Jaipur, nicknamed as the Pink city is located in the Indian state of Rajasthan and is the state’s capital too. The city is considered to be the first well planned Indian city located in the sands of the Thar desert of India. It is called the pink city due to the fact that the buildings were painted so to imitate the redstone architecture of Mughal cities. The city was founded in the year 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.

The city has a number of places to visit including forts, palaces, temples and other monuments. The Amber fort complex that was built as a hybrid between the Hindu and Islam architecture and the Jaigarh fort which houses what is claimed to the be the largest cannon in the world is located here. The Nahargarh fort offers some spectacular views of the Man Sagar lake and also houses the Mahavendra Bhawan palace. The City palace with the Hawa Mahal and the Jal Mahal which is seated in the middle of the Maan-Sarovar lake are perfect examples of Rajput architecture. The Jantar Mantar which was one of the astronomical observatories was built in 1727 and is visited by a number of tourists throughout the year.

(Image courtesy of mckaysavage)

Lakshadweep, the smallest union territory in India is a group of islands located 200 to 300 kilometers off the coast of India in the Laccadive sea. These islands are mostly coral atolls are are geologically a part of the Maldivian group of islands. The name Lakshadweep literally means “A hundred thousand islands” in Sanskrit. The island group has about 10 inhabited islands and 17 uninhabited islands.

The island is accessible from the mainland by airplane or you could also take a cruise from Mumbai or Kochi. Just like any other tropical islands, Lakshadweep is all about Scuba diving, snorkeling and other water sports. There are some beautiful diving spots and yachting and canoeing and some other activities that you can indulge in. The island is rich in coconut trees and the local cuisine is mostly Kerala cuisine which is known for the usage of coconuts in their preparations. Evening times can be really great if you lie back in the beach sands and enjoy the golden sunset!

(Image courtesy of Thejas)

Havelock Island, a part of the Andaman and Nicobar islands is located in the Indian ocean and forms a part of the Ritchie’s Archipelago. The island is located about 57 kilometers to the North East of the capital city of Port Blair. Havelock Island was named after a British General of British India,Henry Havelock. The island is being promoted by the Indian government as a center for eco-tourism and has some of the finest beaches in India.

The rather strange thing is Havelock island is that all the beaches are numbered rather than having names. So, it is really advisable to know the numbers of beaches that you would want to visit! The beach located on the west coast of the island, the beach no:7 or the Radha Nagar beach is considered to be one of the best beaches is Asia. Other than enjoying the beauty of the beaches and relishing the local seafood delicacies, scuba diving is the most important activity here.

Pondicherry, is a city in the eastern coast of India facing the Bay of Bengal. Formerly a French colony, Pondicherry is known for its Gothic influence on the architecture and life of the people.  It was earlier a part of the Vijayanagara Empire and was named Vedapuri until it was conquered by the Dutch in the 17th century and consequently by the French.

Pondicherry is perhaps well known for its beaches and the International township of Auroville. The Promenade is the marine drive and stretches for about 2 kilometers, dotted along the marine drive is the French war memorial, the old lighthouse  and a number of boutiques selling souvenirs. Taking a stroll in the Promenade is perhaps one of the best things you can do on a calm evening when at Pondicherry. If you are in for some serious meditation, then you should probably head to the Matrimandir in Auroville. With a number of churches that remind us of the French gothic architecture and century old temples, you definitely won’t run out of places to see. If you are looking for a peaceful getaway from your rather busy life, then Pondicherry is the place for you!

(Image courtesy of Sreekanthkrishna)

Kerala is a state in India known by the popular tag line ” God’s Own country”. Though not a country, the state is known to have everything you would want of a tropical holiday. From lush tropical vegetation and high mountains to the eastern side of the state to the backwaters, coves and beautiful beaches in the west coast, Kerala promises to be one of the best tourist destinations in India.

The name of the state, Kerala or Keralam literally means “land of coconuts” due to the abundance of coconut trees in the region. The region is said to have been inhabited since the Neolithic age. Visit the tea estates and catch a glimpse of sandalwood trees and Asian elephants in Munnar and Thekkadi. Step into a house boat and travel in and across the different places  like in Venice.  Check out the Chinese fishing nets at Cochin and the beautiful beaches at Kovalam. Also do not forget to lay back and get the renowned ayurvedic massages that has been an age old form of medicine in India. Come to God’s own country once and you will wanna come again!

Goa is a state in India and was a Portuguese settlement for over 450 years. Goa is known for its beautiful beaches, the culture, and spices! Goa is considered to be have some of the best beaches and beach resorts in the whole of India and the Asian continent. The primary industry in Goa ia tourism and thousands of tourists pour in every week into this beautiful place in India, to experience its magic.

When in Goa, there are lots of places to visit other than just the beaches and coves which are the primary attractions in the place. You can take a walk out with your cam and shoot some beautiful pictures in the historic town of Vasco Da Gama that bears a testimony of the Portuguese settlements. If its adrenaline rush that you are looking for, then you might wanna try snorkeling, wind surfing,yachting  or parasailing in the heavenly beaches. Take a ride in the Zuari river that runs across the state and get to spot the famous Mugger croc. Also do not forget to get spices when getting back from this magical Indian state!