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25 Lesser Known Wonders Of Incredible India
What you expect: Reach your holiday place, soak up the serenity and discover something unique.
What really happens: Finally manage to get there, get hurled into an overcrowded place, do the ‘been there, done that’.
Helping you unravel some unconventional travel options, we have listed out the lesser known but fascinating places in India. While some are easy, others might require work. Each though, makes for a riveting getaway.
1) The submerging and emerging wonder
Image Credit: Adarsh Antony – Flickr
Painting a rather unique and dreamy picture, the birth of the Rosary Church, Shettihalli, dates back to the 1860s and rests on the banks of Hemavathi River near Hassan. However, do not expect to catch a full glimpse of it every time you are here. The fascinating structure built by French Missioners, is said to submerge during the rains and emerge again once the water has receded. Echoing the splendour of Gothic architecture, it is only left with its skeleton today.
Image Credit: Abhijith B.Rao – Flickr
The destiny of the church changed when the government decided to build Gorur Dam that floods the Hemavathi Reservoir. As per the scheme, the villagers were relocated and the revered building was left behind. Standing the test of time and weathering the waters, it is evocative.
[Also check out the Most Surreal Places in India]
2) Earliest trace of human life on the Indian subcontinent were found here
Image Credit: Nagarjun Kandukuru – Flickr
If you are the sort who fancies history, then this is for you. The Cave Paintings at Bhimbetka is where you can get a glimpse of the earliest trace of human life on the Indian subcontinent. They depict animals, cultures, festivals and rituals of their time.
Image Credit: Stefan Krasowski – Flickr
What is remarkable is that you can catch sight of art traced back epochs ago from the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Chalcolithic periods along with Medieval Age. And they were actually paintings and not etchings being carved into stone. It is a mystery how most of the paint has remained intact throughout centuries. Discovered in 1957, there are around 15 caves that are open for public viewing.
3) Untouched cutting-edge canyons that make you dizzy as you look down
Image Credit: Rahul Ganguly – Flickr
Be one of the first few to witness the marvels of nature. Among the exotic places in India that have not been infringed upon, the Laitlum Canyons in the outskirts of Shillong, Meghalaya make for a stunning sight.
Image Credit: Samuel Sawian – Flickr
Very few are aware of it and you would have to ask around to get here. Unlike earlier when there were no roads leading to this place, now is a different story. Get mesmerised by the vast expanse of tall flush green grass swaying to the chilly breeze and feel the rush of blood through your veins as you look down upon cutting edges of the mountains thus making them appear as canyons. Be prepped up with snacks and water as there is just one shop in the vicinity. When finally at the spot, savour the serene atmosphere and take in the sights of green hills, valleys and little villages afar that stretch towards the land of Bangladesh.
4) A remote hamlet where sands seem to roll out into eternity
Most of us are aware of Rajasthan and its several gems like Jaipur and Udaipur. But how many of us actually know about the Khimsar Dunes Village, which embodies the very desert nature of the state. It resides about 15 minutes from the Khimsar Fort.
Only accessible by jeep, camel or horseback, this remote hamlet is where the sands seem to roll out into eternity. Resonating the beauty of the Thar Desert, you might come across a mini-lake that springs out of nowhere. But be warned, it might only be a mirage!
What you expect: Reach your holiday place, soak up the serenity and discover something unique.
What really happens: Finally manage to get there, get hurled into an overcrowded place, do the ‘been there, done that’.
Helping you unravel some unconventional travel options, we have listed out the lesser known but fascinating places in India. While some are easy, others might require work. Each though, makes for a riveting getaway.
1) The submerging and emerging wonder
Image Credit: Adarsh Antony – Flickr
Painting a rather unique and dreamy picture, the birth of the Rosary Church, Shettihalli, dates back to the 1860s and rests on the banks of Hemavathi River near Hassan. However, do not expect to catch a full glimpse of it every time you are here. The fascinating structure built by French Missioners, is said to submerge during the rains and emerge again once the water has receded. Echoing the splendour of Gothic architecture, it is only left with its skeleton today.
Image Credit: Abhijith B.Rao – Flickr
The destiny of the church changed when the government decided to build Gorur Dam that floods the Hemavathi Reservoir. As per the scheme, the villagers were relocated and the revered building was left behind. Standing the test of time and weathering the waters, it is evocative.
[Also check out the Most Surreal Places in India]
2) Earliest trace of human life on the Indian subcontinent were found here
Image Credit: Nagarjun Kandukuru – Flickr
If you are the sort who fancies history, then this is for you. The Cave Paintings at Bhimbetka is where you can get a glimpse of the earliest trace of human life on the Indian subcontinent. They depict animals, cultures, festivals and rituals of their time.
Image Credit: Stefan Krasowski – Flickr
What is remarkable is that you can catch sight of art traced back epochs ago from the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Chalcolithic periods along with Medieval Age. And they were actually paintings and not etchings being carved into stone. It is a mystery how most of the paint has remained intact throughout centuries. Discovered in 1957, there are around 15 caves that are open for public viewing.
3) Untouched cutting-edge canyons that make you dizzy as you look down
Image Credit: Rahul Ganguly – Flickr
Be one of the first few to witness the marvels of nature. Among the exotic places in India that have not been infringed upon, the Laitlum Canyons in the outskirts of Shillong, Meghalaya make for a stunning sight.
Image Credit: Samuel Sawian – Flickr
Very few are aware of it and you would have to ask around to get here. Unlike earlier when there were no roads leading to this place, now is a different story. Get mesmerised by the vast expanse of tall flush green grass swaying to the chilly breeze and feel the rush of blood through your veins as you look down upon cutting edges of the mountains thus making them appear as canyons. Be prepped up with snacks and water as there is just one shop in the vicinity. When finally at the spot, savour the serene atmosphere and take in the sights of green hills, valleys and little villages afar that stretch towards the land of Bangladesh.
4) A remote hamlet where sands seem to roll out into eternity
Most of us are aware of Rajasthan and its several gems like Jaipur and Udaipur. But how many of us actually know about the Khimsar Dunes Village, which embodies the very desert nature of the state. It resides about 15 minutes from the Khimsar Fort.
Only accessible by jeep, camel or horseback, this remote hamlet is where the sands seem to roll out into eternity. Resonating the beauty of the Thar Desert, you might come across a mini-lake that springs out of nowhere. But be warned, it might only be a mirage!