If traveling for the entire span of your lifetime through India, it still wouldn’t be enough to see it all. The country is so big, with each region having its own culture and traditions that have been kept through the years and influences by the other nations that have passed through. Delhi is different than Mumbai which is different than Calcutta, which is different than Kerala. In fact, each state is different from each other and this is what makes each trip to India so unique and fantastic!
Trying to find the most beautiful states to visit in India is definitely a challenge, especially that each of them make major efforts to show the world what makes them special. And when it comes to who has the most influence, I can mention Kerala Tourism and their yearly campaigns to discover the state. So, which is the most beautiful state in India?
The most beautiful Indian states:
Rajasthan
Even if it covers a large area in the desert, Rajasthan is probably one of the most colourful states of India. But not only, the Murghal architecture, the intricate carvings that cover temples and the majestic forts overlooking their cities, make Rajasthan one of the most popular places to visit in India. No wonder that Rajasthan has been included in a circuit called “The Golden Triangle”. Whilst the triangle represents the geographical position of the three major cities connected to it, Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, you might wonder what the gold might stand for. Well, the gold is a metaphoric representation of the historical, cultural, architectural and religious wealth that the region has to offer. Rajasthan is without a doubt, India’s most beautiful state.
Every major city in Rajasthan seems to have its own colour: Jaipur is pink, Udaipur is white, Jodhpur is blue, Jaisalmer is golden. Each of them however has its own traditions and culture and they offer different unique experiences.
Unique experiences in Rajasthan
Bikaner and the desert camel safari
The majority of the tourists who visit Rajasthan and decide on a desert safari do it in Jaisalmer, because of the proximity of the sand dunes to the city. However, if you want to enjoy the desert all to yourself, without any other souls around, try this experience in Bikaner.
The desert around Bikaner is grainer but smoother for the camel to walk on. If you have never been on a camel before, just remember that riding on it it’s not as easy as it looks, especially on uneven terrain.
Once arrived in the desert, the locals will prepare an open fire cooked meal and, if you are lucky, they will engage afterwards in a traditional sing and dance performance as well. I was lucky to be there on Christmas Eve and they even brought out cake! How did they carry it all the way into the wilderness? On a camel!
The sunsets are special seen from the desert. The sun goes down, in between the dunes, setting the sky behind on fire: red, yellow, orange, and a mix of them paint the entire horizon, until the moon and the stars rise, and the day turns into night.
Udaipur and the miniature painting
I honestly didn’t expect for Udaipur to be such an artistic city. Situated on the shore of Pichola Lake, Udaipur greets its tourists with beautiful white palaces along the water, among which you will find plenty of painting and crafts shops. The local artistic speciality is the miniature painting, and artists all over the city show their skills by painting intricate designs on tiny pieces of paper, on silk, even on your nails! The most common motifs seem to be the local fauna: elephants, camels and horses.
If this type of art interests you, there are plenty of artists who open their studios to tourists and offer cheap lessons of introduction to miniature painting.
Jaisalmer and the local life
Probably one of my most vivid memories of India comes from Jaisalmer. After strolling around the narrow streets of the fort, which is the only one in Rajasthan still inhabited, observing the local life and browsing through the bazaar, our group met for dinner at one of the restaurants just outside the city gates, Saffron. We climbed up to the rooftop where a long table was prepared for us. As the sun started to set and cover the city in that golden shade that it is famous for, the lights started to turn on, one by one, house after house, until the entire fort was lit up when the darkness took over completely. Besides our table, three men were singing at traditional Rajasthani instruments. And at that restaurant I had the best meal in India, to the day! With the most fantastic view over the fort on one side and the lower city on the other.
Jodhpur and the zipline over the fort
I never thought of India as an extreme sports destination, but one of the main attractions of Jodhpur proved me different. The Flying Fox zipline stretches on a total length of 300 meters, on a circuit that takes around 1,5 hours to complete. The longest line flies over two lakes and lands on top of a fortified tower 30 meters above ground. There are 6 lines in total which offer spectacular views of the Mehrangarh Fort and the blue city of Jodhpur.
