Discover India through stunning pictures!
We take you on a journey through 75 carefully curated experiences that describe the beauty and diversity of India and will have you packing your bags right away. Hop on!
1. Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi
The Swaminarayan Akshardham complex is a Hindu temple, and a spiritual-cultural campus in Delhi. Inspired by Yogiji Maharaj and created by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, it was constructed by BAPS and attracts ~70% of all tourists visiting Delhi. It holds the Guinness world record for the "World's Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple". The image above is of the main temple in the campus. The complex displays the richness of traditional Hindu and Indian architecture, culture and spirituality as well as vedic India's astounding progresses in the fields of mathematics, astronomy and medicine etc. It is easily accessible by Delhi Metro. The Sanskruti Vihar (boat ride through 10,000 years of India's glorious heritage) that feels like being teleported into life in vedic India, is another absolute must and one of my personal favourites, along with the Sahaj Anand water show. More info here.
2. Jama Masjid, Delhi
Source: © Jorge Royan / http://www.royan.com.ar / CC BY-SA 3.0
Built between 1644 and 1656 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan at a cost of 1 million rupees, the Masjid-i Jahān-Numā (commonly known as the Jama Masjid) is one of the largest mosques in India. The courtyard can accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers. . The cabinet located in the north gate has a collection of relics of the prophet Muhammad.
3. Taj Mahal, Agra
You knew this one was coming! Among the "seven wonders of the world", this ivory-white marble mausoleum situated on the south bank of the Yamuna river was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The 42 acre complex, of which the tomb is the centrepiece, also includes a mosque and a guesthouse and is set in formal gardens. The entire complex was constructed between 1632-53 by some 20,000 artisans at a cost of around 32 million rupees (US $ 827 million as of 2015). The best times to visit the Taj Mahal are in the early morning (gates open 6 am) and on full moon nights. More info here.
4. Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib), Amritsar
The holiest Gurdwara and the most important Sikh pilgrimage site, the Golden Temple (also knwn as Sri Harmandir Sahib) is also a symbol of universal brotherhood and equality. The name Golden Temple comes from its gold-foil sanctum overlay. It is an open house of worship, equally welcoming everyone irrespective of their gender, colour, caste, creed or religion. This is signified by the four entrances to this holy shrine from all four directions. The Guru Ram Das Langar, a community-run free kitchen serves free vegetarian food to everyone who wants it. Vaisakhi is celebrated with great fervour in the temple. More info here.
5. Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Built in 1156 AD by the Rajput Rawal (ruler) Jaisal from whom it derives its name, Jaisalmer Fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan and stood at the crossroads of important trade routes (including the ancient Silk road). As nearly a fourth of the old city's population still resides within the fort, it is believed to be the only or among the very few “living forts” in the world. The fort stands amidst the sandy expanse of the great Thar Desert on Trikuta Hill. The fort's massive yellow sandstone walls, which are a tawny lion colour during the day, fade to honey-gold as the sun sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. For this reason it is also known as the Golden Fort (Sonar Quila), and the city as the "Golden city of India".
6. Taj Lake Palace (Jag Niwas), Udaipur
Under the direction of the Maharana Jagat Singh II, the Lake Palace was built between 1743 and 1746 on the island of Jag Niwas in Lake Pichola, Udaipur as a winter palace. It was turned into a luxury hotel by Bhagwat Singh. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces took over management of the hotel in 1971 and the hotel remains one of Udaipur's most popular luxury hotels to this day. If the hotel seems familiar to you though, you are not mistaken. It has been the setting for several movies, most notably as the home of the titular character Octopussy in the 1983 James Bond film bearing the same name.
7. The Kalbelias, Rajasthan
Traditionally, the Kalbelia tribe of Rajasthan has been occupied in catching snakes and trading snake venom. The popular dance form Kalbelia is also an integral part of their culture and is performed to celebrate any joyful moment within the community. Since the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, they have been pushed out of their traditional profession of snake-handling and today, performing arts are a major source of income for them. One of the most sensuous dance forms of Rajasthan, the Kalbelia dance with its vigorous yet graceful movements, is extremely popular. The women dance in flowing black skirts, replicating serpentine movements in keeping with their traditional profession while the men take care of the music.
8. Camel Safari in the Thar desert, Rajasthan
It is not just the fort or heritage Jaisalmer is famous for. The all-popular camel safaris in the Thar Desert are just as popular and perhaps far more memorable. A camel safari trip would include, in addition of course to what might be one of the scariest rides you have ever undertaken, amazing views of the sunset, sunrise and clear, starry skies. Cook your dinner on an open fire in the middle of the desert and use it also to keep yourself warm, for the desert can get really chilly at night. Do make arrangements to watch a folk music and dance show by the locals. As you make your bed in the dunes and lie down under the quiet cover of a million stars, you almost feel like you own the infinite vastness. Of course, you can also get all the work done by your guide while you devote your energies to soaking in what is surely going to be one of your most memorable night-outs.
9. Agricultural farms
Source: Rajarshi Mitra | Flickr | CC BY 2.0
A third of India's population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, which means greenery is practically everywhere! The above is pretty much your standard view whenever travelling by trains because the Indian railway track routes typically run through the countryside than the cities. The lush-green scenery, whose beauty is only enhanced by the dark clouds looming overhead and the drizzle, is alone enough to convince you why you must travel by the railways at least once. , Read this for tips on a safe and relaxing train journey.
10. Trekking in Manali
Set at an altitude of 2,050 metres, Manali is a Himalayan resort town in Kullu district in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Set on the Beas river, Manali has a reputation as and offfers numerous options as a backpacking centre, honeymoon destination and the gateway for skiing and trekking in the Solang and Parvati valleys respectively. In addition, this historic town with a population of only about 10,000 (8,096 in 2011) is also a jumping-off point for paragliding, rafting and mountaineering in the Pir Panjals.
Other popular hill stations in Himachal Pradesh include Dharamshala ( home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile), Shimla (the capital city), Narkanda, Dalhousie, Kullu, McLeodGanj, Kasauli, Kasol, Chail and Khajjar.
11. Adventure sports in Solang Valley
If you are the kind of adrenaline junkie who can't help but answer every time the mountains come calling, adventure sports in the Solang Valley are just for you. In addition to being one of the most popular ski resorts, there are options for parachuting, paragliding and skating too. And when the snow melts in the summer months, test your nerves by zorbing down the slope of a 200 metre hill! Facilties for horse-riding and a ropeway (picture above) also exist.
12. Khajjar
By SriniG (Photograph by User:SriniG) [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons
Also called the "Mini Switzerland of India", Khajjar is a hill station in Himachal Pradesh, 24 km from the more popular hill station of Dalhousie.
13. Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir
The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, nestled in the Himalayas, is home to several valleys. Of these, the Kashmir valley is probably the most visited, due to its plethora of strikingly beautiful tourist destinations, including hill stations (Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam etc.), temples (Amarnath temple, Shankaracharya temple etc.), lakes (Dal, Manasbal), sub-valleys (Betaab, Lolab, Bangus), gardens, springs etc. Above picture is of Gulmarg. No wonder then that the fourth Mughal Emperor Jahangir quoted the poet Amir Khusro in the context of Kashmir that "Gar Firdaus bar ru-e-zamin ast, Hami ast o- hami ast o- hami ast", meaning "If there is paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this."
14. Gulmarg gondola
Source: By Arup1981 [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Gulmarg Gondola is the second highest operating cable car in the world. The two-stage gondola lift can ferry about 600 people per hour to and from the Kongdoori Mountain.
15. Dal Lake, J&K
One of the cultural symbols of Kashmir, the shikara is a type of wooden boat seen on the Dal lake and other water bodies of Kashmir. They are of varied sizes and used for several purposes. A shikara ride on the Dal lake during the sunset is one of the must-dos of Kashmir. The Dal Lake (which is actually a misnomer since Dal in Kashmiri itself means lake), named the "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir", also has a floating vegetable market and India's only floating post-office!
16. Leh–Manali Highway
Close to 490 km (300 mi) long, the Leh-Manali Highway in northernmost India connects Leh (in Ladakh region, Jammu & Kashmir) to Manali (Himachal Pradesh). It is open for only about four months a year, between May-June, when the snow clears, to mid-October, when snowfall again blocks the high passes. The dream trek of perhaps every Indian biker, the highway is known for its treacherous stretches prone to landslides and other vagaries of the weather such as sandstorms and blizzards that challenge even the most seasoned of drivers. When the snow melts, for instance, stretches of the roads (if you may call them so) turn into rivers. Most of the worlds's highest and most dangerous motorable passes and roads lie along this route, which attracts numerous foreign bikers and tourists as well. Temperatures and the weather can fluctuate sharply, there is no street lighting or mechanic along the way, and the two fuelling stations are 365 km apart. If the trek is challenging, the rewards are equally commensurate. The highway promises views you will never find anywhere else on the planet, and an experience you will cherish forever. If you are looking for an adventure that defines unpredictable and challenges you to the very core, look no further.
