20 Places to see in India Before You Die

1. Leh Ladakh :
The mountainous region of Ladakh in the North Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir, is like NO other place in the World. Because of it's unusual terrain and barren landscape it's sometimes referred to as 'Moonland'. Set high up in the Himalaya's at 3,000 m (9,800 ft) Ladakh is a plateau in the Indus Valley between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas to the south. Ladakh is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and culture. Strongly influenced by Tibet and largely inhabited by people of Tibetan descent, Ladakh is also known as 'Little Tibet'. It is not only home to some of the most beautiful and serene monasteries you'll ever see, but it also a land of rich natural beauty - and it's this natural beauty that hits you so hard, because it's a barren beauty. The enormous mass of the Himalayas creates a rain shadow, denying entry to the moisture-laden clouds of the Indian monsoon. Ladakh is thus, a high altitude desert. Many travelers find themselves at loss to understand how something so barren can yet be so beautiful.

2. Kashmir:
Kashmir is set like a jeweled crown on the map of India. Kashmir is a heaven on earth. The two major Himalayan ranges and the Great Himalayan Range and the Pir Panjal, surround the landscape from the north and south respectively. The picturesque landscape is breathtaking and the green grass lands are amazing. Holidaying in Kashmir is an experience of a lifetime. The slow pace life, calm environment, lush green surroundings and fresh air are the ingredients that make Kashmir a must see destination in India.

3. Goa :
Goa is the smallest state of India in terms of geographical area, it is the major and famous most tourist attraction in India and thus commands almost a monopoly over the tourist inflow. Goa is located on the western coast of India also known as Konkan Coast. It is surrounded by the state of Maharashtra on the north, Karnataka on the east and south and the Arabian Sea on its west. The capital city of Goa is known as Panaji or Panjim and the largest city in Goa is Vasco-da-Gama. While Goa is well known for it's beaches and laid back style...it's also the Party Hub of India. Night life in Goa is one of the most flamboyant and matured than in any other part of the country. You could be a retro lover or a hip-hop fan; you could be eighteen or eighty; you could love dancing in the crowd or a solitary traveler...Goa serves up an endless array of things to do at night for everyone.

4. Rajasthan :
Rajasthan is the largest state of India in terms of area. The major land comprises of the Great Thar Desert. Rajasthan is surrounded by states like Gujarat on the southwest, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Pradesh and Haryana to the northeast and Punjab to the north and Pakistan to the west. Rajasthan covers an area of 342,269 Km sq. which is about the size of Germany. Rajasthan is the place where you’ll find great historic monuments like palaces, forts, temples etc. These monuments are preserved and maintained very well. Rajasthan is a place that will give you a real look into the Royal and luxuries past of India. The Cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Ranthambore, Ajmer, Jaisalmer are a few worth a visit.

5. Bombay :
India's most dynamic, cosmopolitan and crowded city home to billionaire tycoons living in posh area’s with the some of the highest real estate prices in the world and the poor living in some of the largest slum establishments around the world alike, Mumbai is definitely like no other city in the world. The crowds and chaos of this city can bewilder even the savviest of travelers. Mumbai is India at its most contradictory, with its sharp contrasts: it can be aggressively modern yet some parts deeply rooted with the traditional bordering on medieval, from glamorous to rough-edged and raw…quintessentially Indian.

6. Kerala :
Kerala is also known as the “Gods Own Country” is one of the prime tourist destinations of India. It is a perfect destination for holidays, Honeymoon, art, culture, tradition, health care, yoga, ayurveda and meditation. Kerala is famous for its natural beauty, amazing beaches, delicious sea food and backwaters. Backwaters - a unique web of lakes, lagoons, canals and rivers - are an integral part of Kerala's Tourism Scenario. A Journey through the curving and winding backwaters of Kerala is an experience of returning to nature. Now-a-days backwater tourism is something special to Kerala. And Houseboats go a long way in actualizing the many backwater oriented tourism possibilities. Houseboat holidays have become popular in the backwaters of Kerala and provide an extremely soothing experience.