The experience pumps your heart with adrenaline and excitement. I am afraid of heights but still enjoyed it fully, knowing I was in the safe hands of the instructors.
Jaipur and the Raj Mandir cinema
You can’t visit India and not experience a little bit of the Bollywood movie culture! One of the best places to go watch a Bollywood movie is actually in Jaipur, at the Raj Mandir cinema.
Before you step into the cinema, arrive half an hour early and buy a terracotta mug of sweet lassi, from one of the stalls across the street. It will probably be the best lassi you will have in India! The small shops are usually only frequented by locals, so as a tourist, prepare to see some smiles and giggles when you try to copy them and smash the cup at the end – as the locals do.
The Raj Mandir cinema is an experience rather than just a movie theatre. As you step inside the building you will notice large chandeliers decorating the lobby and wooden tiles with glass inlay dressing up the walls.
Inside the actual cinema hall, the screen is covered with a large red velvet curtain that lifts at the beginning of the movie. Under each seat there are air vents through which floral scents are released into the hall over the duration of the movie.
Assam
Home of the one-horned rhinos and famous in the entire world for its tea production, Assam is a beautiful state in India full of green landscapes, at the foothills of the Himalaya mountains. There are plenty of things to do and see in Assam, starting with temples and archaeological sites, the distinctive culture with exotic dance forms and flavoursome cuisine, the friendly locals, the rice fields and the tea plantations.
When you think about India and then travel to Assam, your impression of the busy, noisy, dirty streets of Delhi, which you might associate with the entire country, disappear into the crisp, fresh mountain air. Assam is not touristy at all, due to the Restricted Area Permit abolished in the 90s, so expect to discover here the traditional culture, unaltered.
What to experience in Assam:
Visit Kaziraga National Park
Rather than a National Park, Kaziraga is considered more of a sanctuary for endangered animals, with focused continuous wildlife conservation efforts. Among the diverse fauna living in Kaziraga National Park, there are 15 mammalian species which threatened to become extinct in the near future. Same as Kruger National Park in South Africa has its own “five”, on Kaziraga’s “big five” list you will find the one-horned rhino, the Asian Elephant, the Royal Bengal Tiger, the wild water buffalo and the swamp deer.
In fact, 57% of the entire world population of wild water buffalo lives in this National Park. Another curious novelty is that here you will find one of the few wild breeding areas outside Africa for big cats, such as leopards and tigers.
Even the rivers of Kaziraga National Park are home of endangered species, like the Ganges Dolphin.
If you want to visit Kaziraga National Park keep in mind that it is closed during the Monsoon season (May to end of October). Guided visits are a must, as hiking on your own is prohibited. Please do not choose an elephant guided tour, go to the jeep one instead. Read the reasons why here.
Explore the Tea Plantations in Assam
Unless you have never drank tea, it’s impossible to not have heard of or tasted the Assam tea. Visiting a plantation and learning about the process of cultivation and production of tea is a unique experience.
Did you know that the tea plantation in Assam have their own time zone? During the British occupation days, to maximise the daylight in the area, the time zone has been set to IST+1. This system has improved the productivity of the workers from the tea plantations.
Every year, Assam region produces over 680 million kilos of tea. Due to the cold, arid winters and the hot, humid summers, the tea leaves can be harvested twice a year.
A hiker’s paradise
With a privileges location, at the foothills of Himalaya mountains, the highest in the world, there are plenty of spectacular hikes around Assam. From flat trails through the forests, to moderate treks through lush valleys, to rock climbing on via ferratas and rappelling into canyons, Assam is the perfect option for every type of outdoor activities lover.
One of the most spectacular hikes in Assam is to the top of Nohkalikai Falls, a 340-meter-high waterfall, the 4th largest in the world. The path to the top is sinuous and not very well maintained, and it’s advisable to hire one of the locals to guide you to the top. On the way up you will pass by gorges created over the years by the heavy rains during the monsoon seasons. The colour of the water inside them and at the bottom of the waterfall is a stunning emerald shade of green.
Enjoy a Brahmaputra Cruise
If you want to travel slow and take time to admire the beauty of Assam, you should opt for a river cruise of the Brahmaputra river (The Son of Brahma). Being the only “male” river of India, it runs 900 miles down through the country, conjoining the Ganges to form the Brahmaputra-Ganges Delta. It originates in Tibet and on its way towards the Bay of Bengal it crosses China, Bangladesh and finally, India.
It is possible to reach Kaziraga National Park by boat, cruising the Brahmaputra river. Not only though, as during a seven days cruise for example you can also explore small villages and tribes ashore, visit temples, enjoy traditional dance performances on board, or stop at plantations to taste the Assam tea. This is considered to be one of the best river cruises in the world.
Try the traditional Assamese food
Each state in India has its own traditional cooking methods, and Assam is no different. The geographical location makes Assam a great place to grow leafy vegetables like spinach, mint, coriander, patchouli and fenugreek, but also cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, jack fruit or peppers. One of the hottest chili peppers grows in Assam, the bhut jolokia (ghost pepper).
One of the most famous dishes in Assam is the Khaar, a delicacy based on raw papaya, mustard seeds, taro, beans or peas, and fish or meat. The name of the dish comes from the main ingredient, the khar which is water filtered through the ashes of sun dried banana skin.
Another great traditional dish of Assam is the Masor Tenga, a tangy fish curry flavoured with fenugreek, cumin, nigella seed and fennel. The fish is slow cooked in a sour broth of tomatoes and lemon after it has been fried in mustard oil.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is the most Southern state of India, home of many religious site and Hindu temples built in a specific Tamil architecture. Tamil Nadu is also a natural paradise, with mountains that from a distance look like they’ve been painted blue, with beautiful and quiet beaches, and station hills where you will find tea and coffee plantations, wildlife and unspoilt scenery.
The capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, is a vibrant metropolitan city with modern hotels, a 13-ml-long urban beach, temples and archaeological sites such as the Unesco Heritage site of Mahabalipuram, a collection of 7th- and 8th-century ancient monuments. There are plenty of things to do in Chennai. In the heart of the city, on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, lies Fort George, the first English fortress built in India, in 1644. Today, it is used as a headquarters of the state’s administrative and legislative branches, but it can still be visited. It’s recommended to choose a private tour if you want to visit Fort George, as if you are not passionate about history and go on your own, you might not find it as interesting as a guide could explain.
Did you also know that the language spoke in Tamil Nadu, the Tamil, is one of the longest survival classical languages in the world? Tamil Nadu is definitely one of the best places to visit in India, off the beaten path.
What to explore in Tamil Nadu
Kanchipuram – The city of 1000 temples
Kanchipuram is considered a sacred pilgrimage destination for the Hindus, with 14 holy temples dedicated to the Vishnu god. In Kanchipuram there is at least one temple pretty much on every street. In the past, the city was a centre for education but also a religious learning centre for advanced Buddhism and Jainism.
The oldest temple in Kanchipuram dates all the way back to the year 685. Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and contains numerous carvings and small shrines. The temple has been extremely well conserved and can be visited every day.
The Nilgiris
The name of this mountain range of the Western Ghats, comes from the colour they seem to have if watched from a distance. The Nilgiris, or the Blue Mountains, are the home of many tea, coffee and spices plantations that you can visit. They are also the home of many indigenous tribes that still live in remote areas and trade goods with each other in order to survive. Some of the tribe villages can be visited, especially next to Ooty, the most popular hill station in the Nilgiris.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway runs on a distance of 46 kilometres and it’s the only rack railway in India, built by the British in 1908. The train uses a steam locomotive, completing an uphill journey in 4,8 hours and a downhill one in 3,6 hours. If you are passionate about trains and want to slow travel by visiting most of the hill stations in the Nilgiris then you should consider a journey with this unique mountain train.
