Saputara, Gujarat Located at an altitude of 1,000m atop a plateau, Saputara is a picturesque hill station in the Western Ghats. Lush green forests, mountains, cascading waterfalls and serpentine roads makes it a dreamy destination. Over the last few years, it has emerged as an ideal tourist spot offering various fun and exciting activi­ties like boating, ropeway rides and several others. The nearest airport is at Surat and the nearest train station is at Bilimora. Sonmarg, Jammu & Kashmir Sonmarg or the ‘Meadow of Gold’ is one of the most mag­nificent hill stations in Kashmir at an elevation of 2,800m. The place is full of enticing glaciers and picture perfect alpine forests. It is a favourite ground for Golden Mahseer and Trout fishing. But entry to Sonmarg remains restricted in the winters due to excessive snowfall. The nearest airport is at Srinagar. Sandakphu, West Bengal Set at an elevation of about 3,700 meters above the sea level, Sandakphu is located 650 kms from the state capital of Kolkata. This destination is mainly popular with trekkers, mountaineers and ski enthusiasts. Being the highest point in the entire state, the place also provides view of four of the highest peaks of the world being the Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh The capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is indeed one of the most sought-after hill stations in India. Once the summer capital of India, it now serves as one of the main tourist destinations of the country. Be it the winters or the summers, Shimla always offers a pleasant climate and ample of sightseeing options to its visitors and other amazing activities like skiing, trekking and paragliding in the region. Samsing, West Bengal With an elevation of 920m above the sea level, Samsing is located not on a very high hill, but it is nevertheless one of the most beautiful hill stations of the state and is situated in the sought after Dooars area of the state, 640 kms from Kolkata. Lush green landscape, tea gardens and foggy weather makes it a dream getaway for city dwellers. The Neora Valley National Park is only 18 kms from here. T Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh A leisurely road trip away from Delhi, this valley is known to be one of the most picturesque places in Himachal Pradesh. The Valley is located in the Kullu District and makes for the quintes­sential hill station getaway to connect with yourself and dear ones. Choose to live amidst nature at its rawest. This is where you do bonfires as you huddle up when the temperatures drop. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh For the adventure enthusiast, Tawang promises to be a great site for paragliding, rock-climbing and trekking. Resting at a height of approximately 3,048 m (10,000 ft), Tawang is right in the middle of Bhutan and Tibet. It beautifully captures a mix of Buddhist and north eastern culture. It is one of most popular hill stations of the north eastern part of the country. The main attraction here is the Tawang monastery, the biggest Buddhist monastery in the world outside of Lhasa. Apart from it there are stunning views of Tawang Valley, Tawang Chu River, Gudpi and Chong-Chugmi ranges besides glacial lakes such as Sangetser and Banggachang Lake, which remain frozen during winters. Visitors to this quiet hill station can keep themselves busy rock climbing, paragliding and river rafting. Tawang can be reached by either road or flying down to the nearest airport which is Salonibari Airport. One must get a government-issued special Inner Line Permit to enter the district, from Tezpur, New Delhi, Kolkata or Guwahati. The best time to visit is during the summer months between March and October. Turtuk, Jammu & Kashmir Turtuk is a border village in Leh district that was annexed to India post 1971 Indo-Pak War. However, the place remained closed for visitors until 2010. The surreal destination is situated on the bank of the Shyok River and is surrounded by moun­tains of Karakoram Range. All around there are barley fields and stone houses. Turtuk is perfect for those who desire to see ancient Tibetan and Indo-Aryan cultures. Turtuk is a part of Nubra Valley and can be reached by hiring a car from Leh which is around 204 km away. Thekaddy, Kerala Considered as the best hill station town God’s Own Country, Thekkady is the home to the renowned Periyar National Park. In addition to the natural beauty of Thekkady, visitors love to delve into the wilderness of the park and witness some of the rare and exotic wildlife species. Taptapani, Odisha With an elevation of 550m, Taptapani is a hill station in the Ganjam district that is known for its sulphur water springs. The place is surrounded by a cluster of hills and thick forests. How­ever, people mainly come here for the hot water springs. U Udumbanchola, Kerala This lesser known hill station is located in the Idukki district of Kerala and some hills here have an elevation of 2,000m. One of the latest discoveries brought this place to news. In the Potha­mala hills here historians recently discovered the largest menhirs found in the region, indicating the existence of a prehistoric graveyard here. Umrangso, Assam Located in the Dima Hasao district of Assam it is an industrial town. The elevation is 640m. This area has been known for violence and hence sees very less tourist. Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand Located on the bank of River Bhaghirathi at an elevation of 1,158m, it is a holy town close to Rishikesh. It has a number of temples and because of its similarity with Kashi (Varanasi) it has been named as Uttarkashi. V Virajpet, Karnataka Nestled at an elevation of 909m, this hill station was founded in 1792AD by King Virarajendra to commemorate his meeting with General Robert Abercromby, his ally against Tipu Sultan, the King of Mysore. Verinag, Jammu & Kashmir Located in the Anantnag district at an altitude of 1,851m, Verinag is the first tourist spot one comes across while travel­ling from Jammu to Kashmir Valley and is often referred to as the Gateway of Kashmir. The most important attractions here are the Verinag Spring and the Mughal Garden laid down by Mughal Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Valparai, Tamil Nadu Located 3,500ft above the sea level and lying gracefully in the lap of the Anamalai Mountain Range, Valaparai is the vicinity where the stunning waterfalls, lush meadows and scenic valleys whispers liveliness into the visitors. Comprising of 40 hairpin bends, the journey to this spectacular hill station in Tamil Nadu is filled with thrill and excitement. W Waichin Valley, Himachal Pradesh Unperturbed by the chaos of the other tourist places in Himachal Pradesh, Waichin hides itself in thick woods and lofty mountains. One can get here after a steep ascent that can make one’s legs go weak and breath heavy for 2 hours that it takes from Malana Village. But once one reaches here, all the pain is compensated by sheer magic, i.e. gigantic mountains that one seems to be able to touch, the velvety meadow that one can walk bare feet on, and the crisp air that fills one’s senses with positivity. Waichin is a place to reconnect with nature and self. Y Yercaud, Tamil Nadu A small hill station with an elevation of 1,515m, Yercaud is known as the ‘Jewel of the South’. Its natural beauty remains largely untouched and unchanged by humans thus making for a paradisiacal destination for a peaceful vacation away from the chaotic city life. The region’s heavenly beauty, pleasant climate, exquisite range of flora and fauna, beautiful resorts, the tem­ples, small forested areas, the rock formations and the gardens – all make it a mesmerizing experience. Yusmarg, Jammu & Kashmir Located around 47km from Srinagar at an altitude of 2,396m, Yusmarg is a captivating hilly retreat. Legends have it that Jesus Christ once visited the place and so it is also called the ‘Meadow of Jesus’ by the locals. While snow clad peaks, picturesque outlook and fascinating sights of Yusmarg can keep the visitors engrossed, its option for different adventure activities also fulfil the requirement of thrill and excitement among the visitors. Yumesamdong, Sikkim Situated at an elevation of 15,300 ft, this is the last point of motorable road and after this point no motor vehicles can go. This is therefore called the Zero Point. The Chinese Border is very close from here. Yuksom, Sikkim This place is located at an elevation of 1,780m. It was the first capital of Sikkim established way back in 1642 AD by the then Namgyal of Chogyal of Sikkim. Also known as the ‘Gateway to Kangchendzongha’, Yuksom presents picturesque views of snow-capped mountain peaks. There are a number of monaster­ies here. A major attraction here is the Royal Complex of Tashi Teenka. Yamunotri, Uttarakhand Mythologically the seat of Goddess Yamuna and the source of the Yamuna River, Yamunotri sits at an elevation of 3,293m in the Garhwal Himalayas. This is a holy place for Hindu pilgrims who throng here all year long. Yamunotri is also popular for its thermal springs and glaciers. Z Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh In a region that is blessed with one of the most bewitching natu­ral landscapes in the country, Ziro is the highest point. Located in the Lower Subansiri district, Ziro is home to the ancient Apatani tribe, which is known for its unique cultural values, agricultural and social forestry system. Facial tattoos and nose plugs that the elderly locals sport gives the place a mystical feel, delineating the rich cultural heritage that it has been carrying till now. Beautiful pine hills and rice fields characterise Ziro. The hills here are cov­ered with a variety of flora and fauna. Peppered with beautiful rice fields, this place has a laid back vibe that turns musical and hippy during September when Ziro Music Festival is organised, an event that is attended by thousands of music lovers from around the world. Ziro is also a hub for trekkers and picnic lov­ers. It is awaiting its UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Kerala is known as God’s own country and justifiably so. In addition to pristine backwaters and natural diversity, it has some of the best beaches along the western coast of India, some wonderful hill station like Wayanad and Munnar of the Nilgiris and a treasure trove of wildlife sanctuaries such as Periyar. The famous backwaters are the main attraction of Kerala, and a cruise on the houseboats are an unmissable attraction. The backwaters are serene water streams connecting the sea with beautiful lakes. The beaches however are some of the most pleasant and clean beaches of India which are worth exploring for all their glory! The following are some of the most important beach destinations of the state: 1. Varkala Varkala is a rocky beach in Kerala. The Varkala cliffs are very famous and are perfect for trekking to the shore. Apart from the natural beauty of the place, there are other attractions in Varkala such as the Janardana Swami Temple which is more 2000 years old and the Sivagiri Mutt, which is a mausoleum to a religious leader located on top of a hill. The Papanasam beach is located very close to Varkala Beach. It is said that the water here is holy and washes away all sins. The Ponnumthuruthu island is also located close by and is very picturesque. One can enjoy paragliding over the beach here. For tourists, Varkala is also a great shopping and dining experience. The place is located about 40 km from the state capital city of Trivandrum. The nearest airport is Trivandrum and Varkala is connected to the major cities in India by railway. 2. Kovalam Kovalam is a picturesque beach by the Arabian Sea. It is located in Thiruvananthapuram and very close to the centre of the city. The beach is a crescent shaped one cut into three parts by rocky outcrops. Kovalam translates to a grove of coconut trees and it is named so because the whole beach is lined with coconut trees. There are actually three beaches in Kovalam and these three beaches are the Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach and Samudra Beach. The Lighthouse beach has a lighthouse built of red and white stones. The Hawa Beach or Eve’s beach is a bustling beach filled with fishermen. The Samudra beach is a quieter one. The Kovalam beach looks surreal while moonlit. The attractions around Kovalam are the Vellayanin Lake and Valiyathura Pier. The beach had become very popular during the hippy era, resulting in many resorts, ayurvedic spas and the likes sprouting here. The Kovalam Art Gallery, Vizhinjham Rock Cut Cave Temple and Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple are worth a visit too. There is also an interesting aquarium at Vizhinjham that must be visited. Since this beach is located in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, it is easily reachable from the railway station or airport which are not too far. 3. Fort Kochi Fort Kochi is an area in the city of Kochi or Cochin and is also known as Old Kochi. Fort Kochi beach located here is a splendid tourist spot. With rocky shores, piers and pretty resting places along the beach, Fort Kochi is one of the most popular destinations in the state of Kerala. The Indian Naval base is located here. Chinese fishing nets, a unique method of fishing can be seen on the beach here. The sunsets here are golden and magnificent. Fort Kochi part of the town is also artistically quite evolved. The Biennale, an annual art festival takes place here. There are spectacular art installations all over the area. A walk around the pretty streets, filled with colonial style buildings is a pleasant experience. One can enjoy a breezy open air dinner along the beach, on the many restaurants overlooking the ocean. The Indo Portuguese museum and Southern Naval Command Maritime Museum are ‘must visits’. The promenade along the Kochi Beach is also not to be missed. There is a Dutch cemetary, a host of temples and churches, a Jewish Synagogue and a Jain Temple that are also worth visiting. 4. Alappuzha Alappuzha is a beach town in Kerala. It is a very popular tourist attraction and a perfect preface to the backwaters. The beach is one of the cleanest beaches with high waves. It has a 150-year-old pier. The lighthouse near the beach is ideal for viewing the serene ocean. The Alappuzha beach festival held here is a major crowd puller. Sand artists from all over the world come here to showcase their talents. One can reach Alapuzha from Kochi, which is about 2 hours of drive away. It is also connected by ferry to other beaches and lakes as well as by railway with other cities. 5. Kannur Kannur was once an ancient trading port. The beach here is a stretch consisting of five beaches in Kerala. These five beaches are Payyambalam Beach, Meenkunnu Beach, Adikadalayi Beach, Baby Beach and Thayyil Beach. All the five beaches are extremely picturesque and very popular with European tourists. The striking feature of this beach are the graves of many social leaders of Kerala. There is a beach garden here which has beautiful sculptures. The St Angelo’s fort, which is a 16th century Portuguese fort, is a tourist attraction here. Other nearby attractions include the Mappila Bay Harbour and the Arakkal Museum. This museum is housed in a former palace and displays the possessions of a Muslim Royal family. 6. Thirumullavaram Thirumullavaram beach is located 6 km from Kollam in Kerala. It was titled one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world by Discovery Channel. The beach is very serene and very popular for swimming as well as scuba diving. The kings of Travancore used to spend their leisure in this beach. The temple of Sri Maha Vishnu Swamy is an attraction here. The temple pond lies only a few metres from the Arabian Sea. As per the folklores, this temple is one of the seven temples established by Parasurama who is said to have raised Kerala from under the sea. There is an annual 10-day festival that goes by the name of Thirumullavaram Fete (Mahotsav) during which the place gets footfalls in millions. 7. Vizinjham Vizhinjham is a natural port area located near Trivandrum very close to Kovalam beach. It is an important shipping route and a fishermen’s hub. It is a good place to see the fishermen venturing into the sea. There are many cave temples here, the most famous ones being the rock cut cave temples of Vizhinjham. There are lingams and scenes from battles sculpted in these caves. There are a number of Ayurvedic treatment centres and international beach resorts around. Vizhinjam is easily accessible from anywhere in the city of Trivandrum. 8. Anjengo Anjengo or Anchuthengu is a town and beach in Trivandrum. The name Anjengo means “five coconut palms” which are seen in abundance around the beach. The town has an old-timey feel to it. There are churches, buildings and tombs from the Portuguese, Dutch and British eras. The Anjengo Fort, which is now in ruins, is a popular tourist destination. There is a lighthouse here as well as many temples. 9. Kozhikode Kozhikode is historically important as an ancient spice trading centre. It lies very close to the Kappada Beach where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama had landed in 1498 AD. The Kozhikode Beach is also known as Calicut Beach and there is a lighthouse overlooking it. It is located on the Malabar coast on the western coast of India. The beach is breathtakingly beautiful and quite different from other beaches. It has paved stones as well as wonderful lighting. The beach road is about 28 km long. Around the beach there are Thodiyil Shree Bhagawathy Temple, Mishkal Masjid and Barami Masjid. For the children there is a Lion’s Park and an aquarium. The Cherooty Road here is famous for shopping. 10. Bekal Bekal is a small town and a beach located in Kasaragod. The major attraction here is the keyhole shaped Bekal Fort. The beach surrounds the fort beautifully. One can view the ocean in all its glory from the fort. The backwaters are nearby and so are the hills. It can be reached either from Mangalore or Calicut. 11. Cherai Cherai Beach is located on Vypin island which is located across the ocean from Fort Kochi. It is a very popular beach in Cochin and is reached by simply a ferry. Cherai Beach is famous for being the spot from where backwaters and the sea can be seen together at once! Since the tides are low here, swimming is done at ease. Also, if one is lucky enough, one can sight dolphins from here! All these make this beach a very popular one with tourists. The Cherai Beach is also strategically located only 20 km from Cochin International Airport. 12. Chavakkad Chavakkad is a town and beach in Thrissur. Fishing is the main feature of this beach. There are also many interesting places to see around such as the Manathalajuma Masjid, the St. Thomas Church, better known as the Palayur Church, as well as the Manathala Vishwanatha temple. 13. Mundakkal Mundakkalbeach is situated in Kollam. It is not only a popular tourist destination but also a place of religious importance as rituals are performed here. Another striking feature is the abundance of cashew nuts, which has flourished into national and international trade. The Paravoor, Pozhikara and Thirumullavaram beaches are located close by. 14. Muzhappilangad Muzhappilangad is a beach located between Thalassery and Kannur. It is also the name of the tiny coastal village where the beach is located. The beach is about 5 km long which makes for a wonderful marine drive. The Dharmadam Island is located nearby and is visible from the beach. The Anjarakandy river also confluences with the sea nearby. This place is famous for a festival called Thalappoli where a gorgeous procession takes place. 15. Kappad This is a historically significant beach located near Kozhikode. A stone monument at the beach pays tribute to Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama who is believed to have landed here in 1498 AD. The nearest railway station is Koyilandy (10 km) and nearest airport is Calicut International Airport (25 km). Some of the other beaches that deserve mention are the holy beach of Shankumughamin Trivandrum, the Snehatheeram beach or the Love Shore in Thrissur and the Kappil Beach in Kollam.

Traditionally rock gardens are meant to feature the va­riety and natural beauty of rocks, stones and boulders and is also often called rockery or alpine garden. With diminishing area under green cover in cities these days, the existence of traditional rock gardens has greatly been affected. On the other hand, rock structures and formations attract people and they travel miles to see the heritage sites featuring them. In order to cater to these both, many cities have started coming up with modern day rock gardens, and there are already a handful of them in India now. In order to help its readers prepare their bucket list, Touriosity brings this Snapshot that features a list of the most important rock gardens in India to check out. 1. Rock gardens Chandigarh The rock garden in Chandigarh is by far the most popular one in India. Officially known as Nek Chand’s Rock Garden after its founder Nek Chand Saini, it is basically a sculpture garden that features sculptures and structures using industrial and domestic waste. Although the idea was not really to feature rocks, it ulti­mately ended up being called so as the area uses rocks in great number. Nek Chand was a government employee who secretly started collecting the wastes and converting them into sculp­tures in 1957. Today it is no secret and is spread over 40 acres of land near the prominent location of Sukhna Lake. The garden receives visitors close to a million annually. 2. Jatayu earths centre This is one of the newest entries in this list, but not the least significant. Located in the Kollam district of Kerala at Chaday­amangalam, this park is also known as Jatayu Rock or Jatayu Nature Park. It has the largest bird sculpture in the world, that of Jatayu. Located on the peak of a hill overlooking Kollam, the bird measures 61m in length, 46m in width and 21m in height. 3. Rock garden Jamshedpur There is a rock garden in Jamshedpur, although many may not be aware of it, the reason being lack of efforts at popularising it. This rock garden is very basic and is located in Telco Colony. 4. Rock Garden, Darjeeling In a hill station that is already so popular with tourists from all over, this is the newest addition to attractions. Also known as Barbotey Rock Garden, this attraction is located near the Chunnu Summer Falls and Ganga Maya Park. It is 10km from Darjeeling on the way to Ghum. It is surrounded by lush green tea gardens. It is not a rock garden in the traditional sense. It has a rocky waterfall and a lake inside. In Darjeeling one finds another rock garden as a part of the Lloyd’s Botanical Garden. 5. Utsav Rock Garden Built mainly as a picnic spot, this rock garden is located near Hubli in Karnataka. This place brings together art, culture and nature at one place and is a good place for a day out. 6. Oravakallu Rock Garden Also known as Orvakal Rock Garden, this is a 1000-acre sculpture garden park near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. The park features some ancient caves and igneous rock formations. There is a walkway for visitors to have a look around. 7. Rock Garden Ranchi In the city of waterfalls, this rock garden is one of the most visited places. Built out of the rocks of the Gonda Hill, this garden is about 4km from Albert Akka Chowk. There are rock sculptures, waterfalls and a lake inside and the place is great for picnics. 8. Venkateshwara Rock Gardens, Tirupati This rock garden is also known as Silathoranam, this is basically just one rock that has the shape of a natural arch that captures the attention of people. Its formation dates back from the Pre-Cambrian period and there is no such formation anywhere else in Asia. People here believe that Lord Venkateshwara walked on this arch on his way from Tirumala to Vaikunth. This protected place is frequented by tourists. 9. Rock Garden Dhanbad, Jharkhand There is a rock garden at Sardar Patel Nagar in Dhanbad. 10. Nartiang Rock Garden This is not a modern day rock garden like the other entries in this list. It is an ancient one, with a beautiful history and leg­ends associated with it. This is an area of monoliths in Nartiang in Meghalaya and the monoliths are associated with the Jaintia rulers who ruled over the region about 600 years ago. 11. Eco Park, Kolkata The Eco Park in the newly developed New Town Rajarhat area of Kolkata is one of the latest crazes in the city. both with the locals and tourists. The huge park is home to many gardens including flower garden, butterfly garden, mask garden, sculp­ture garden, architecture garden, artificial forest and so on. The latest addition here is the Seven Wonders Park here which features miniature versions of the modern day seven wonders of the world. The Moais of Easter Island have been beautifully replicated in this park and these, along with the other attrac­tions, are quite popular with visitors and photo hunters.

Far from the maddening crowd of the cities of India, secluding themselves in remote hills and jungles, live the adivasis, the natives of the land. The isolation has given each adivasi tribe a distinct culture, language, dress sense, ornamentation and food habit. One thing that however is common to them all is their way of entertainment through singing and dancing. They dance merrily in groups singing in chorus, playing indigenous instruments. Almost all adivasi groups have their own routine of group dancing. The dancing is mainly footwork, movement in circles and formations. The dance movements often is taken from their daily work, like reaping harvest, sowing seeds, grinding grains, hunting and fighting skills. Singing and dancing for them is often in the evening after a hard day’s work, or occasional, coinciding with marriage, harvesting, full moon day, spring and autumn seasons, religious beliefs and so on. The melody, footwork and rhythm are the key elements of Adivasi dance. Though the dance forms have minimal facial expressions the collective expression of joy through body movements thrills the audience. The patterned movements of the dancers are varied, from slow and simple body movements to dynamic and rapid movements. Santhali Dance, West Bengal, Jharkhand & Odisha The most renowned are the dances of Santhals, the third largest tribe of India, found in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa and Assam. Such is the rhythm of their Tamak, tumda drums that it is bound to touch the deep core of the heart. In the evening, with the flute Tirio playing, the women folk sing and dance in an arc, holding each other’s hand, with a lead drummer at the center. The rustic melody and the rhythm have universal appeal. They dance during Karam festival marking the end of rainy season and Disum sendra festival. The dancing has a boldness reflecting the nature of the Tudus, Murmus, Baskeys, Kore, Marandi, Soren and Hembroms. Bamboo Dance, Mizoram The bamboo dance of the Mizo people is also very famous. They wear feather headgears during dancing. With start of the earthly beats, men sitting on the ground both hands holding tightly onto one end of a bamboo each move the bamboos with the rhythm and young girls dance within the checkers in perfect sequence. The Mizo and Naga tribes are very colourfully dressed people. The North eastern tribes of India are warrior groups, so their all-male dance forms shows off the fighting instruments and their valor. The songs often sing of the past winnings and glories. The soothing sight of well ornamented ladies dancing elegantly with soft earthy tunes in the backdrop of the picturesque hilly landscape is a common sight as North Eastern India has a majority tribal population. The ladies weave their own dresses which they wear in the dancing rituals. Kalbelia Dance, Rajasthan Kalbelia Tribal Dance of Rajasthan is another very famous tribal dance, with dancers wearing gorgeous black ghagra choli and dancing in the tune of been. Moving in rounds and pulsating like a snake the dancers have a mesmerizing effect on the audience. The tune of the been creates the perfect atmosphere for the dance. Both men and women of Garasiya tribe also perform on various occasions like Holi festival, marriage etc. with accompanying musical instruments dhol and nagada. Elelakkaradi Dance, Kerala In Kerala, Elelakkaradi is a dance form of the Irular tribe. It depicts every stage of fighting with wild bears, which often attack their home. With drums beats and shouts, children, men and women show their heroism in facing the wild bears. The dance has a drama element to it. Bhagoria Dance, Madhya Pradesh In western Madhya Pradesh, the young Bhils, Bhilalas, Patalias and Ranths perform Bhagoria dances in their best fineries during the spring season and select partners for life. Chhau Dance, West Bengal, Jharkhand & Odisha Seraikella Chhau, Mayurbhanj Chhau and Purulia Chhau of Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal are highly evolved dance forms with movements and colourful masks. It is a martial tribal dance with combat techniques and often has a drama component in it. Chhau has become an art form by itself and the Mundas, Mahatos, Sahus get advance booking for performing it and teaching non tribals their dance style and the art of mask making. Dhimsa Dance, Andhra Pradesh In Andhra Pradesh, the Valmiki, Bagata, Khond and Rotia tribes are known for the Dhimsa dance. It is performed during weddings, special gatherings and during Chaitra month (March-April). Ladies in colourful sarees sing with spirited dances in circles. It has many variations of which one is Bhag Dhimsa which teaches skills to evade a tiger attack. Shad Suk Mynsiem, Meghalaya This dance is held to signify not just the advent of spring but also to express man’s gratitude to God for His bounty and blessings, for peace, tranquillity, happiness and love. It is a kind of Thanksgiving Dance. Amongst girls only the unmarried ones are allowed to participate while the men of all ages, married or unmarried, take part. The girls dance alone or in groups in the centre of a large circle formed by the men who go round the circle waving their white whisks. The girls, dressed is yellow silk ‘dharas’, red long-sleeved blouse with silver armbands, golden necklaces and a silver crown, move in a shuffling kind of graceful movement with downcast eyes to show their demureness while the men prance around to exhibit their protection of the maidens. On a platform, a group of musicians play traditional instruments. The men wear ‘dhotis’ with a black sleeveless jacket and long silver necklaces and carry a decorated silver quiver with three arrows, signifying their commitment to protect their womenfolk, the community and their land. The tribal dancing had been the contact point between the primitive and the modern. The modern city dwellers have always been curious of the lives of the tribals. To the city dweller it intrigues that such poor and hardship ridden people can be so joyful and merry. This advancing wave of the city culture often harms the stable simple lives. But that they are getting newer opportunities to showcase their dance to the world is definitely a welcome sign. Tribal tourism is at a nascent area, which is often seen in the form of nature walk to tribal villages. However enough care should be taken so as not to disturb and interfere with their life and habitat. ..by Pratiti Moulik

India is one of the countries in the world that is known for its stone and rock-cut structures. Be it temples, ancient caves, sculptures, carvings or pillars, we have them all gifted to us by our ancestors. In addition there are the modern day rock gardens and sculpture parks making the country quite a diverse one when it comes to rock tourism. In this snapshot we decided to bring for our readers a list of all the rock-cut structures in the country. These attractions are diverse and are found in various parts of the country. So whichever part of India you may plan to visit, there’s one or more attractions from this list to check out around. 1. The Thousand Pillar Temple Warangal The Thousand Pillar Temple or Rudreshwara Swamy Temple is a historic Hindu temple located in the town of Hanamakonda in Telangana. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. This temple, along with the Warangal Fort and the Ramappa Temple are in the proposed list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 2. Pattadakal This place is full of beautiful architectural masterpieces in rocks which unknown architects and artists studying here created while experimenting with different styles, by blending the Naga­ra and Dravidian styles. The structures are mainly cave temples inside rocks and structural temples built above ground. 3. Ajanta caves These are 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra which date from the 2nd century BC to about 480 AD. The caves have paintings and rock-cut sculptures which are among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art that present emotion through gesture, pose and form. 4. Ellora caves Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Aurang­abad district of Maharashtra. It is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-cum-temple cave complexes in the world, featuring Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments, and artwork, dating from the period from 600-1000 AD. 5. Elephanta Caves Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a col­lection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. These are to be found in the Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri in Mumbai Harbour, located 10 kilometres to the east of the city of Mumbai in Maharashtra. 6. Kailasha temple, Verul The Kailasha or Kailashanatha temple is one of the largest In­dian rock-cut ancient Hindu temples located in the Ellora Caves. A megalith carved out of one single rock, it is considered to be one of the most remarkable cave temples in India because of its sheer size, beautiful architecture and sculptural treatment. 7. Vivekananda Rock Memorial It is a popular tourist monument in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, in the southernmost Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock. According to local legends, it was on this rock that Goddess Kumari performed austerity. 8. Bhimbhetka Some of the Bhimbetka rock shelters feature prehistoric cave paintings and the earliest of these are about 30,000 years old. These cave paintings show themes such as animals, early evidence of dance and hunting. The Bhimbetka site has the oldest known rock art in the Indian subcontinent. It is also one of the largest prehistoric complexes in the country. 9. Masrur temples The Masrur Temples, also referred to as Masroor Temples or Rock-cut Temples at Masrur, is an early 8th-century complex of rock-cut Hindu temples in the Kangra Valley of Beas River in Himachal Pradesh. The temples face northeast, towards the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas. 10. Pancha Rathas, Mahabalipuram Pancha Rathas is a monument complex at Mahabalipuram, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. Pancha Rathas is an example of monolithic rock-cut architecture in India. 11. Shore temple, Mahabalipuram The Shore Temple is so named because it overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. At the time of its crea­tion, the site was a busy port during the reign of King Narasim­havarman II of the Pallava dynasty and the area was quite opulent. 12. Descent of the Ganges, Mahabalipuram Descent of the Ganges is a monument at Mahabalipuram (also called Mamallapuram), on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. Measuring 96 by 43 feet, it is a giant open-air rock relief carved on two mono­lithic rock boulders and is quite popular with tourists. 13. Krishna mandapam, Mahabalipuram Mandapa of Krishna or Krishna Mandapam is a monument in Mahabalipuram. It is part of the Group of Monuments at Mahaba­lipuram that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. 14. Ganesha ratha, Mahabalipuram Ganesha Ratha is a temple in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. It is one of ten rathas carved out of pink granite within the group of monuments of the Pallava Period at Mahabalipu­ram, a UNESCO-inscribed World Heritage Site since 1984. 15. Arjunas Penance, Mahabalipuram This is a unique attraction in Mahabalipuram that features an ancient sculpture carved into boulders. It has intricate details. 16. Tiger Cave, Mahabalipuram The Tiger Cave is a rock-cut Hindu temple complex located in the hamlet of Saluvankuppam near Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. It gets its name from the carvings of tiger heads on the mouth of a cave which forms a part of the complex. 17. Mahishashurmardini mandapa Mahishasuramardhini Mandapa Cave Temple; also known as Yampuri, is an example of Indian rock-cut architecture. It dates from the late 7th century, the reign of the Pallava dynasty. It is a rock-cut cave temple located on a hill, near a lighthouse, along with other caves in Mahabalipuram. 18. Stone Chariot, Hampi One of the most important attractions of the ancient Kingdom of Vijayanagar at Hampi in Karnataka, the beautiful carvings of this stone chariot and its sheer beauty makes it a ‘must-visit’ at­traction of the place which is otherwise covered in ruins. 19. Varaha cave temple It is one of the most impressive temples in Hampi and is famous for its architectural beauty and carvings on the walls. The temple is located close to the River Tungabhadra. 20. Kanheri caves These are a group of caves and rock-cut monuments carved from a huge basalt outcrop in the forests of Sanjay Gandhi Na­tional Park, on the island of Salsette in the outskirts of Mumbai. 21. Lomas Rishi cave Also called the Grotto of Lomas Rishi, it is one of the man-made Barabar Caves in the Barabar and Nagarjuni hills of Jehanabad in Bihar. This rock-cut cave was carved out as a sanctuary. 22. Pataleshwar temple The Pataleshwar Mandir is a Hindu Temple in the city of Hajipur, Bihar. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is located at Jadhua Road, Hajipur. As per local folklore, it is said to have been in existence since ancient period and Lord Shiva is believed to be in the form of Lingam here. 23. Guntupalli caves The Guntupalle or Guntupalli Group of Buddhist Monuments is located near Kamavarapukota, West Godavari district, in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located around 40 km away from Eluru. The rock-cut part of the site has two Buddhist caves, a chaitya hall and a large group of stupas. 24. Talaja caves The Talaja Caves are located in Talaja in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat. The rocks are carved out into deserted conical ones. The rock cut group include 30 caves out of which about 15 are water tanks. 25. Bojjannakonda caves Bojjannakonda is a small group of six rock-cut caves that dates back to 4th Century AD when Buddhism was flourishing in the region. The caves have beautifully carved statues of Gautam Buddha which draw tourists and believers from all over the world for its aesthetic and religious importance. 26. Lingalakonda caves Lingalakonda is a Buddhist rock-cut cave situated near a village called Sankaram, which is a few kilometres away from Anaka­palle, Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The sites are believed to date between 4th and 9th Century AD, when the 3 phases of Buddhism (Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana) flourished at Sankaram. 27. Thirunadhikkara cave temple Thirunandikkara Cave Temple is a rock-cut cave temple of Pal­lava art that dates from the seventh and eighth century AD. It is part of Thirunandikkara temple, which is near Thiruvattar in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. 28. Gavipuram cave temple Also called Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, this temple is an example of Indian rock-cut architecture. It is located in Banga­lore in the state of Karnataka. The temple is famous for its mys­terious stone discs in the forecourt and the planning allowing the sun to shine on the shrine at certain time of the year. 29. Udayagiri caves The Udayagiri Caves are twenty rock-cut caves near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh dating from the early years of the 5th century AD. They contain some of the oldest surviving Hindu temples and iconography in the country. They are the only site that can be verifiably associated with a Gupta period monarch from its inscriptions. 30. Undavalli The Undavalli Caves, a monolithic example of Indian rock-cut architecture and one of the finest testimonials to ancient viswakarma sthapathis, are located in Undavalli of Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh. 31. Badami The Badami cave temples are a complex of four Hindu cave temples located in Badami, a town in the Bagalkot district in northern part of Karnataka. The caves are a typical example of Indian rock-cut architecture, the Badami Chalukya architec­ture to be precise. The caves date from the period between the 6th and 8th centuries. 32. Aihole The rock-cut Hindu temple of Ravana Phadi in Aihole, Karna­taka, was made during 550 AD. The temple of Ravana Phadi was once decorated with stunning paintings and artworks, but due to lack of proper preservation there are only fade remnants of paintings on ceiling. Aihole was the capital of the Chalukya dynasty and the sheer number of rock cut temples (125) prove that it was quite a happening place. 33. Barabar Caves These caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating from the Maurya Empire. Some of these have Ashokan inscriptions. The caves are located in the Makhdumpur region of Jehanabad district of Bihar, 24 km from Gaya. 34. Sitamarhi Cave This is an artificial cave, and an important example of Indian rock-cut architecture. The cave is located 20 km from Rajgir, 10 km from Hisua, and dates from the Maurya empire. It was hewn in a huge hemispherical rock of granite. 35. Jain Son Bhandar Caves Also called Sonebhandar, these are two artificial caves located in Rajgir in Bihar. The main cave is rectangular with a pointed ceiling, and the entrance is trapezoidal, reminiscent of the structure of the Barabar Caves. It was believed that there were treasure inside. Entry inside the caves is not possible and one has to be happy with just a look from outside. 36. Khandagiri Caves Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, formerly called Kataka Caves or Cuttack caves, are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance. Located near the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, these caves are quite popular with tourists. 37. Karla Caves These are a complex of ancient Buddhist Indian rock-cut caves located at Karli near Lonavala, Maharashtra. It is just 10.9 km from Lonavala. The shrines here were developed over the period from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD. 38. Pandavleni Caves The Nasik caves, or the Pandavleni Caves, are a group of 24 caves carved between the 1st century BC and the 3nd century AD. Insignificant additional sculptures were added up to about the 6th century; these reflect changes in Buddhist devotional practices. 39. Manmodi Caves These are a complex of a rock-cut caves located on the Man­modi Hill about 3 km from Junnar in Maharashtra. There are three distinct types of caves here, the Bhutalinga, the Amba-Ambika and the Bhimasankar Group of caves, all of which are architecturally significant. 40. Tulja Caves Tulja Caves are located beyond the Shivneri hill, about 4km to the west of Junnar in Maharashtra. There are altogether 11 caves that were excavated around 50 BC. Out of these caves, the cave no. 4 has been converted into the temple of Hindu Goddess Tulja Devi. 41. Bagh Caves The Bagh Caves are a group of nine rock-cut monuments, situated among the southern slopes of the Vindhyas in Bagh town of Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh. These monuments are located at a distance of 97 km from Dhar town. 42. Lenyadri Caves Lenyadri, sometimes called Ganesa Lena, Ganesh Pahar Caves, or Suleman Caves, represents a series of about 30 rock-cut Bud­dhist caves, located about 5km north of Junnar in Pune district of Maharashtra. 43. Kazhuku Malai Kalugumalai is a panchayat town in Kovilpatti Taluk of Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu. This place is 21 km and 22 km from Kovilpatti and Sankarankovil respectively. The place houses the rock-cut Kalugasalamoorthy Temple, monolithic Vet­tuvan Koil and Kalugumalai Jain Beds. 44. Pitalkhora The site of the Pitalkhora Caves, in the Satamala range of the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India, is an ancient Buddhist site consisting of 14 rock-cut cave monuments which date back to the third century BC, making it one of the earliest examples of rock-cut Buddhist architecture in India. 45. Ramatheertham, Andhra Pradesh Ramateertham is a village panchayat in Nellimarla mandal of Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh. It is about 12 km from city of Vizianagaram. It is a famous pilgrimage and an ancient Historical Site since 3rd Century BC. 46. Amarnath Temple Amarnath cave is a Hindu shrine located in India’s northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 metres, about 141 km from Srinagar, the summer capital of the state. The destination can be reached through Pahalgam town. 47. Vaishno Devi Temple Vaishno Devi, also known as Mata Rani, Trikuta and Vaishnavi, is a manifestation of the Hindu Goddess Mata Adi Shakti or Ma­halakshmi. Located in Katra in Jammu and Kashmir, this is a cave temple complex consisting of 4 temples. While a lot of trekking was required to reach here until recently, a ropeway has now been introduced making commuting a little easy. 48. Edakkal Caves These are two natural caves at a remote location at Edakkal, 25 km from Kalpetta in the Wayanad district of Kerala. They lie 1,200 m above sea level on Ambukutty Mala, near an ancient trade route connecting the high mountains of Mysore to the ports of the Malabar coast. The interior of the caves feature pictorial writings that are believed to date from 6,000 BC. The Stone Age carvings here are unique to South India. 49. Kallil Temple Kallil Temple is a Jain temple located at Kerala, South India. It is 12 km away from Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district of Kerala. Kallil in Malayalam means ‘in stone’. It is one of the most ancient Jain temple in Kerala and one of the protected monuments in Kerala under Archaeological Survey of India. 50. Aurangabad Caves The Aurangabad caves are twelve rock-cut Buddhist shrines located on a hill running roughly east to west, close to the city of Aurangabad, Maharashtra and are not to be confused with Ajanta and Ellora Caves. 51. Jagannath Temple Shree Jagannath Temple of Puri is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of lord Maha Vishnu, located on the eastern India, at Puri in Odisha. The temple is housed in a temple having rock-cut architecture. 52. Andimalai Stone Beds, Cholapandiyapuram The attractive feature of this village is the presence of hillock called Andimalai with Jain caves, stone beds, inscriptions and sculptures. There are 25 stone beds and some of the stone pillows of the beds are carved semicircular. 53. Mahendravadi Mahendravadi is a village in Tamil Nadu located 58 kms from VEllore and 25 km from Arakkonam. The Mahendravadi Rock-cut cave temple is located here. 54. Rockfort Ucchi Pillayar Temple Tiruchirappalli Rockfort is a historic fortification and temple com­plex built on an 83 metres (272 ft) high ancient rock. It is located in the city of Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. 55. Singaperumal Koil Padalathri Narasimhar Temple is dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu located in Singaperumal Koil, a town near Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is built on a rock. 56. Bhaja Caves, Lonavala This is a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd cen­tury BC in Pune district, near Lonavala, Maharashtra. The caves are 400 ft above the Bhaja village, on an important ancient trade route running from the Arabian Sea into the Deccan Plateau. 57. Akkana Madanna Caves This cave temple is a rock-cut cave temple in Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. It is situated at the foothill of the Indrakeeladri temple known for Kanaka Durga Temple. It is one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance 58. Belum Caves These caves are the largest and longest cave system open to the public on the Indian subcontinent. These are known for stalactite and stalagmite formations. The Belum Caves have long passages, galleries, spacious caverns with fresh water and siphons. 59. Bhairavakona Caves Bhairavakona is a holy place situated on the heart of Nallamala Hills in the Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. 60. Bodhikonda Caves At Ramateertham there are three lines of hills standing parallel east and west, and each separated from the other by a narrow valley. The southernmost is known as the Bodhikonda, and on it are the spots connected with Lord Rama, and Jaina remains. There are natural caves, rock art, images and a ruined Jain brick temple towards south west of the hill. 61. Ghanikonda Caves At Ramateertham, the northern hill is Ghanikonda, so named from an image of that goddess which stands in a natural cave at its western base. In front of this cave and on the rock above it are some mounds that contain both Buddhist and Jain remains. 62. Borra Caves The Borra Caves, also called Borra Guhalu, are located on the East Coast of India, in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku Valley of the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh 63. Guntupalle Caves The Guntupalle or Guntupalli Group of Buddhist Monuments is located near Kamavarapukota, West Godavari district, in Andhra Pradesh, about 40 km away from Eluru. The rock-cut part of the site has two Buddhist caves, a chaitya hall and many stupas. 64. Moghalrajpuram Caves The Moghalrajpuram caves are located in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. They are home to three temples. It is one of the cen­trally protected monumemts of national importance and has five rock cut sanctuaries dating back to the 5th century AD. 65. Kamakhya Temple The Kamakhya Temple also known as Kamrup-Kamakhya temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the mother goddess Kamakhya. It is one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Pithas in India and is located on a hillock in Guwahati in Assam. 66. Longthai ni Noh, Maibong Maibong was the capital of the Kachari Dimasa Kingdom. One of the most important remnants of the kingdom is the Stone house which is a monolithic ancient Indian temple from the 12th century with two roofs. It is called the Longthai ni Noh. 67. Dudhnath, Jogighopa Dudhnath temple, a rock cut one with images of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is located at Jogighopa in Assam. 68. Dhank Caves These caves are located near Dhank village near Upleta, Rajkot district, Gujarat. They were chiseled out of calcareous sandstone outcropping during Kshatrapa’s regime. The caves are influenced by Buddhist and Jain cultures and date from 7th century AD. 69. Junagadh Buddhist Cave Groups Junagadh Buddhist Cave Groups are located in Junagadh district of Gujarat. The caves are not really caves, but three separate sites of rooms carved out of stone to be used as monks’ quar­ters. These caves were carved from Emperor Ashoka’s period up to 1st-4th century AD. 70. Bava Pyara caves These are an example of ancient man-made caverns. The caves are a part of the Junagadh Buddhist Cave Groups and are located in the eastern part of Junagadh in Gujarat. Bava Pyara caves contains artworks of both Buddhism and Jainism. 71. Kadia Dungar Caves These are located at Kadia Dungar near Zazpor village of Za­gadiya Taluka of in Bharuch district of Gujarat. The group has seven caves carved out in 1st and 2nd century AD on the moun­tain. The group includes sculpture of monolithic lion pillars. 72. Khambhalida Caves Khambhalida Caves, or Rajkot Caves, are three Buddhist caves located near Gondal in Rajkot district, Gujarat. 73. Sana Caves These are a group of caves located on a hill at different levels in Somnath. These caves were built as early as the 2nd century BC. Beautiful carvings, stupas, rock cut pillows and chaityas make these caves even more interesting to tourists. 74. Siyot Caves The Siyot Caves, sometimes referred to as the Kateshwar Budh­hist Caves, are five rock-cut caves located near Siyot village in the Lakpat Taluka of Kutch district, Gujarat. The main cave has east facing sanctum, ambulatory and space divisions which sug­gests a Shiva temple from the first or second century. 75. Dhosi Hill Cave Temple Dhosi Hill is an extinct volcano, standing alone in the North-West end of the Aravali mountain range with height varying from about 345 to 470 meters from the surrounding land and 1170 meters from the sea level. There is a temple, a pond, a fort and caves on the top and forest around it. 76. Nar Narayan Cave Temple This is a rock cut temple in the Shivalik range. 77. Tosham Hill Cave, Aravalli Mountain Range The Tosham rock inscription, dating from 4th to 5th century, on Tosham hill in Tosham town of Haryana, is an epigraph docu­menting the establishment of a monastery and the building of water tanks for followers of the Satvata during the time of late Gupta Empire 78. Narasimha Jharni This Hindu temple is accessed by wading through a cave with water around four to five feet deep. 79. Nellitheertha Cave Temple Nellitheertha Cave Temple in Nellitheertha, Karnataka, is dedi­cated to the Indian deity Sri Somanatheshwara, or Shiva. The temple dates back to 1487 AD. To the right of the temple is a natural cave, about 200 metres long. Access is restricted, forc­ing visitors to crawl in on their knees. 80. Ambukuthi mala Ambukuthi Mala is a mountain in the Sultan Bathery taluk of Wayanad district in Kerala. It is 12 km from Sulthan Bathery and is located near Ambalavayal. 81. Kaviyoor Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple is one of the important Shiva temples in Kerala, and is located in Kaviyoor, Tiruvalla Pathan­amthitta District, Kerala. It is commonly called Thrikkaviyoor Mahadeva Temple. The main deity here is Lord Shiva. 82. Jogeshwari Caves The Jogeshwari Caves are some of the earliest Buddhist cave temple sculptures located in the Mumbai suburb of Jogeshwari. The caves date back to 520 to 550 AD. These caves belongs to the last stage of the Mahayana Buddhist architecture, which was later taken by the Hindus. 83. Mahakali Caves The Mahakali Caves, also Kondivite Caves, are a group of 19 rock-cut monuments built between 1st century BC and 6th century AD. This Buddhist monastery is located in the eastern suburb of Andheri in the city of Mumbai. 84. Bahrot Caves Locally known as Barad, near Dahanu, Maharashtra, these are the only Parsi or Zoroastrian Cave temple in India. Bahrot Caves is located 25 km south of Sanjan, Gujarat and are situ­ated 8 km away from the village of Bordi. 85. Konark Sun Temple Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE sun temple at Kon­ark about 35 kilometres northeast from Puri on the coastline of Odisha. The temple is attributed to king Narasingha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty about 1250 AD. 86. Armamalai Cave Armamalai Cave is known for its Indian cave paintings. It is to the west of Malayampattu village which is 25 kilometres from Ambur in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. The cave is in the protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India and it is an important tourist attraction of Tamil Nadu. 87. Samanar Hills Samanar Hills or Samanar Malai is a hill rock complex located in Keelakuyilkudi village, 15 kilometres from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The hill has been declared as a protected monu­ment by the Archaeological Survey of India. 88. Kalugumalai Jain Beds Kalugumalai Jain beds in Kalugumalai, a panchayat town in Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu, are dedicated to the Jain and Hindu religious figures. 89. Namakkal Rock Fort It is a historic fort in Namakkal in Tamil Nadu. The fort was built during the reign of Thirumalai Nayak of Madurai in 17th century. The fort is located on the top of a hillock made of a single rock that is 75m tall. 90. Sittanavasal Cave It is a 2nd-century Jain complex of caves in Sittanavasal village in Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu. Its name is a distorted form of Sit-tan-na-va-yil, a Tamil word meaning ‘the abode of great saints’. The monument is a rock-cut monastery. 91. Sri Balasubramaniaswami Temple The Ayikudi Balasubramanya Swami Temple is a small Hindu temple in the village of Ayikudi, Thirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. The temple is visited by pilgrims and tourists who come to visit Kutralam Falls, Kasi Vishwanathar Temple Tenkasi and Thiruchendur. 92. Thirakoil The image of the deity is made up of stone and is placed in the chamber of temple which is shown with the body of a serpent. 93. Thiruparankundram It is known for the Thirupparamkunram Murugan temple, which is one of the Six Abodes of Murugan. 94. Tirumalai (Jain Complex) Tirumalai is a Jain temple and cave complex dating from the 9th century that is located northwest of Polur in Tamil Nadu. 95. Rajarani Temple Rajarani Temple is an 11th-century Hindu temple located in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. The temple is believed to have been known originally as Indreswara. It is locally known as a ‘love temple’ because of the erotic carvings of women and couples in the complex. 96. Manikeshwari Temple Manikeshwari Temple is located in Kalahandi district of Odisha. The temple is located to the south of Bhawanipatna. The main deity here is Goddess Manikeshwari. The main devotees are from the fishermen community. During Dussehra festival, ani­mal sacrifice is offered at this temple. 97. Simhanath Temple Singhanath Temple is dedicated to Shiva who is worshipped by Narasimha, an avatar of Vishnu. The temple has a rekha deula and terraced roof jagamohana of traditional phase of temple style of Kalingan order. The temple is unique for its sculptural embellishment of both the Saivaite and Vaishnava sects. 98. Anegundi Hill Located in Anegundi village, this is believed to be the erstwhile kingdom of Kishkinda, ruled by the monkey ruler Bali. There is a rocky hill which takes one to a hilltop temple which is believed to be very sacred. 99. Yana Rocks If you want to admire rock formations, you must come to Yana to see the unique rocks here. One has to trek a little to reach here. At the bottom of the rocks is a Shiva Temple which de­serves a visit. The view all the way up to Yana is also mesmeris­ing. Yana is situated in Karnataka. 100. Toad Rock, Mount Abu This is one of the viewpoints in Mount Abu in Rajasthan. This is a rocky outcrop that resembles a toad and is quite popular with tourists for views of the hill station.

West Bengal is not just about literature, cultural history, or the lip-smacking food. If one looks close into the natural wealth of the state, one will be surprised to find almost all kinds of geographical features here! Except deserts maybe! From rivers, to plains, deltas, islands, mangroves, forests, hills, there is so much that the state has to offer. To add to that, a major part of the state is connected to the Bay of Bengal, which automatically gives rise to one of the most coveted tourism destinations – beaches! Exploring the beaches of West Bengal will open a whole new world to the traveller. From the largest delta in the world to the border of the state of Odisha, there are many beautiful beaches in the state. The following is brief information about the most prominent beaches of Bengal. 1. Digha Digha is undoubtedly the most popular beach in West Bengal. It is easily reachable by road from Calcutta. It is about 187 km to the south west of the city. Digha has a shallow sand beach. The beach is as long as 7km in length! The long beach shifts its shoreline through the day, depending on the tides. The beach is lined with Casuarinas. There are lots of things to do at the beach. There are souvenirs being sold, fried fish and seafood on offer at the beach. One can even go to nearby tourist places such as Biswa Bangla Park, the Marine Aquarium, Digha Science Centre and Amaravati Park. If one wants some serenity, one can go to New Digha Beach, since that has less people. The beach can be visited any time of the year, but it is most pleasant in the months from July to March. A word of caution here! Since some of the areas in the Digha shore are prone to quick sand, one should not attempt to go beyond the designated swim point. 2. Mandarmani Mandarmani is a village in East Midnapore district of West Bengal. It also has a beach of the same name. It is a very popular vacation spot for people in the state, and the perfect weekend getaway. One can drive there from Calcutta, as it is only 180 km away from the city. The unique feature of this beach is the red crabs that crawl all over the sand on the beach. There are lots of accommodation options here and it remains busy throughout the year. The greatest claim to fame of this beach is that it is the only motorable beach in India and one can enjoy driving on the beach here. 3. Shankarpur Shankarpur offers an isolated beach experience. It is a virgin beach located about 10 km from Digha. It is a fisherman’s beach, so one will be able to see a lot of fishing activities. After a pleasant sunrise, the fishermen can be seen hauling their nets out of the sea filled with fish! The clean beach and clear waters, combined with a wonderful breeze is perfect for a vacation. 4. Tajpur Tajpur is a rare gem in Bengal. It is a beach tucked away in the East Midnapore district of West Bengal, away from the hustle and bustle of civilisation. Tajpur is a fast growing vacation destination in Bengal and it is a comparatively new one. The beach lies on the way between Kolkata and Digha and is about 170 km away from Kolkata. Many fancy accommodation spots have come up here of late. Water sports are also available. Therefore a tourist will not only enjoy the calm and quiet natural beauty but also be enthralled by the water sports that are sure to raise adrenaline levels. 5. Bakkhali Bakkhali is a beach in one of the islands on the deltaic region of the Ganga. The island opens into the Bay of Bengal, promising both sunrises and sunsets, the vast ocean, lots of tranquility and not to mention pristine beauty. The beach of Bakkhali is unique in that it is half moon shaped. On one side is the mangrove forests of Sunderbans and on the other is the sea. Since the water of the Ganga meets the ocean here, the water here may appear muddy. It is rich in aquatic animals. Even beautiful birds are seen here making it very popular with birdwatchers. There are many places one can visit from Bakkhali. These are Frazergunje, which also has a very long beach, and Henry’s Island. One may even take a boat ride upto Jambu Dweep. Bakkhali is about 130 km from Kolkata. 6. Junput Junput is located about 40 km away from Digha. It is a beautiful sea beach, lined with casuarina trees. It is almost a virgin beach with less tourist interference. The beach is important as the State Government Fisheries Department does brackish water fish cultivation and research here. The pretty turquoise water against the lush greenery looks very pristine. 7. Udaipur One of the most spectacular beaches in West Bengal is Udaipur. It is located about 2km away from Digha, very close to the border with Odisha. This is another virgin beach surrounded by casuarina trees. There are a lot of activities that one can do in the beach. There is a host of water sports like banana boat and speed boats. There are a number of makeshift stalls on the beach where fresh fish are cooked and sold, which is a local delicacy. 8. Bankiput One of those rarely treaded upon beaches in Bengal is that of Bankiput. It is not yet frequented by tourists, so it retains a lot of its pristine charm. It is located very close to Junput. Bankiput can be reached from Digha, which is about 40 km away. The major attractions here are the Dariapur Lighthouse and the fishing harbour where the Rasulpur River meets the Bay of Bengal. 9. Falta Beach Falta Beach is one of the many beaches of Bengal which is frequented by localites only, and not really by tourists. The Damodar River and the Hooghly river confluence near the Falta beach. An interesting fact about the beach is that the name of the beach has been derived from a ship of the same name that was damaged here, back in the 17th century. 10. Sagardwip Beach Sagardwip Beach is located in the Sunderbans. It is also known as the Gangasagar beach. Sagardwip is an island at the confluence of the Ganga River and the Bay of Bengal. The colour of the beach is silvery. The beach also has religious importance. People come here to take a dip in the holy Ganga river during Sankranti in the month of January. The Sagar beach is at the tip of the island where the Bay of Bengal starts. There are a number of attractions here. For the spiritual ones, Kapil Muni Temple and Onkarnath Temple will be of importance. The Sagar Lighthouse and Bharat Seva Ashram are other places to visit. The Ganga Sagar Mela takes place here every year during Sankranti. 11. Talsari Beach The Talsari beach is located close to Digha Beach – about 7 km away. The beach is a part of the Gangetic delta. It is a pristine beach surrounded by palm and coconut trees. There are mostly calm low tide waves here. There is very little human intervention and the beach retains its beauty. It stretches for about 3 km. 12. Henry Island Henry Island is located near Bakkhali and has turned into a very popular weekend destination for tourists in West Bengal. The name of the island can be attributed to a British explorer who had ended up in this place in the 19th century. The serene beach here is one that must not be missed. Henry Island is located about 130 k from Kolkata. The beach here is often seen crowded with red crabs.

