places to visit in india

Tourism makes for a significant part of the Indian Economy. India is enriched with a wide range of tourist attractions. Whether it is a hill station, beach, desert, historical monument, or a dense forest, you will get it all in India. The variety of tourist attractions in India contribute well to the nation's economy and popularity around the world. Keeping that in mind, the latest campaign by the ministry of tourism focusses on boosting tourism in 15 Indian tourist spots. According to the campaign, travellers can participate by travelling to select places and the ministry of tourism will finance the trip. How vital is tourism to the Indian Economy? Let's have a look at some stats Tourism adds massively to GDP. For instance, The World Travel and Tourism Council has assessed that tourism in India has generated 16.91 lakh crore (US$240 billion). That is 9.2% of India's GDP in 2018. According to the same study, Indian tourism has generated 42.673 million jobs. That is 8.1% of India's total employment. 15 Indian Tourist Spots In The Campaign By Ministry of Tourism To encourage Indian tourism, the Ministry Of Tourism has initiated the Dekho Mera Desh campaign. According to this campaign, the Government of India will finance your tour expenses if you visit 15 Indian destinations in a year and post pictures to the official website. The only parameter is that you have to travel out of your home state to participate. Moreover, you can also take a pledge to visit 15 destinations by 2022. At the National Tourism Conference in Konark, The Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel declared that people should look at the campaign as an incentive to travel and not as an economic privilege. Now in this piece of article, we will be going through a list of the 15 destinations that you can consider visiting to avail the benefit of this campaign. 1. Delhi & Agra Though Delhi and Agra are two different cities, they are nearby. Delhi, the capital of India, is home to many iconic monuments and landmarks such as Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Akshardham, and Lotus Temple, etc. On the other hand, Agra holds India's most iconic monument, the Taj Mahal. If you are into historical tourist spots in India, you can't miss this duo. 2. Shimla Shimla is the capital, as well as the largest city of Himachal Pradesh. Therefore, Shimla is often referred to be the queen of the northern hills. The British declared Shimla their summer capital in 1864 and used to govern the sub-continent from here whenever the temperature went up. Hence, Shimla features the old-world charm with beautiful European architecture, Mall Road, and beautiful churches. 3. Manali After Shimla, the next stop will undoubtedly be Manali. The breathtaking views, tumultuous streams, and the misty weather make Manali one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Other than this dreamy scenic beauty, Manali also features native villages, trekking, and river adventures. 4. Goa Goa locates itself on the west coast of India, and it is one of the smallest states of the nation as well. The place is famous among the travel enthusiast for its golden beaches, delicious food, and Portuguese heritage. Baga and Calangute are among the more popular beaches where the Indian family crowd. On the contrary, Anjuna and Arambol attract mostly foreign tourists. 5. Andaman & Nicobar Andaman & Nicobar Islands is among the most prominent places to visit in India. While the post-colonial history of the islands attracts the historical enthusiasts, the variety of natural wonders sucks in more casual travelers. Indeed, Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a little slice of paradise with tropical rainforest and mangrove, amazing coral reefs, and white sandy shores to enjoy a pleasant sunset. 6. Darjeeling Darjeeling is rewarded with the title of "Queen of the Himalayas". Why so? You will know when you experience the verdant green slopes, serene sunrise points, and the fresh, breezy weather of this valley. The pride of Bengal, Darjeeling, has over 86 tea estates producing the globally famous 'Darjeeling Tea.' 7. Kolkata Kolkata is the cultural capital of India as well as the second-biggest city that the nation has to offer. Once the capital of the British imperialism in India—Kolkata, sees a considerable amount of tourist gathering throughout the year. If you want to feel the vintage aesthetic aspect of the city, you can visit Victoria Memorial, Jorasanko Thakur Bari, and Botanical Garden, etc. You will also find the Indian Museum; it is the oldest museum as well as the second-largest museum in India. If you want to taste the vibrant cultural essence of Kolkata and know why it’s regarded as “Cultural Capital of India” all over the world, you must visit Nandan, College Street, Dakhineswar Kalibari, etc. Want to enjoy the most out of Kolkata? Visit the city during Durga Puja, the biggest festival in Bengal. There is a famous quote about Kolkata, "If you want a city with a soul, come to Calcutta". Kolkata is also titled with "The City of Joy" 8. Mumbai After the Cultural Capital of India next, we will talk about the Financial Capital of India. Yes, we are talking about Mumbai. Mumbai is arguably the most prominent metropolitan city in India. Mumbai is a living specimen of the phrase beauty in contrast. The city is a remarkable rarity that is a beacon of novelty and representative of the rich and diverse Indian culture. The contrast is not only cultural but also natural. Mumbai is surrounded by the Arabian Ocean at its west, and it also possesses the contrasting mounting landscapes. The Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Mumbai film city, Elephanta Caves, is among the most iconic tourist attractions of Mumbai. 9. Kanyakumari The coastal town comes under the state of Tamil Nadu. If you want to witness the sunrise and sunset on the same beach, Kanyakumari is the only place in India ideal for the rare natural phenomena. Otherwise known as the "The land of three seas," Kanyakumari offers you everything you can possibly seek from a tourist destination. Whether it is the bordering mountains, serene water bodies or the shores with coconut trees or the iconic Temples and Churches, you will get it all here. 10. Jaisalmer Located in the north-western state of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer is among the most active tourist spots in India. Jaisalmer features bounteous golden dunes and castles clad in golden honey sandstone. Jaisalmer is beautified with lakes, ornate Jain temples and Havelis. You can ride on to the camels and take a route around the desert or camp under the night sky in this golden land for an unforgettable experience. 11. Pondicherry Have you seen Life of Pi? The entire first act of the movie takes place in Pondicherry. Though taking place is an understatement. The epilogue of the movie is filled with the cultural and natural beauty of the place. Unlike the rest of India, this place is a former French colony and not a former British colony. Therefore Pondicherry is a perfect amalgamation of the traditional Indian culture and French architecture. As a result, Pondicherry makes for a dreamy escape offering the best of both worlds. Pondicherry is recognized to be "The French Riviera of the East." 12. Mahabaleshwar Mahabaleshwar has gained the title of 'The Land of Strawberries' is in the Western Ghats. The gardens of strawberry vines are worth visiting. Other than the vines you will surely enjoy the lush green forests, valleys, streams, and astounding cascades. 13. Srinagar Srinagar is located in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, is famously known as the 'Heaven on Earth.' Here you can enjoy exquisite Mughal-age gardens in India such as Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashm-E-Shahi Garden. And how can one miss the serene Dal Lake. 14. Udaipur Udaipur has earned quite a few titles for itself. 'The city of Lakes,' 'Jewel of Mewar' and 'Venice of the East' is the most prominent of them. Udaipur is a perfect specimen of how humans can enhance natural beauty, making it a must-see tourist destination in India. 15. Leh-Ladakh Ladakh is quite popular among bike enthusiasts. The panoramic landscape, clear blue sky, and gusty weather make for quite a place to ride a bike on. Ladakh is often referred to as the "India's Own Moonland." Liked the 15 Indian tourist spots added in the list of Ministry of Tourism in its latest campaign? Add all of these to your travel bucket list 2020 on Woovly. Download the app now!

places to visit in india

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