The hill stationsin Tamil Nadu
The Hill Stations are small towns built by the British during the colonial period as summer resorts, when the heat in the city would become unbearable. The hill stations are built in the mountains, with the most popular one being Ooty.
There are so many places to see in Ooty, this oasis of relaxation hidden up in the mountains. Imagine walking down the street towards the lake, feeling the aroma of the eucalyptus teas in the air and admiring the green lush scenery. Ooty is famous also for the beautiful Rose garden which is home to over 2,000 species of roses. At a height of 2,240 meters above the sea level, in the mountains, Ooty is also known as the “Queen of the Hills”, due to the privileged location and the numerous species of flowers that decorate the town. In fact, every year, there is a flower show, a rare plants exhibition and a tea festival.
If you are searching for a less touristy hill station, go to Javadi Hills. This town is mostly inhabited by the Malayali tribe, who live peacefully growing fruits like coconuts, mango, guava, jackfruit or plantains. In the past, the area was abundant with sandalwood trees as well but unfortunately today there is non-existent due to the illegal timber exploitation.
Rameswaram
The biggest touristic attraction in Rameswaram is the impressive Ramanathaswamy Temple, a Hindu architectural gem and pilgrimage site with beautiful sculpted pillars, two immense 53 meters tall towers to the east and west sides, and the longest corridors in the world. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it took a few centuries to be fully completed. The religious pilgrims who come to Rameswaram bathe in one of the sixty-four bodies of water which are considered sacred, and a form of penance.
Another point of interest in Rameswaram is the Pamban bridge which connects the city with the island with the same name. It stands 41 meters above the sea levels and has a length of over 2 kilometres. It was India’s first sea bridge. Midway there is a section that opens to allow the passing of vessels. Ramanathaswamy Temple is situated on Pamban Island.
The beaches of Tamil Nadu
As I mentioned before, Tamil Nadu is the Southern state of India, which means that it’s surrounded by the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. As the coast stretches for over 1000 kilometres, there are plenty of beaches for every type of sea lover. For the urban lover, Chennai can be the perfect beach destination, with its 13 milometers of golden, soft sand.
For the traveller in search of tranquillity and relaxation, Tranquebar can be the perfect beach destination. The town is small but very pretty, with influences by the colonies that passed by during the years.
For the in between tourist, Tuticorin might be just the answer. The small port town offers both beautiful sandy beaches, a cultural and religious heritage through both its temples and churches, and also a wildlife sanctuary.
Have you been to India before? Which was your favourite part of the trip? Which is your favorite most beautiful state in India?
Disclaimer: This article was written in collaboration with Jules Verne Travels.
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You really captured some beautiful shots. It sounds like these are amazing places to travel. Lots to do and tons to take in visually!
I loved your pictures. I have never heard of these states before it was nice to read your brief descriptions and learn a little bit about each one!
India seems like such an amazing look place to get to go and visit, just such a different way of life and culture, so much you could learn from it all as well.
I’ve always wanted to visit India. This looks so beautiful!! Thank you for sharing.
I really loved the photos you added. What you wrote was great, super informative, but the photos brought the words to life. Thanks for sharing!
Such beautiful destinations! I hadn’t thought about traveling to India before seeing your post. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences.
India seems like such a beautiful place! I’d love to visit and learn about their culture.
Xo, Sondra
Great selection! I would also include Kerala in this list. I’ve just come back from a month there and totally fell in love with it. 🙂
visiting India is def a bucket list place for me. My husband wants to go too so it may be in our cards. Thanks for the tips on fun places to go and things to eat
This is by far the best comprehensive post and guide of regions in India I had the chance to read. Thank you so much for this great compilation of information. Bookmarking for our upcoming trip next year.
Stunning photos! I can’t wait to explore India. It seems to me that it’d be a world away from the rest of the world. Would you say its safe to hike solo as a female in India?