7.Ooty:
Ooty, Udhagamandalam, is one of the famous hill station of southern India and is popularly referred to as “Queen of Hills”. The Hill station is located in the western ghats of Nilgiri (Blue Mountains) Hills. Ooty stands at an approximate height of 7,500 feet (2, 286 m) above sea level. The landscape comprises of tea gardens, eucalyptus trees and other spice plantations. Ooty is famous for its picturesque landscapes and natural beauty. The best attraction here is the Toy train that runs between Metupalaiyam to Udagamandalam (Ooty), via Coonoor, in the Nilgiri Hills. The track is 46 kilometers (28.5 miles) long, and passes over 26 viaducts, and through 16 tunnels and tall girder bridges. The interesting fact is that it was completed in the year 1899, 45 years after the the 1st plan was drawn.

8. Madurai :
Madhurai is one of the oldest inhabited city of the Indian sub-continent. The city is located on the banks of River Vaigai. One of South India's most historic pilgrimage cities, bustling Madurai is renowned for the magnificent Meenakshi Temple, which can attract up to 15,000 visitors on one day alone. The temple complex has sections dating back as far as 2,000 years and is one of the country's most dramatic displays of Dravidian architecture. Sites not to miss in Madhurai are Meenakshi Temple complex and Gandhi Memorial Museum. The city is also referred to as Koodal Maanagar Cultural Capital of Tamil Nadu, Malligai Maanagar (City of Jasmine), Thoonga Nagaram (Sleepless City), and Athens of the East.

9. Uttaranchal :
Uttaranchal or Uttrakhand is a newly formed state of North India. Earlier it was a part of Uttar Pradesh. Uttaranchal is blessed with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Uttaranchal is a state of some untouched and un spoilt natural places.It is a perfect place for wildlife lover as Uttrakhand is home to various parks, wildlife reserves and forests. The best tourist attractions are:
The Valley of Flowers: Home of over 500 specifies of wild flowers, The Valley of Flowers is a part of Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks World Heritage Site. Stretched over an area of 87.50 km², the valley offers beautiful landscapes, flowers and fresh water streams. The trek to Valley of Flowers along the Laxmanganga River makes the visit more memorable.
Chopta Tungnath Chandrashila : In the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, Chopta, Tungnath, Chandrashila is an ideal destinations away from the crowded city life. Offering the majestic view of the Himalayan peaks, the area falls under Kedarnath Sanctuary housing serveral species of animals and birds including Monal - the state bird of Uttarakhand
Skiing slopes of Auli : Auli is famous for its skiing slopes hosting some of the national and international level skiing championships every year. Besides Skiing, the 4.5 km ropeway from Joshimath to Auli is another attraction for the visitors.
Trek to Hemkund Sahib: Though Hemkund Sahib is a popular Sikh pilgrimage centre, its challenging 19 km challenging trek from Govindghat to the Hemkund lake, invites lakhs of trekking enthusiasts.The entire trek from Ghangharia to Hemkund offers panaromic views and several varieties of wild flowers including the State Flower of Uttarakhand - Brahamkamal.

10. Kodaikanal :
Kodaikanal is one of the most peaceful and beautiful hill stations of Tamilnadu. Located 120 Km/75 mile away from Madurai, Kodaikanal is a beautiful hill station at an altitude of about 2133 m on the southern tip of upper Palani / Palni hills in Tamil Nadu in the Western Ghats. Kodaikanal is also referred to as “Princess of Hill Stations”. There are many high waterfalls and ubiquitous gardens and flower beds in bloom. The hillside is covered by the meadows and the grassland, the valley is covered up by huge eucalyptus trees and Shola forest. The places to see are Kodaikanal Lake, Bryant Park, Coaker’s walk, Bear Shola Falls, Pillar rocks, Silver cascade, dolphin’s nose and Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple