Home > Destinations > Independence Day Special: 75 Reasons Why We Absolutely Love India

Destinations

Independence Day Special: 75 Reasons Why We Absolutely Love India

By Manas Sen Gupta

15 Aug 2022 11:59 AM

View Gallery

Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir: Pahalgam is a picturesque town at the confluence of Sheshnag and Aru rivers, surrounded by snow-covered mountains and fir trees. It is located at an altitude of 2,130 metres.

Wular Lake, Jammu & Kashmir: This is Asia’s second-largest freshwater lake. Almost 24 kilometres long and 10 kilometres wide, it was recognised as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1990.

Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh: The 15th-century monastery of the Gelukpa Order of Buddhism houses a 15-metre-high statue of the Maitreya Buddha, and is the venue of the annual Gustor ritual held in September.

Nubra Valley, Ladakh: Accessed via the Khardung La—the world's highest motorable road—Nubra Valley separates Ladakh from the Karakoram range and the Siachen Glacier. Its landscape attracts adventure tourists from around the world.

Kibber Village, Himachal Pradesh: Situated at an altitude of about 4,205 metres, the village is home to the world’s highest post office and the highest man-made bridge in Asia — Chicham Bridge. A monastery and the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the other major attractions here.

Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab: Sri Harmandir Sahib is one of the holiest places for Sikhs, and is famously known as the Golden Temple. It derives its English name from the golden top of the structure, made with approximately 400 kilograms of pure gold leaves.

Attari-Wagah border, Punjab: Situated on the Grand Trunk Road between Amritsar and Pakistan’s Lahore, the border crossing is visited by tourists from both countries for the spectacular ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony held at dusk every day.

Rock garden, Chandigarh: In 1957, a government official started building what is now known as the famed Rock Garden. Spread over approximately 16 hectares, it is famous for sculptures made from recycled materials.

Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand: The temple, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is an important Hindu religious place of worship. It is located at an altitude of around 3,580 metres in the Himalayas.

Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand: The UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its Himalayan flora expanses that are diverse, rare and exotic. Sprawling over 87 square kilometres, it makes for a perfect trekking destination.

Gaumukh, Gangotri, Uttarakhand: Shaped like a cow’s mouth at the Gangotri glacier, Gaumukh is the source of the River Bhagirathi —the principal headstream of the mighty River Ganga. Thus, it is often called the source of the Ganga itself.

Tehri Dam, Uttarakhand: At 260 metres, the Tehri Dam on River Bhagirathi is the tallest in India. While the dam generates over 1,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity, its reservoir, Tehri Lake, is a popular tourist destination.

Chandni Chowk, Delhi: Chandni Chowk is a vibrant market in Old Delhi, close to the Red Fort. It is known for housing some of the oldest shops in the country that sell anything from food to attar (perfume).

Jama Masjid, Delhi: The historic Jama Masjid is India’s largest mosque. It was built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan on a hill near the Red Fort in Old Delhi. Its courtyard is large enough to accommodate 25,000 devotees.

Dilwara Temples, Mount Abu, Rajasthan: Dilwara Temples is a group of five Jain temples built between the 11th and 13th centuries. Dedicated to Jain tirthankars (saints), each temple is known for displaying impressive architectural details.

Thar Desert, Rajasthan: Thar covers an area of around 2,00,000 square kilometres. It is the world’s most-densely populated desert at 80 people per square kilometre. Though it witnesses extreme temperatures, Thar is a magnet for tourists, and also supports a variety of wildlife.

Amber Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan: Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan, this 16th-century fort of Amber (pronounced amer) is an expansive palace complex made of pale yellow and pink sandstone with white marble.

Chittor Fort, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan: The World Heritage Site is known for the paying ode to the valour of its inhabitants through history. The formidable fort houses the Vijay Stambha (Victory Tower), erected by Rana Kumbha.

Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh: The iconic white marble mausoleum built by Shah Jahan is counted among the New Seven Wonders of the World. Its architectural beauty draws millions of tourists from around the world every year.

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Many believe that Varanasi is the world’s oldest living city. To the Hindus, the city holds immense religious significance due to the River Ganga, mysticism and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh: Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. Mauryan emperor, Ashoka, built several structures here, including the Lion Capital, which India has adopted as the national emblem of the country.

Nalanda, Bihar: Nalanda was hailed as Asia’s most reputed university from the 5th century till the 12th century when it was destroyed by Ikhtiyār al-Dīn Muḥammad Bakhtiyār Khaljī. In its prime, the university was visited by famed scholars such as Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang (Hiuen-Tsang).

