Bucket list travel: Top 10 places to visit in India from Swadesh Darshan 2.0 list

Kumarakom, the stunning village on the backwaters of Kerala is like a beautiful picture postcard. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

As tempting as it is to pack up your bags and go globetrotting, your search for the most beautiful places in the world can begin right now, at home in India. The Ministry of Tourism has notified 57 destinations in the country for development under Swadesh Darshan 2.0. Sure, there are many dreamy destinations to fill you with awe, wonder and waves of inspiration, but here are 10 that you absolutely have to see. Prepare to get swept off your feet and to spark your wanderlust. The best part? Some of these destinations are underrated, so you might have the place all to yourself:

1. Arakku, Andhra Pradesh

Araku Valley at sunset.

Miles and miles of coffee plantations greet you along with a heady aroma of the beans as soon as you land in this mesmerising valley tucked away within the heart of Andhra Pradesh. Imagine majestic mountains, verdant forests, low-hanging clouds and a pleasing climate all year round…Araku Valley is without a doubt a breath taking vacation spot in the making. The Chaparai Waterfalls fringed by lush green forests tops the list of must visit places here. Plan a picnic and some time to slide on the smooth slanting rocks — natural water slide. The Borra Caves with its breath taking stalactite and stalagmite formations are equally thrilling. Don’t miss the Coffee Museum here and get a taste of the finest coffee along with a cup of Kopi Luwak (expensive coffee made from beans digested by a civet cat) for the adventurous. Love gardens? Padmapuram Gardens with its toy train and swaying tree huts will wow you.

Best time to visit: September to February.

2. Porvorim, Goa

Holy Family Church, Alto Porvorim. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Porvorim with its proximity to the rest of Goa makes it an ideal base for your Goa vacation. The colourful lanes, historical monuments and friendly locals makes for a delightful addition. Start with the House of Goa Museum by reputed architect Gerard da Cunha. The ship-like structure with its collection of rare photographs, doors, windows, 16th century tiles, altars, statues, etc. gives a rare insight into Goa as it was a hundred years ago. Panjim which is close by has a host of activities to offer. A little down the road is Reis Magos fort which offers a breath taking view of the Mandovi river. With its numerous ferry boats and mini cruisers this place makes for an ideal dusk location.

Best time to visit: November to February

3. Hampi, Karnataka

Virupaksha Temple, Hampi.

Hampi looks like the magnum opus of an illusionist. How else can you explain the precariously perched boulders that are peppered all over Hampi? The lush green paddy fields, meandering Tungabhadra river and historical ruins add to the enchantment. The humungous Vijaya Vittala temple with its extraordinary stone chariot, musical pillars and intricate sculptures is the ideal way to launch into Hampi. A hike up the Matanga hill for a bird’s eye view of town and a few hours at the gorgeous Lotus Mahal are the other things to do. The perfect way to wrap up a hectic day in Hampi is a lazy float across Tungabhadra river in a coracle. If you are looking to take a break from the maze of heritage buildings, the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is ideal.

Best time to visit: October to February

4. Kumarakom, Kerala

Kumarakom, Kerala

This stunning village on the backwaters of Kerala is like a beautiful picture postcard. Start with a serene walk in the Kumarakom bird sanctuary, followed by a visit to the unique driftwood museum and then to Aruvikkuzhi waterfall surrounded by thick rubber plantations. Reserve the evening for a memorable stroll on Kumarakom Beach. Relishing a glass of toddy on the streets with karimeen polichathu (marinated pearl fish wrapped in a banana leaf), watching the sunset over Vembanad Lake, a Kathakali performance and a night on a houseboat are some of the absolute must dos here. A relaxing Kerala Ayurvedic massage is the best way to end a day in God’s own country.

Best time to visit: September to March

5. Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Sasbahu Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. (Photo: Unsplash)

This historical city with its majestic forts, grand palaces, ancient temples, adventure sports and safaris ticks all the boxes for an ideal getaway. History and architecture buffs will love Jai Vilas Palace designed by Michael Filose and built by Maharaja Jayaji Rao Scindia in 1874. It’s an extraordinary example of fine European architecture in India. The light and sound show at Gwalior Fort is a beautiful deep dive into the glorious past of Madhya Pradesh and the turbulences the fort has withstood. Don’t miss the exceptionally beautiful Sahastrabahu temple (popularly called Sasbahu Temple), the historical Gujari Mahal and Tansen’s Mausoleum. And if you are a nature lover or a wildlife enthusiast, bookmark Madhav National Park and Tighra Dam.