By Miles with Smiles, Kolkata Southeast Asia is a paradise for tourists and the beach destinations there are especially popular with tourists from India. In this Snapshot Touriosity has listed the top 25 beaches across various countries in the Southeast Asia. 1. Maya Bay, Phi Phi islands, Thailand This stunningly beautiful bay, enclosed on three sides by 100 metre high cliffs, has been one of the main tourist attractions in Phi Phi since the release of the blockbuster Hollywood movie The Beach , starring Leonardo Di Caprio in 2000. The main beach is about 200 metres long with silky soft white sands, colourful coral, exotic fish and exceptionally clear waters. The best time to visit Maya Bay is when the seas are calm and access to the bay is easy between November and April. May to October gets rough seas but access is rarely a problem. However, due to it being a popular tourist attraction, the place tends to get crowded as you will see lots of boats ferrying visitors in and out of the bay and lots of speedboats and long tail boats and ferry boats carrying snorkelers and visitors. One must visit early in the morning or at evening to avoid the crowds. 2. Padang Padang Beach, Bukit, Bali, Indonesia Locally known as Pantai Labuan Sait, Padang Padang beach is located in the north-western coast of the Bukit Peninsula and just a kilometer south-west of the Antara Bali Uluwatu. This beach features a stunningly exotic one hundred meter long stretch of sand that is accessible down a flight of stairs through a unique hollow rock entrance. It is a popular surfing spot as well, attracting surfers from all over the world. It is a regular spot for International surfing events among which the Rip Curl Padang Padang is the most frequent. This region has developed in the recent years and is now lined with shops, surf lodges and western style cafes targeting the surfing crowd. This beach was even featured as a romantic setting in the 2010 big screen adaptation of ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. 3. Lazy Beach, Koh Rong, Cambodia The lazy beach is a quiet small but one of the most beautiful golden sandy beaches with clear blue water and is located in Koh Rong Island, Cambodia. The beach is kept scrupulously clean with limited accommodation and access. Here, the sands are silky smooth and the blue water glistens in the sun with a tropical forest surrounding the beautiful bay. The tranquil atmosphere that lazy beach creates is quiet, laid-back and relaxing. The calm sea offers safe swimming and fantastic snorkeling opportunities. In the lazy beach the sunsets and the evenings are absolutely stunning and you can enjoy your personal time as this beach is far from the crowds. The lazy beach is among the few truly private beaches left in the world. 4. Tub Kaek Beach, Krabi, Thailand Tub Kaek Beach is located at the Krabi province in Thailand. It is one of the quietest and prettiest beaches in Krabi. Tub Kaek Beach is also known as Krabi’s low key gem. The beach is surrounded by a dense forest and rocky islands. It is a natural green paradise beyond the shore with a stunning skyline and a beautiful sunset. Tub Kaek Beach has its own unique beauty and charm which gives you the feeling of being in a private beach. As, the coast is rocky, it’s not really ideal for swimming. The beach has a few world class resorts where you can enjoy the views of the jungle. It offers you an ethereally beautiful place with powdery white sand and shallow water. In short, it is a cocktail of privacy, tranquility and picturesque beauty. 5. Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia Kuta Beach is located at Bali in Indonesia. It is among the most famous places visited by the tourists in Bali. It is also located very near to the international airport making access very easy. Kuta beach offers you Indonesia’s signature white sands, crashing waves, romantic walks and a relaxing spot. The beach is regarded as the number one sunset site in Bali. A large number of people gather at the Kuta beach at late afternoon to watch the spectacular sunset. Some of the most popular resorts in the Bali and beach side cafes are located here which offer fresh sea foods to visitors. The white sands of the Kuta beach continue to attracts visitors every year with its unique charm making the beach a destination which is in the bucket list of every traveller globally. 6. Palawan Beach, Sentosa Island, Singapore If you’re looking a happy family-friendly getaway, Palawan Beach in Sentosa island, Singapore is the perfect place for you. A suspension bridge links travellers to the southernmost point of Continental Asia and offers many interesting shops and eateries which appeal to travelers of all ages. The Palawan Pirate Ship waterground is an absolute favourite for children or if you’re looking for a nice adventure you can cross the rope bridge that connects to the islet that forms the southernmost part of continental Asia. One must not forget to visit the Bora Bora Beach Bar if one is looking to spend a good time enjoying a drink over jazz music. There is also the Palawan amphitheatre hosting an awesome show of displays by monkeys, reptiles and parrots. 7. Changi Beach, Singapore Changi Beach is one the oldest coastal parks in Singapore, located at the northern tip of Changi in eastern Singapore. It still retains the ‘kampong’ or village atmosphere from the 1960s and 70s. You will not find many tourists here as it is more popular among the locals who come here for family picnics or for fishing. It has pristine white beaches filled with coconut trees and is a great place for swimming and barbecues. The SAF Changi Ferry Terminal on the eastern end of the park gives you a marvelous view of sunrise and sunsets that can be viewed from Changi Point. If you’re looking for some delicious seafood, you may visit the Bistro@Changi or go to the Changi Village for other options. 8. Pink Beach, Komodo National Park, Indonesia Very few places in the world are as wondrous as Pink Beach, which gets its unique colour from microscopic organisms called Foraminifera which form the red pigment of the coral reefs. When pieces of coral combine with the white sand it creates a pink hue which is clearly visible. The coral reef itself is one of the many attractions of this place offering a variety of colourful species, making this beach an ideal spot for snorkeling and diving. The Komodo National Park itself is home to 2500 Komodo dragons. The best time to visit would be between April and June right after the rainy season. September to November also works due to the moderate weather and the whale and manta season. 9. Sunrise Beach, Thailand Sunrise beach, or Hat Chao Ley as it is known to the locals is a beautiful spot for watching the most amazing sunrise in Thailand. The beautiful white sandy beach, clear blue water and a variety of exotic marine life makes this the perfect getaway. You can try snorkeling right off the beach and see the beautiful aquatic life which will surely leave you in awe. It is a niche spot for travelers and the best time to visit would be between November and April if you’re looking to find more fellow travelers and between May and October if you’re looking for a quiet time away from the crowd. Bungalows and accommodations are spread out over the area although you will find plenty of resorts and hotels that have sprung up in the recent years. 10. Phra Nang Beach, Rai Leh, Thailand Phra Nang Beach is located in the southern part of Railey peninsula in Thailand. The beach is 450 meters long and it is reachable in a mere 20 minutes by a long-tail boat directly from Ao Nang. Phra Nang Beach is so serene that you can just lie there and soak in the sun. The beach is hemmed by high cliffs. Be blown away by the sheer beauty of the landscape. Right by the beach you can find a limestone cave which features an extremely unusual shrine. This cave is dedicated to an ancient fertility goddess. Inside the cave there is a collection of strange phallic symbols, offering and objects. Local fishermen still leave offerings here although it is now becoming more of a tourist attraction. Apart from this there are caves here and if you are adventurous enough it is possible to hike to the top of the headland and get a spectacular view of the entire area. Swimming and snorkeling can be also enjoyed in this white sand beach. 11. Otres Beach, Sihanoukville, Cambodia Otres Beach is located at Sihanoukville in Cambodia. This beach is famous for its long stretch of clean white sand making it a great spot for sun bathing and exploring. Otres beach actually split into two different areas - Otres 1 and Otres 2. Beach shacks and guesthouses are mainly there in Otres 1 area and in Otres 2 there is a long, tranquil beach, pleasantly free from crowds. It is said that Otres beach is the quietest beach in Sihanoukville, so this beach is the best place if you want to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Otres beach has its own charm, which is different from the other beaches in Sihanoukville. This crescent white sand beach is a must visit in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. 12. Hon Chong Beach, Nha Trang, Vietnam Hon Chong Beach is located in the sand hill of Nha Trang in Vietnam. If you are looking to get away from the hassle and noise, this beach is a very peaceful and tranquil place to visit. The strange thing here is the attractive large boulders stacked together for decades and till date these cannot be moved either by waves or by rain and winds. These boulders have combined to form such an imbalanced position that they shock anyone who glances at them for the first time. The large cliffs in Hon Chong Beach offer exotic views of the mountain coastline. Scenic Hon Chong is considered to be one of the most beautiful bays with smooth sand and gentle blue water. This beach has also grabbed the attention of the tourists for many rumours and interesting folktales. It is said that a giant fish had embedded his palm in the rock with five fingers on the large rock located on the top edge of Hon Chong. Hence, this mysterious beach is a must visit destination. 13. Long Beach, Phu Quoc, Vietnam Long Beach is located at the Phu Quoc Island in Thailand. It is 20 km long coastal area with resorts, beachfront restaurants, cafes and bars. Long beach is relatively pristine with plenty of palm trees, soft sands and a breath-taking sunset view. Here, the cool breeze rolls in off the ocean and welcomes the swimmers and sunbathers. Long beach is divided into the Northern and Southern ends. North Long Beach is the older and the most dense area of Phu Quoc and it is where one will find affordable resorts, hotels etc. The South Long Beach is the newer one. It is where most of the island’s premium beach resorts and villas are located. There is also a backpacker’s area within the long beach known as Long Beach Village. In this part of the beach you will find many bars, shops, motor bike rentals etc. No other part of the Phu Quoc Island can rival the Long Beach for its classic beach beauty. 14. Mui Ne Beach, Vietnam Vietnam is a country with hidden treasures. Mui Ne is located at the south eastern side of Vietnam. Mui Ne is Phan Thiet’s most prominent coastal resort area, spanning 15 kilometers of sandy beaches that are lined with an array of dining and shopping venues as well as luxurious beachfront resorts. The supermarket is nearby, so one can buy great fresh seafood. For those who want to experience the daily life of the local people, the northern end of Mui Ne Bay should be visited. There one finds a traditional fishing village which also offers a marvelous view of the coastline lined with swaying palm trees and colourful fishing boats moored on the water. Here, visitors can enjoy the last few moments of the day and witness the beauty of the spectacular sunset. The sunset view is truly mesmerising and worth all the effort in reaching there in time as the sun disappears very quickly. 15. Juara Beach, Tioman Island, Malaysia Juara Beach is located in Pulau Tioman or the Tioman Island in Malaysia. Juara is a small beach, a hidden gem on the east side of the island. This beach is regarded as the best beach of Tioman Island. With beautiful golden sand, Juara Beach has some small hills and a lagoon on the southern part of it. The warm sea here is teeming with coral reefs and is thus a paradise for adventure tourists who want to go for scuba diving and snorkelling. There is also a hatchery for sea turtles that land in this beach. Juara beach is the perfect place to relax, soak up the sun rays with spectacular views. It is little difficult to get into this beach and is the reason the beach is not as popular or busy like the other beaches on this island. This is the place where you can relax in blissful peace and quiet. 16. Pantai Cenang Beach, Langkawi, Malaysia Pantai Cenang Beach is located at Langkawi Island in Malaysia. This magnificent sandy beach is 2 km long and the most popular public beach both for tourists and locals. Pantai Cenang Beach, with its gentle curve, is by far the most pristine beach in the whole of Malaysia. It offers a spectacular view of the ocean as well as of islands close by. One of the reasons why this beach is so famous is because of its soft sands. It is lined with coconut trees and the calm water is suitable for swimming. One can find all kinds of water sport activities in this beach. Pantai Cenang Beach is said to be the busiest beach in Langkawi Island. It has a series of cafes and restaurants as well as souvenir shops. A wide range of hotels and resorts are also available here in this beach. The beach is a famous spot for sunbathers and it is also well known for its fantastic sunset view. So, this beach is a great place to go with one’s family. 17. Haad Rin Beach, Koh Phangan, Thailand Haad Rin Beach is popularly known as the ‘full moon beach’. The beach is located at the east coast of the Koh Phangan Island. It offers probably the whitest and finest sands that you have ever seen. The water here is also clean and can make you want to go for a swim. Haad Rin is an excellent spot for tourists to relax and swim. Further, Haad Rin can be divided into two sections - Haad Rin Nok, which is the lively party beach and Haad Rin Nai, which has a quieter environment. This beach is one of the biggest beaches on the Koh Phangan Island. It is filled with sunbathers during day time and party mongers at night. Once a month, Haad Rin becomes the busiest place on the entire island because of its monthly full moon parties which draws the attention of many visitors. The rest of the month one can visit the beach with thinner crowds and can also enjoy different water sports activities, one can stroll along the sea, walk or may also swim in the dark blue water. 18. White Beach, Boracay, Philippines White Beach is by far the most popular beach located at Boracay in Philippines. This beach has often been called the ‘finest beach in the world’. The beautiful white beach represents the rich natural scenery of Boracay as well as of Philippines. This beach has a panoramic ocean view with exotic and picturesque spots. It is good for swimmers as well, since the water is usually flat and has no current. The beach is close to all famous places, making it accessible easily. It is a pretty long beach and more like an infinite pool with soft sands under your feet. Nothing could be as relaxing as swimming freely in the crystal clear water of this beach. The white beach also offers you a picturesque view of sunset. 19. Nacpan And Calitang Beach, El Nido, Philippines Nacpan and Calitang Beach popularly known as the El Nido’s Twin Beaches is located at the Palawan province in Philippines. El Nido’s Twin Beaches are a beach lover’s perfect haven. The two beaches are tangent to each other. The twin beaches are one of the best beaches in the island because of their extraordinary natural splendor and ecosystem. Walking barefoot one can feel how fine the white sand is. The beaches are long and sandy with bright blue water and also with relatively few visitors. In these two beaches the water is very refreshing and clear. Here, one can climb to the hills from where one can see an admirable view of the twin beaches. The scenery that you will find in the twin beaches is definitely like a photographer’s dream coming true. A few bars and restaurants as well as some accommodation options are also available in this place. The twin beaches offer a splendid place for a relaxing day. 20. Paradise Beach, Bantayan Island, Philippines Paradise Beach is located at the southern part of the Bantayan Island in Philippines. This secluded beach lives up to its name. It is a hidden beach with crystal clear water and white powdery sand. You can either get here by renting a local boat or by driving a scooter. The Paradise Beach offers a few nipa roofs with wooden benches and a pristine coastline. Apart from this, towering palm trees and grassy areas complete the picturesque scene of this beach. The beach is less crowded in comparison to the other beaches in Philippines. There are no food stalls in the beach, so one will have to bring their own food. It is a great place to relax and swim as the beach has perfect sands and a gentle slope into the water. Visitors can enjoy a scenic sunset view with beautiful red sky as the sun lowers. Hence, this hidden gem of Bantayan Island is one of the best places to visit if one is looking for a quiet and peaceful spot to enjoy it all in serenity. 21. Seminyak Beach, Bali, Indonesia Seminyak Beach is located at Bali in Indonesia. This beach is one of Bali’s top destinations for an exclusive beach holiday as Seminyak is the most upscale and stylish beach in Bali. The white sands stretch 3km making this white sandy beach more fascinating for the tourists. The calm water and fine sand with the lifeguards on duty make Seminyak Beach perfect for swimming for both young and the old. As the beach is very famous, it is quite crowded. There are lots of bars and restaurants on the beach as well as some of the best resorts you’ll see. Seminyak Beach offers great surfing opportunities for the surfers as the beach is favoured by great waves. For this, many surfers visit here to enjoy themselves. Seminyak is a must go if you want to experience a lovely picturesque sunset. 22. Sugar Beach, Negros Island, Philippines Sugar Beach is a lesser known beach located at Negros Island in Philippines. To get to the beach you will have to take a boat journey from Sipalay. Sugar Beach is a stretch of pristine white sand perfectly framed by the green palm trees. The sand stretches smoothly like a soft carpet into the water. The beach is lined with limestone formations making it all the more unique. The beach is the perfect place to relax and get rid of stress and to enjoy the sunlight and the sea. Visitors can swim and snorkel in the warm and calm waters of this beach. In the evening one can enjoy a spectacular light show as the sun sinks into the sea turning the sky and the sea into purple and gold. In short, the Sugar Beach is the other name of beauty, tranquility and relaxation. It is often dubbed as the best beach in the Philippines. 23. Ngapali Beach, Myanmar Ngapali Beach is located on the Bay of Bengal coast in Myanmar. The beach is stunningly beautiful with a wide white band of sand that covers the bay up to 5 km. The bay is interrupted by stones but that makes this beach more romantic. The palm trees fringed with white sands, the clear water of the Bay of Bengal along with the number of resorts and hotels make this beach a popular beach destination in Myanmar. Nearby, there are some fisherman villages also. Ngapali Beach is about relaxing and enjoying the sun as the beach offers plenty of space for everyone. Ngapali Beach is a magical paradise to say the least. Snorkeling and scuba diving are some of the most popular activities in this beach. The sun rise view is perfect and picturesque. It is a place for enjoying the culture and local life. 24. Bai Dai Beach, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam Bai Dai Beach is the most iconic beach destination located at the Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam. This is a remote paradise with lots of sunshine, warm water and peaceful atmosphere. The soft yellow sand and greenish blue sea makes Bai Dai Beach one of the best beaches in Vietnam. There is a perennial forest also growing close to the sea. There are plenty of activities that you can do in this beach like snorkeling, scuba diving, squid fishing, jet skiing, wind sailing and so on. One can also soak up in the sun and indulge themselves in the Vietnamese culture. Bai Dai Beach is ideal for swimming, watching corals and other aquatic animals. Ample number of hotels can be found here along with a few resorts. Bai Dai Beach was also nominated as one ofthe 13 most beautiful beaches in the world. 25. Berakas Beach, Brunei The beach is located inside the Berakas Forest Recreational Park. Berakas Beach or Pantai Berakas is one of those lovely beaches that strays away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The beach is beautiful, clean and also well managed. It is a popular hangout place for family and friends as there are defined places for picnics and barbeque. The sand is slightly golden and the waves are strong. Hence, it is not ideal for swimming. For security reasons the beach is closed down at 6pm. But overall Berakas Beach is a great place to hangout, to explore the nature and it is also a perfect beach for relaxation.

105 beach attractions and activities in India Updated: Feb 10 A major part of India is bounded by water and hence there is no end of beautiful beaches across the country. This article lists the major beaches and various activities that tourists can enjoy in these beaches. The beaches have been grouped according to the states. Goa 1. Palolem Beach, Canacona, South Goa (Different kinds of water sports, swimming) 2. Baga Beach, Bardez, Goa (One of the busiest tourist spots, all sorts of entertainment, famous for night life, water sports and many other attractions like parasailing, windsurfing, kite surfing, etc) 3. Calangute Beach, North Goa (Great Music, night life, foreign holiday makers, water sports like skiing, surfing, parasailing) 4. Candolim Beach, Bardez, Goa (Adventure sports, fishing activities, yoga, meditation, sunset) 5. Anjuna Beach, Bardez, Goa (Music) 6. Vagator Beach, North Goa (Laid Back Beach, Sunset viewing) 7. Agonda Beach, Canacona, South Goa (Sunbathing, relaxing, quiet beach, Ridley turtle) 8. Sinquerim Beach, Candolim, Goa (Watersports, Forts, Lighthouse) 9. Arambol Beach, North Goa (Budget vacation, food, paragliding) 10. Morjim Beach, North Goa (Serene, secluded, bird watching) 11. Colva Beach, South Goa (Water Sports, sea food) 12. Majorda Beach, South Goa (Watersports, night life, variety of food) Kerala 13. Kovalam Beach, Thiruvananthapuram (Night life, water sports, sun bathing, massaging) 14. Cherai Beach, Kochi (Coconut Palms, Paddy fields, Backwaters, Swimming, dolphins) 15. Varkala Beach, Thiruvananthapuram (Photography, rocky cliffs, local cafes, temples) 16. Ezhimala Beach, Kannur (Dolphins, sculptured stone pillars) 17. Bekal Beach, Kasarkod (old forts, clean, splashy waves, remarkable sunset, movie shoots) 18. Marari Beach, Alappuzha (Backwaters) 19. Payyambalam Beach, Kannur (Beautiful stretch of sand, picnic spot, sculpture portraying a mother and her child) 20. Kozhikode Beach, Kozhikode (Best sunset in Kerala, old light house, marine aquarium, lions park, other attractions) 21. Kappad Beach, Kozhikode (Clean, Monument associated with Portugese explorer Vasco Da Gama) 22. Alleppey Beach, Alappuzha (Backwaters, houseboats, fishing, lighthouse, beach parks) 23. Vizhinjam Beach, Trivandrum (Fishing, marine aquarium, temples) 24. Beypore Beach, Kozhikode (Small port, long bridge to the sea, sunset, handicraft shops) 25. Chowara Beach, Thiruvananthapuram (White beach, fishing, sunsets, dangerous sea currents) 26. Muzhappilangad Beach, Muzhappilangad (Coconut groves, private islands, hard beach, only drive in beach in Kerala) 27. Shankumugham Beach, Thiruvananthapuram (Mermaid statue, starfish shaped restaurants, sunsets, indoor recreation club) 28. Nattika Beach, Thissur (Backwater cruises, country boat rides, elephant rides, cultural performances) 29. Andhakaranazhi Beach, Alappuzha (Serene, calm beach, lighthouse) 30. Neendakara Beach, Kollam (Fishing, view of Ashtamudi Lake merging in to the Arabian sea from the Neendakara Bridge) Andaman and Nicobar 31. Karmatang Beach – North Andaman Island (Turtle Population, swimming, boating, snorkeling, zoology studies, steamer ride through the mangroves) 32. Corbyn cove and Chidiya tapu – Port Blair, South Andaman Islands (Coconut Palms, Coral reefs) 33. Radha Nagar Beach – Havelock Island, Andaman Islands (Flora and fauna, one of the top ten beaches in the world, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, elephant drives, sunset views) 34. Harminder Bay Beach – Hut Bay Island, Andaman Islands (Nature Lovers, intrinsic beauty) Lakshwadeep 35. Bangaram Beach, Lakshwadeep Islands (One of the top ten secret beaches, helicopter rides, angling, snorkeling, diving, other water sports, swaying coconut palms, coral reefs, turquoise blue lagoons) 36. Kavaratti Beach, Kavaratti, Lakshwadeep Islands (Lakshwadeep Islands, Isolated Beach, Mytholic – beach where Lord Rama is believed to have stayed, water sports, marine aquarium with small sharks) 37. Kadmat Beach, Kadmat Island, Lakshwadeep (Cleanliness, soft white sand, mangroves) 38. Agatti Island, Lakshwadeep Islands (Gateway to Lakshadweep Islands, underwater viewing o a glass bottomed boat) Tamil Nadu 39. Mahabalipuram Beach, Kanchipuram (Sea shore temple, tranquil atmosphere, old sculptures, scenic beauty) 40. Rameshwaram Beach, Rameshwaram (Pilgrimage Center, swimming, sunbathing, rare species – life algae, starfish, sea cucumber, sea cow, Ramanatha Swamy temple, longest bridge constructed on sea) 41. Kanyakumari Beach, Kanyakumari (Sunset, sunrise, southernmost tip of Indian peninsula, pilgrimage spot, confluence of Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean) 42. Covelong Beach, Chennai (Serenity, Meditation, Water Sports, Fishing Activities) 43. Marina Beach, Chennai (Second largest beach in the world in terms of area, memorials of great leaders) 44. Elliots Beach, Chennai (Erected Memorials) Pondicherry 45. Paradise Beach, Chunnambar 46. Auroville Beach, Pondicherry (Sunset view, World War I War Memorial, Statue of M Karnataka 47. Surathkal Beach, Mangalore (Fascinating surroundings, lighthouse amidst the rocks, sunset viewing) 48. Om Beach, Gokarna (Water sports activities – surfing, water skiing, para sailing, etc) 49. Kaup Beach, Udupi (Pleasant environment, pristine, old lighthouse, movie shoots) 50. Kurumgad Beach, Karwar (For the nature lovers, Lord Narasimha temple, dolphins, otters) 51. Marudeshwar Beach, Murdeshwar (Lord Shiva Temple, swimming) 52. Gokarna Beach, Gokarna (Pilgrimage) 53. Marawanthe Beach, Kundarpura (Golden Sand, swaying palm trees, scuba diving, snorkeling) 54. Karwar Beach, Karwar (Fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, dolphin hunting, warm sun, cool breeze, sea food, hospitality) Odisha 55. Puri Beach, Puri (Camel rides, Hotspot for tourists, attracts a lot of holidaymakers and beach goers) 56. Chandrabhaga Beach, Konark (Konark Temple, cultural activities, Chandrabhaga mela) 57. Chandipur Beach, Balasore (‘Vanishing Sea’ phenomenon, walking, riding, seafood, sand dunes, rocky coasts, casuarina, wide range of biodiversity, Integrated Test Range of the Indian Army) 58. Gopalpur Beach, Ganjam (Swaying palm, gentle sea waves, luxurious resorts) Maharashtra 59. Bassein Beach, Vasai (Breathtaking night time appearance, picnic spot, religious and cultural importance) 60. Madh Island, Mumbai (Movie shoots, crystal clear water, scenic beauty, mangroves) 61. Marine Drive, Mumbai (Beautiful Walkway, Sunset Point, Queens Necklace) 62. Juhu Beach, Mumbai (Movie shoots) 63. Tarkali Beach, Sindhudurg (Clear water, scuba diving, snorkeling, house boat facility) 64. Ganapatipule Beach, Ganpatipule (Aesthetic, scenic, blue waters, swaying palms, pristine air, white sands, mangroves and coconut palms, white sands, religious activities, local food) 65. Dahanu – Bordi Beach, Palghar (Water adventure, trekking on nearby hills, pilgrimage) 66. Shriwardhan Harihareshwar, Raigad (Sun basking, sun bathing, beach walking, yoga, meditation, delicacies) 67. Mandwa and Kihim Beach, Alibag (Coconut trees, wild flowers, butterflies, birds, ideal place for nature lovers) 68. Marve Manori and Gorai, Mumbai (Sunrise, Sunset, late night beach parties, fishing) 69. Velneshwar Beach, Velneshwar (Green coconut palm groves, rock free seawater, swimming, sunbathing, pilgrimage) 70. Vengurla Malvan, Singhudurd (Coconut palms, Mango, Jackfruit, Cashew trees, soft white sands, clay potteries, sea food) Diu 71. Diu Beach (Pleasant climate, forts, palm trees) 72. Vanakbara Beach, Diu (Pilgrimage, rocks, sunset, sea shell collection, unsafe for swimming due to high tides) 73. Jalandhar Beach, Diu (Forts from Portuguese colonial period) 74. Chakratirth Beach, Diu (Compact, calm, temples, sunset views) 75. Ghoghla Beach, Diu (Relaxed strip of sand, gentle waves, good sea food) 76. Khodidhar Beach, Diu (Peaceful, quiet, picturesque views) Gujarat 77. Tithal Beach, Valsad (Black sand, popular tourist destination in South Gujarat) 78. Nargoal Beach, Valsad (Secluded, unexplored, lush palm trees, greenery) 79. Dwarka Beach, Dwarka (Pilgrimage, temples, chartered boats, white beach, extensive marine life) 80. Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach, Ahmedpur Mandvi (Long Coastline, beach sports activities) 81. Jamnagar Beach, Jamnagar (small islands nearby, Bedi port) 82. Sarkeshwar Beach, Junagadh (Water sports activities, different colored sea) 83. Somnath Beach, Somnath (One of the best beaches in Gujarat, pilgrimage, temples, camel ride, snacks) West Bengal 84. Digha Beach, Midnapore (Most visited beach in West Bengal, shifting shoreline) 85. Tajpur Beach, Midnapore (Unexplored, Quiet, beautiful sunrise, sunset) 86. Bakkhali Beach, Namkhana (Cleanliness, composed beached, popular amongst bag-papers and weekenders) 87. Mandarmani Beach, Midnapore (Honeymoon destination, water sports, clear blue water, dazzling sunset) 88. Frazerganj Beach, Haroa (Unspoilt Panorama, poetic dawns and dusk, quiet, migratory birds) 89. Falta Beach, Falta (Undulating beauty, picnic spot) 90. Junput Beach, Midnapore (Casuarina trees, photography, family outings, picnic spots) 91. Sagardwip / Gangasagar Beach, Kakdwip (Pilgrimage) 92. Shankarpur Beach, Midnapore (Soothing atmosphere, unexplored, fishing) 93. Talsari Beach, Balasore (Boat ride, conifers) Andhra Pradesh 94. Baruva, Srikakulam (Sunrise and sunset, Lighthouse, Old temples) 95. Bheemunipatnam, Vizag (Historical associations, Gosthani river, Vishakhapatnam city (Vizag) 96. Manginapudi, Hyderabad (Fisherman, Bathing in the sea, Imitation Jewellery) 97. Mypau, Nellore (Mypadu beach picturesque beaches, Golden sandy beach, Round up your visit with a snack break) 98. Ramakrishna Beach, Vizag (Rocky Beach, sea foods) 99. Rushikonda, Vizag (Water sport, speedboats, water skiing, windsurfing) 100. Suryalanka, Bapatla (Weekend getaway) 101. Thummalapenta, Kavali Mandal (Karthika pournam festival) 102. Uppada, Kakinada (Beach sports, nearby parks, eateries, family getaway) 103. Vodarevu, Chirala (Coconut groves, Yellow sand beach, Sunrise sunset, Fishing) 104. Vakalapudi, Kakinada (Uncrowded beach, Mangrove forest, Kakinada beach festival) 105. Yarada, Vizag (Lonely beach, Weekend getaway)

