Don’t like sipping hot coffee and staying in a blanket all day during winters? We have a solution for you. As we approach the end of the year, it is time to plan a Christmas and New Year getaway to some of the best places in India.
Temperatures are dropping and the winter is already around the corner. However, if you are not a blanket person and love travelling, then we have prepared a list of 5 amazing places to visit across India this winter for you.
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Munnar : Idyllic Paradise of Kerala
Munnar, a paradise in the hills is an unending expanse of tea & spice plantations, valleys, mountains and exotic species of flora and fauna. Situated at an elevation of 1600m above the sea level in Idukki district of Kerala, Munnar is well-placed in the South-Western Ghats of India. The breathtakingly beautiful destination got its name from the word ‘Moonu’ meaning three and the word ‘Aru’ meaning river as it is located at the junction of three rivers – Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. As one reaches Munnar, one sees acres and acres of lush green tea plantations highlighting the rich legacy of this place in tea plantations.
The hill station was once the tiny retreat of the English who ruled in South India and holds a prominent place in India’s spice plantation industry. It is not just known for an abundance of spices like cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and turmeric but also for flowers like Neelakurinji or Strobilan which bloom once in twelve years. It is a lowland hill station with magnificent scenery and several little bungalows that hold the old-world colonial charm.
The winding lanes and holiday facilities make Munnar a popular resort town. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi which 2,695m high and is an ideal spot for trekking.
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Indore : Royalty & Development at its Best
Madhya Pradesh’s largest city, Indore offers proximity of palaces and commercial centres. In the 18th century, Rao Nandlal Chaudhary founded the city of Indore which was used as a trading hub between the Deccan and Delhi in the 16th century. As one flips through the pages of history books, it is revealed that the ancestors of the city were hereditary zamindars of Malwa. The city flourished and grew under Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar who was an advocate of providing good-quality education to people.
Indore is located in the western region of Madhya Pradesh and been declared as the cleanest city of India on more than one occasion. It is also among the first 20 cities to be developed as smart cities in India. The royal city derives its name from the Indreshwar Temple of the 18th century. Situated in the heart of the Malwa Plateau, Indore is also home to several monuments of the Holkar dynasty. It is not just the monuments that attract tourist to the city but also its rich history. It was the seat of Holkars, the former rulers of the state and flourished as a capital on the banks of river Saraswati and Khan. People from all corners of the country have settled here which reflects the true spirit of diversity in this city.
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Lucknow : City of Nawabs
Think about Lucknow and the images of whirling Kathak dancers and melancholic Urdu poets will come to your mind. The city of nawabs presents an image of cultural excellence and a sense of hospitality that is ingrained within the people of this city.
According to a legend, the city was named after Lord Rama’s younger brother Lakshman, who had a palace in this city. However, Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula moved the capital of Awadh to the banks of the Gomti river and set the seed for Lucknow’s growth. Rising in prominence, the Nawabs made Lucknow the centre of art, culture and music. It became popular for its magnificent architecture and food under the Nawabs.
During the colonial era, the city of Lucknow was a strategic location. It witnessed many events of the first war of Independence such as the Seige of Lucknow and Kakori train incident involving revolutionaries Ashfaqullah Khan and Ram Prasad Bismil. The rich legacy of Lucknow is still alive and gives us a glimpse of the days of the rich history of Lucknow
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Daman : An Unconventional Vacation
This beautiful city in the union territory of Daman and Diu is surrounded by states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and the Arabian Sea. The place has a rich history. Think of Daman and the image of beautiful beaches, an expanse of sea and splendid natural beauty comes to mind. It is a gateway to people in Gujarat and a popular tourist destination among the youth. Daman is a city made up of many wonders that have a rich history and promises loads of enjoyment and a wonderful experience.
The city was a Portuguese settlement from the early 16th century until 1961. The architecture of the place is also largely influenced by the Portuguese. Daman was incorporated in the Republic of India in the year 1961. The city is home to beautiful beaches and is divided by the river Daman Ganga. The river divides the city into two parts Moti Daman and Nani Daman. From Gujarat, the city is separated by the Kolak River in the north and the Kalai River in the south.
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Coimbatore : Manchester of South India
A treasure trove of temples and textiles, Coimbatore offers visitors the chance to sample cultural vibrancy at its fullest. Coimbatore is the second-largest city of Tamil Nadu and the headquarters of Coimbatore District. It is about 510 km away from Chennai, which is the capital of the state and can be reached from the city via bus, train and plane. The district is situated along the Western Ghats whose Palghat Gap ensures that there is an uninterrupted stream of wind which gives Coimbatore an all-round pleasant climate.
Its past name was Kongunadu and today, it is called Kovai. Before modernisation, it was more like a village that was ruled by tribal chiefs called Koyan or Kovan. The region was then handed over to the Karikala Cholan post which it was ruled by several dynasties like the Rashtrakudas, Chalukyas, Pandyas, Hoyasalas and the Vijayanagaras. When the Victorian Era started, Coimbatore was transformed into an industrial city due to the setting up of many textile mills. More than 100 textile units are now present here and have given the city a famous name- ‘the Manchester of the South’. There are two Special Economic Zones here along with more than 25,000 small, medium and large engineering operations including automobile works, electronics, steel, aluminium, and motors. All of these, including its spiritual centres, ensure Coimbatore is a thriving hub of activities in South India.
