Top 10 landscapes in India

For a land mass that spans diverse climates, India features varied landscapes that are breathtaking, to say the least.

From arid dry deserts to glacial mountain peaks, pristine white shores to lush greenery and rich foliage, India is home to various scenes associated with various parts of the world. The Swiss Alps, the Sahara desert, the waters of the Caribbean, and the Amazon rainforest all have their South Asian cousins ​​in different regions of India.

The Himalayas

With the majestic Himalayas stretching across the states of Himchal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in the northwestern region of India to Sikkim in north-central Arunachal Pradesh. The mountain range found in India is known as the Lesser Himalayas with nothing short of spectacular view of the silent snowy peaks. Mount Kanchendzonga and Nanda Devi are the two highest peaks in the region of India. The glacial bottoms with lush meadows and valleys leading to the snow-capped peaks offer breathtaking landscapes, breathtaking views that are not easily forgotten.

Backwaters – Kerala

The world-famous backwaters of Kerala are nestled among rolling tree banks and coastal communities. The refreshing sight of greenery, accompanied by birds, rich flora, and busy locals are intriguing. Backwater cruises among meandering canals offer a most serene experience amid soothing waters and picturesque riverbanks. These views are in stark contrast to bustling cities in other regions of India and are a welcome respite for any traveler who has been overwhelmed by the urban chaos unique to India.

Ganges River

India’s lifeline and the country’s religious and spiritual artery, the 2,500 km long Ganges River offers jaw-dropping views along its fertile banks. Emerging from the mouth of a glacier high up in the Himalayan mountains, flowing through mountain gorges at Devprayag and the confluence point of its other sacred sister rivers, Yamuna and Saraswati- at ​​Allahabad, where the The world’s largest religious festival, Kumbh Mela, the waters of this revered river is sacred to many Hindu devotees. The reverence can be clearly seen in Varanasi, where the holiest place on this river is believed to be. Ablutions, cremations, and prayers for the living and the dead are a common sight along the river ghats. The alluvial soil along the Indo-Gangetic plains leads to fertile fields of crops, common places in rural India, where the river continues on its way to its destination in the Bay of Bengal.

Konkan Coast- Mumbai, Goa, Mangalore

With the waves of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal caressing its extensive coastline, India’s coastal landscapes are the epitome of perfect shores. Since Goa’s beaches are a favorite for seaside tours, the neighboring coastline offers some of the best views imaginable. The Konkan coastline, which begins in Mumbai and heads south to Mangalore, is dotted with sleepy fishing villages, rice paddies, plantations, and sheltered coastal dwellings with the Western Ghats in the background. The scenery along these 700 km of coastline can be enjoyed from the trip on the Konkan railway or by private transport. While exploring the picturesque coastline, one must travel to the unspoiled beaches that are worthy rivals to the south coast of Goa. Murud, Kashid, and Srivardhan are some of the beautiful beaches to enjoy along this picturesque coastline.

Mountain Stations- Ooty, Nilgiri

Reinforcing the Deccan Plateau and following the entire western coastal region of India, the Western Ghats are the habitat of more than 1000 species of flora and fauna. This lush abode of nature is also home to popular Indian hill stations such as Lonvala, Mahabaleshwar in the north, and Ooty and Nilgiri, which are located in the south of Tamil Nadu, just to name a few of the chains that lie across. along this extensive stretch of biosphere. Its colder climates and verdant valleys, where tribal communities add a charming touch to the lush landscape, are popular tour inclusions.

Thar Desert- Rajasthan

In the northwestern region of India, you will find the Thar Desert that spans the western border of Rajasthan. With picturesque Jaisalmer as its closest airport, the fortress city of Bikaner, and the remote desert city near Barmer, the arid sandy landscape of the Thar Desert is easily accessible. There are camel safaris and jeep rides available to take in views of the sand dunes and the mud houses of the natives with paintings of traditional designs. In this golden landscape of sandy waves, desert craft centers, as well as picnic spots with live nightly entertainment, provide delightful memories.

Rock Temples- Maharashtra, Badami, Mumbai

In a country full of magnificent temples, ancient and of recent construction, cave temples are noted for their outstanding architecture and carved from the most primitive substance: rock and sandstone. There are numerous spectacular cave temples in many regions of India. One of the oldest cave temples in India is believed to be the Ellora Caves in Maharashtra; more than 30 of them show the religious harmony of antiquity. These caves, whose construction began in the 5th century AD and continued until the 9th century, are dedicated to the three main religions of antiquity: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The Ajanta Caves, some distance from the Ellora Caves and on the UNESCO World Heritage List, are another fine specimen of cave temples overlooking a narrow river gorge. With a waterfall forming part of their steep horseshoe slope, these mural-filled caves are revered for masterpieces of Buddhist art. The picturesque Badami Caves were built during the early Chalukyan reign. Its graceful architecture and rich carvings are dedicated to Hindu deities, Jain saints, and others used as Buddhist monasteries. Other notable cave temples located amongst the beautiful surroundings include the Elephanta and Kanheri Caves in the Mumbai region. Joining a tour to visit these primitive sites is never wasted time.

National parks and wildlife sanctuaries

It seems natural that a country blessed with such rich and diverse landscapes should have sites dedicated to protecting and preserving nature’s abundance of flora and fauna. The renowned Kaziranga National Park and Corbett National Park are home to an astonishing landscape of sheer beauty inhabited by a variety of wildlife. Savanna grasslands, mountain ridges of deciduous forests, and riverbanks are dominant features in Corbett National Park in Uttar Pradesh and Uttrachanal. The Kaziranga National Park in Assamis is characterized by its tall grasslands with patches of semi-evergreen forest and the significantly rich banks of the Brahmaputra River. Even in less rural areas like the Mumbai region, Sanjay Gandhi National Park celebrates the rich birdlife and fauna in the picturesque forests. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala is another fascinating river landscape, playing the role of the core of the diverse ecosystem that includes multitudes of species of flowers, wildlife and birds supported by tropical deciduous forests, grasslands and evergreens. The Desert National Park in Jaisalmer is another good example of the contrasting landscapes of India.

Waterfalls

The multitude of waterfalls found in almost all regions of India will mesmerize all visitors, especially hikers and hikers who deserve a reward. Several of the waterfalls in India are sight destinations at the end of trekking trails. One of the highest waterfalls in South Asia is Karnataka’s Jog Falls, a spectacular group of towering waterfalls with uninterrupted sparkling white streams hitting the rocky bottom. Abbey Falls, near Madikeri, is another popular tourist attraction. Surrounded by coffee and spice plantations, with a nearby bridge at an overlook, these roaring falls can be heard in the distance as they captivate those in their presence.

Lakes

There are natural and man-made lakes found in all regions of India. While they enhance the picturesque surroundings, they are popular with travelers and locals. These terrains surrounding the lakes also provide great spots for picnics, while boating is common in the calm waters. Dal Lake in Srinagar is famous for wooden houseboats, one of its main tourist attractions. Lake Pichola in Udaipur is the beautiful backdrop to the famous Lake Palace like its cousin Jai Mahal in Jaipur. Besides recreation, the lakes also have a religious significance for devotees. Pushkar Lake, also in Rajasthan, is revered as a holy place, surrounded by numerous temples and ghats used by Hindus for cleaning and bathing. Lake Tulsi, a freshwater lake within Mumbai Borivali National Park, serves as a reservoir. Its strategic location near the catchment area of ​​the mountain ranges, Powai-Kanheri allows the lake to supply drinking water to part of the city of Mumbai. The lakes of India serve a wide variety of purposes while remaining a picturesque part of the surrounding area.