There are hundreds of antelopes and deer species availa­ble in different parts of the world. They beckon the wild­life enthusiasts and photographers alike. While Touriosity is committed to bringing a unique theme every issue, this time it has presented its readers with an unusual theme on mothers and babies in the animal kingdom. However, there is also some emphasis on antelopes and deer in this issue. For our readers who are interested in wildlife and photography, we thought of compiling a list of beautiful animals from the wild. The result was this Snapshot on antelopes and deer. This list also contains some species of animals that do not strictly belong to the category of antelopes and deer but look similar and have similar habits. Hence these were included. However, many more species remains to be further explored and we promise to bring a whole issue on antelopes in futures. 1. Barasingha, India, Nepal Also called swamp deer, its antlers are different from other Indian deer species as they have more than three tines. The name literally means ‘twelve-horned’ and full grown stags may have up to 14 tines; history has recorded up to 20. Originally found throughout Indian sub-continent, it is now extinct in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Nepal has a thin population while India has a large population. Barasingha has shoulder height of nearly 4 ft and a head-to-body length of nearly 6 ft. Its body is covered with woolly hair that is yellowish brown above but paler below, with white spots along the spine. In summer the coat becomes bright rufous-brown. Throat, belly, inside of the thighs and beneath the tail is white. Females are paler than males. On an average antlers measure up to 2.5 ft but the highest recorded one has been of 8.5 ft. A stags weighs 170 to 280 kg and fe­males weigh 130 to 145 kg. When alarmed, they give out shrill, baying alarm calls. It is mainly found in Assam, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and it is the state animal of the latter two states. A Barasingha was featured in Rudyard Kipling’s The Second Jungle Book. 2. Barking Deer, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, northeastern India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam Also called the Indian muntjac or southern red muntjac, this deer species is native to South and Southeast Asia. These are highly alert creatures and are called the ‘barking deer’ due to the bark-like sound that it makes as an alarm when danger is present. Barking deer is among the smallest deer species and has soft, short, brownish or greyish thick coat with a darker face and reddish brown limbs. Male muntjacs have short antlers measuring about 4 inch protruding from above the eyes. Fe­males have tufts of fur and small bony knobs instead of antlers. They measure from 35 – 53 inches in length and 16 – 26 inches in height. The animal is found in tropical and subtropical deciduous forests, grasslands, savannas and scrub forests, as also in the hilly slopes of the Himalayas up to an altitude of 3,000m. They are omnivores and apart from grass, bushes, leaves, bark, twigs, herbs, fruit, sprouts, seeds and tender shoots, they also eat bird eggs, and small, warm-blooded animals. 3. Bates’s Pygmy Antelope, Nigeria, Congo basin, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda It is the second smallest antelope species in the world and is also known as Dwarf Antelope and Pygmy Antelope. It lives in moist forest and bushlands of Central and West Africa and is also found in plantations, secondary forest, cleared areas and areas near the human habitations. An adult Bates’ Pygmy antelope weighs about 2 to 3 kg and measure 20 to 22 inches in length. Their tail measure 1.8 to 2.0 inches. Males have horns measur­ing 1.5 to 2.0 inches that extend back over their head on the same plane as the face. The horns are minute, black or brown in colour, stout and ringed at the base. It has glossy dark chestnut colour on its back that darkens on the back and is lighter on the flanks. There is a sharp contrast white colour on the throat and belly. They mainly eat leaves, buds, shoots, fungus and herbs and very limited amount of grass. Occasionally they also eat crops, especially peanut, which make them a menace for farmers. This antelope can run very fast and make a short and raspy bark when fleeing. 4. Blackbuck, India, Nepal, Pakistan Also known as the Indian antelope Blackbucks look similar to gazelles, and are distinguished mainly by their black colour. Their lifespan is about 10 to 15 years. Blackbucks measure up to 29 to 33 inches at the shoulder. Males weigh 20–57 kg and females weigh 20–33 kg. The males have long, ringed horns measuring about 14–30 inches long, and females occasionally have horns. The horns typi­cally diverge forming a ‘V’-like shape. These antelopes are dark brown to black in colour with white fur on the chin, around the eyes, the underparts and the insides of the legs. The females have a lighter tone. Blackbuck inhabits grassy plains, dry thorn and scrub lands and thinly forested areas close to perennial water sources as they drink a lot of water. Originally they were also found in Bangladesh but are currently extinct there. In India blackbucks are mainly found in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. The population of blackbucks have reduced over the decades and today it is listed as an endangered animal in India. 5. Bohor Reedbuck, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania and Togo Bohor reedbuck has five subspecies. It has a yellow to grayish brown coat. Gener­ally, the bohor reedbuck is yellower than other reedbucks. The young ones are darker than the adults and have longer hair. They have a lifespan of about 10 years. They measure 39–53 inches in length. The males typically weigh 43–65 kg and females 35–45 kg. They have a bushy tail measuring 7.1–7.9 inches in length. The males possess a pair of stout horns measuring 9.8–13.8 inches that extend backward from the forehead and hook slightly forward. Bohor reedbuck eats grasses and tender reed shoots with high protein and low fibre content and drink a lot of water. They inhabit moist grasslands, swamp­lands and woodlands. They can easily camouflage in grasses and reeds, and hide themselves rather than running from danger. But if the threat is close, they flee, whistling shrilly to alert the others. Its main predators are lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, African wild dogs and Nile crocodiles 6. Bongo, Kenya, Southern Sudan, West Africa, Central Africa, Congo Basin Bongos are one of the largest of the forest antelopes. They are of two types, the Lowland Bongo and the Mountain Bongo, the latter is critically endangered with only about 150 in number left in the wild. A nocturnal ungulate, Bongos are characterised by a striking reddish-brown coat, with black and white markings and stripes and long spiraled horns. The stripes help them in camouflaging with the surroundings when in danger. Bongos are herbivorous and need salt in their diet. Hence they regularly visit the natural salt licks. They are found in dense mountain forests, dense undergrowth and rainforests. Adult males and females both are similar in size and both have horns, but that of the male are longer and more massive. The full grown height is about 1.1 to 1.3m at the shoulder and the length is 2.15 to 3.15m. The tail measures 18–26 inches. Females weigh around 150–235 kg, while males weigh about 220–405 kg. It is third largest of the forest antelopes after Greater Kudu and Eland. 7. Bontebok, South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia The bontebok has two subspecies, i.e the bontebok and the blesbok. They are closely related to the common tsessebe which are said to be the fastest antelope in Africa with a capacity of attaining a speed over 90 km/h. The bontebok is chocolate brown in colour, with a white underside and a white stripe from the forehead to the tip of the nose. It has a distinctive white patch around its tail. The bontebok typically stands 31 to 39 inches high at the shoulder and measure 47 to 83 inches from head to tail. The tail measures 12 to 24 inches. They weigh between 50 and 155 kg, with the males being a little larger and heavier than females. Both males and females have lyre-shaped and clearly ringed horns. The horns can measure up to half a metre. The bonteboks are found in the coastal Fynbos and Renosterveld. They are not good jumpers, but they are very good at crawling under things. Bonteboks were once rampantly killed and reduced to a wild population of just 17 in number, but the species has since recovered thanks to conservation efforts undertaken for game hunting. 8. Bushbuck, Sub-Saharan Africa like South Africa, Angola,Zambia, Ethiopia, Somalia Also called Imbabala or Cape bushbuck, it is found in Sub-Saharan Africa in rain forests, montane forests, forest-savanna mosaic, savanna bush and woodlands. Bushbucks have a light brown coat, with up to seven white stripes and white geometrical patches on ears, chin, tail, legs and neck. Only the males have horns which can reach over half a metre with only one twist. The body colour largely depends on the region that a bushbuck inhabits ranging from yellow to red-brown, brown, olive to almost black. Those found in Angola, Zambia, southern DRC, Botswana and northern Zimbabwe do not have any significant stripes. Bushbucks are about 3 ft tall at the shoulder and weigh from 45 to 80 kg with males being larger. At 10 months old, young males sprout horns that are particu­larly twisted and at maturity form the first loop of a spiral. Bushbucks are solitary animals and the mature males go out of their way to stay away from each other. They are mostly nocturnal animals and are active in early mornings and night. These are in high demand in game hunting. 9. Chousingha, India and Nepal It is a small four-horned antelope found in India and Nepal. It is one of the small­est in Asia. It may be noted that Chousingha is the only antelope with four horns. One pair of its horns is located between the ears, and the other on the forehead. The posterior horns (measuring 3.1–4.7 inches) are longer than the anterior ones (measuring 0.79–1.97 inches). While there are not much differences in appear­ance between the males and females, only the males have horns. It stands 22–25 inches at the shoulder and weighs nearly 17–22 kg. The slender antelope has thin legs and a short tail. It has a yellowish brown to reddish coat. The underpart of the neck is white. Chousingha is an elusive antelope that is solitary by nature although it is possible to sight it in groups of three to five sometimes. They feed on grasses, herbs, shrubs, foliage, flowers and fruits and needs to drink water frequently; so it stays in places with significant grass cover or heavy undergrowth near water sources. There are three subspecies of Chousinghas. 10. Chinkara, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India Also known as the Indian gazelle, Chinkara has six subspecies. They live in arid plains, hills, deserts, dry scrub and light forests. They inhabit more than 80 pro­tected areas in India. 80% of the Indian population of Chinkaras are found in the Thar Desert. The population in Pakistan is scattered, and has been severely reduced by hunting. In Iran and Afghanistan also the population is very less. Adult Chinkaras stand at 26 inches tall and weigh about 23 kg. It has a reddish-buff summer coat with smooth, glossy fur. In winter, the white belly and throat fur is in greater contrast. The sides of the face have dark chestnut stripes from the corner of the eye to the muzzle, bordered by white stripes. The horns measure about 15 inches. Chinkaras are shy and avoid human habitation. They are solitary animals and are mainly seen alone. They can go without water for a long time and can get the required fluids from plants and dew. They are herbivores and share their habitat with other herbivores. They are preyed upon by leopards, tigers, lions, cheetahs, wolves, golden jackels and wild dogs. 11. Dik Dik, Eastern and Southern Africa Dik Diks are one of the smallest antelopes inhabiting the bushlands and savannas of eastern and southern Africa. They are found in places with sufficient supply of edible plants. They are herbivores and mainly eat fruits, berries, foliage and shoots, but not grass. They hardly drink any water and that gives them the dis­tinction of having the driest excrement among the animals. Their height varies from 12–15.5 inches at the shoulder, and length from 19.5 –27.5 inches. They weigh between 3 to 6 kgs and live up to 10 years. Female dik-diks are a little larger and the males have longitudinally grooved horns, 3 inches in length. Upper part of the body is grayish-brown while the lower parts, including the legs, belly, crest and flanks, have a lighter shade of brown. Dik Diks have a bare black spot below the inside corner of each eye. Dik-diks have excellent eyesight and reach up to a speed of 42 km/h. When frightened, they run in a zig-zag pattern and whistle through their noses, producing the sound ‘dik-dik’. They are preyed upon by leopards, lions, monitor lizards, cheetahs, jack­als, baboons, eagles, hawks, pythons, hyenas, wild dogs and humans (for gloves). 12. Eland, Angola, Botswana, DR of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mo­zambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanza­nia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe The second largest antelope, Eland prefers habitats like savannahs, woodlands and open grasslands rather than dense forests. It uses loud barks, visual and pos­tural movements to warn others of danger. It primarily eats grasses and leaves. It is the slowest antelope, with a peak speed of 40 km/hr. They can jump up to 2.5-3 metres from a standing start when startled. An adult male is 1.6m tall at the shoulder and can weigh up to 1000kg with an average of 500–600 kg. Females are slightly shorter and weigh between 340–445 kg. Both sexes have horns with a steady spiral ridge. Horns of males (17–26in) are thicker and shorter than those of females (20–27in). Males use their horns to wrestle with rivals; females use them to protect their young from predators. The coat of Elands differ geographically, with elands in northern part having distinctive markings (torso stripes, markings on legs, dark garters and a spinal crest) that are absent in the south. Females have a tan coat, while the coats of males are darker. As males age, their coat becomes more grey. 13. Gemsbok, Southern Africa Also called the South African oryx, the gemsbok is depicted on the coat of arms of Namibia which has a current population of about 400,000. They are mainly desert-dwelling and grazing animals that dig up to a meter deep to find roots. They supplement their water intake by eating wild melons and cucumbers. Gemsbok are light brownish-grey to tan in colour, with lighter patches toward the bottom rear of the rump. They have long black tails. They have muscular necks and shoulders, and their legs have white ‘socks’. Both sexes have long, straight horns. Female gemsbok use their horns to defend themselves and their offspring from predators, while males primarily use their horns to defend their territories from other males. They stand about 1.2 m at the shoulder and have a body length of 75 to 94 inches. The tail measures up to 3 ft. Male gemsbok weigh between 180 and 240 kg, while females weigh 100–210 kg. Gemsbok are widely hunted for their spectacular horns. Unlike for other ante­lopes, the female trophies are sometimes more desirable than male ones. The horn can be fashioned into a natural trumpet 14. Gerenuk, Eastern part of Africa, including Central Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and north­ern Tanzania Also known as the giraffe gazelle, it is a long-necked antelope found in the Horn of Africa and the drier parts of East Africa. They are found in woodland forests to open plains. They are adapted to survive in arid habitats. Their long legs, long legs and ability to stand on hind legs allows them to eat leaves of trees that are otherwise beyond their reach. The most distinctive feature of the gerenuk is that it has a long, slender neck and limbs. This makes it appear like a smaller version of giraffe. Gerenuk is 31–41 inches tall, and weighs between 28 and 52 kg. Their coat is reddish brown in colour. The strong and thick horns, present only on males, are lyre-shaped and measure 9.8–17.3 inches. Gerenuks do not drink water. They remain hydrated through the intake of succulents. Their population of gerenuks has been declining over the years and its conserva­tion status as of today is ‘Near Threatened’. 15. Grant’s Gazelle, East Africa including Northern Tanzania to South Sudan and Ethiopia, and from the Kenyan coast to Lake Victoria This gazelle is closely related to Thomson’s gazelle. It has five subspecies, namely, Bright’s gazelle, Southern Grant’s gazelle, Northern Grant’s gazelle, Peter’s gazelle and Robert’s gazelle. They are preyed upon by cheetahs, jackals and wild dogs. Grant’s gazelle stands 30–37 inches at the shoulder. Females weigh from 35-50 kg and males from 50-80 kg. The coat has a beige orange shade on the back and a white belly. Compared to Thomson’s gazelle, it is much larger and has lyre-shaped horns which are stout, clearly ringed, and measure18–32 inches long. Grant’s gazelle lives in open grass plains, shrublands, semi-arid and dry areas; it avoids areas with high grass where the visibility of predators is compromised. They are migratory animals, but travel in the opposite direction of most of the other ungulates, such as Thomson’s gazelles, zebras and wildebeest, which are more water dependent. They can subsist on vegetation in waterless, semiarid ar­eas, where they face little competition. They eat leafy material during dry seasons to supplement their intake of water. 16. Hartebeest, Africa Also known as kongoni, it is a large antelope, inhabiting dry savannas and wood­ed grasslands and have also been reported at Mount Kenya at an altitude of 4,000m. It has five sub-species, viz., Bubal hartebeest, Red hartebeest, Coke’s hartebeest, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest and Swayne’s hartebeest, each differing in size and colour of the coat. Hartebeests are primarily grazers, with their diets consisting mainly of grasses. A large antelope with a particularly elongated forehead and oddly shaped horns, the hartebeest stands 1 m tall at the shoulder, and has a head to tail length of 79 to 98 inches. Their weight ranges from 100 to 200 kg. They also have long legs, short neck and pointed ears. Both sexes of all subspecies have horns, with those of females being more slender. Horns can reach length of 28 inches. Hartebeest form herds of 20 to 300 individuals. They are very alert and non-aggressive. The population of hartebeest has considerably reduced owing to rea­sons like habitat destruction, hunting, human settlement and competition with livestock for food. It is a popular game animal due to its highly regarded meat. 17. Himalayan Musk Deer, Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and China Also called the white-bellied musk deer, it is a musk deer found in the Himalayas of Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and China in high alpine environments above alti­tudes of 2,500 m. They are very well adapted for high altitudes with well-developed dew claws, broad toes that provide increased stability on steep slopes, and a dense coat of coarse hairs with air-filled cells to insulate against the cold temperature. These musk deer have a pair of enlarged and easily broken canines that grow continuously up to a maximum length of 4 inches. Their hind legs are longer and more muscular and forelimbs are shorter, thinner. These animals are nocturnal creatures and at night, they emerge to feed in more open habitats, and preferably select leaves of trees and shrubs with high protein and low fibre contents. During winter, they subsist on poorer quality lichens, or climb small trees to feed upon leaves that would otherwise be out of reach. It is an endangered animal. Their predators include leopard snow leopard, Eura­sian lynx, red fox and wolves. 18. Hog Deer, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Thailand The small Indian hog deer is so named due to the hog-like manner in which it runs through the forests. The antler of this animal is three tined. However, antlers with more points are also found. The distinctive features of typical hog deer ant­lers are the acute angle between the brow tine and main beam and the fact that the inner tops tend to be short and angle back from the main beam and across towards the opposite antler. An adult hog deer stands about 70 cm at the shoulder and weighs 50 kg. They have an elongated body and relatively short legs, short tail and rounded ears. The fore legs are shorter than hind legs. Hog Deer’s coat is thick and generally dark-brown in winter except for the under­parts of the body and legs which are lighter in colour. During late spring, the coat turns reddish brown. In summer, there is usually a uniform row of light-coloured spots along either side of the dorsal stripe from the shoulders to the rump. Predators include tigers, leopards, dholes, pythons and clouded leopards. 19. Impala, Southern Africa including Angola, Gabon and Namibia Impala is a medium-sized, slender antelope similar in look to the Grant’s gazelle. It is found in woodlands and savannahs of eastern and souther Africa. They re­main close to water source. Impala measures 28–36 inches at the shoulder and 51 inches from head to tail and weighs 40–76 kg. The males have slender, lyre-shaped horns that measure up to 36 inches long. They use the horns as weapons in fights for dominance. An Impala has a glossy, double tone reddish brown coat and white underbelly. Facial features include white rings around the eyes and a light chin and snout. The ears are 6.7 inches long and are tipped with black. Impalas are diurnal animals and are browsers as well as grazers. They feed on monocots, dicots, forbs, fruits and acacia pods. They are very fast runners and reach a maximum speed on 80 km/hr. Impala is one of the most important prey for some of the biggest predators like cheetahs, lions and leopards. A half of the new-born impalas are killed by the predators during the first few weeks of their lives. 20. Indian Mouse Deer, India, Nepal The Indian spotted chevrotain is often referred to as the mouse deer due to its small size, short legs and round belly. It inhabits the rainforests and is nocturnal in nature making it near impossible to sight during daytime. They are seen by sheer chance if they venture out in the early evenings or mornings from their safe homes in hollows at the base of trees or in rocky crevices. The animal has a body length of 23 inches, a tail measuring 1 inch and weighs around only about 3 kg. It is dull brown in color with three or four dotted white stripes run longitudinally along flank. These markings provide them excellent camouflage helping them to hide from predators. They are ruminants and have a four-chambered stomach like other deer though, although it is not strictly con­sidered to be a deer. They do not have antlers like deer and their characteristics are more pig-like. The animals live in the evergreen and deciduous forests of India near sources of water. They are solitary in nature and are mostly alone, except during mating time. They are not seen in groups. 21. Klipspringer, From northeastern Sudan, Eritrea, northern Somalia and Ethiopia to South Africa, and along coastal Angola and Namibia. Also found in smaller num­bers in Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Burundi Klipspringers are a small but sturdy antelope variety found mainly in eastern and southern Africa. They mainly eat plants, fruits and flowers. They stand 17–24 inches at the shoulder and the body length is between 30 and 45 inches. The tail measures 2.6–4.1 inches. It weighs from 8 - 18 kg. Females are slightly larger and heavier than the males. They have brown forehead, short ears, prominent preorbital glands near the eyes, white lips and chin and spiky horns in males measuring 3–3.5 inches. The coarse coat of the klipspringer contain brittle hair and is yellowish gray to reddish brown and the underbelly is white. The coat provides effective insulation in the extreme cold weather. They have cylindrical, blunt hooves that provide good grip on the rocky surfaces for a smooth climb. They inhabit places characterised by rocky terrain and sparse vegetation at alti­tudes as high as 4,500 metres on Mount Kilimanjaro. They can jump from rock to rock. They migrate to lowlands during food scarcity. 22. Kudu, Africa These are very large sized spiral horned antelopes. There are two main species – Lesser kudu and Greater kudu. A Greater Kudu can reach up to a length of 2.4m and weight of 270 kg. They have very impressive horns which they use during fights. Due to the sharp twist in the horn, the animals sometimes fail to unlock their horns and end up dying of starvation or dehydration. The animals are mainly solitary ones and are seen alone, except during the mating season. Kudus eat leaves and shoots. In dry seasons they eat wild watermelons and other fruit for their liquid content and natural sugars. Kudus are good jumpers and can clear a 5-foot fence from a standing start. They are great kickers and thanks to their sheer size, they can break a wild dog’s or jackal’s neck or back. However, they are preyed upon by lions, leopards, African wild dogs, hyenas, pythons and humans during game hunting. A musical instrument is made from the horn of kudu. It is used as a shofar in Jewish ceremonies or as a part of Scouting movement’s Wood Badge training program. 23. Musk Deer, Asia Musk deer are different from real deer which have antlers. They also have a pair of tusk-like teeth and a musk gland. Another point of difference between musk deer and normal deer is that the former have longer hind legs and shorter fore legs. They mainly live in forested and alpine scrub habitats in the mountains of southern Asia. Musk deer measure about 31 to 39 inches in length, 20 to 28 inches in height at shoulder, and weigh between 7 to 17 kg. Males have enlarged upper canines, forming sabre-like tusks. Their feet are adapted for climbing in rough terrain. Musk deer are herbivores, and eat mainly leaves, flowers, grasses, mosses and lichens. They are shy nocturnal animals and live solitary lives. The greatest threat to Musk deer are humans who hunt them for their scent glands, which are used in perfumes. The glands are sold in the black market and it is said that in the olden days the royalty wore the scent of the musk deer. The scent is said to be an aphrodisiac. 24. Nilgai, Indian subcontinent The nilgai or blue bull is the largest antelope in Asia. Timid and tame, if harassed or alarmed, they may flee by galloping away from the source of danger. They are herbivores and prefer areas with short bushes, scattered trees in scrub forests and grassy plains including agricultural lands, but not in dense forest. It stands 1–1.5 metres in height at the shoulder and 1.7–2.1 metres in length from head to tail. The males weigh 109–288 kg while the females are lighter with a weight of 100–213 kg. The males and females also differ in colour. It has a sturdy built with thin-legs and a sloping back. It has a deep neck with a white patch on the throat, a short mane of hair behind and along the back ending behind the shoulder, and around two white spots each on its face, ears, cheeks, lips and chin. There is a column of coarse long hair along the dewlap ridge below the white throat patch. The tufted tail measure 21 inches and is tipped with black. The forelegs are generally longer, and all four legs are often marked with white ‘socks’. Only males possess horns measuring up to 9.4 inches in length. While the females and juveniles have orange to tawny coat, adult males have a bluish-grey coat. 25. Nilgiri Tahr, India Also called Nilgiri ibex or just ibex, these ungulates are found in the Nilgiri Hills up to an elevation of 2,600 m and in the open montane grassland of the Western Ghats in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in Southern India. It is the state animal of Tamil Nadu. Nilgiri tahr is a stocky goat with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. Males are larger than females and of darker colour when mature. Both sexes have curved horns, reaching up to 16 inches. Adult males weigh up to 100 kg and stand about 39 inches tall at the shoulder. Open poaching had resulted in reducing the number of Nilgiri tahrs to as low as 100 by the early 20th century. Since then the conservation efforts have resulted in considerable increase in their population, but it still remains quite less. The Eravikulam National Park is home to the largest population pf Nilgiri Tahrs. Apart from here one also finds them in the Anamalai Hills, Periyar National Park, Palani Hills, some parts of the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu and in the Ponmudi Hills in Trivandrum district of Kerala. 26. Nyala, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe This is a spiral-horned middle-sized antelope native to Africa. They inhabit thick­ets within dense and dry savanna woodlands. The male nyala stands up to 43 inches and the female is up to 36 inches tall. Males weigh 98–125 kg while the females are considerably smaller and weigh 55–68 kg. Only the males have horns that are twisted and measure 24–33 inches in length and are yellow-tipped. They have hairy glands on their feet, which leave their scent wherever they walk. The coat is rusty or rufous brown in females and juveniles, but dark brown or slate grey, often tinged with blue, in adult males. Females and young males have ten or more white stripes on their sides. An herbivore, the nyala feeds upon foliage, fruits and grasses, with sufficient fresh water. They are very cautious animals and live in small groups. Adult Nyalas are preyed upon by lion, leopard and Cape hunting dog, while baboons and raptorial birds hunt for the juveniles. 27. Oryx, Arabian Peninsula including UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, East Africa and North Africa including Niger, Chad and Tunisia There are three types of Oryx, two of them are native to arid parts of Africa, and the fourth to the Arabian Peninsula. They have pale fur with contrasting dark markings in the face and on the legs, and straight long horns. Arabian oryx that became extinct in the wild in 1972 from the Arabian Peninsula was reintroduced in 1982 in Oman, but poaching has reduced its numbers there. A large population exists on Sir Bani Yas Island in the UAE. Populations have been reintroduced in Qatar, Bahrain, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. It is regarded as vulnerable to extinction although many thousands are held in captivity. Scimitar oryx of North Africa, although once reported extinct in the wild, is now said to be seen in some parts of central Niger, Chad and Tunisia. However many thousands are held in captivity around the world. East African oryx inhabits eastern Africa and is closely related to gemsbok which inhabits southern Africa. The East African oryx is an endangered species. 28. Pronghorn, Western and Central North America Though not an antelope, it is often referred to by names like the American ante­lope, the prong buck etc because it closely resembles the real antelopes. Prong­horns have distinct white fur on their rumps, sides, breasts, bellies and throats. Adult males are 1.3–1.5m long from nose to tail, up to 1m in height at shoulder, and weigh 40–65 kg. Females are the same height, but are slender with a weight of 34–48 kg. Their horns are composed of a slender, laterally flattened blade of bone that grows from the frontal bones of the skull. Males horns are 4.9–16.9 inches long with a prong. Females have smaller horns about 1–6 inches in length without prong. They have very large eyes with a 320° field of vision. Pronghorn is the fastest land mammal in the Western Hemisphere, with a top speed of 88.5 km/h for predator evasion. It is the second-fastest land animal, second only to cheetah. But it can sustain high speeds longer than cheetahs. They have a large windpipe, heart and lungs to take in large amounts of air when running. The hooves have two long, cushioned, pointed toes which help absorb shock when running at high speeds. They also have an extremely light bone structure and hollow hair. All these suggest that pronghorns are built for speed. 29. Reedbuck, Gabon, Tanzania, South Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, DR of Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan and Togo Reedbuck is a common name for three types of African antelopes, viz., South­ern Reedbuck found in Gabon, Tanzania and South Africa, Mountain Reedbuck found in sub-Saharan Africa and Bohor Reedbuck we have written about earlier. Reedbucks males have forward-curving horns. Southern reedbuck is compara­tively larger measuring 31–35 inches at the shoulder and have a body length of 53–66 inches. Females weigh 48 kg, while the males weigh 68 kg. It has distinc­tive dark lines running down the front of its forelegs and lower hindlegs and whitish rings around the eyes. Mountain reedbuck is found in mountainous areas of sub-Saharan Africa. It averages 30 inches at the shoulder, and weighs around 30 kg. It has a grey coat with a white underbelly and reddish-brown head and shoulders. Both sexes have a dark scent patch beneath the ears. The colour of the coat ranges between light- and greyish-brown, and may be lighter on the neck and chest. White fur covers the underparts and the areas near the lips and chin. 30. Roan Antelope, West, Central, East and Southern Africa These are the fourth largest antelope after only Elands, Bongos and large male Kudus. Roan antelopes have a horse-type body structure and are found in wood­land and grassland savanna, mainly in the tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome. They stand up to 5 ft at the shoulder, measure up to 8 ft from the head to tail and males weigh 242–300 kg while the females weigh 223–280 kg. Named for their roan colour (a reddish brown), they have lighter underbellies, white eyebrows and cheeks and black faces, lighter in females. They have white patches around the eyes and the mouth. They have short, erect manes of greyish brown hair extending from the back of the neck, very light beards and prominent red nos­trils. The horns are ringed and can reach a metre long in males, slightly shorter in females. They have a dark tail measuring 21 inches that ends with a black tuft. Their long legs have large hooves. The animal has short and smooth coat that is of brown to amber colour. 31. Royal Antelope, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone This smallest antelope in the world is found in West Africa. It is as small as a rab­bit and looks almost like a rat with long legs. They have large, round dark brown eyes, small ears and a slim muzzle. Compared to the Bates’s pygmy antelope, they have longer muzzle, broader lips, a smaller mouth and smaller cheek muscles. An adult Royal Antelope is only 10 inches in height at the shoulder and weighs 2.5 to 3 kg. Length is 16 inches only, but the females are a little larger. They have long and slender legs, the hind legs being twice the size of the forelegs, similar to hare. They have a thin tail, about 2 to 3 inches in length. The males have short, smooth, spiky horns that bend backwards and measure 1 – 1.2 inches. They have a reddish brown colour on the top and a contrasting white in the abdominal region, chin and the medial surfaces of the legs. A brown band runs across the chest and they have a rufous collar on the neck. Royal antelope is a nocturnal animal and is typically active at night though activity may also be observed during the day. It is an herbivore and lives on tiny amounts of fresh foliage and shoots mainly and some fruits and fungi occasionally. 32. Sable Antelope, East and Southern Africa, from Kenya to South Africa Sable antelope inhabits the savanna woodlands and grasslands during the dry season and eat mid-length grasses and leaves. They are generally rich chestnut to black in colour. The underparts, cheek, and chin are all white, creating a great contrast with the dark back and flanks. Long, white hairs are present below the eyes, and a wide, black stripe runs over the nose. They have a compact and robust build, characterized by a thick neck and tough skin. The males are heavier and about one-fifth taller than the female. The head to tail length is up to 8 ft and males reach about 4.5 ft at the shoulder, while females are slightly shorter. Males weigh 235 kg and females 220 kg in average. Both sexes have ringed horns which arch backward. In females, these can reach 24–40 inches in length, while in males they can be 32–65 inches long. These antelopes often have upright mane on the neck, and a short mane on the throat. Sable antelopes are preyed upon by the carnivores. When confronted by preda­tors like lions, they defend themselves using their horns, which in many cases have even resulted in the deaths of the big cats. 33. Saiga Antelope, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan This critically endangered antelope originally inhabited a vast area from the foot­hills of Carpathian Mountains and Caucasus to Mongolia and North America. To­day, they are only found in one location in Russia and three areas in Kazakhstan. Some of these migrate to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in winter. Saigas are seen in very large herds grazing in semi-deserts, steppes, grasslands and open woodlands, eating several species of plants, including some that are poisonous to other animals. They can cover long distances and swim across riv­ers. Their most unique feature is the pair of closely spaced, bloated nostrils di­rected downward. During summer migrations, a saiga’s nose helps filter out dust kicked up by the herd and cools the animal’s blood. In the winter, it heats up the frigid air before it is taken to the lungs. Saiga stands 24–32 inches tall at the shoulder, 39–55 inches long and weighs 26–69 kg. The coat colour changes seasonally. The hairs measures 0.71–1.18 inches long in summer, and up to 1.6–2.8 inches in winter. Only males possess horns measuring 11–15 inches in length that are thick and slightly translucent. Saigas are preyed upon by wolves and the juveniles are targeted by foxes, steppe eagles, golden eagles, dogs and ravens. 34. Sambar Deer, Indian subcontinent, South China and Southeast Asia The sambars inhabit in dense forests with cover of deciduous shrubs and grasses. They differ in size across regions and the biggest ones may reach a height of 5 ft or more at the shoulder and may weigh as much as 546 kg, though they are more typically 100 to 350 kg. Head and body length varies between 5.3 to 8.9 ft, with a 8.7 to 13.8 inch long tail. The females are smaller than males. The males have large, rugged antlers measuring up to 43 inches with three tines. Sambars have a shaggy coat, from yellowish brown to dark grey in colour, and while it is usually uniform in colour, some subspecies have chestnut marks on the rump and underparts. They have a small but dense mane, more prominent in males. Adult males and pregnant or lactating females possess an unusual hairless, blood-red spot located about halfway down the underside of their throats. Sambars are nocturnal and solitary animals. They feed on a wide variety of veg­etation, including grasses, foliage, browse, fruit, and water plants, depending on the local habitat. It is an endangered animal and its population has declined due to hunting, insurgency and industrial encroaching. 35. Sangai, Manipur, India Sangai is an endangered subspecies of brow-antlered deer found only in Ma­nipur. It is the state animal of Manipur. Its original natural habitat is the floating marshy grasslands of the Keibul Lamjao National Park, near the Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in eastern India. Also called the dancing deer the sangai is medium-sized, with uniquely distinc­tive antlers, measuring up to 42 inches in length with extremely long brow tine, which form the main beam. The forward protruding beam appears to come out from the eyebrow. The height and weight of a fully grown stag may be up to 4 ft at shoulder and they may weigh from 95 to 110 kg. The height and weight of the female are shorter and less respectively as compared to the male counterpart. The length of the body may be up to 5 ft in both sexes. They have a short tail. Sangai feed on a variety of water living plants, grasses, herbaceous plants, and shoots. Culturally, the sangai finds itself imbedded deep into the legends and folklore of the Manipuris. Based on a popular folk legend, the sangai is inter­preted as the binding soul between humans and the nature. 36. Spotted Deer, Indian sub-continent Also called the chital, cheetal or Axis deer, this is a widely available deer species of the Indian subcontinent. This deer species is said to be the most beautiful and has featured in mythological stories and folklores in India. On an average a male chital reaches a height of 35 inches and females reach 28 inches at the shoulder. The head-and-body length is around 1.7 m. Average males weigh 30–75 kg, while the females weigh 25–45 kg. Mature males can weigh up to 98 to 110 kg. The males are larger than females and have large three-pronged antlers that are 1 m long. The upper parts of the body are golden to rufous, and are covered in white spots. The abdomen, rump, throat, insides of legs, ears and the tail are white. A brown to black stripe runs along the spine. Hooves measure between 1.6 and 2.4 inches in length and the hooves of the fore legs are longer than those of the hind legs. Chital are diurnal animals and are active throughout the day. When a predator is around they give out bellows and alarm barks. They are preyed upon by most of the carnivores. 37. Steenbok, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Lesotho Also called steinbuck or steenbok, it is a common small antelope of southern and eastern Africa that live in a variety of habitats like semi-desert to open woodland and thickets, including open plains, stony savannah and Acacia–grassland mosaics. Steenboks stand16 – 24 inches at the shoulder. Males have straight, smooth, parallel horns that are about 3–8 inches long. There is a black crescent-shape be­tween the ears, a long black bridge to the glossy black nose, and a black circular scent-gland in front of the eye. They have a very short tail measuring about 1.5-2.5 inches long. Their coat colour varies from fawn to rufous and the underside, including chin and throat, is white, as is the ring around the eye. They have large ears with finger-marks on the inside. Steenbok are active during the day as well as the night. During hotter periods of the day, they rest under shade. On sensing any trouble, steenbok typically lie low in the vegetation. When predator is too close, a steenbok will leap away and follow a zigzag route in an attempt to shake off the pursuer. 38. Thomson’s Gazelle, Kenya and Tanzania and the whole of East Africa It is one of the best-known gazelles and is nicknamed ‘Tommie’. The current pop­ulation of Thomson’s gazelles in Africa is considered to be more than 6,00,000 making it the most commonly sighted one, especially in East Africa. With a speed of 80–90 km/h it is the fifth-fastest land animal, after the cheetah (which is its main predator), pronghorn, springbok, and wildebeest. They live in the savannas and grassland habitats, particularly the Serengeti region of Kenya and Tanzania. Thomson’s gazelle stands 22–32 inches at the shoulder and the head-and-body length is up to 4 ft. Males weigh 20–35 kg, while the females weigh 15–25 kg. They have white rings around the eyes, black stripes running from a corner of the eye to the nose, rufous stripes running from the horns to the nose, a dark patch on the nose and a light forehead. They have a sandy brown to rufous coat. There is a distinctive black band running across the flanks, from the upper foreleg to just above the upper hind leg. They have a black tail that measures 5.9–10.6 inches. Both sexes possess horns that curve slightly backward with the tips fac­ing forward. The horns measure 9.8–16.9 inches in males and 2.8–5.9 inches in females. But some females are hornless. 39. Topi, Burundi, DR of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda The topi is found in the savannas, semi-deserts and treeless plains of sub-Saharan Africa. They resemble hartebeest but have a darker coat and lack sharply angled horns. They have very good sight and hearing and are very fast runners. Topis have elongated heads, a distinct hump at the base of the neck, and red­dish brown bodies with dark purple patches on their upper legs. They also have a mask-like dark coloration on the face. Their horns are ringed and lyre-shaped. . They stand 39 to 51 inches in height at the shoulder. Their head-and-body length can range from 59 to 83 inches and the tail measures from 16–24 inches. They weigh from 68 to 160 kg, with the males being quite larger, heavier and darker than the females. Being picky eaters, Topis only eat grass and migrate between pastures. The larg­est migration takes place in Serengeti, where they join wildebeests, zebras and gazelles. Topis are preyed upon by lions and hyenas, while the jackals target the newborns. However, when other preys are around, the predation rate on topis seem to be much lesser. 40. Waterbuck, Sub-Saharan Africa The waterbuck is a large antelope found widely in sub-Saharan Africa. They in­habit scrub and savanna areas along rivers, lakes and valleys, the latter being quite evident from its name. The head-and-body length is between 70–93 inches and the average height is between 47 and 54 inches. The males are taller and heavier than females. While males weigh 198–262 kg the females weigh 161–214 kg. The colouration varies from brown to grey. Waterbucks have a long neck and short, strong and hind legs. Males have 22–39 inches long, spiral horns that curve backward and then forward. The tail is 8.7–17.7 inches long. The waterbuck has a shaggy coat that is reddish brown to grey, and becomes progressively darker with age. Males are darker than females. They have white markings around the eyes, muzzle and throat. Waterbuck are mainly grazers and survive on coarse grass discarded by others. They also occasionally eat leaves from plants and trees. They can neither run fast, nor have the endurance to escape from predators and hence fall easy prey to predators. 41. Wildebeest, Africa Also called Gnu, the wildebeest is a common sight in the savannahs of Africa. They are of two types, the blue wildebeest and the black wildebeest. The two differ in the orientation and curvature of their horns and the colour of their coats. The blue ones are a little bigger than the black ones. Wildebeest often graze in mixed herds with zebra and are alert to the warning signals emitted by other animals when a predator is around. Both species of wildebeest are even-toed, horned and resemble cattle. Males are larger than females. They have broad muzzles and noses, and shaggy manes and tails. Blue males stand 5 ft tall at the shoulder and weigh around 250 kg, while the black males stand up to 4 ft tall and weigh about 180 kg. The blue females stand about 4.5 ft at the shoulder and weigh 180 kg while the black females stand 3.75 ft at the shoulder and weigh 155 kg. Wildebeest have to compete with domesticated livestock for pasture. There is also some illegal hunting but yet their population is quite stable. In East Africa, the blue wildebeest is the most abundant big-game species, and some popula­tions migrate annually but the black wildebeest is merely nomadic and do not take part in the big annual migration.