Baidyanath Temple, Deoghar, Jharkhand: One of the 12 jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva and a shakti peetha — a sacred place connected to Goddess Sati—the temple makes Deoghar a prominent religious site for Hindus.

Maithon Dam, Jharkhand: The Maithon Dam and its lake conjure a picturesque view for tourists. While the dam — built by the Damodar Valley Corporation on River Barakar in 1948 — scales a height of about 50 metres and stretches over a length of around 4,789 metres, the lake houses several islands such as Sabuj Deep and Chamoch Deep.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, West Bengal: Launched in 1881, the railway station is one of the three Indian mountain railways inscribed in the World Heritage list. It has also been featured in countless films.

Sundarbans, West Bengal: Spread over an area of 10,000 square kilometres across India’s West Bengal and the neighbouring country of Bangladesh, Sundarbans is the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest. It is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, among several other animals.

Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha: Designed as a chariot and made from Khondalite, the 13th-century World Heritage Site is one of the finest examples of Kalinga architecture. However, the current structure left standing is only half of the original masterpiece.

Shanti Stupa, Dhauli, Odisha: It was built by the Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha in 1972 on the hill of Dhaulagiri. Some of Ashoka’s major rock edicts are located on this hill. Plus, the historic battle of Kalinga was also fought nearby.

Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim: Featuring the third highest peak on the planet, Mount Khangchendzonga, the World Heritage Site comprises 18 glaciers, 17 alpine lakes and supports various species of Himalayan flora and fauna.

Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, Assam: Covering a vast area of marshland and dense forests, Kaziranga is home to 2,200 one-horned rhinoceros. Tigers also are hidden among the World Heritage Site’s tall elephant grass.

Bhupen Hazarika Setu, Assam: Also known as the Dhola-Sadiya bridge, the beam bridge spans River Lohit connecting Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. At 9.15 kilometres, it is India’s longest bridge over water.

Se La (Sela Pass), Arunachal Pradesh: Perched at an elevation of 4,170 metres, the pass connects the famous Buddhist town of Tawang to the rest of India. The pass is surrounded by numerous lakes, most of which are partially or completely frozen during the winter.

Solomon’s Temple, Aizawl, Mizoram: The non-denominational church was founded by Dr L.B. Sailo in 1984. Its main hall is designed to accommodate 2,000 worshippers while the courtyard can house 10,000.

Mawlynnong, Meghalaya: Hailed as India’s cleanest village, Mawlynnong’s eco-tourism initiative is exemplary. Locals call it 'God's Own Garden' for its orchards, streams and greenery. Additionally, the village is 100 per cent literate!

Living Root Bridges, Meghalaya: These iconic bridges were grown by Khasi tribes who threaded roots of rubber trees across streams. Alive and ever-growing, they are believed to withstand the weight of at least 50 people.

Dzükou Valley, Nagaland-Manipur: The picturesque green valley straddles the borders of Nagaland and Manipur. Situated behind the Japfu range at a height of 2,450 metres, the valley is a famous trekking hotspot in Northeast India.

Loktak Lake, Manipur: The largest freshwater lake in northeast India also houses the only floating national park in the world—Keibul Lamjao National Park. It offers the last refuge to the endangered brow-antlered deer or sangai.

Neermahal, Melaghar, Tripura: Neermahal, meaning ‘water palace’, was built in the 1930s by Tripura’s former king, Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, at the centre of the Rudrasagar lake. Situated in Melaghar, there is another such palace in the eastern state of Rajasthan, too.

Chitrakote Waterfalls, Chhattisgarh: Measuring around 300 metres in width, the horseshoe-shaped waterfall on River Indravati is the widest in India. Located in the Bastar district, the water cascades down a height of approximately 27 metres.

Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh: Known for the architectural style and erotic sculptures, the temples at Khajuraho were inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1986. The group of around 20 temples belong to the religions of Hinduism and Jainism.

Great Stupa, Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh: Commissioned during emperor Ashoka’s reign, the Buddhist stupa was expanded over time and now stands at a height of around 12 metres. Its massive hemispherical dome houses relics of Lord Buddha, whose life is retold through carvings on the doorways.

Dholavira, Gujarat: Dholavira is an archaeological site of a Harappan-era city. Recently inducted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also the first Indus Valley Civilisation site from India to feature on the list.