Love this post! I’ve never been to India before but I loooove Indian food. Your pictures all look amazing. I’ll definitely go visit India in the future.
hailing from India, i would say it is really hard to pick one place.. so will not attempt to do so..
but love the pics on your post, especially the Assam ones
I have never been to Inda and reading through your post I see exactly what you mention in the differences of the states. I thought through each destination, this is where I want to visit, and the the next. I can see that each place would bring beauty and an unique experience. Thank you for sharing!
Wow! Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. This sounds like such a wonderful place to visit. Thanks for sharing pictures!
Absolutely incredible location! I would love to visit very soon!
absolutly stunning. I had no idea India was so beautiful. Thank you for opening my eyes.
It would be way to hard to select just one state to visit in India. I do think I’d start in Rajasthan and work my way around to all of these. Your photos are so amazing, I never knew such beauty as they bring. It definately makes me want to travel there.
The pictures are beautiful and the post is very informative. If I ever have the opportunity to visit India I will have this post on my mind.
They all sound beautiful, not to mention the views and activities that take place … I’d love to visit some time.
Wow, this is incredible. I am so interested in traveling to India now! I love markets and support local everything so I for sure would love to visit Jaisalmer. Assam reminds me of Kauai (in Hawaii) where everything is so green and untouched. I would also love to see the temples architecture in Kanchipuram! Great informative travel guide, I enjoyed the read!
India is such a beautiful country and I would love to visit but I’d choose a guided tour. There is literally so much to see I wouldn’t know where to start. I love the idea of the desert safari.
India is such a beautiful country – I would love to visit one day so this post is very helpful – you always hear about certain places in the country so its nice to hear personal recommendations of other places that aren’t necessarily the normal places people visit there.
I would love to visit India. I think it will be a while before I am able to go, but if I could I would love to experience some of the music while I was there.
I am so unfamiliar with India. The little I know is through social media and movies. It is such a beautiful country and I would love to visit it one day! Thanks to your post i’ll know where to go!
I have visited Tamil Nadu but not Assam or Rajestan yet so its on my travel list. Loved reading your post and sharing about each of the places, its so well written.
It looks so gorgeous in India. I would love to visit here one day. Thanks for sharing this.
Assam looks so beautiful and home of the teas I would love to try some. Also the miniature painting is up my alley I love art and i would love some lessons!
I’ve never been to India and it would be so nice to finally be able to. These places are so beautiful and you can’t help but fall in love with what India has to offer.
I have been to India golden triangle and Kashmir, really stunning to check out those historical forts. You have quite a complete lists for India Itinerary. I heard so much about Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu and would hope to visit one day.
Fantastic photo’s and very interesting guide! I’ve never been to India but it does interest me. The Tea plantations and Tamil Nadu look absolutely gorgeous!!
What pleasant sights! Out of everything beautiful I’ve seen here, I have to go back up and admire Rajasthan, I think it’s the perfect place for everything I’ve always wanted in a secluded place. I wish more people can see these sides of India.
This is a GREAT post! Very detailed, and perfect SEO. I enjoyed reading this! I also loved your blog period so I went ahead and made sure I was still subscribed! <3
India is such and amazingly big country with so much diversity in landscapes and culture, I would love to visit ths country one day, your guide just increases my curiosity even more!
I have always wanted to visit India. Now after reading your post I want to visit even more. It is definitely a beautiful area. Thank you for highlighting these 3 beautiful states.
I love to explore out of the way places out of the popular tourist attractions and these seem to be just it whenever I visit India. Lovely post.
I’ve never been to India but would love to, and your lovely words made me even more desperate to go. I’d love to try all the food you mentioned (apart from a ghost pepper!).
India is such a beautiful and colourful country! Certainly on my travel wishlist, you have some stunning captures!
Wow! Who knew there were such amazing places to visit in India. I especially love all that green. It’s like a picture from a fairy tale. Now I really want to go there.