Mud is generally a very neglected thing and in our wild­est of imaginations we cannot think of an attraction made of mud. Although many people around the world still live in houses made of mud, for most others it is dif­ficult even to imagine living in one. But that does not make mud unattractive. It has been used as the main construction material in many parts of the world since time immemorial. And once you read this snapshot that lists 20 of the most amazing man-made mud structures of the world, we are sure your opinion is going to change. Architects generally opine that mud structures are not only durable, lasting some thousand years as you will see here, they can also be amazingly beautiful and each of the entries in this list compiled by Touriosity deserves to be in the bucket list of our esteemed readers for years to come. 1. Arg-e-Bam, Bam, Kerman Province, Iran The Arg-e Bam is often regarded as the largest adobe citadel in the world and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This citadel is believed to date back to 6th to 4th centuries BC when the Achaemenid Empire ruled over the region. It is located in southeastern Iran, in the Kerman Province. Bam was a prosperous trading center being on the crossroads of the ancient Silk Route. It was known for production of silk and cotton for trade. It largely flour­ished during the Sassanian period (224-637 AD). The citadel of Bam was constructed entirely of bricks made of a combination of clay soil and palm tree trunks. The citadel is spread over an area of 6 sq km. It has thick walls and 38 watchtowers for protection against invasion. There is a series of underground water canals, supporting about 12,000 people who lived here. During the devastating earthquake of 2003, more than half of the structures at the historic mud-brick Bam citadel were destroyed. However, the citadel has been restored to its past elegance. 2. Bobo Dioulasso Grand Mosque, Burkina Faso, Africa Bobo Dioulasso is the second largest city in Burkina Faso, after the capital city of Ouagadougou. It is famous for a the Bobo Dioulasso Grand Mosque that is popularly known as just Bobo. It is an important tourist attraction in Burkina Faso. The construction of this mosque is similar to that of the Djinguereber Mosque in Timbuktu, Mali and represents Sudano-Sahelian architecture. The building is made up of clay and timber only and is the largest building of this type in the country. The mosque was built in the later part of the 19th century. The Bobo Dioulasso Grand Mosque is a century old West African mosque, with timbers sticking out of the wall that are supposed to help in maintainence of the exterior. The timbers allow workers to climb the structure whenever replastering of the exteriors with additional layer of clay is done. The mosque sits on the edge of the old city, and because of a nearby highly polluted stream, it is surrounded by bad odours. The structure is being currently repaired. However, the renovation work is using cement rather than clay in order to protect it against erosion. 3. Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Morocco Morocco as a country is full of tourist attractions. One of the top tourist attrac­tions here is the Aït Benhaddou in Ouarzazate. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, this place was once located along the ancient caravan route between the Sahara Desert and Marrakech. In this incredibly beautiful place, there are kasbahs, or small villages, dotted with clay houses. These were built to provide accommodation to the travellers but today look more like part of a filmcity. Being located on the border of the Sahara Desert, Ouarzazate was a popular stopping point for travellers even in the ancient times. Aït Benhaddou is one of Ouarzaz­ate’s ancient walled cities. Inside the high mud walls there are 6 kasbahs and a few homes, that house about 8 families today. Aït Benhaddou is a popular location for shooting of movies. These mud brick structures were covered in a few Hollywood movies like the Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Star Wars. The place is also a photographer’s delight, with hardly any rivals. The place looks the most beautiful in the late afternoon and during sunset. 4. Chan Chan, Trujillo, Moche Valley, Peru Chan Chan is a pre-Colombian city that lies in ruins in the Moche Valley near Trujillo on the northern desert coast of Peru. It is an incredibly beautiful complex of adobe mud buildings. Once the seat of the ancient Chimu Dynasty (900 - 1470 AD), before it fell to the Incas, this place is replete with mud brick structures. There are a total of eleven citadels, the Tschudi Palace, a pyramid, temples, pla­zas, cemeteries, court rooms and more. The site is surrounded by a 15 - 18 meter high wall. There are warrior statues carved into the wall of the Palace. The lower-class people lived outside this wall, the inside being reserved only for the for royalty and their servants. Many of the structures here appear to be in perfectly good shape. During its heydays, Chan Chan is said to have large walk in wells. Chimus were adept metallurgists, potters and woodworkers. In the pre-Colombian era, Chan Chan was the largest city in South America. Today it is a huge archaeological site in La Libertad Region and lies 5km west of Trujillo. 5. Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai, UAE The city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is not just about high rises, grass-covered malls, shopping centres and air-conditioned markets. Parts of the Old Dubai (from the days before oil was discovered in the region) have also been retained as a tribute to the humble beginning of the place. The best example of the old Dubai is the Al Fahidi Fort situated at the south of the Dubai Creek. This old fort also houses the Dubai Museum and provides visi­tors with glimpses of how life was in the region before the locals here turned into oil-rich sheikhs. The Al Fahidi Fort was built around 1787 AD to defend Dubai against external in­vasion and was residence of the local ruler. It is the oldest building in the city and is located close to the heritage site of Bastakia Quarter. The fort is built with the help of sea rocks, gypsum and mud. The fort has three towers and watchtowers inside and is 41 metres in long and 33 metres in width. In front of the fort a huge boat is displayed as a testimony to the old days when fishing and pearl used to be the only industries here. 6. Great Mosque of Djenné, Djenné, Mali, Africa Built in 13th century, this mud brick mosque on the flood plain of Bani River is considered as the largest mud brick structure in the world. The walls of the Mosque vary in thickness between 40-60cm depending on the height. There are three towers, each 11 metres high and topped with an ostrich egg symbolizing fertility and purity. The building is in Sudano-Sahelian architectural style and has timber jutting out of its walls to help people climb the outer walls during annual replastering time. The mosque was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. During the rainy season, Niger and Bani rivers overflow thereby flooding the region and turning the town into an island that is accessed by causeways. The Mosque it is built on a raised platform of mud bricks that protects it from severe floods. During the annual festivities, the replastering is done and the local communities join hands. The mud used for the adobe bricks and plaster comes from the Niger River. The mud is mixed with rice husks and straw and fermented for a month when it becomes very tough, viscous and rain resistant. 7. Mud Walls of Ichan Qala, Khiva, Uzbekistan Another desert sanctuary, Ichan-Qala or Itchan Kala in present day Uzbekistan is a walled inner town in the city of Khiva. The city of Khiva is believed to have been built more than 2500 years ago by Shem, the eldest son of Noah. Ichan-Qala means ‘within the wall’. The inner town is surrounded by mud walls, a 10 meter (33 ft) high rampart made of high quality clay. The clay was mined from a lake shore in Ghovuk Kul. It is believed that the mud walls were built using the same clay as was used to build Medina by Prophet Mohammad. The wall is 2.5 km in length and has four entrances on four sides. The stairs to go up can be accessed at the north gate. Ichan Qala has been granted the UNESCO World Heritage Site status. It is like an Open Air Museum which abodes a collection of madrasas (Islamic schools), mosques, other buildings and about 250 houses. Khiva is located in the Kyzylkum desert in the Khorezm province of Uzbekistan. It was part of the ancient Silk trading route. 8. Narin Qal’eh Castle, Meybod, Iran The historic Narin Qal’eh Castle in the town of Meybod in Yazd Province is one of the best preserved mud castles in the world. The castle was built more than 2,000 years ago in pre-Islamic Iran. The castle architecture incorporates mud bricks of the Medes period and of the Achaemenid and Sassanid dynasties. It is beleived that the Narin castle is a descendant of the ancient fire-temples. The ruins of the Narin castle stands 40 meters in height and a striking feature of this ancient fortification is the plumbing system which was built into its massive walls. There are four towers surrounding the complex, and a large gate leading to a large courtyard. The beautiful Narin castle sits atop a hill and has 3 different floors, each meant for a different class of society. The entire castle is made of adobe and mud. The castle has been victim of many earthquakes through the ages. As a result, the outer gates have been destroyed but the inner castle still exists. Some part of the outer walls also exist. 9. Manhattan-like towering residential houses, Shibam, Yemen In the remotest valleys of Yemen surrounded by palm groves is the city of Shi­bam. It abodes more than 500 years old high-rising residential buildings that look more like Soviet-style blocks found across the Arab world. Because of these high rise buildings, Shibam is often referred to as the Mahattan of the Desert. But there is something unique about these buildings. These are made of mud bricks and present a sight that a tourist would not like to miss. Some of these mud-brick buildings are huge, even 16 stories tall and up to 40 meters high. The buildings were built to protect the citizens from Bedouin raids 500 years ago. Shibam is a city of only 2,000 dwellers. Yet it has got the status of a UNESCO World Heritage site as a city, thanks to these mud-brick high rises. The use of mud bricks was done to meet the challenges posed by the harsh climate here. Despite the uniqueness, the mud buildings are difficult to maintain. They have to be frequently renovated by the inhabitants in order to protect them from rain and erosion. 10. Sankoré Mosque, Timbuktu, Mali Timbuktu was in the ancient trading route for Silk and cotton. There were three mosques here where Muslim men passing by for trade would often visit. Soon the town started to gain importance as a centre of exchange of ideas and learn­ing. The town also became wealthy and prosperous in the process. The Sankoré Mosque was one of the three mosques of Timbuktu. It is especially significant for its huge pyramidal mihrab. It was built during the final years before the fall of the powerful Mali Empire, in the early 14th century. It was founded by Emperor Musa I of Mali and flourished as an important centre of learning in the Islamic world under the patronage of the Askia Dynasty. However, this dynasty’s rule came to an end in 1591 AD with defeat in the hands of the rulers of Mar­rakech in the Battle of Tondibi. By the end of the rule of Musa I, the mosque had become a functional Islamic school and had one of the largest libraries in the world with 5,00,000 to 7,00,000 manuscripts. It had the largest collections of books in Africa ever since the fall of Library of Alexandria. 11. Siwa Oasis, Egypt In ancient time Siwa was an important town in the western Egyptian desert. It was located on the ancient date trade route. With natural springs and plenty of palm trees providing the much needed shade to the wearied travellers across the harsh desert, Siwa was like an oasis. Hence it played an important role in the trade. There were fortified buildings at Siwa built for the purpose of sheltering the travellers. In order to provide a cooler tempera­ture inside, the buildings were made of karsheef, a local type of mud that was extracted from the lake shore that is high in salt content. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the trade collapsed and the importance of Siwa declined. It was gradually forgotten. In course of time the place came to be inhabited by the Siwan Berbers from North Africa. The place has been rediscovered as one of the biggest tourist attractions in Egypt. There are some resorts here which promote eco-tourism. It is possible to spend a few days here to experience the lifestyle of the old days. 12. Cliff of Bandiagara, Mali This is yet another UNESCO designated World Heritage Site in Mali since 1989 and provides a unique experience to visitors. Bandiagara is a small town and commune in the Mopti Region of Mali. It is also known as the Dogon County or the Land of the Dogons. The place is covered with sandstone cliffs, some of which are up to 500 metres high. A unique fea­ture of these cliffs is that these are home to 30 villages that feature unique mud huts of the Dogon people. These small huts are carved into the mountains and sometimes they look almost like hanging from the mountains thereby defying nature’s laws. The Dogons adapted to the hostile environment which protected them from any potential attackers back in the 15th century. Over the years they have retained their culture and continue to live here. The place is now open to tourists. How­ever, the terrain is very rough and the climate very harsh. A guide is essential to know more about the place. For visitors it is possible to stay in one of these houses thereby giving them a unique hostel experience. 13. Kuchesar Fort, Bulandshahar District, Uttar Pradesh, India The Kuchesar Fort, also known as the Mud Fort, is the sole entry of an Indian des­tination in this snapshot. It is an 18th-century fort that was originally constructed as a defense against British cannon attack. It was abode of the royal family of Kuchesar, a former princely state. Currently it is a heritage resort owned by the family of Ajit Singh. The family members occupy a part of the fort that houses the erstwhile reception and dining halls built in the colonial style. The location of the fort is picturesque. The main palace sits atop a large bastion that overlooks gardens on three sides and the ruins of a replica of Robert Clive’s Calcutta house to the west. The holy River Ganges is just 24 km away from the Mud Fort. There are sugarcane fields and Mango orchards in the vicinity. The nearby Banks of Brijghat, are a good place for picnics. The Kuchesar Fort is situated 80 km from Delhi, very near to Hapur, Rao Raj Vilas. The Mud Fort of Kuchesar speaks tales of the chequered history of the Jats who contested with the Marathas, Sikhs and Rajputs as well as East India Company, to the take place of the weakening Mughal Empire. 14. Beehive Houses, Harran, Turkey In the town of Harran in the southern part of Turkey, there are houses shaped somewhat like beehives. These were once a very popular housing structure in the region and the huts were constructed out of mud, brick and stone found in the region. The beehive houses are dome-shaped and could be built quickly. Additionally, being built of mud, the houses were resistant to heat and cold, unlike the com­mon tent and could retain the heat in winter. These meant that the nomadic people here preferred to have these houses for themselves. The ventilation holes on the sides provided cooling air circulation through cross-ventilation, and the top of the dome, acted like a chimney. The erstwhile nomads have now more or less settled. Hence the beehive houses are no longer used as homes but these have been retained as storage spaces or barns. Due to the decline in their importance and value for residential purposes, the upkeep of the houses has also suffered. Nevertheless, these continue to be tourist attraction of the region. 15. Sar Yadz Castle, Yadz, Iran About 45 km from Yazd is the Sar Yadz Castle that was once the oldest and largest treasury in the world. The castle juts out like a giant sand castle from the desert. But much of it lies in ruins today and exploring it calls for a good fitness level. From atop the tallest tower, visitors can have a bird’s eye view of the sur­rounding desert and mountains. Built in the 7th century AD during the rule of the Sassanid Dynasty, the Sar Yazd Castle was built to make it difficult to enter and navigate. Small openings made it almost impossible for intruders to enter, and narrow passages allowed only one person to pass at a time. It was not only used to store grains and food, but also to safeguard valuables like gold and jewellery from attackers and invaders. Hence it was like a bank. The ancient bank continues to be a tourist attraction, a short drive away from Yazd. The exterior walls and towers are still intact. These are surrounded by a 20-foot-wide moat. The maze-like interior is replete with 450 chambers in three floors. To explore all the hidden entrances and chambers, one needs a guide. 16. Villa de Leyva, Boyaca, Colombia Along the Caribbean coast of Colombia, there are beautiful small towns to ex­plore. Villa de Leyva is one such Spanish colonial town, established in 1572 and currently a tourist hub of the region. It presents beautiful scenery, with water­falls, vineyards, hiking and camping options, and some interesting attractions like a complete fossil of a Kronosaurus and pre-columbian phallic menhirs. Earning it a spot in this list, there is also a mud house here, which is a little bizarre. The mud house is a bit unusual. It has no ethnic or historical beginning to make history digging interesting. The owner simply wanted to have a unique house and got creative with the design. While you cannot really fit it into any specific architectural style, it is still interesting and is like a tourist attraction of the place now. So during your drive across the scenic towns across the region, you may drop in to see the house. The interiors are beautiful too. At Villa de Leyva, there is also a monastery worth visiting. Built in the 1600s by four Dominican monks the rocks used in the construction of the monastery have fossils of trilobites, critters and other plants. 17. Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, USA Taos Pueblo is one of the oldest, continuously inhabited communities in New Mexico. The Pueblo people have lived here in adobe houses for more than 1000 years. The place is known for the iconic multi-storied ancient community dwell­ings made of mud. Made of sun dried mud bricks (using clay soil called caliche and straw for strength), and coated with an adobe plaster, the mud houses have thick walls. The roofs are made of cedar trees. There are external ladders to reach the second floor. Interestingly, the houses were originally entered through holes in the ceiling meaning that the doors were later additions by Spanish Explorers. Taos Pueblo is set at an elevation of 7,200 ft and the houses have four to five stories. These were initially meant to be lookout posts for residents to be warned about aggression by enemies. There are two main structures, the Hlauuma in the north and the Hlaukwima in the south. The pueblo people have an annual village ceremony when they re-plaster their houses. Tourism in the region centres round these unique houses. The place is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. 18. Djingarey Ber Mosque, Timbuktu, Mali One of the three mosques with which the University of Timbuktu was associated was the Djingarey Ber Mosque. It was initially built in 1327 AD after Sultan Musa I returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca. It was designed by Egyptian architect Abu Es Haq Es Saheli and it is said that at its first sight the Sultan was so impressed that he gifted the architect 200 kg of gold. The mosque was built of mud, fibre, straw and wood and has three inner courts, two minarets, twenty five rows of pillars and a huge prayer hall that can accom­modate up to 2,000 people. The mosque was reconstructed between 1570 and 1583 AD by Imam Al Aqib, the Qadi of Timbuktu. During this reconstruction, the southern part and the wall surrounding the cemetery were added. The minaret of the mosque is one of the most noticeable landmarks of the town and dominates is skyline. Once a prosperous city on the ancient trade route and an important centre of learning in the region, Timbuktu today is a sparsely populated desert town. In 1988, the mosque was given the UNESCO World Heritage Site status. 19. Zekreet Film City, Ras Abrouq Peninsula, Qatar This is a mini Arabic town located on the west coast of the Ras Abrouq Peninsula (also known as the Zekreet Peninsula). The Peninsula is located on the western coast of Qatar. The Film city is built in the middle of nowhere, inside a UNESCO Biosphere re­serve. It was constructed for a television series and features mud houses and other structures with wooden doors. There are many small houses, a mosque, some beautiful gates and a lookout point. A small cafe inside provides refresh­ments for visitors. If you are lucky, you may also see animals roaming about. Settlement in the Ras Abrouq region dates back to the neolithic age and has a beach, some archaeological sites and a nature reserve. Excavation in the area has revealed many artefacts used by the ancient people. At Zekreet, there is also a fort to check out. The best way to reach here is by a drive from Doha, which is 80 km from here. But it is important to have a 4 x 4 vehicle. 20. Shali Fortress, Siwa, Egypt The Shali Fortress dates from 1203 AD. It sits perched majestically on a small hill in the Siwa Oasis of Egypt, about 300 km south of the Mediterranean Sea. The elevated position was chosen for the fortress to serve as a lookout for possible attacks from nomadic raiders. The building material used was karshif, a unique material produced naturally through the calcification of clay mixed with chunks of salt from the lake and rock, in simple words, mud. Inside the fortress is a mosque, the oldest mosque in the world constructed using Karshif. The rough, undulating texture of the façade still has the 800-years old handprints of the builders. The mosque has a chimney-shaped minaret and it is possible to climb to the top for panoramic views of the surroundings. The fortress was strongly guarded against invaders and outsiders were hardly allowed inside. But 3 days of rain in 1926 as well as devastating floods during the 20th century caused it heavy damage. Bombings during the Second World War also caused much damage to the mud buildings of the region. However, the mosque still stands today and is a tourist attraction.