17. Roads of Project Himank, Ladakh
Himank (or Project Himank) is a project of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in northernmost India's Ladkah region. Ever since it started in August 1985, Himank has been responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads and related infrastructure in the region. This includes the world's highest motorable road between Chisumle and Demchok villages in Ladakh, passing through Umlingla Top at an altitude of over 19,300 feet (or 5,880 m, which is about 240 m higher than Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe), and the world's highest Bailey Bridge between Dras and Suru rivers to name a few. These feats have been accomplished at a cost. 124 Himank personnel have lost their lives till date.
Himank is popular for its humorous road signs which it uses to remind drivers to remain alert, respect the terrain and keep them motivated in the trying conditions. Expect to see signs like, "I'm curvaceous. Please take me slowly", "Darling I like you, but not so fast", "After whisky, driving risky", "If married, divorce speed. If engaged, go steady. If single, watch for curves", "Sorry for Ooh, Aah, Ouch. Inconvenience regretted", "A cat has nine lives, but not the one who drives", "Don't gossip, let him drive", "Peep peep, don't sleep", "Check your nerves, on my curves", "Leave sooner, drive slower, live longer", "Drive on horse power not on rum power", "Let your insurance policy mature before you", and many, many more.
18. Ladakh (ctd.)
Source: Kiran Jonnalagadda | CC BY-SA 2.0 | Flickr
The confluence of the Zanskar (middle) and Indus (left) rivers.
It'd be a sin to deprive you from these. Plus, I had the hardest time choosing from so many amazing pictures.
19. Pangong Tso lake, Ladakh
The Pangong Tso lake is one of the many lakes in Ladakh that are frequented by tourists. Covering a total of 604 km², the lake's water is saline, but freezes completely during winter. Another unique fact about the lake is that the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that demarcates Indian and Chinese territory actually passes through the lake, and around 60% of the length of the lake lies in China.
20. Key Monastery, Spiti Valley
Source: By TheWanderer7562] ([1]) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Key (or Kye) Monastery (or Gompa, as it is called in Tibetan) is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located on top of a hill close to the Spiti river in the Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 4,166 metres (13,668 feet) ASL. It is the largest monastery in the valley and a religious training centre for Lamas. One can stay with the monks in the monk quarters (subject to availability, not available during winters) and learn about them and participate in their daily activities. If a spiritual retreat or mental peace is what you seek, you should definitely consider Kye Gompa. You could also look to end your trip to India with a short stay here!
21. Indian street food
There's just too much of street food available in India for you to try it all out. Mentioning even part of it would make a collection in itself. Most places have their own specialties that visitors should try. Sometimes, the local cuisine is also sold on the streets. Some delicacies to treat your taste buds to include chaat (which is a collective term for various spicy food items that usually consist of a base dish and have spices and several other ingredients added to it), panipuri (Mumbai), puchka and jhaal-muri (Kolkata), dosa (South India), samosa and pakoda (fritters, available everywhere) etc.
22. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Source: Malcolm Payne | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 | Flickr
Varanasi (also called as Benares or Kashi) is a city on the banks of the Ganges. Believed to be founded by Lord Shiva himself, it is the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism and grew in history as a major pilgrimage centre. It is believed in Hinduism that death in the city brings salvation. Varanasi was also historically an industrial centre. Silk weaving is the dominant industry today and Varanasi's silk fabric, in particular its finely woven silk saris with gold and silver brocade, are renowned worldwide. Equally famous are the ghats of Varanasi, which are embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank. Various rituals are performed on the ghats, including the evening aartis on Dashashwamedh Ghat (special aartis on Tuesdays) and Hindu cremations on Manikarnika Ghat.The city has been a toursim destination since the 18th century, with nearly 6.3 million domestic and 690,472 foreign tourists visiting in 2015.
23. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (ctd.)
Source: Well-Bred Kannan (WBK Photography) | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 | Flickr
A boat ride on the river along the ghats, especially during the foggy early mornings or golden sunsets, is a must.
24. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (ctd.)
Source: By Sujay25 [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Ganga Aarti in evening at Dashashwamedh ghat, Varanasi. It is a spectacular affair that is attended by devotees and tourists from all faiths and nationalities. Since the rituals are performed on the ghats (river banks), tourists also arrive by boat to see it. A particular aarti is conducted on Tuesdays and festivals.
