Far away from the chaos of its overpopulated cities, one can witness India’s splendid natural attractions. The enchanting rivers, lush green landscapes, the breathtaking backwaters and the serene beaches make the Indian countryside a great option to unwind. India faces no shortage of natural wonders that are not only marvelous to the eye, but are also famous for the interesting facts surrounding them. All these landmarks are worth a visit and accessing them might be nothing short of a thrilling adventure. For example, the Kutralam Falls in Southern India is not just gorgeous, but is also known for being a ‘Natural Spa.’ The water found in Kutralam is said to have medicinal properties that cure ailments, which is said to be the reason behind the crowds at this destination. Moreover, here are 10 of the most spectacular and amazing wonders of India, ones you can’t afford to turn a blind eye and the interesting facts engulfing them will leave you intrigued.
1. Loktak Lake, Manipur
Although there is no dearth of water bodies in India, Loktak Lake surpasses most of them by a mile. A bird’s eye view of the lake gives the onlooker an impression that the lake has been decorated with green rings, which are floating on the water’s surface. However, these rings are nothing but evenly distributed patches of vegetation. The lake is also home to the only floating national park across the globe, making it one of the best tourist attractions of North East India. This natural wonder boasts of a wide variety of flora and fauna, which includes as many as 57 different types of birds, as well as the endangered Eld’s Deer, one of the rarest animals of its kind.
http://whenonearth.net/loktak-lake-home-floating-phumids-india/
2. Dudhsagar Falls, Goa
If the pictures aren’t breathtaking enough, a visit to the Dudhsagar falls is sure to leave you spellbound. This spectacular natural beauty is situated on the border region of Karnataka and Goa. The railway track which passes through Dudhsagar is the icing of the cake, making it one of the top tourist destinations in the country. The height of this waterfall is around 1017 feet and the width is approximately 100 feet. One can witness Dudhsagar in all its glory during the monsoons or just after. A visit to this waterfall is nothing short of a thriller, since there is no safe route to access the place. Tourists have to walk to the waterfall on foot, over the railway track for over a kilometer to reach Dudhsagar. In addition, one also has to brave an eerie, pitch-dark tunnel, to get to their destination.
http://www.bhramanti365.in/dudhsagar-waterfalls-on-12th-and-13th-july-2014
3. Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
If the sight of a rainbow leaves you enthralled, even though it only lasts for a few minutes, the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand will surely steal your breath away. The hilly terrains are covered with a thick blanket of flowers, which are of different varieties and colors. The Valley is the top spot amongst many nature lovers, writers and travelers, who are swept away by the visual splendor of the valley. The place has now been declared as a national park and is home to different kinds of flora and fauna, including different types of bears, the endangered snow leopard and the Red Fox.
California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica). Antelope Valley. California, USA
http://wildtrekadventure.com/trek-to-valley-of-flowers-hemkund-sahib-3/
http://valleyofflowersindia.co.in/fake-pictures-of-valley-of-flowers/
http://www.indialine.com/travel/uttaranchal/chamoli/valley-of-flowers.html
4. Borra Caves, Andhra Pradesh
The Borra caves, also known as ‘Borra Guhalu’ in Telugu, are one of the most compelling gifts of nature. These caves are located in the Vishakapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. The height of this cave range around 2,300 feet and is densely covered with mineral deposits in the form of stalactites and stalagmites, making it a destination for researchers. A large number of lizards, popularly known as Gecko, as well as bats are also found inside these caves.
https://flic.kr/p/dd4jyz
http://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g297588-d1204479-Reviews-Borra_Caves-Visakhapatnam_Andhra_Pradesh.html
5. Majuli Islands
The Majuli Island located in Assam is a place of great tourist interest, since it is undoubtedly the biggest river island in the country. The city of Jorhat, which is situated beside this island, offers ferries by which one can access the island. Majuli is spread over an area of 450-kilometers and is a bird-watcher’s paradise, as it is home to more than 100 different species of birds. The island is also a representative of the rich culture of Assam and houses around 20 monasteries, which are famously known as ‘Satras.’ The well-known Satras among these are the ‘Uttara Kamalabari’ and the ‘Auni Ati,’ where one gets to interact with the monks and get a glimpse of their traditional style of life.
http://indiaexchange.org/places/majuli-assams-famous-river-island/
http://mentalmasala.com/quizzes/shruti-rawat/13-reasons-why-you-must-visit-north-east-india
6. Pangong Lake, Ladakh
While many water bodies across India have degraded as a result pollution today, the Pangong Lake, located near Ladakh, formed by the melting of glaciers, is one of the cleanest that you will find in the entire country. The crystal blue water and the serene surroundings also make the Pangong one of the most romantic getaways in India. Apart from its enchanting beauty, the fact that it is located around 4,300 meters above the sea level and sandwiched between the Himalayan ranges makes this lake a sublime place to explore. However, the entire lake is not just confined to the Indian territory alone, the east end of the lake is situated in China and parts of it extend into Tibet too.
http://columbiakashmirholidays.com/tour/pangong-lake/
7. Sunderbans
Sunderbans is one stretch of jungle which has been a subject of great curiosity for nature lovers from around the globe. This river delta region, which is spread over more than 2,500 kilometers, across Eastern India and parts of Bangladesh, is home to the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger and is also densely populated with Mangrove trees, which are seldom found in other parts of the country. The place has now been declared a ‘World Heritage Site’ by the organization ‘UNESCO,’ since it is the largest Mangrove sanctuary in the world. The ideal time to pay a visit to this natural wonder is between the months of November and March.
http://www.sunderbannationalpark.in/
8. Marble Caves, Madhya Pradesh
A 3-kilometer stretch of river Narmada, situated in the Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh, is lined by Marble rocks on both sides, making it one of the top tourist spots in the country today. The rocks consist of high deposits of magnesium and can be extracted easily using simple tools. The place has also been a favorite amongst filmmakers from different parts of the world, who have recorded a few sequences of their flicks here. One can notice various types of rock formations at this place, such as ‘Haathi ka paon’ (The Elephant’s foot) and ‘Horns of a Cow.’ The places surrounding this beautiful spot is said to be rich in blue marble.
http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-travel-in-pics-travelling-to-the-heart-of-india-madhya-pradesh/20121222.htm
9. Elephant Falls, Meghalaya
A trip to the North-East part of India is incomplete without a visit to the Elephant falls, located near Shillong. This giant cascading waterfall cumulates into a pool by flowing through rocks that look more like a flight of steps. Hence, viewing the Elephant falls is just a treat to one’s eyes.
http://zuzutop.com/2010/01/magnetic-hill-in-ladakh-defies-gravity/
10. Magnetic Valley, Ladakh
Ladakh never ceases to mesmerize people with its beauty, but the Magnetic valley is poles apart from the rest. The most intriguing fact about this region is that a vehicle can scale up the hilly terrain with its ignition switched off and at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour. It is also a common sight to see many such vehicles move through the terrain in the same way. According to a recently conducted research, optical illusions in the area makes one perceive even the downslopes in the magnetic valley like steep slopes scaling upwards. However, local guides of the region claim that a supernatural force is the reason behind this astonishment.
http://zuzutop.com/2010/01/magnetic-hill-in-ladakh-defies-gravity/