Aww My India is beautiful…you are right the country is so huge, there are hundreds and thousands of interesting and beautiful places and so many different cultures. I love your photos as well, they are beautiful <3
XO,
All of the places look amazing. If I were to choose one I would be interested in Tamil Nadu. But I think my daughter would really want to go to Assam. They all look amazing though. It would be a treat being able to visit so much of India and experience the culture.
Oh my gosh! India is such a beautiful country and don’t I don’t know if it gets its due appreciation. I’d love to go to all of these places. They look wonderful, its un-explain-able. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I have to say, your photos are amazing! I believe they really capture the beauty of those places. I can just imagine what they look like in real life. I find India fascinating. Aside from the scenery though, I really want to explore their food.
India is really high on my travel bucket list, I love the country and the rich culture, India also happens to be my favorite Asian country. This post has rejuvenated my zeal to go there soon
India through your pictures looks incredible and you chose to highlight some beautiful states in your recommendations. I am sure this is going to help out anyone who is planning a visit.
India is a land of diverse culture, tradition, and customs. I always wanted to visit it, but luck has deprived me of the chance. You have just flared up the spark in me, and I will definitely visit it this year no matter what. I have also decided to start my trip with Rajasthan first. I am spellbound with the history, culture, and architecture of this state. If you can suggest a good tour operator, that would be highly appreciable.
India looks great in your photos. I hope that I will be able to see at least one part of India one day.
These places are all so gorgeous!! The food looked AMAZING and now has my craving my favorite local Indian food place!!
Such a lovely pick. I am sure it was not easy to do so. I am happy that you include Assam as well my home state. Love all the pics too.
Those greens and greens; the clouds and sunset; and the Kaziraga National Park – makes me want to explore India now!
Truly, India is such a beautiful country with so much to offer. Staying in each town or state would probably require me to stay like a month or more to fully embrace the rich culture and everything that it has to offer. I’ve long been dreaming to visit Rajasthan, and knowing that there’s more to India than Rajasthan, I will surely visit the other state you’ve mentioned. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Such a beautiful compilation of the places to visit in India. I have been to Jaipur in Rajasthan and few hill towns in Tamil Nadu, I must say they are so beautiful. Assam is on my bucket list, love your pictures and details on every city.
you are right. The 3 states you mentioned, Rajasthan, Assam and Tamilnadu, has different themes. Forts, wildlife and temple are the specialty of these states.
Loved your photos. Really lovely. I want to go to India to photograph. How do people react to a camera? I have a big DSLR, that really atracts attencion.
I used to have a big DSLR as well when I went to India and I found people to be fascinated by it. They allowed me to take photos of them, especially the children. Depending on where you are in India, some people will ask you for a fee to take their photo (in the touristy places).
You made a great pick with these three states, but I feel each state of India is as beautiful. There is so much diversity available in our country that it could be 50 different countries! My personal favorite is Meghalaya.
I’ve travelled extensively through Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Assam, and fully endorse all your recommendations. In Tamil Nadu, I might add the Great Chola Temples, and in Assam, the river island of Majuli, but otherwise this is a pretty comprehensive list. I love the fact that you chose to highlight less touristy states such as Assam and Tamil Nadu. Beautiful photos!
OMG These are so beautiful, I can say have more beautiful sites than in the Philippines. I want to visit India soon! And maybe spend a week in Jaipur.
ahh, Rajasthan is my favorite. I am absolutely in love with so many amazing surprises that Rajasthan has.
Listing out three most beautiful states among the many in India is a task in itself. All the three states are equally beautiful with lots of sights to see and activities to do. I’d visit some states in the northeast too.
The National Park at Kaziraga would be a highlight for me. Gosh it’s just so incredible the diversity of Natural Beauty all across the country. Would love to take some time in the future to plan out a long and slow trip through India. I’ve noted some of these Regions thanks a ton!
Munnar, as we all know, is full of soothing sights that cling to one’s soul. The best season to enjoy Munnar is December and January as the climate in this period is very refreshing and invigorating. People Travel from across the world to Munnar during this period just to rejuvenate themselves.