Pilgrimage and spiritual tourism is a rapidly growing sector within the global tourism industry, reflecting the increasing interest in cultural, spiritual and faith-based travel. India, home to over 450,000 religious and cultural heritage sites, is a treasure trove of pilgrimage and spiritual landmarks. To discuss about the growth prospects of spiritual and religious tourism in India, KPMG in India and PHDCCI have released a report titled – “Sacred journeys: Unfolding the evolution and growth of pilgrimage and spiritual tourism in India” at PHDCCI’s 1st Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave. This comprehensive report delves into the primary motivators behind pilgrimage and spiritual tourism, its economic ramifications, and the challenges and prospects it offers to destinations.   Given the anticipated growth in India's spiritual tourism, it's crucial to understand the push and pull factors of different segments of pilgrims and provide tailor made solutions to support outreach. Recognising the risks and sensitivities linked to pilgrimage tourism is equally vital, ensuring that proposed solutions foster respectful, sustainable, and mutually beneficial interactions between visitors and host communities.      Key highlights from the report: Potential of religious and spiritual tourism in the country - Post pandemic, spiritual tourism has taken centre stage with a significant increase in the number of travellers worldwide. For instance, religious tourism is a substantial driver of employment and economic activity both on a global scale and within India. Evolution of religious tourism - The concept of religious tourism is evolving, to meet the changing interests and values of modern travelers and reflects a broader shift towards more meaningful, responsible, and transformative travel experiences. Digital Influence on selection of sites - Modern trends in religious tourism in India reflect the intersection of tradition with contemporary practices and technology. Increased digital influence and an increase in positive reviews of travel bloggers has positively impacted the surge of religious tourism in India. Digital pilgrimages and virtual reality - Especially relevant during COVID-19 pandemic, virtual pilgrimages have gained popularity. In post pandemic era, inclination to travel became a must for every travel enthusiast. Live streaming of religious ceremonies, online darshans and 360 degree virtual tours allow devotees to participate remotely. Post the pandemic there is rise in footfall of spiritual travelers. Many pilgrims combine religious visits with medical treatments or wellness retreats. Ayurvedic centers, yoga retreats and spiritual healing practices are integrated into religious tourism offerings. Better connectivity and supporting Infrastructure - The improved physical accessibility to destinations, Ecosystem of travel and facilities like hotel to stay, amenities, tours and travel packages have helped visitors in making impromptu decision to travel to any destination. Segments of pilgrimage tourism - Identifying different categories of pilgrims and acknowledging unique needs of various groups is vital for enhancing the pilgrimage experience, managing resources effectively, and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Pilgrimage tourism can be broadly categorised into three segments of believers -- explorers, solo travelers, and mass organised pilgrims.   Solutions- Increasing outreach and sharing knowledge of common history: Holistic development of religious sites - With the emergence of new traveller segments seeking unique and offbeat experiences, there is an opportunity to integrate religious tourism with other forms of tourism. By combining adventure and wellness tourism at religious sites, these destinations can be promoted as holistic travel experiences. This approach not only enhances the appeal of religious sites but also diversifies tourism offerings, catering to a broader range of travellers looking for immersive and meaningful journeys. Outreach for hidden gems/ lesser-known pilgrim Destinations – Developing under the radar sites involves a comprehensive approach to boost their visibility and appeal to a broader tourist demographic. This can be done by: Research and documentation - Thorough research and documentation of a site's historical and spiritual significance is a foundational step, crucial for building a compelling narrative that can be shared with potential visitors. Preservation and restoration - Improving physical infrastructure accessibility around these sites through careful preservation and restoration efforts is key to enhancing visitor experience. Local community involvement - Engaging local communities in the development process is vital for fostering sustainable tourism practices. Educational programmes - Implementing educational programmes like guided tours, workshops, or lectures about a site’s history and spiritual significance can attract tourists with a keen interest in cultural and spiritual enrichment. Carrying capacity based development initiatives of religious places - To address the challenges of overcrowding at India's renowned spiritual destinations, a comprehensive approach encompassing destination-level measures, precinct-level strategies, and shrine-specific actions is essential. These measures aim to alleviate strain on local resources, preserve the sanctity of the shrines, and enhance the spiritual experience for all visitors. Digital intervention - Adopting AI and predictive analytics, with collaboration among local authorities, religious institutions, and technology providers, can cater to promotion of the hidden gems of cultural, spiritual and religious importance in India while establishing sustainable practices for development of pilgrimage tourism sites.   Vivek Agarwal, Partner and Lead - Industrial and Infrastructure Development, KPMG in India said, “Worldwide, India is recognised for its rich array of pilgrimage sites, spiritual landmarks, and ancient healing practices. As the demand for spiritual tourism grows, it is essential to promote comprehensive, holistic, and sustainable development of these sites. This approach will not only enrich the spiritual experiences of pilgrims but also preserve the sanctity of these destinations”.   Aalap Bansal, Partner - Industrial & Infrastructure Development Advisory (IIDA), KPMG in India said, “The evolution of pilgrimage and spiritual tourism in India mirrors broader trends in the tourism industry. Digital tools and social media have significantly expanded the reach and accessibility of spiritual practices. However, challenges such as over-tourism, strained infrastructure, disruptions to local communities, and cultural dilution highlight the need for a holistic and sustainable approach to site development. Utilizing digital tools and diversifying tourism offerings are essential for managing growth and addressing these issues effectively”.   In summary, pilgrimage and spiritual tourism present substantial opportunities for economic advancement and cultural exchange. Adopting a sustainable and inclusive approach to development can enable destinations to leverage these opportunities while safeguarding their cultural and religious heritage for future generations.

