Forget New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia, India alone is a home to nature’s fabulous creations, incredible hidden spots and unexplained mysteries that many of us aren’t aware of. Once this pandemic is done and dusted, we should pack our bags to visit these surreal destinations. But we find hard to believe such destinations exist here in our very homeland. But they exist!
Don’t believe me?
Check out these 12 Breathtaking Natural Wonders That Exist In India
1) Yana Caves – Karnataka
Yana is a village located in forests of the Kumta, Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India which is known for the unusual karst rock formations. Yana is one of the wettest villages in the world and it is cleanest village in Karnataka and second cleanest village in India. The two unique rock outcrops near the village are a tourist attraction..
2) Nubra Valley – Ladakh
Nubra is a subdivision and a tehsil in the Indian union territory of Ladakh. Its inhabited areas form a tri-armed valley cut by the Nubra and Shyok rivers. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 ft. i.e. 3048 metres above the sea level. The common way to access this valley is to travel over the Khardung La pass from Leh town..
3) Sam Sand Dunes – Jaisalmer
Sam sand dunes are 30-60 meter tall genuine sand dunes located on the city outskirts, at a distance of 40 km from Jaisalmer in a village named ‘Sam’. Tourists frequent this place to enjoy jeep safari, camel ride, paramotoring, star gazing, bonfire, and cultural programs like Rajasthani folk dance and music.
4) Hogenekkal Falls – Tamil Nadu
Hogenakkal Falls is a waterfall in South India on the Kaveri river on the border between Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu and Chamrajnagar district of Karnataka. Referred to as the “Niagara Falls of India,” it is known for bathing areas and hired boat rides and as a major tourist attraction. Carbonatite rocks in this site are considered to be the oldest of its kind in South Asia and one of the oldest in the world.
5) Belum Caves – Andhra Pradesh
The Belum Caves is the largest and longest cave system open to the public on the Indian subcontinent, known for its speleothems, such as stalactite and stalagmite formations. The Belum Caves have long passages, galleries, spacious caverns with fresh water and siphons. This cave system was formed over the course of tens of thousands of years by the constant flow of underground water from the now-disappeared river Chitravathi. The cave system reaches its deepest point at the point known as Pataalaganga. In Telugu language, it is called Belum Guhalu. Belum Caves have a length of 3,229 m (10,593.8 ft), making them the second largest caves on the Indian Subcontinent after the Krem Liat Prah caves in Meghalaya. It is one of the centrally protected Monuments of National Importance.
6) Gandikota – Andhra Pradesh
Gandikota is a village and historical fort on the right bank of the Penna river, 15 km from Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The fort was the center of power for various dynasties, such as the Kalyani Chalukyas, Pemmasani Kamma Nayakas, and the Golconda Sultanate.
7) Reverse Waterfall – Lonavala – Mumbai
The Reverse Waterfall is a waterfall that flows in the reverse direction. This is one of the most popular reverse waterfalls in India and amongst the only few. Best visited during the monsoon, the trek to the waterfall is popular amongst the adventure enthusiasts.
8) Jog Falls – Karnataka
Jog Falls is a waterfall on the Sharavati river located in the Western Ghats in Sagara taluk, Shimoga district. It is the second highest plunge waterfall in India. It is a segmented waterfall which depends on rain and season becomes a plunge waterfall. The falls are major attractions for tourists and is ranked 13th in the world by the waterfall database.
9) Marble Rocks – Jabalpur
The Marble Rocks is an area along the Narmada river in central India near the city of Jabalpur; in Bhedaghat of Jabalpur District, in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The river has carved the soft marble, creating a beautiful gorge of about 8 km in length. It is a popular Indian tourist destination. The local marble is mined and carved into various figures and transported all over India.
10) Barren Island – Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Barren Island is an island located in the Andaman Sea. It is the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia, and the only active volcano along a chain of volcanoes from Sumatra to Myanmar. It is a part of the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
11) Nighoj Potholes – Pune
Nighoj is a village in Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India. It is about 90 kilometres away from Pune and is famous for the naturally created potholes on the riverbed of the Kukadi River. Experts from all over the world come here every year to study the phenomenon of their formation.
12) Mud Volcanoes – Andaman & Nicobar Islands
It’s a volcano from which a mixture of mud, water and gases erupt. It looks like mud bubbling out of the landform. Did you know that the Mud Volcano present at Baratang is the only known example of its kind in India? If yes, then you have heard that right. The mud volcanic eruption in this area is still live and has attracted tourists towards it.
13) Aranamala Peak – Kerala
The hills rise steeply, gazing into the sky. Thick forests and meadows creep on to them. In between are little streams carrying crystal clear water. The fog appears intermittently. All these make Aranamala, a land of magic sights in the Wayanad district of Kerala.
