The Best Destinations of India by SACHIN SAPARIA (most recommended books txt) 📕

mausoleums of Nawabs of Awadh, Picture Gallery, Lucknow Residency, Dhudwa National Park and nawabganj Bird Sanctuary. Famous for embroidery on muslin and cotton.

58. Mangalore (Karnataka)

Once the major seaport and ship building center, Mangalore is hilly and has strong Roman Catholic influence. It is the center for the export of coffee and cahew nuts. Sultan's Batery, Govt. Museum, Kadri Temple, St. Aloysius College Chapel,Mangladevi Temple (this gave the town its name) and Rosario Cathedral are worth a visit.

59. Madural (Tamil Nadu)

The seat of Tamil learning, and capital of Pandyan kings. The MeenakshiSundareshwar Temple with twelve immense gopurams towering over the city skyline is the main attraction. The thousand pillared Mandapam, the temple art museum, the Gandhi Museum, the Government Museum of Tamil Culture, the Indo-Sarcenic Palace, Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Vandiyur Mariamman Tank and Vaigal river make madurai rich and attractive.

60. Mahabalipuram (Mammalla-puram) (Tamil Nadu)

Mahabalipuram situated on the shore of Bay of Bengal, offers the visitor monumental rock-cut temples, carved out shrines and open air sculptural relief of celestial beings and animals. The mandapams with fine sculptures, the Arjuna's penance, the shore temple, the five Rathas (sculptured temples in the style of chariots), Tiger Cave, museum, beach, etc are other attractions.

61. Majuli (Assam)

Majuli is the world's biggest river island (Brahmaputra). The 22 satras, the Hindu Vaishanavaite monasteries that also function as centers of Assmese arts were founded by Sankardeva. Majuli also offers a variety of rare migratory birds, handicrafts, pottery, water sports, dance forms and festivals. Nearests airport: Rowriah )Jorhat) and mariani (Jorhat) is the nearest railhead and is approachable road.

62. Mandu (M.P)

Mandu was the capital of Palmar rulers of Malwa and the hilltop fort is an evocative sight in Central India. Attractions are the Royal Enclave, Jahaj Mahal, Taveli Mahal, Hindola Mahal, Champa Baodi, Mosque of Dilawar Khan, the Jama Masjid, Hoshang's tomb, Jain Temple, Ashrafi Mahal, Baz Bahadur's Palace, Rupmati's pavilion, the tomb of Darya Khan, Hzthi Mahal, Nil Kanth Palace, etc. Nearest airport and railhead: Indore (100 km).

63. Mathura (U.P)

Mathura (Brijbhumi), a famous pilgrimage center, on the banks of river Yamuna, is the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Mathura has temples like Dwarikadhish, Pipaleshwar, Rangeshwar, Gokarnaeshwar, Bhuteswar, and several sacred kunds and ghats to its credit. Other places of interest: Kankhal tirtha, Rangabhumi, Sati Burj, Kans Qila, Jama Masjid, Saraswathi Sangam, Museum, Gokul, Govardhan and Vrindavan. Nearest Airport: Delhi (145 km).

64. Mount Abu (Rajasthan)

Mount Abu at 1220 m. on the Aravalli hills is a place of scenic beauty. Nakki Lake, Toad Rock, Wild life Sanctuary, Dilware group of Jain temples, Gaumukh, Raghunath Temple, Adhar Devi Temple, Museum and Art Gallery, the Gurusikhar peak (15 km) are the important attractions here. Airport: Udaipur (185 km).

65. Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Mumbai is India's most affluent and industrialised city. The Gateway of India, the Prince of Wales Museum, the Bombay Castle, the Afghan Memorial Church, Victoria Terminus, Essel World, and the Marine Drive are a feast to the eye. Other attractions: the Hanging gardens, the Victoria Gardens, Jehangir art gallery, Nehru Planetarium, Parsi Towers of Silence. Chowpatty and Juhu are popular beaches. Nearby is the island of Elephant, the site of 7th and 8th century rock-out cave temples. Matheran hill station nearest to Mumbai is wrapped in mist and clothed by dense forest. There are no roads, only pathways amidst the forests and it owes its tranquility to a complete ban on motor vehicles. Connected to Neral (21 km) by a narrow guage train. Aarey Milk Colony (32 km from Mumbai) is a well-organized dairy farm, in pleasantly wooded surroundings.