25. Ramlila
Source: Pixabay
Declared by UNESCO as among the "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" in 2008, Ramlila is a dramatic folk reenactment of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana or secondary literature based on it, such as Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, staged during the annual autumn festival of Navratri, notably in cities such as Ayodhya, Varanasi and Vrindavan. The celebrations climax in the Dusshera night festivities with the burning of giant grotesque effigies of Evil, such as that of demon Ravana, post the enactment of the legendary war between Good and Evil. Above pic is of a lady enacting Sita, the wife of Lord Rama in a Ramlila event.
26. Diwali--the festival of lights
Source: By Khokarahman [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Diwali, also called the festival of lights, signifies the victory of goodness over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and is celebrated with great fervour. People clean, renovate, decorate and light up their homes and offices with diyas (wick lamps), candles and lights. Rangolis (colourful decorations using coloured powder, sand and rice grains) are made on the floor, usually at the doorstep. People dress up in new clothes, share sweets and gifts, pray to Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of prosperity) and Goddess Kali and light fireworks. The festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya with his wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and Lord Hanuman after 14 years of exile that culminated in the defeat of Ravana, the Rakshasa king of Lanka who had abducted Sita.
27. Kumbh Mela
Source: AlGraChe | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 | Flickr
Considered as the "world's largest congregation of religious pilgrims", the Kumbh Mela is a Hindu pilgrimage in which devotees gather together to bathe in a holy river. At any given place, the Kumbh Mela is held once in 12 years. Traditionally, four fairs are widely recognized as the Kumbh Melas and are held periodically at one of the following places by rotation: Haridwar, Allahabad, Nashik and Ujjain.
28. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
Source: By Vickey Chauhan [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
About 140 km southeast of Jaipur, widely known for its Bengal tigers, is the Ranthambore National Park. Named after the historic Ranthambhore fortress, which lies within the park, it is one of the best places in India to see tigers in their natural jungle habitat. Considered India's most famous tigress, the most photographed tigress in the world and featured in documentaries worldwide, and on her death as the world's oldest tigress living in the wild and celebrated with titles such as "Tigress Queen of Ranthambore", Machli the Bengal tigress lived here. India reportedly earned about USD 10 million per year due to tourists attracted by the tigress, who made the headlines once for killing a 14 feet crocodile. Other animals that call Ranthambore their home include the leopard, mugger crocodile, striped hyena, nilgai, sambar, chital, sloth bear, langur and rheses macaque.
29. Kolkata, West Bengal
Source: By DasAritra [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Previously known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the present capital of the state of West Bengal and was the capital of India from 1772-1911. Also known as the "City of Joy", "Cultural Capital of India" and "City of Palaces", Kolkata is often described as being unique from other cities for preserving its old world charm as it speeds along the route of development, creating a rather haphazard, yet beautiful assortment of the old and the new. Other things the heritage city, every locality of which is soaked in history, is known for include the warmth of its people, its rich cuisine, culture and festivals. Despite being India's second largest city, Kolkata is often cited as different from other modern cities in its category because of its rather quaint, laid back and slow-moving lifestyle offering unpredictable experiences, making it one of the most favoured destinations for national as well as international tourists.
This site focuses primarily on the attractions of Kolkata, so do check out the home page for amazing pictures and this page for all the info you need to make your trip to India a memorable one!
30. Durga Puja, Kolkata
Source: Biswarup Ganguly [GFDL, CC BY 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Celebrated in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin, typically September or October of the Gregorian calendar, Durga Puja is generally regarded as the most important and widely celebrated festival in the city. The entire city is decked up in lights and decorations to welcome the warrior Goddess Durga. Drum beats resonate throughout the entire duration of the ten days of the Puja, starting from Mahalaya (which falls on a no-moon day, marking the beginning of "Devi Paksha") to the day of Vijayadashami (also called Dusshera), when the idols of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, accompanied by music and chants, are carried to a river front and immersed.
Pujas are celebrated in the city with almost every locality designing their own, often theme-based stage-like place for the rituals, called a pandal. Preparations begin months in advance and the festivities attract devotees and tourists the world over. It is a must-see.
31. Transportation in Kolkata--the hand-pulled rickshaw
Source: © Jorge Royan / http://www.royan.com.ar
Some of the most recognisable symbols of Kolkata, apart from the famous Howrah Bridge and Victoria Memorial, are its public transportation icons: the hand-pulled ricksahw, the trams and the yellow taxi. Hand-pulled rickshaws have been plying in the city since the end of the 18th century. In recent times, their use has drawn wide criticism, prompting the government to ban them and replace them with battery operated e-rickshaws. However, they continue to be used in some places.
