Concealed within the nature - II

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost

The offbeat destinations in India offer an awesome experience. Vacations in these lesser-known locales of the country are truly memorable. So, here are some more of the hidden gems in India that have been long ignored and now it’s high time more people knew about them.

Chandigarh, Punjab & Haryana

Chandigarh is bordered by the state of Punjab to the north, the west, and the south, and to the state of Haryana to the east. It is located 260 km (162 miles) north of New Delhi. Chandigarh is one of the early planned cities in post-independent India and is internationally known for its architecture and urban design. In 2015, an article published by BBC named Chandigarh as one of the perfect cities of the world in terms of architecture, cultural growth and modernization.

The official emblem of Chandigarh stands for the openness of thoughts, peace, and solidarity. The city was reported to be one of the cleanest in India based on a national government study.

The Rockgarden located near the Sukhna lake is spread over 40acres of land. It consists of various scriptures made from the industrial and home waste material. The garden also has lakes and beautiful waterfalls, which makes it the most visited place in Chandigarh.

The Japanese garden has a lot of water bodies, pagoda towers, beautiful waterfalls, a meditation center, a Buddha idol, and golden bamboos. 

There is also a 3 km artificial rain-fed lake in the city.

Wayanad, Kerala

Wayanad is a hill district in Kerala formed in 1980 by carving out areas from Kozhikode and Kannur districts. The name Wayanad is derived from Vayal Nadu which means the land of paddy fields. Nurtured by the mountains of Western Ghats, Wayanad is a winter destination in Kerala and can be perfectly described as the concealed jewel of Kerala. From being a honeymoon getaway to nature’s paradise, this place flaunts its unique beauty that entices all sought of travelers. Blessed by the healthy weather that goes round the year, Wayanad is rich in everything; from wildlife and plantation to the clean ambiance that makes it a perfect destination to be on the top of the list of best hill stations to visit in South India. However, the most attractive feature of this beautiful destination is the forests, which are more than 3000 years old.

Some of the popular attractions of Wayanad are Banasura Sagar Dam, Edakkal Caves, and Soochipara Waterfalls. This district is one of the biggest foreign exchange earners of the State with its production of cash crops like pepper, cardamom, coffee, tea, spices, and other herbs.

Wayanad has the least population density in Kerala. The place is relatively backward and the culture is mainly tribal oriented. The famous tribal events and folk dance performances by tribes are hosted between February and May. Onam, Maha Shivaratri, and Vishu are the important festivals celebrated in Wayanad.

Step into the new world of natural and cleanest nature at Wayanad that one could ever get to see and enjoy! Its a delight and a must-see destination for every tourist and visitor to God's own country.

Thrissur, Kerala

Thrissur is known as the cultural capital of Kerala, and the land of Poorams. Bordered by the districts of Palakkad and Malappuram to the north, and the districts of Ernakulam and Idukki to the south, Thrissur district is home to over 10% of Kerala’s population. 


The Vadakkunnathan temple, believed to be founded by the saint Parasurama, is a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture. It houses several sacred shrines, with beautiful paintings describing various episodes from the Mahabharata. Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple, one of the largest Sree Krishna temples in Kerala and Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple which is one of the largest Bagavathi temples in Kerala is also situated in the city.

Guruvayur is one of the most significant pilgrimage centers in India. The idol of the famous Sri Krishna Temple here is said to have been worshipped by Lord Brahma himself. The Guruvayur Temple is unique, as it is not built in the typical South Indian style of temple architecture. For example, its architecture is not massive or grand but simple as the structure of Kerala houses. Its four gateways lead to the main gopuram (where the idol is installed), protected by a sloping terracotta roof made of Mangalore tiles. Again, in true Kerala style, the temple owns 36 mighty elephants that live at Punnathur Fort, 4 km north of the temple.

Asia's tallest church, the Our Lady of Dolours Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica (Puthan Pally), which has an underground shrine, is a masterpiece of architecture. The St. Anthony's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, also known as Chinna Roma (Small Rome) are also in Thrissur.

The city is also emerging as the largest hub for the Ayurvedic drug manufacturing industry in India. The major ayurvedic drug manufacturers like the Oushadhi, Vaidyaratnam Oushadhasala, KP Namboodiris, Sitaram Ayurvedic Pharmacy Ltd, Kandamkulathy Vaidyasala, SNA Oushadhasala, etc. are among the leading ayurvedic drug manufacturers in the state.

The city is considered as a hub of jewelry and textile business in Kerala.