66. Munnar (Kerala)

A hill station (highest town) of spectacular views, where three mountain streams confluence. Munnar water way offers boating facility. Anamudi, the highest peak inSouth India (2695 m) is an ideal spot for trekking. Eravikulam National park is another attraction. Munnar is 130 km east of Kochi and 70 km north of Kumily.

67. Mussoorie- Dehradun (Uttaranchal)

Mussoorie is India's most popular hill station. The view of the snow-coveredHimalayas from here is gorgeous and the walks around offer great views. It retains a thick forest cover and has many old palaces, British buildings and old churches. Important tourist places are the Lake, Municipal garden, LBS National Acedemy of Administration, Tibetan Temple, Kempty Falls, The Rink, Gun Hill, Lal Tibba, Dhanolti, etc. Dehradun 34 km away, has the Indian Military Acedemy, Sahastradhara water body, Rajaji sanctuary and Forest Research Institute.

68. Mysore (Karnataka)

Maharaja's Palace and the Brindavan Gardens (19 km) are the greatest attractions in Mysore. Others include the Jaya Chamarajendar Art Gallery, St. Philomina Church, the Chamundi hills, the folklore museum, Palace Museum, Lalita Mahal Palce etc. Srirangapattanam (16 km) has the ruins of the capital of Hydar Ali and Tipu Sultan, Tipu Sutan's summer palace and Gumbuz, his Mausoleum and theRanganathanswami Temple. Sravanabelagola (80 km) is famous for the 18 meter high monolith of Lord Bahubali. Coorg (120 km from Mysore), a region of great natural beauty, has plantations of coffee, orange, cardamom and pepper.

69. Naintal (Uttaranchal)

Nainital at 1938 meters in the Kumaon hills is set around the peaceful Naini Lake. There are interesting walks through the forests and views of the Himalaya are superb. The ropeway, St. John's Church, Hanuman Temple and the State Observatory are other attractions. Nearest airport: Pantnagar (71 km); Nearest railheads: Kathgodam (35 km) and Haldwani (40 km). Ranikhet, north of Nainital, at an altitude of 1829 m. offers views of the snowcapped Himalayan peaks.

70. Nalanda (Bihar)

Nalanda, which has a very ancient history, was famous as a center of Buddhist theology and educational activities. Nalanda University was establihsed in 5th century. Attractions: Nalanda University Archaeological complex, ArchaeologicalMuseum, Hueng Tsang Memorial Hall, Surajpur, Baragoan, Rajgir and Pawapuri,Patna is the nearest airport.

71. Ooty (Udagamandalam) (Tamil Nadu)

Ooty, located in the Nilgiri hills is a lovely hill station. The Botanical Gardens has a wide variety of plants and trees and the Rose Garden has about 1900 varieties. The artificial lake with boats adds charm to Ooty. Other places of interest are the Deer Park, Doddabetta peak, the Government Museum, the Art Gallery, Kalhatti waterfalls, St. Stephen's Church, and umbrella tree. There is an amusement Park at mettupalayam. Nearest airport: Coimbatore (100 km). Mountain railway connects Ooty with Mettupalayam and Coimbatore.

72. Orchha (Madhya Pradesh)

A medieval city, a palace-cum-fort complex surrounded by rich forest is a great offering to the visitor. Important attractions the Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, RamRaja Temple, Sunder Mahal, Raj Praveen Mahal, Janki Mandir, Hanuman Mandir, Memorials to the rulers of Orchha, Jugai Kishor gardens, etc. Nearest airport:Gwalior Railhead: Jhansi (16 km).