Rann of Kutch, Gujarat: Comprising the Great Rann of Kachchh, the Little Rann of Kachchh and the Banni grassland, this salt marsh spreads over approximately 30,000 square kilometres. It is famous as one of the largest salt deserts in the world.

Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat: Home to the Asiatic Lion, Gir National Park is the only place outside of Africa where lions exist today. As of 2020, there are 674 lions in the approximately 1,412-square-kilometre sanctuary.

Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad, Gujarat: The ashram was Mahatma Gandhi’s home from 1917 to 1930. A significant place that served as the centre of India's freedom struggle, it was from here that the Father of the Nation launched the famous Dandi March in 1930.

Moti Daman Fort, Daman: Famous for its cannons, this medieval fort was built by the Portuguese to defend themselves from the Mughals in the 16th century. Within its 30,000-square-metre campus are historic buildings such as the Cathedral of Bom Jesus and the Chapel of Our Lady of Rosary.

Shaniwar Wada, Pune, Maharashtra: It served as the centre of Maratha power for close to 100 years — between the 18th and 19th centuries — during the reign of the Peshwas. ‘Shaniwar’ is the Hindi word for Saturday. The palace was named so because its construction began on a Saturday.

Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai, Maharashtra: The tomb of Sufi saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari is revered by both Muslims and non-Muslims. The dargah, which is located on an islet in the Arabian Sea, is a symbol of Mumbai’s religious heritage.

Mumbai, Maharashtra: The megacity is India’s commercial capital and serves as the home of Bollywood. Among the several landmarks here are the UNESCO listed Victorian Gothic and Art Deco buildings, including Bombay High Court and Eros Cinema.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Panaji, Goa: Originally built in the 16th century, the church is known for its distinctive zigzag stairways which further adds to the beauty of the building’s Portuguese-Baroque and Goan style architecture.

Dudhsagar Falls, Goa: Located in the Sanguem Taluka, the 310-metre-high waterfall on River Mandovi creates an awe-inspiring scene for trekkers, as well as those who opt for a train ride to the Kulem railway station.

Charminar, Hyderabad, Telangana: The granite monument with four arches and minarets is an iconic structure symbolic of Hyderabad. Built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, the magnificent monument stands tall at 54 metres.

Golconda Fort, Hyderabad, Telangana: Originally a mud fort, the Golconda Fort was given its current form between the 14th and 17th centuries. Built on a 120-metre-high hill, its height allows tourists to get the finest panoramic view of the surroundings.

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Telangana-Andhra Pradesh: The 150-metre-high dam is built on River Krishna and connects Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Its breathtakingly beautiful reservoir makes it a prominent tourist destination.

Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Palampet, Telangana: The UNESCO-listed 13th-century sandstone temple is famous for its exquisite Kakatiya art. It has decorated beams and pillars of carved granite and dolerite. Its chief sculptor was Ramappa, on whom the temple is nicknamed.

Thimmamma Marrimanu, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh: Recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest single-tree canopy on Earth, the massive banyan tree is 550 years old and occupies a circumference of 846 metres.

INS Kursura Museum Ship, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh: INS Kursura was an Indian Navy submarine that has been converted into a museum ship — the first of its kind in South Asia. Measuring 91.3 metres in length and eight metres in width, it sits on the Rama Krishna beach.

Undavalli Caves, Andhra Pradesh: An exquisite example of rock-cut architecture, the caves date back to the time of Lord Buddha. Its main cave, however, reflects the building style of the Gupta period.

Jog Falls, Sagara, Karnataka: Plunging from an approximate height of 253 metres, the Jog Falls on River Sharavati are the highest waterfalls in the country and the second-highest in Asia. Its four water streams are known as Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket.

Hampi, Karnataka: Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is globally renowned for its templs ruins and other buildings from the 16th-century Vijayanagar period. Among its prime attractions are the Stone Chariot and the Virupaksha Temple.

Mysore Palace, Karnataka: Built in Indo-Saracenic style, it is also known as the Amba Vilas Palace. Its floor is made with glazed tiles while the stained glass and dome ceiling add to the splendour of the palace. It is illuminated with 97,000 electric bulbs on Sundays, public holidays and during the Dasara celebrations.

Kodagu, Karnataka: Kodagu, or Coorg, is considered the most beautiful hill station in the state and is widely known as the ‘Scotland of India’. Situated on the Western Ghats, the region is renowned for its coffee, wildlife, natural beauty, and warrior culture.

