From heritage cities to spiritual destinations, India has many gems worth exploring. At a time when road trips have taken centre-stage and domestic travel has become more pronounced, these winning destinations—as chosen by YOU, our loving readers—grab the title of the ‘best’ at Travel + Leisure India & South Asia’s India’s Best Awards 2020.
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BEST STATE
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India’s land of royals is a potpourri of heritage, culture, unmatched hospitality, and culinary excellence. From magnificent palace stays and thrilling dune adventures to romantic escapes and sacred sojourns, the state charms even the most discerning of travellers with its fabled experiences. Jaipur plays the perfect host with its heritage hotels and sustainable offerings, Udaipur wins hearts with its imposing palaces and shimmering lakes, the blue city of Jodhpur narrates legends pressed between the stones of impregnable fortresses, Jaisalmer offers a desert setting like none other, and the wilderness of Ranthambore holds many wild secrets. Rajasthan promises to engage all your senses.
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Temple towns, sunny shores, mountain retreats blanketed with mist, spicy cuisine, and wellness getaways—Tamil Nadu is home to diverse delights. But love for traditional cultural ethos runs through the length of the state, right from the urban centre of Chennai to the southernmost tip of Kanyakumari. In between rest the splendid mansions of Chettinad, the pristine Western Ghats, the centuries-old sculpted stoneworks of Thanjavur, the seaside sacred town of Rameshwaram, the laid-back former Danish colony of Tharangambadi, the tea-carpeted Nilgiris, and a number of UNESCO-listed sites.
BEST GREEN STATE
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Seated along rows of mountain ridges, Mizoram has always lured the most intrepid travellers. And the locals intend to keep the northeastern state unscathed. The tourism department has introduced post-pandemic changes to ensure an economic boost that is responsible and sustainable. A ‘Responsible Tourism Pledge’ was recently notified, encouraging locals and tourists to develop a deeper relationship with the environment and making clean and green travelling a way of life. Thousands of saplings were planted to mark the Green Mizoram Day in June. It’s no wonder that the state won the highest honour in the India Happiness Report 2020, the first of its kind.
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Meghalaya, the ‘Abode of Clouds’, has 79 per cent of its area under green cover. Home to Asia’s cleanest village, the world’s longest sandstone cave, ancient living root bridges, numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the wettest places on earth (Mawsynram), this northeastern state hold many surprises. Its several conservation projects, sustainable practices, and festivals like The Meghalayan Age promote green and responsible tourism through a variety of experiences. Meghalaya takes home the prize for its eco-friendly ethos.
BEST WEDDING & HONEYMOON DESTINATION
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Whether you choose a centuries-old cathedral built in Portuguese style or a secluded beach surrounded by palms swaying in the sea breeze, a Goa wedding promises to be magical. Expect surreal settings, warm hospitality, delectable cuisine, and a range of luxury resorts with dedicated teams. For honeymooners, the options are endless. Be it a romantic dinner on a private river cruise, a boat ride navigating thick mangrove networks, a hot air balloon ride, or thrilling underwater adventures, the Sunshine State has got you covered.
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Over the years, Himachal Pradesh has carved a place for itself on the lists of adventurers. But slowly, this north Indian state is also gaining popularity for its unique wedding venues. As if getting hitched amid rolling hills, apple orchards, and misty meadows wasn’t dreamy enough, luxury resorts across the state are sparing no efforts in bringing dream weddings to life. Newlyweds can top up their wedding with a dreamy honeymoon in the hills, indulging in a range of adventures and experiences—from mountain biking on Trans-Himalayan routes to camping in Spiti Valley and heli-skiing in Manali.
BEST WELLNESS & SPIRITUAL DESTINATION
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The many ancient temples in this state coupled with sublime natural wealth make the enigmatic land of Lord Jagannath the perfect destination for spiritual alleviation. The essence of Odisha is most magnificently represented by the Jagannath Rath Yatra, and the land’s history is carved in stone on the walls of the Konark Sun Temple, Lingaraj Temple, and Mukteswar Temple, among others. The state’s place at the heart of Buddhist heritage is conveyed through its Diamond Triangle of Ratnagiri-Udayagiri-Lalitgiri and the Dhauli Shanti Stupa in Bhubaneswar. The meditative calmness of its beaches and the many spas offering an array of treatments ensure holistic wellness journeys. Odisha Tourism has also ensured end-to-end compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols issued by the Government of India and has trained service providers to serve with safety.
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Karnataka boasts a rich cultural tapestry with timeless heritage, a multitude of beliefs, and oodles of tranquillity. A spiritual journey through the state guarantees diversity. St Philomena’s Cathedral in Mysuru, the Jain temple of Sri Dharmasthala in Belthangady, Sri Krishna Temple in Udupi, and Jama Masjid in Srirangapatna are among its most popular sites. Its laid-back beaches, like Om Beach in Gokarna and Devbagh Beach in Karwar, let you enjoy a serene stroll or a meditation session, and there are ample retreats and centres of Ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy across the state to lead you on the path of healthy living.