73. Palitana (Gujarat)

Palitana is 213 km from Ahmedabad. It is famous for the Shatrunjaya hill (602 meters above sea level) with 863 magnificent Jain temples. Nearest airport:Bhavnagar, 57 km.

74. Patna (Bihar)

Patna or Patliputra was the capital of the great Magadhan empire. The Patnamuseum contains a First World War cannon, the Maurya, Gupta and Buddhist sculpture and terracotta figures, the world's longest fossiled tree (16 meters, 200 million years old) and many stuffed animals. Other attractions are the zoological-cum-botanical gardens, the Gandhi maidan, Sadquat ashram, new planetarium, the 29 meter high granary, Har mandir Takht, Qila House, Pathar ki masjid, Sher Shah masjid, Khuda Baksh Oriental library.

75. Pithoragarh (Uttaranchal)

Pithoragarh, at 1815 m, is a picturesque valley bordering Tibet and nepal. There are ruins of old palaces and forts and the route to Kailash Manasarovar passes through this district. The cave city of Patal Bhuwaneshwar, Ulka Devi Temple, Rai Gufa caves, and Chandak are places of interest. Airport: Pantnagar. Railhead: Tanakpur (151 km).

76. Pondicherry (Union Territory)

The old French colony had two distinct city portions the Ville Blanche and the Ville Noire, the latter being for the natives. The world renowned Aurobindo Ashram is here. The Govt museum, Jawahar Toy museum, Police museum, Sacred Heart Church, French Institute, Manakula Vinayagar, Drowpathiamman Temple, the Botanical gardens, beaches, Auroville, etc are among other attractions. Nearest airport: Chennai (166 km).

77. Pune (Maharashtra)

Pune city has several lovely spots like the Osho Commune International (Asram of Bhagwan Rajneesh), the Shaniwar Wada palace, Raja Kelkar museum, the Gandhi National memorial (Aga Khan's palace) set in 6.5 hectares of gardens, the Tribal Museum, Botanical Garden, the Bund Gardens, Saras Baug Gensh Temple, Parvati hill Temple, the 8th century rock cut Memorial and the picturesque Pune University campus gardens.

78. Puri (Orissa)

Puri (Jagannath Puri), 60 km from Bhubaneswar is one of the four holiest pilgrimage centers of India (Other three: Dwaraka, Badarinath and Rameswaram).Jagannath Temple (12th c.) has 200 meter high surrounding walls. The famous Rath Yatra (car festival), picturesque long sandy beach, the gundicha mandir, Raghurajpur and Pipli are other attractions. Connected by rail and road.

79. Rajgir (Bihar)

Situated in a valley surrounded by rocky hills, Rajgiri is an important pilgrimage center for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus. Lord Buddha and Mahavira spent years here. Important attractions are the Lakshmi narayan Temple, Ajathasathru's fort, Bimbisara's jail, Vulture's peak, Pippala cave, Karnada tank, Burmese Temple, Japanese Shanthi Stupa on the top of the Ratnagiri Hill and the hot water springs. Airport: Patna (107 km) Railhead: Bhaktiyarpur.

80. Rameswarm (Tamil Nadu)

The Varanasi of the South, is an island in the Gulf of Mannar which is connected to the mainland by rail and road. A bath in the sea at Dhanushkodi is considered holy.Ramanathaswami Temple has the longest corridor and a 53.6 meter high gopuram. Other attractions are the Kothanda Ramaswami Temple at Dhanushkodi, Gandhamadana Parvatham, Kurusudai island, Adam's Bridge, coral reefs beaches, etc. Airport: Madurai (165 km).

81. Rathanbore (Rajasthan)

Rathanbore National Park is near the town of Sawai Madhopur. Nestling between the Aravalli and Vindhyachal Rangs with an area of 392 sq km, it is home to tigers, sambhar, wild boar, leopard, jackal, hyena, etc. Other attractions: the Rathanbore Fort, Jogi Mahal, Ganesh Temple and the Sunehri Kothi. Airport: Jaipur (65 km).