Backwaters of Kerala: The backwaters are perhaps the biggest reason why Kerala is called ‘God’s Own Country’. The channels, lagoons and lakes, where houseboats rock gently and canoes race, create the most picturesque visuals.

Cheraman Juma Mosque, Kodungalloor, Kerala: Hailed as the oldest mosque in India, Cheraman Juma was built in 629 AD. It is named after Chera king, Cheraman Perumal, who, according to oral lore, went to Arabia to meet Prophet Muhammed and subsequently converted to Islam.

Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Fort Kochi, Kerala: The church was originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. In 1984, Pope John Paul II elevated it to the status of a Basilica, making it one of the eight Basilicas in India.

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu: The legendary temple is more than 2,500 years old and is one of the most important Hindu religious places in the country. Its presiding deity is Meenakshi, an avatar of Goddess Parvati.

Thiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu: The statue and the memorial, both, are located on rocky islets next to each other at the southernmost point of mainland India. Saint Thiruvalluvar was an ancient Tamil poet while the memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, who meditated at the spot.

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, Tamil Nadu: The temple is considered the foremost of all 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The complex encompasses an area of around 63 hectares on the island of Srirangam between River Cauvery and its tributary, Kollidam.

Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu: The World Heritage Site was built in the 11th century by Raja Raja Chola I. An architectural masterpiece of the Chola period, its vimanam (temple tower) is the tallest in the world at 66 metres.

Marina Beach, Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Stretching almost 12 kilometres along the city’s coastline with the Bay of Bengal lashing its shore, the beach is India’s longest and the second-longest in the world.

Puducherry: Puducherry is a former French territory famed for its French-styled avenues, buildings, churches, cuisine, beaches and spiritual places such as Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

Barren Island, Andaman and Nicobar: The island marks the location of India’s only active volcano, which last erupted in 2005 and has been spewing lava periodically ever since. The island is out of bounds for visitors, but people are allowed to watch it in action from a sea cruise.

Cellular Jail, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Infamously known as Kaala Pani (black water), it was built by the British as a prison to torture Indian freedom fighters. Now a national memorial, it houses a museum, art gallery and photo gallery.

Agatti Island, Lakshadweep: One of India’s most beautiful lagoons, Agatti’s outstanding beauty is revealed as visitors approach a small airport on the island.

Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh: Ditch the tourist hub Agra and head to its sister-city Fatehpur Sikri instead. Founded by Akbar, a 16th-century Mughal emperor, this town is painted almost entirely in red sandstone. A grand entrance via the Buland Darwaza (translating to Door of Victory) here takes you straight to the simplistic lives of the bygone era, while the Imperial Palace Complex, Sheikh Salim Chisti’s marble tomb, Diwan-khana-I-khaas (Hall Of Private Audience) etc. help you understand the architectural prowess of the Mughals.

Destinations

Independence Day Special: 75 Reasons Why We Absolutely Love India

There can never be enough reasons to love India! By Manas Sen Gupta
In his famous patriotic song Dhono Dhanna Pushpe Bhora, Bengali poet and nationalist Dwijendralal Ray called India ‘the greatest among all nations on Earth’. Indeed, ours is a land worth taking pride in. Our traditions, values, hospitality, spirituality, syncretism, culture, history and languages are unique in themselves—giving us many reasons to love India.
India is a land that welcomes people from all over the world. Visitors are often left pleasantly surprised by the charms and mysticism they get to witness wherever they go in the country. In fact, for many, our land it too enchanting to leave. Those who do leave, however, always yearn to come back.
But this magnificent nation did not emerge out of the blue. The very reasons to love India were nurtured over millennia by the multitudes of diverse people across ethnicities, races and religions as they share a common space and a bond that can only be defined by the country’s unique ‘Indian-ness.’
Their hands built awe-inspiring temples and beautiful mausoleums. They took care of the forests and found sustenance even in the harshest of deserts—both, hot and cold. From sprawling meadows in the north and an active volcano in the south to vast salt marshy lands in the west and a wildlife paradise in the east, everything speaks volumes about the India’s glory and its diverse population.
As the nation celebrates 75 years of Independence, we take a look at 75 of the most beautiful tourist destinations which make our country truly incredible. Through these photos, embark on a journey across the many colourful places across the country.
Related: On This Independence Day, Visit These Places In India That Have Paved The Path To Freedom

incredible india Independence Day Tourism India tourist destinations travel photos

Independence Day Special: 75 Reasons Why We Absolutely Love India

Most popular

Manas Sen Gupta

You’re all set