Best time to visit: September to March. If you like a little rain then July to September are also good.

6. Shillong, Meghalaya

Shillong, Meghalaya. (Photo: Unsplash)

This gem nestled in the clouds of Meghalaya is dotted with misty hills and cascading waterfalls. The most famous is the magnificent Elephant falls which also serves as a charming picnic spot. A hike up the Shillong Peak at 6,449 ft comes with rewarding views of the Himalayas, the valleys outside Shillong, the plainland on the Bangladesh border, and the waterfalls of Shillong. Umiam Lake with its azure waters, kayaking and boating makes for an excellent day trip while Don Bosco with its 17 galleries filled with artefacts, paintings and sculptures is worth a few hours. A visit to Police Bazar is a must, especially if you are a shopaholic. For party lovers, Shillong has no shortage of bars and clubs, where you can enjoy foot tapping music and great cocktails. Don’t miss the weekly night markets for some local handicrafts, smoked pork, spices, etc.

Best time to visit: March to June

7. Amritsar, Punjab

A visit to Amritsar is incomplete with a tour of the Golden Temple.

A city steeped in history and culture, Amritsar is best known for the magnificent Golden Temple. But did you know the temple has a museum called the Central Sikh Museum next to its main entrance? Dive into Sikh history here through hundreds of paintings, old manuscripts of the Guru Granth Sahib, belongings of Sikh gurus and a sword of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. If you want to explore Amritsar beyond the Golden Temple and Wagah border, take a tour of the Partition Museum which tells the story of the largest migration in human history. Or better still walk along the walled city. It’s the best way to experience Amritsar. About 11km west of Amritsar is Ram Tirath, an ancient pilgrimage site believed to be the place of birth of Luv and Kush and where Valmiki wrote the epic Rāmāyana. The poet’s old hut is still on the grounds. Lastly, don’t miss the delicious local treats from kulcha (leavened flatbread) and lassi in the morning to chaat and kulfis in the evening and lots of chai in between.

Best time to visit: October to March

8. Bundi, Rajasthan

A step well in Bundi, Rajasthan.

Forts, palaces and stepwells make up the most of this fascinating old town in Rajasthan. Exploring the formidable 14th century Taragarh Fort and its frescoes and sculptures can be a great starting point for Bundi. Shikar Burj an old hunting cottage owned by the rulers of Bundi is another fascinating destination in the quaint city. A walk along Nawal Sagar Lake is not to be missed. Bundi known as the ‘city of step wells’ is home to over 50 stepwells. Temple lovers should drive down to Keshoraipatan for the famous Keshav Rai Ji Maharaj temple which lies on banks of the Chambal river, Mratunjaya Mahadev temple one of the oldest temples of Rajasthan and Kalyanrai temple believed to be visited by the Pandavas during exile. The town also celebrates Bundi Utsav each year in the month of November-December.

Best time to visit: October to April.

9. Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Khusaro Bagh, Prayagraj. (Photo: Unsplash)

This temple town is most known for Kumbh Mela and the Triveni Sangam - the meeting point of three of the most important rivers in the Hindu religion – Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Starting your day watching the sunrise on the serene ghats with a kulhad (clay cup) chai is one of the best ways to dive into Prayagraj. Follow it up with a hearty breakfast of kachori sabzi at the iconic 160-year-old Netram Moolchand & Sons. The Allahabad Public Library is a great place for history buffs to relax in the company of 125,000 books, magazines and manuscripts. The Allahabad fort here is a stunning piece of Mughal architecture not to be missed as also the All Saints Cathedral (also known as Patthar Girja) modelled after the 13th-century Gothic churches of Europe.

Best time to visit: November to February

10. Leh, Ladakh

Turtuk, Leh. (Photo: Unsplash)

Situated at a height of 3,000m above sea level and between the mighty Karakorum and Himalayan mountain ranges, Ladakh is one of the most incredibly beautiful places on earth. It offers both a serene getaway and adventure. Exploring Leh Palace a former royal palace is one of the most popular things to do in Leh. Post that head to Shanti Stupa. The incredible vantage point of the stupa offers one of the best views over Leh. Tsemo Monastery is a wonderful place to watch the sunset. The Leh market with its souvenir shops, cafes and hawkers is the best place to people watch. One of the most popular excursions from Leh is to travel north to Nubra Valley to visit the Dixit Diskit Monastery, the Hunder sand dunes and Bactrian camels. You can also access Turtuk and Siachen Glacier from Nubra Valley.

Best time to visit: April to June