82. Sanchi (M.P)

Sanchi, 46 km north of Bhopal, has some of the oldest and interesting Buddhist structures in India which were renovated between 1912 and 1919. The Sanchi hillock is 91 meters high and at the base is an archeological museum. Out of the eight Stupas built by Asoka only three remain dating back to 3rd century B.C.

83. Sasan Gir (Gujarat)

54 km from Junagadh city, known the world over as the last refuge of the Asiatic lion. Crocodile farm is another attraction. somnath Temple: (80 km from Junagadh) is believed to have been built by the 'Moon God'. Mahmud Ghazni ransacked it seven times. It contains one of the 12 sacred Shiva shrines known as jyoti linga.

84. Shillong (Meghalaya)

Known as the Scotland of the East. It is a hill station with seven hills displaying seven moods and faces, rich in flora and fauna, exotic orchids, beautiful waterfalls and varieties of butterflies. The Ward's Lake with boating facility, Lady Hydari Park, Bara bazaar, Umiam lake, Shillong peak, Crinolene Falls, Butterfly Museum andState Museum are the other attractions. Cherapunji and Mawsynram, places with heaviest rainfall, Ranikot, Dawki, Jakren, etc are places near to it. Airport and railhead: Guwahati, 104 km.

85. Shimla (H.P)

Shimla, the summer capital of India at an altitude of 2130 meters retains the best of natural beauty. The valleys with peaks on both sides offer breathtaking views. The summer Hill and the Prospect Hill, the Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas), a huge fortress-like building housing the Indian in statute of Advanced Studies, theHimachal State Museum, etc are worth seeing. Around Shimla there are so many beautiful places like Jakhu Hill, Skating Rink, Annadale, Chadwick falls, Kufri, Mashobra, Craignano, Chail, Solan, Kasauli, and Monkey Point. There is airlines service from Delhi. Nearest major airport: Chandigarh.

86. Srinagar (J & K)

Srinagar, the summer capital of J & K state, is situated amidst a ring of mountains, with three lakes, Dal, Sona and the Nagin. Its greatest attraction is the Dal Lakewith two islands and a large number of houseboats. The Sri Pratap Singh Museum, Shah Hamdan mosque, Pather masjid, the Juma Masjid, Shankaracharya Hill andTemple, Hari Prabhat Fort, the picturesque Jhelum river with nine old bridges, three exquisite gardens-Chashme Shahi, Nishat and Shalimar are also popular attractions. Airport: 13 km. Railhead: Jammu Tawi.

87. Sunderbans (West Bengal)

The world's largest estuarine forest spreading over 2585 sq km is home to thousands of animals, birds and insect species. Important places are Kalas island, Gosaba, Sajnekhali bird sanctuary, Bhagabatpur crocodile farm, turtle hatchery, shark pond, tiger reserve etc. Airport: Calcutta (80 km).

88. Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu)

Once the capital of Cholas, is rich in history and heritage. The BrihadeeswaraTemple built of monolithic granite is 66.5 m high and the cupola on the top weighs 81.3 tonnes. The Palce near the temple housing the Sangeetha mahal and the ArtGallery and the Saraswathi Mahal Library with a good collection of palm-leaf and paper manuscripts are the attractions here. Airport: Trichy (60 km).

89. Thiruchirappally (Tamil Nadu)

It was the Citadel of Cholas, Pallavas and Pandyas and Hampi of Vijayanagar empire. The 13th century temple complex at Srirangam with its 21 gopurams is located on an island in the Kaveri river. The town's most famous land mark is theRock Fort Temple. In the vicinity are caves with fine frescoes, pre-historic burial grounds and old churches. Sri Jambukeswara Temple, Natharvala Daragh (tomb of Nathher) and the museum also attract tourists.

90. Tirupati / Tirumalai (Andhra Pradesh)

The Tirumalai Hills, at the bottom of which is Tirupati, where the chief destination of the pilgrims is Sri Venketeswara Temple. Everyday is festival day with shops open 24 hrs. It is the wealthest temple