BEST EMERGING CITY
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
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With the Eastern Ghats on three sides, vast tracts of agricultural land on the fourth, and the fierce River Krishna cutting through the city, Vijayawada is Andhra Pradesh’s latest thriving attraction. While the likes of Kanaka Durga Temple, Undavalli Caves, and Prakasam Barrage still make the list of must-visit sites, the up-and-coming capital region (along with Amaravati) features spots like Bandar Road and Benz Circle, hotels on Bhavani Island and Berm Park, shopping malls, and urban architecture cropping up all over the city.
Raipur, Chhattisgarh
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Raipur is a mixed bag of old and new. The capital city of Chhattisgarh is home to ruins that go back to the ninth century. While it has traditionally been known for its steel industry, it has lately emerged as one of the most promising tourist destinations in the region. With major educational institutions, a technology hub, an entertainment park, great accommodation options, stunning temples, beautiful lakes, museums hosting tribal artefacts, and an international cricket stadium, Raipur has something for every kind of traveller. The state is also developing standard operating procedures for hotels, restaurants, and homestays in the wake of the pandemic.
BEST OFFBEAT DESTINATION
Zanskar, Ladakh
The surreal landscape of Ladakh promises experiences that are hard to find elsewhere, and Zanskar is one such offbeat adventure in itself. The biggest attraction of this mountain-hemmed Buddhist valley is its unique rugged terrain dotted with ancient gompas, tiny villages, turquoise high-altitude lakes, and challenging routes. Best explored on a trek, Zanskar is spread over more than 5,000 square kilometres and remains cut off from the rest of the world for more than eight months in a year. Undisturbed by the tourist crowds of Ladakh, it beckons only the most seasoned of travellers.
Netarhat, Jharkhand
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Low hills, dense thickets, and mountain springs mark the beautiful landscape of Netarhat. Perched at 1,104 metres, the hill station is Jharkhand’s best-kept secret. This is where the mighty Satpura range meets the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Netarhat is famous for being home to various tribal communities, an 18th-century residential school, and rolling hills blanketed with sal, Palash, and mahua trees. Once a colonial summer capital, it has many off-the-beaten tracks to be explored and ancient folklores waiting to be heard.
BEST WILDLIFE DESTINATION
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Madhya Pradesh is a hotspot of wildlife activity. With six tiger reserves, nine national parks, and 25 wildlife sanctuaries, the heart of India is ‘The Jungle Book’ brought to life. Forests cover around 30 per cent of the state’s total area, and the protected areas offer sightings of rare wildlife like tigers, leopards, vultures, Indian bison, sloth bears, crocodiles, flying squirrels, wild dogs, and hundreds of species of birds. The state is one of the few places in the world where you can see white tigers in their natural habitat.
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Synonymous with natural beauty and biodiversity, Assam is the perfect pick for wildlife enthusiasts. While its mosaic of lesser-known tribal cultures and sprawling tea estates are enough reasons to visit, the state’s five national parks and multiple reserve forests make for the most convincing reason. Home to rare and endangered species like the great Indian rhinoceros, the royal Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, Himalayan black bear, and hoolock gibbon, Assam is a natural paradise in every sense.
BEST CULTURAL DESTINATION
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The towering Statue of Unity may be a globally renowned attraction now, but is just one of the many reasons to visit the ‘Land of Gandhi’. With a history dating back to the Harappan civilisation, the state is a confluence of many religions: Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, and Buddhism. As a result, the state’s culture blends the arts, beliefs, customs, traditions, costumes, languages, cuisines, and values of its diverse people. The cities and villages of the state come alive when festivities mark occasions like the nine-day-long Navratri and the annual festival of Rann Utsav.
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Punjab’s cultural fabric is awash with high spirits, tolerance, compassion, and a zest for life. From colourful costumes to soulful music, rural martial arts, and mouthwatering food that transcends borders, this land of heartfelt hospitality leaves no stone unturned in preserving and highlighting its grand traditions. Punjab’s diversity and uniqueness are evident in Punjabi poetry, philosophy, deep spirituality, education, artistry, military warfare, architecture, traditions, values, and history. Whether it’s the glistening Golden Temple in Amritsar or the quirky Rock Garden in Chandigarh, each tourist site radiates faith, creativity, and joy.
Related: #IBA2020: Here’s The Full List Of Winners In The International Destinations Category
Bayar Jain
Senior Content Manager
Equipped with a degree in Sociology (Honours) from the University of Delhi, and a post graduate diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, Bayar enjoys sharing stories of people, places, and different cultures. When not typing her travel tales, you can catch the hobbyist photographer capturing the next frame, dabbling in arts and crafts, or gushing over puppers and kittens.