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Discover another India

Chuck foreign destinations. Try and explore the lesser-known facets of our country instead

AT HOME Holiday options galore in India

Our desh ki dharti has its own unmatched fragrance. It's an aroma that needs to be discovered, but not in the so-called popular tourist spots that are already losing their sheen due to commercialisation and definitely not in the high-rises of the cities.

The true and unadulterated India lives in the smaller towns, villages and other obscure little places, tucked away away from the glareof pryingeyes, and in such close sync with nature that makes you envious.

There isn't an adventure it doesn't offer or tranquillity it cannot give.

You may have been to Khandala, Lonavala, and Alibaug dozens of times, but Sachin Bhandary, a PR executive tells about other places in and around Mumbai that have missed your attention. "Kamshet is a paragliding lover's heaven.

It has got some attention only of late. Pawna Lake is another nature's delight that looks at its best during monsoon. Kondeshwar has a 1000-year-old Shiva temple and is known for its intricate work. There's also a beautiful waterfall next to the temple." About 80 km from Lonavala are over 16 Buddhist caves, Karla and Bhaja being two of them.

Priya Krishnamoorthy, a media person and an avid traveller, explains how the entire Malva and Konkan region is full of such unexplored beaches. "You just have to keep moving along the coast to find them. Tarkali beach even has houseboats now."

Under-explored

Himachal Pradesh is another under-explored terrain. Shimla, Kullu, Manali and Chamba are known, but only a few know about Kasuali, Khajjar, Manimahesh, Bharmaur, Jalori Pass, Shoja, Tattapani, Jhantigri, Maharana Pratap Sagar, Bir and Billing, Nalagarh or Chanshi.

If one place has a scenic view that can give Switzerland tough competition, the other can give you a panoramic view of lustrous meadows surrounded by thick forests.

And if trekking is your favourite pastime, you will find enormous pleasure discovering Uttaranchal. The steep hills, unruly rivers and dense forests make it just as difficult it can get.

Rajeev, who runs Garhwal Himalayan Explorations in Rishikesh, gives a low-down on places still unknown. "The Kedarnath-Badrinath route is not much explored as a trekking point. Har-Ki-Doon, situated in the upper catchments of river Tons, is one of the most fascinating and lesser-exploited area of Garhwal Himalayas. It is one of the few places where the demon god is worshipped and people believe in black magic. Expedition on the Kali River is another trip, where you will not find a human settlement for days at end."

If there's a place in our country that's most under-rated it is the northeast. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Manipur are blessed with the best of nature, but are left out of the tourist map.

Assam and Meghalaya have the first and second biggest river island in Asia, namely Majuli Island and Nongkhnum Island. Time seems to standstill at these places, which are home to some of the rare tribes.

Caving can be an extremely interesting yet eerie adventure and places in and around Shillong itself have over 780 caves for you to see. Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills are home to some of the biggest and longest caves in South Asia.

Nazia Razdjee just loved her recent trip to the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka. "It's the place where three states meet. We spent two days in a tree house, right in middle of the forest and went on open jeep safari." Kabini, Doddamakali, Bheemeshwari, Galibore and Kali River are some places in that state where one can get close to nature, stay in log or tree houses and see wildlife animals, go fishing or angling.

M. R

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