Mukteshwar – The Lesser Known Gem Of Uttarakhand

A quaint little town in the state of Uttarakhand, Mukteshwar is one of the famous tourist places in India that is a must visit destination for all. Other than the lush meadows and dense forests, Mukteshwar is quite popular amidst the adventure enthusiasts for outdoor sports such as rappelling, rock climbing, and more, making it one of the best places in India for adventure seekers.

Best time to visit: October to June

Attractions: Mukteshwar Temple, Sitla, Chauthi Jaali, Admire Nanda Devi, and Mukteshwar Inspection Bungalow.

SILENT VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Silent Valley National Park is a beautiful location situated in Kerala.The UNESCO World Heritage site of the Silent Valley National Park is one of the best offbeat places to visit in Kerala. Kerala’s best kept secret, located in the Nilgiri Hills is a haven for wildlife. Being UNESCO World Heritage itself says a lot about this place. It is absolutely beautiful and a treasure to look at. It has a wide range of species of animals, birds and vegetation that is preserved so beautifully. It is one of the very few national parks in our country that has been maintained so well and kept so true to its true form.

Home to the endangered species of lion-tailed macaque, there are 138 species of birds, 730 varieties of insects and 34 species of mammals here. Around 1000 species of flowering plants, 108 species of orchids, 100 ferns, 75 lichens, 200 liverworts, and about 200 algae, distinctive only to the Western Ghats, grows here. The unique Cobra plant, resembling a snake, is also found here. The dense greenery, the rich wildlife and the lack of crowds make the Silent Valley National Park truly unique. People love to take pictures and spend a nice peaceful day here.

KUTRALLAM

Kutrallam is a beautifull town situated in Tamil Nadu. Kutrallam is a paradise for those in love with nature. A small town of Tamil Nadu located in its Tirunelvali District, Kurtallam is blessed with cascades of waterfalls, the sprawling greenery and bouts of fresh air. The nature is just amazing. It is also known for its healing and relaxing capabilities. The beautiful waterfalls is meant to relax the soul and refresh the mind. It takes away from the busy lives of the city to calm and relax the soul and re energize the body.

The town have also gained popularity for being home to several health resorts and clinics as well as waterfalls that have some medicinal values. These places are often visited by people to see the work of nature. How natural things can be made use off is seen here as the best example.The town is also dotted with ancient temples that reflect age old legends. Offering splendid panoramic vistas and unforetold peace, visiting Kurtallam can indeed be memorable experiences. The nature is a major aspect of this trip and one should soak it in completely.

Kolli hills

Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai is a range of hills in the central region of Tamil Nadu. Kolli Hills are a relatively tall range with an average height of about 1370 m. Its height and ranges gives it an encapsulating effect.The route to Kolli Hills has about 75 narrow turns which makes the journey extremely thrilling.It gives a spike to your adrenaline.This is considered a very soulful place and it engages thought as Chanakya, writer of Arthashastra was born here. The famous Arapaleeswarar Temple is located here. Hence, Kolli hills are actually a site of pilgrimage. People come here to visit the various temples without being harassed by crowds as well as enjoy the scenic beauty. 

There are two viewpoints present here from where you can see a divine panoramic view of the surrounding area. Many waterfalls are also present, including, Akash Ganga waterfall. It is called so because the water falls from such great height and with such a high speed that it almost appears white. The waterfalls is a true beauty of nature.Many nearby towns are also often frequented by tourists. Kolli Malai also boasts of rich biodiversity. In short, Kolli Hills is an ideal location for a weekend getaway full of natural beauty. It is best to visit it during monsoon or winter since it is pleasant at that time.

PANCHAMALAI HILLS

Pachamalai Hills or Pachais is a hill range in the Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu.It has the most abundant landscapes of greenery. As far as the horizon all you can see is the lush greenery surrounding everything. Pachai literally means green. By its name, it is very clear that Pachamalai Hills is covered with forests. It has varied forms of flora and fauna and will leave you surprised at its uniqueness as well ass rarity .The vegetation is actually richer than most of the hill stations. Many policies are being made to build Pachais as a proper tourist destination. It is a lesser known location and hence is perfect for those who do not wish to see crowds on their holidays.

The reason for its lush flora and fauna is that river Kallar and River Sweata flow through this area. A good spot for tourists is that there are many waterfalls present here too. Some of them are Mayil Uthu Falls, Koraiyar Falls and Mangalam Aruvi falls. All these falls can be visited for picnics. For the adventurer in other people this is an ideal place for adventure sports like trekking and hiking. Pachamalai Hills are an ideal getaway if you are looking for a peaceful weekend amidst surreal natural beauty. Accommodation facilities are easily available and this region can be easily accessed by roadways. Hence it is a good get away with family and friends.

KOTAGIRI

Kotagiri is a small hill town in Tamil Nadu not far from Ooty. Situated at a height of 1800 m, it is one of the most popular hill-station in the Nilgiri area. Due to the beautiful vegetation here, nature and photography buffs must visit this place. There is a wide variety of flora and fauna which is a treat to smell and look at. Wild boars and Gaurs can also be spotted here. 

The famous Kodanad View Point is nearby and can be easily accessed from Kotagiri. Kotagiri itself can be easily reached as it is well connected by roadways. The Rangaswamyb Pillar is also a site of attraction. It is about 500 feet tall. Though there is not much to see around this place but the scenic beauty will surely attract and rejuvenate you. Accommodation is also easily available. A short visit in the weekend is ideal for Kotagiri.. It is an ideal getaway to relax the mind after a hectic weak.

St. MARY'S ISLANDS

St Mary's Islands is a set of four islands off the coast of Malpe, Udupi. They are among the last few unexplored beaches in India. Known for their famous hexagonal basalt rocks which are formed due to volcanic lava drying up, these islands have been declared as an important site for Geo tourism in Karnataka. The beaches and surrounding waters are unbelievably pristine and taking those two boat rides from Malpe to reach here is definitely worth it.

This island of St. Mark is included into the UNESCO World Heritage Site territory. This is the biggest island of the Krtolj archipelago. Aside from the beautiful 4 km long beach, the island is decorated with incredible natural beauty - olive groves, cypress trees and other Mediterranean vegetation.

KARIGHATTA

Karighatta is located at a distance of around 25 km from Mysore. It is a small hill station, which translated to ‘Black hill’. The place is packed with tranquil lakes and hilly topography at an altitude of 2697 feet above the sea level. This place is perfect for the ever enthusiastic photographers and their models.This place is perfect for bird watching enthusiasts, trekkers and nature lovers. It is a perfect combination of sports and scenery. Making it it perfect for the mind and body/ Two of the attractions here are River Lokapavanir and Karigirivasa Temple. Other allures are hill trekking, and varied natural flora and fauna.

As Karighatta is quite close to Mysore and Srirangapatnam, it becomes a weekend getaway for the locals and thus is otherwise not very crowded. It is usually isolated and is perfect for people who like to be away from the crowds. Karighatta temple is the prime attractions of this place. As the temple is placed on a high-altitude, the views from here are stunning.