By: Himanshu Poswal
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Monsoon is one of my favourite seasons and needless to say that India is totally different in the monsoons. I am glad Quora referred this answer to me for I feel I can provide you with a better
insight and even better answer for the same. Kindly bear with me as this will be a real long post as I will be mentioning the places and images in detail.
a) NORTH-WESTERN INDIA
1) Pushkar, Rajasthan- First time I went to Pushkar was in the month of July and monsoon just started to build up around the corner. The sightseeing game was damn strong in this small town. Offering a soothing side of the Indian desert state, do not forget to be around the Pushkar lake. A camel ride in the town, peacock calls and what not? The great sunset views and not to forget the mythological significance of the town of Lord Brahma.
2) Mount Abu, Rajasthan-Popularly known for the Nikki Jheel, temples and the Brahma Kumaris main place, Mount Abu is situated in the lap of the Aravali region of the Rajasthan. Not to forget the waterfalls and the mountain villages which will give you the best experience of the monsoon in India. What surprised me the most here was the clouds interrupting your walk! Yes, this small town of the desert is situated at such a high altitude that it feels like being at some place in the Himalayas. It is an ideal place for the trekking.
3) Udaipur, Rajasthan-As I thought about putting the city of lakes next on the list, a shrill ran down my spine as all those memories of this beautiful place hit me! Ideal for the boating, it is even better it in the monsoon for all the obvious reasons. Those historic monuments of the Rajputana will serve a great delight to your wander stricken soul. A great food awaits you in Udaipur this monsoon.
4) , Rajasthan-
Pardon my love for the Rajasthan in monsoon but trust me, it is not me, it is the magic of this state that has this impact on any travel. An architecture jewel, the pink city has it all to be offered in the monsoon. I mean I was completely mesmerised by the palaces and the novelty in the environment as the rains cleaned all the dust away and gave relief from the scorching heat of the summer.
b) SOUTH INDIA If nature has shown its art in one of the Indian places, it is surely the south India. I mean, entire India is a piece of art bu the south India>rest. Here are the places you can travel in the monsoon:
1) Athirapally, KeralaOften called the Niagra of India- Athirapally is the favourite monsoon destination of the state. What makes it even better is the other small waterfalls following the way enjoying the chirping of the birds and the music created by the waterfalls.
2) CoorgBeing in the city of Coorg in monsoon is synonyms to happiness. A great weather, mist all over in he surroundings and the clean and green views of the place are the max anyone can ask for! And if you are able to catch the aroma of hot coffee in this divine place, consider yourself lucky!
3) Wayanad, KeralaWayanad is blessed being home to the western ghats. If you ask me to put up one destination considered to be the best hill station in south India, I will bet on Wayanad. A perfect destination for the trekking, hiking, mountain climbing, Wayanad refreshes in the monsoon! Also, a 3-day monsoon festival ‘Splash’ is inviting you all the way!
4) Kumarakom, KeralaIf the corporate life and the hectic schedule is troubling you, visit Kumarakom this monsoon and you can return here to thank me! Pro tip? Keep an umbrella with you always for it can rain even on a sunny day in this beautiful peninsula. Be prepared for a great thrill and chill in this hidden gem.
c) WESTERN INDIAThank the ghats, the western Indian states are your answer to the monsoon destination in the country.
1) GoaI will avoid writing much about the Goa for it is quite open to everyone by now. Just one thing that Goa is even more beautiful in the monsoon!
2) Lonavala/Khandala, MaharashtraIf I had a choice, I would have settled in this beautiful place for all my life. Sadly, I had none for nomads seldom settle. A hilly terrain in the foothills of the Sahyadri mountain ranges, Khandala and Lonavala are at a distance of 3 km from each other. Best suited for the hiking, if you are looking to make the memories this monsoon, you know where to go!
3) Mangalore, KarnatakaThe beaches, surroundings and the nearby Murudeshwar are calling you with arms wide open this monsoon. Do not miss out on the hanging bridge in the nearby Manipal and do not forget to upvote me for this mention *wink*
4) Panchgani, MaharashtraHardly a 5 hours drive from Mumbai and you will be stepping in one of the best places you will ever get to visit in India. With the attractions of the Venna Lake, Table-Land Lingmala waterfalls and much more, Panchgani will be your different encounter with the rains. Celebrate monsoon with some hot local dishes served at eateries near to the lake.
d) NORTH INDIAHere comes the place where I started travelling from! (I am based in Delhi-NCR and hence started from the nearby areas)
1) Mussoorie, Uttarakhand The queen of the hills, as they call it! My encounter with Mussoorie was even special since I got to interact with the iconic Ruskin Bond at the Oxford Bookstore on The Mall road. Known for the Kempty Falls, tiger hill and Dhanaulty, the mall road of Mussoorie is at least once in a lifetime opportunity.
2) Manali, Himachal PradeshManali-Trance will leave you craving for your life. A spectacular show above the sea in the lap of Himalayas, Manali is the max one could ever ask for! Although it is a little tough to travel to Manali in monsoon but for the ones who crave for adventure, it is a welcome delight!
3) Shimla, Himachal PradeshThe capital town of the state, Shimla is known for the sceinic beauty and the snowfall in the season of monsoon. A hot coffee and a great food in the blissful restaurants of the Mall road will leave you asking for no more.
Other places of this amazing country can be North Eastern states, Leh, Ladakh, Kashmir, Kasol, Dehradun, Sikkim and Darjeeling. Not to forget the beautiful ghats.