32. Transportation in Kolkata--the yellow taxi and tram
Indeed, the yellow taxi and the tram are the two other icons of Kolkata. The Hindustan Motor's Ambassador taxi was in production for more than 50 years and was fondly dubbed the "king of Indian roads". Since it was also the government's choice of car for ministers and secretaries alike, the car came to represent an image of power and authority in the country, thereby making it a matter of pride for the passengers riding in the slow-moving "yellow taxi" of Kolkata. Even today, a trip to the city remains incomplete without a ride in one of these.
Kolkata is the only city in the country to have a tram network. The first horse-drawn tram ran on 24 February 1873. The system was electrified and has been running since 1902 and is the oldest operating electric tram system in Asia. Trams are loved for their slow speed, negligible congestion and low fares, allowing the passenger to soak in the city's delights at their own pace.
33. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy-Train)
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), also called the toy-train, is a narrow-gauge railway built between 1879 and 1881 which runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal, India. The line climbs from an altitude of 100 metres at New Jalpaiguri to 2,200 metres at Darjeeling in its total journey of 88 km. In order to achieve a comfortable gradient, it was built with six zig-zags and five loops. The journey was described by the American author Mark Twain as the happiest day of his life, an emotion shared by many others who have travelled on the DHR. All steam locomotives used today were built between 1889 and 1925. Above image shows the train passing through the Batasia Loop, which also has a memorial dedicated to Gorkha soldiers of th Indian Army, and offers a panoramic view of Darjeeling, Kanchenjunga and other snow-capped peaks in the background.
34. Rath-Yatra, Puri
Source: picturesbypriyesh | CC BY 2.0 | Flickr
The Rath Yatra at Puri is the oldest Rath Yatra taking place anywhere in the world. It is a Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath held at Puri in the state of Odisha. The festival commemorates Lord Jagannath's annual visit to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple (aunt's home) near Balagandi Chaka, Puri. As part of Ratha Yatra, the deities of Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and younger sister Subhadra are taken out in a procession of three richly decorated chariots, resembling temple structures, and pulled through the streets of Purito Gundicha Temple, where they remain there for nine days.They are also accompanied by Sudarshana chakra. Then the deities or Ratha Yatra return to the Main temple in a journey known as Bahuda Jatra.
35. Konark Sun Temple, Odisha
Source: By Subhrajyoti07 [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Dedicated to Surya (the Sun god), Konark Sun Temple was built around 1250 CE by king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. Once over 200 feet high, much of the complex is now in ruins. While the cause of the destruction of the Konark temple is unclear and remains a source of controversy, what remains has the appearance of a 30 m high chariot with immense horses and 24 elaborately carved stone wheels (corresponding to the 12 months of the Hindu calendar, each month paired into two cycles) which are 12 feet (3.7 m) in diameter and are pulled by a set of seven horses. When viewed from inland during the dawn and sunrise, the chariot-shaped temple appears to emerge from the depths of the blue sea carrying the sun. The structures and elements are famed for their intricate artwork, iconography and themes. The temple was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984.
36. Bihu, Assam
Bihu is the chief festival in Assam. Three festivals are celebrated: Rongali or Bohag Bihu observed in April, Kongali or Kati Bihu observed in October, and Bhogali or Magh Bihu observed in January. Rongali Bihu is the most important one as it celebrates the Assamese new year and the spring festival. The Bihu dance is an important part of the culture and is usually performed in a group in colourful traditional costume, centred round the red colour theme, signifying joy and vigour.
37. Zuluk, Sikkim
Sikkim is India's second smallest and least populated state. A part of the eastern Himalaya, Sikkim is extremely beautiful and one of the most recommended tourist destinations. Almost 35% of the state is covered by the Khangchendzonga National Park and it is famed for its biodiversity, natural beauty and the numerous Buddhist monasteries, among other things. Many areas in Sikkim are protected and tourists need a special permit to visit them.
Zuluk (or Dzuluk) is a small hamlet at an altitude of around 10,100 feet (3078 m) on the rugged terrain of the lower Himalayas in East Sikkim. Once a transit point to the historic Silk Route from Tibet to India, it is relatively an emerging and offbeat destination on the tourism map of Sikkim. The switchback road through Zuluk makes almost 32 hairpin turns to reach Lungthung, which makes it a unique engineering feat. Also, 14 km from the village is the Thambi view point, which offers an excellent view of Mount Kanchenjunga and is one of the tourist favourites.