Dubai, UAE – 11th September 2024: Al Habtoor Palace, a part of Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection Dubai, recently ranked #1 on Online Travel Aggregator (OTA) Tripadvisor on the back of the exceptional reviews and tributes received by its global guests for its impeccable luxury and hospitality. The noteworthy recognition highlights the dedication and passion of the Al Habtoor Palace team, as well as the steadfast support of its guests who have shared their positive feedback year after year. Al Habtoor Palace ensures to deliver unparalleled luxury and extraordinary hospitality to every guest and is known for its customized impeccable service that reverberates strongly in Dubai’s hospitality sector at large. The team looks forward to maintaining this standard of excellence and making every guest experience unforgettable. Commenting on this achievement, Stefan Radstorm, General Manager of Al Habtoor Palace, stated, “We are elated to our guests for helping us pave our way to the top as #1 hotel on Tripadvisor. They have been pouring their kind words about the hotel’s unparalleled luxury and personalized service, kudos of which go to the entire team at the hotel. The hotel’s distinguished amenities, including world-class dining experiences, lavish accommodations, and the exclusive La Perle by Dragone show, have all played vital roles to help it achieve the recognition. This accolade bolsters our vision to craft unforgettable experiences and encourages us to continue to set new standards of excellence in hospitality.” The management of Al Habtoor Palace extends its deepest gratitude to all guests for their support and reviews, which have contributed to this noteworthy achievement. Their positive feedback has played an essential role in elevating the hotel to the foremost rank on Tripadvisor. Located on the banks of the Dubai Water Canal, Al Habtoor Palace offers impeccable luxurious accommodation, dining, and immersive experiences to the guests which are also complemented by the fascinating water-based theatre production, La Perle by Dragone. Dedicated to personal excellence and care of the patrons, the hotel pays special attention to help them with boutique shopping, signature dining experiences, and much more where they are pampered with best-in-class luxury at every touchpoint throughout their stay at the hotel.

DOHA, Qatar  – Qatar Airways is proud to announce its partnership with the UEFA Champions League in a deal that runs until 2030, further solidifying its mission in uniting people through the power of sport. The World’s Best Airline, as voted by Skytrax in 2024, builds on the success of sponsoring UEFA EURO 2020 and UEFA EURO 2024 in an agreement which includes sponsorship rights to the UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Youth League and UEFA Futsal Champions League.   Known for its electrifying competition and showcase of top tier talent, the UEFA Champions League captivates millions of football fans around the world each season. This premier tournament not only represents the pinnacle of European club football but also embodies the values of excellence, perseverance, and international unity principles that resonate deeply with Qatar Airways' own mission and values.   The new UEFA Champions League format features a thrilling 36-team league phase, which perfectly aligns with Qatar Airways’ connectivity with Europe, serving over 50 European destinations from its home and hub at Hamad International Airport in Doha – The World’s Best Airport as voted by Skytrax in 2024. This new partnership underscores the airline's dedication to delivering world-class services and creating memorable experiences for football fans in Europe and across the globe, further solidifying its position as the World's Best Airline.   To celebrate the partnership, the Qatar Airways Privilege Club will be offering UEFA Champions League fans discounts of up to 12 per cent on flight fares along with exclusive ticket promotions. Fans will also have access to exclusive promotions and bespoke travel solutions, such as UEFA Champions League travel packages, all designed to celebrate the spirit of sport while delivering unforgettable experiences to football enthusiasts worldwide.   Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: "We are thrilled to join forces with UEFA. As the Official Airline Partner of the UEFA Champions League, Qatar Airways is dedicated to transporting thousands of fans to this esteemed competition.   “Our partnership with the UEFA Champions League not only strengthens our connection with Europe but also aligns perfectly with our vision of fostering unity and celebrating excellence. This partnership highlights our commitment to connecting people worldwide through our network of over 170 destinations, while supporting this remarkable competition."   UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, said: "Qatar Airways and UEFA are united in their passion for sports and global business excellence. This shared commitment is the foundation of our long-lasting partnership as we strive to provide football fans worldwide with exceptional experiences. We are delighted to expand our partnership to another level as we embark on a new era of the UEFA Champions League." Kicking off the announcement in style, Qatar Airways launched a special campaign video featuring Brazilian football legend, Ricardo Kaka, playing the role of a pilot making a special passenger announcement onboard, with English football legend, Rio Ferdinand, seated onboard the airline’s celebrated Business Class Qsuite, and Fabrizio Romano, one of the world’s leading football journalists who delivers his famous catchphrase, “Here we go!”. The airline’s cabin crew adds a touch of class to the star-studded campaign, which also features appearances from Paris Saint-Germain Féminines football star, Sakina Karchaoui, and renowned football content creator, OussiFooty.   Qatar Airways' sponsorship portfolio now includes the pinnacle of both national team and club football competitions, with partnerships spanning FIFA, UEFA, and the AFC. This unprecedented level of involvement showcases Qatar Airways' commitments in the world of football.   The partnership enables the national carrier of the State of Qatar to extend its foothold in the European region, showcasing its brand across UEFA Champions League matches throughout the season. This dedication to sports fans is also replicated across its extensive sporting partnerships portfolio. The national carrier of the State of Qatar is the Official Airline Partner of FIFA, AFC, Paris-Saint Germain (PSG), FC Internazionale Milano, The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), CONCACAF, Formula 1®, MotoGP, the IRONMAN Triathlon Series, the United Rugby Championship (URC) and European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), French Rugby Team – Section Paloise, The British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia 2025, The Brooklyn Nets NBA Team, and multiple other disciplines including Australian football, equestrian, kitesurfing, motor racing, padel, squash, and tennis.

New Delhi, India   The India office of American Pistachios Growers (APG) has announced Jasprit Bumrah, One of the leading pace bowlers/ cricket icons in the WORLD, as the brand ambassador for California-grown American pistachios for the 2024-25 season.   “ Jasprit Bumrah's unwavering commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, makes him the ideal ambassador for American Pistachios Growers (APG)," said Garth Thorburn, the Minister Counselor for Agriculture at the US Embassy in India. “We are thrilled to have him champion the message of pistachio nutrition. A significant number of pistachio growers in the United States, particularly in California, are of Indian origin. This partnership not only strengthens the bond between our nations but also promotes a shared vision of health and wellness for people everywhere. Welcome to the family, Jasprit."   Speaking on the association, Jasprit Bumrah exclusively represented by RISE Worldwide said, “I’m delighted to partner with American Pistachio Growers. For an athlete, nutrition plays a huge role in performance, and I find pistachios to be a perfect snack. They are packed with protein and healthy fats, offering me sustained energy throughout the day. American pistachios are my go-to because they provide the nutrients I need to stay at my best." Speaking on the occasion Dr. Siddhant Bhargava MBBS, Diet specialist, celebrity nutritionist and a health entrepreneur “For athletes, American pistachios are a powerful ally. They're rich in antioxidants that protect healthy cells from free radical damage and provide complete protein essential for muscle regeneration and repair. Also, they offer beneficial fats, fiber, and crucial nutrients that support peak performance and overall health.” Mr. Sumit Saran, Indian representative of APG said, “We are very delighted and honored to be associated with one of India's iconic sports figures, Jasprit Bumrah. His exceptional achievements have not only brought glory to the nation but have also inspired countless individuals. India is a growth market for American pistachios. India itself does not produce any pistachios. However, as awareness about pistachios and its health benefits increase, we are seeing continuous growth in demand for American pistachios. With Jasprit Bumrah, we are looking to take this information about American pistachio nutrition and health to health-conscious consumers across the country,” Saran added. American pistachios are easily available on all major e-commerce platforms and with major dry fruit retailers across India. Consumers can find them by simply searching or asking for "California pistachios" and choose from the many brands that sell them in India.

Kerala Tourism was honored with the prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award for its groundbreaking digital marketing campaign titled ‘Holiday Heist.’ This award, presented during a ceremony at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, recognized Kerala Tourism’s innovative approach to engaging tourists through digital platforms. The award was accepted by Smt. Sikha Surendran, Director, Kerala Tourism, who received it from PATA Chairman Peter Semone. Also present at the ceremony were Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, Macao Government Tourism Office, and Noor Ahmad Hamid, PATA CEO. Notably, Kerala was the only Indian destination to receive this coveted award in 2024, highlighting the state's leadership in tourism marketing. The ‘Holiday Heist’ campaign, launched in July 2023, the campaign revolved around a month-long bidding game conducted on Kerala Tourism’s WhatsApp chatbot, Maya. Participants were challenged to secure tour packages to Kerala’s prime destinations by placing the lowest unique bids. The campaign quickly gained popularity, with over 80,000 bids placed, 5.2 lakh conversations, and an impressive 45 million impressions. Additionally, the campaign generated more than 13 million video views, underscoring its wide-reaching impact. Shri P. A. Mohamed Riyas, Minister, Kerala Tourism, praised the campaign, describing the award as a reaffirmation of Kerala’s innovative strategies in attracting tourists. He highlighted that 'Holiday Heist' was a pioneering effort to entice visitors to Kerala’s top destinations at remarkably low prices, thereby setting a new benchmark in tourism marketing. The campaign’s success not only enhanced Kerala’s appeal as a must-visit destination but also bolstered the confidence of stakeholders within the tourism industry. Shri K. Biju, Secretary, Kerala Tourism, emphasized the trendsetting nature of the ‘Holiday Heist’ campaign, noting that it significantly contributed to Kerala’s reputation as a leading tourist destination. The campaign's innovative approach and massive engagement demonstrated Kerala’s commitment to staying at the forefront of digital tourism marketing. Smt. Sikha Surendran, in her remarks, acknowledged that Kerala Tourism has consistently been recognized by PATA over the years in various categories. However, she noted that the 2024 award was particularly gratifying as it celebrated the ingenuity of Kerala’s digital marketing efforts, which set a new standard for creativity and visitor engagement. The PATA Gold Awards, established in 1984, are among the most prestigious recognitions in the travel and tourism industry, honoring exceptional contributions from across the Asia-Pacific region. The awards are known for setting high standards of excellence and innovation, and Kerala’s win in 2024 further cements its position as a leader in global tourism marketing. Kerala Tourism's ‘Holiday Heist’ campaign not only showcased the state’s creative prowess in digital marketing but also reinforced its standing as a top destination in India. The PATA Gold Award 2024 serves as a testament to the success of Kerala’s innovative strategies in drawing tourists from around the world.

Karnataka Tourism is set to host a special roadshow on September 3rd, 2024, at Baar Baar Restaurant in New York. The event is designed to introduce New York’s travel industry to the diverse and captivating attractions of Karnataka, aiming to build new partnerships and collaborations. This roadshow is an important opportunity for Karnataka Tourism to present the state’s exceptional tourism potential to industry professionals in New York. Karnataka is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant traditions, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking a truly diverse and enriching Indian experience. Karnataka’s historical treasures are among its most prized offerings. The state is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Hampi, with its ancient ruins, and the intricately carved temples of Belur and Halebidu. These sites provide a deep connection to India’s storied past. In addition to its historical sites, Karnataka’s natural beauty offers a contrasting yet equally mesmerizing experience. The lush hills of Coorg, famous for their expansive coffee plantations, and the Western Ghats, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, offer stunning vistas, misty mountains, and cascading waterfalls that are perfect for trekking and adventure seekers. For wildlife enthusiasts, Karnataka offers a rich array of national parks, each home to a vibrant ecosystem. Bandipur National Park is a sanctuary for tigers, Asian elephants, and a variety of bird species, while Nagarhole National Park is known for its diverse wildlife, including tigers, dholes, and other mammals. Bengaluru, the state’s capital and India’s Silicon Valley, provides a modern counterpoint with its cosmopolitan atmosphere, lively nightlife, and impressive museums. By hosting this roadshow, Karnataka Tourism seeks to deepen relationships with travel agents, tour operators, and other key stakeholders in New York. The event will not only showcase the state’s wide-ranging attractions but also gather insights into the preferences of New York travelers. This initiative is expected to create strategic partnerships that will position Karnataka as a top destination for those looking to explore the best of India.

In a strategic move to tap into the expansive Indian market, Bintan Resorts has partnered with VFS Global, world’s leading outsourcing and technology service specialist, to promote Bintan Resorts in Bintan Island of the Riau Islands Province of Indonesia as a premier travel destination. This partnership was officially cemented with the signing of an agreement on 29 August 2024 at the Grand Lagoi Hotel in Bintan Resorts.   The collaboration aims to enhance the visibility and appeal of Bintan Island, positioning it as a top choice for Indian travellers and welcome them to enjoy the island’s plethora of offerings. Leveraging VFS Global's extensive network across India in all major and secondary cities, along with its strong connections with businesses, media, and corporate entities, the partnership is expected to boost tourism from India to Bintan Island.   Bintan Resorts is committed to showcasing the island's rich tourism potential, from its captivating culinary offerings to its high-quality services and warm hospitality focused on comfort. These elements are anticipated to make Bintan Island an irresistible destination for Indian travellers.   "We are excited to partner with VFS Global to introduce the beauty and charm of Bintan Island to the Indian market," said Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer of Bintan Resorts . "This collaboration will elevate Bintan's status as a must-visit destination for Indian tourists. We eagerly look forward to welcoming more visitors from India and offering them the exceptional experiences that only Bintan Island can provide," added Wahab.   The partnership will launch a targeted marketing campaign in major Indian cities, aiming to position Bintan as a prime travel destination, alongside Singapore. It will feature an innovative dual-destination strategy, with a captivating tagline highlighting Bintan's unique attractions from family-friendly vacations and adrenaline-pumping adventures to enticing culinary experiences and special events such as weddings, MICE and more.   Promotions will focus on the digital and social media platforms, in collaboration with influencers, B2B sales, and organising workshops and familiarisation trips for influencers and content creators. A major initiative will be working closely with the travel trade partner friends, that both partners have cultivated over the years, to promote the island to their clients. The partnership seeks to harness VFS Global's vast media network and connections to significantly boost Bintan Island's visibility and attract a substantial influx of tourists.   “Together, we will work towards increasing the Indian tourist arrivals to Bintan Island and enriching their overall travel experience. Of immediate priority for both partners is to re-introduce Bintan island’s offerings to the Indian audiences and socialise them to the sheer convenience of hopping on to the island from the shores of Singapore to enjoy themselves as families, small and big groups," said G B Srithar, Head of Tourism Services at VFS Global . He noted that the Indian market presents a promising opportunity for Bintan's tourism sector, as India was Singapore's third-largest source of visitors in 2019, with approximately 1.4 million travellers. Singapore concluded 2023 with 1.08 million Indian visitors. Bintan Island plans to entice and welcome a significant share of travellers to Singapore.   "By positioning Bintan Resorts as a complementary destination to Singapore, easily accessible by a hassle-free 60-minute ferry ride from the city-state, we aim to attract a double-digit share of these Indian visitors," said Wahab. The dual-destination approach is expected to capitalise on the appeal of two exceptional travel experiences.   The signing event was attended by various stakeholders such as Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia; Guntur Sakti, Head of Tourism Office of the Riau Islands Province; Robby Kurniawan, Head of Bintan Regency; Arief Sumarsono, Head of Tourism Office Bintan Regency, Bintan Resorts Council, along with other key figures from the travel and tourism industries and the media.

Bangalore, 29th August: If you’ve been thinking of exploring some of the diverse flavours of Abu Dhabi’s delicious street food culture, NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has already done the footwork for you.   The sporting legend swaps the court for cuisine in a series of films that sees Shaq discovering Abu Dhabi’s diverse street food scene while leaving his own food reviews as he explores the flavours and characters behind Emirati and Middle Eastern Street food.   Embark on a culinary adventure with Shaq through a series of films as he explores the heart and soul of Abu Dhabi's street food scene. From traditional Emirati dishes to Middle Eastern favourites, he's savouring every bite and sharing his discoveries through Google reviews. Diving headfirst into the heart of Abu Dhabi's foodie-favourite street food spots, each episode of "Shaq's Abu Dhabi Street Food Journey," sees the larger-than-life personality immersed in the city as he explores eight different foodie hotspots. Here’s the first look à https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRSSOyEnZhI   Shaq first visits Al Dhafra restaurant, an authentic Emirati cuisine spot, with a group of locals, where he’ghuzs introduced to lamb ghouzi (a traditional Emirati rice dish). Shaq marvels at the mix of meat, rice and spices, and attributes the ingredient’s “teamwork” to making this a highlight dish. In upcoming episodes, he likens the tasty, sweet luqaimat (sweet dough balls with date syrup) at Luqaimat and Chebab to “mini basketballs” and gives his taste buds a more familiar treat at Mo’s Joint with their takeaway Classic Burger, giving a shout-out to its special Abu Dhabi sauce as “the MVP.”   But Shaq doesn't just eat the food – he gets in on the action! Inspired by the city's culinary creativity, he heads to Beit El Khetyar and creates a giant shawarma, a limited edition “Shaqwarma” that’s sure to satisfy even the biggest appetites.   Shaq's infectious enthusiasm and adventurous spirit match the melting pot of flavours that define Abu Dhabi's street food scene. With each bite, he uncovers different cultural influences that make this city's street food scene so unique.   Shaq also shares humorous and insightful commentary about his culinary adventures in Al Sultan Sweets (a crowd favourite Arabic sweets shop), India Palace Restaurant. (authentic Indian cuisine), Bu Tafish (a traditional seafood dining establishment since 1968) and Seashell (Abu Dhabi’s unique twist on fast food favourites).   A supersized NBA superstar partnered with a city steeped in a rich culinary street food heritage. Together, Shaquille O’Neal and Abu Dhabi make a truly unbeatable team.