38. Buddha Park, Ravang La, Sikkim
Source: By JHILIK [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
39. Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim
Constructed between 2006-2013, the Buddha Park of Ravangla, also known as Tathagata Tsal, is situated near Rabong (Ravangla) in the district of South Sikkim. At the centre is a 130 foot high statue of Buddha, making it the third highest statue in India.
Source: By Rajbhaskar227 [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
40. Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim
One of the highest lakes in the world at an altitude of 17,800 ft (5,430 m), the Gurudongmar lake is named after Guru Padmasambhava—also known as Guru Rinpoche—founder of Tibetan Buddhism, who visited it in the 8th century. The legend about this sacred lake goes that when it was visited by the Guru, locals appealed to him for help for their drinking water needs as the lake remained frozen for most of the year. The Guru agreed to help and placed his hands on a small part of the lake area, which stopped freezing during winter, facilitating year-round drinking water supply to the people. A similar legend exists wherein Sikh Guru Nanak Dev Ji blessed the lake. Situated in North Sikkim, one needs a permit to visit this lake.
Source: By Anja Disseldorp (Flickr: India Sikkim Rumtek Monastery) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
41. Dzükou Valley, Nagaland & Manipur
Set at an altitude of about 1,500 metres about 24 km away from the capital city of Gangtok, Rumtek Monastery is also called the Dharmachakra Centre and is currently the largest monastery in Sikkim. Read more here.
Source: By Dhrubazaanphotography [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
42. Shillong, Meghalaya
Situated in India's northeast in the states of Nagaland and Manipur is the Dzükou Valley, more aptly spelled as P-A-R-A-D-I-S-E. And yes, it is not an exaggeration. Slowly gaining popularity as a trekking hotspot, Dzukou Valley is located in Nagaland and Manipur in India's north-east. The picture above does little justice to the splendid beauty that the lush valley is, especially during the monsoon when flowers, including the rare Dzükou lily, bloom in abundance. For pictures that will tempt you into packing your bags right away, I highly recommend you check this blog out.
Source: By Sai Avinash [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
43. Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat
Deservingly called the "Scotland of the East", Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and boasts of being the only
Source: By Suresh Shetty [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
44. Kite-flying
Source: Meena Kadri | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 | Flickr
45. Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh
Source: denisbin | CC BY-ND 2.0 | Flickr
46. Holi
Source: Saurabh Chatterjee | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 | Flickr
47. Ajanta and Ellora caves, Maharashtra
Source: Arian Zwegers | CC BY 2.0 | Flickr
48. Karla Caves, Maharashtra
49. Mumbai, Maharashtra
50. Bollywood
51. Goa
52. Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa
53. Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, Telangana
Source: Alosh Bennett | CC BY 2.0 | Flickr
54. Konkan Railway
55. Hampi, Karnataka
Source: By Hawinprinto [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
56. Mysore Palace, Karnataka
57. Mysore Palace, Karnataka
58. Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Source: No machine-readable author provided. AHEMSLTD~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
59. Folk dances of India-Kathakali
60. Horse-cart or tonga
61. Temples of South India
62. Temples of South India - Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
Source: By KennyOMG [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
63. Kambala - Kadri, Karnataka
Source: Karunakar Rayker | CC BY 2.0 | Flickr
64. Jog Falls, Karnataka
Source: By channakeshava koffee and shantanu [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
65. Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
Source: Namrta Rai [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikipedia
66. Pamban Bridge
Source: Omkar Patil | CC BY-NC 2.0 | Flickr
67. Kalaripayattu
68. Munnar tea plantations
Source: tornado_twister | CC BY 2.0 | Flickr
69. Kovalam, Kerala
Source: Kerala Tourism | CC BY-SA 2.0 | Flickr
70. Kerala backwaters
Source: Augustus Binu/ www.dreamsparrow.net [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons
71. Kanyakumari
72. Ross Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
73. Neil Island, Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago
74. Radhanagar beach, Havelock Islands
75. Coral reefs, Havelock Island
Source: By Ritiks [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Sorry about the missing descriptions in some of the images. I'll add them soon.
Still, that took forever! Having to choose from so may awesome places and pictures was a herculean task.
If you liked it, please show your appreciation by liking and sharing the page. Also, tell us in the comments which of the above sights appealed to you most, how your experience in India was, or any suggestions or questions you may have.