Almost everyone is aware that India is home to one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal – a gorgeous monument that never fails to leave visitors in awe of its beauty. Well, the Taj is officially recognized, but there are several other striking places in India that impress everyone equally as the Taj or even more so. Such underrated natural wonders of India must be visited by every traveler wishing to unravel the hidden beauty of the country.
For all nature lovers out there planning a trip to this incredible country, here is a list of eight natural wonders of India.
Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand:
A beautiful valley filled with exotic flowering plant species that bloom to the fullest during the monsoon season, the Valley of Flowers situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand attracts hordes of tourists in the months of July and August. Snow-clad Himalayan peaks form the backdrop and gorgeous streams rush through the valley, where hundreds of rare plants and endangered animals thrive.
Best time to visit: July to September
Also Read: 6 Best Homestays in Uttarakhand
Lonar Crater Lake, Maharashtra:
Some thousands of years ago, a massive meteor hit the Earth creating a deep depression at Lonar in Buldana district of Maharashtra, eventually resulting in the formation of this stunning lake called the Lonar Crater Lake. One of the mysterious natural wonders of India, the lake is both saline and alkaline. Lush forests surround this huge lake whose diameter measures 3900 feet. There are numerous ancient temples too in the surroundings.
Best time to visit: November to January
Marble Rocks, Jabalpur:
The stunning marble-like limestone rocks rise to up to 100 feet high on either side of the Narmada River at Bhedaghat town in Jabalpur. These marble rocks shimmer when sunlight falls on them, and it’s a spectacular view! Take a boat ride on the river that runs through these marble rocks to appreciate these marvelous natural creations.
Best time to visit: November to March
Belum Caves, Andhra Pradesh:
Situated in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, Belum Caves are among the incredible natural wonders of India. The second-largest and longest caves in India feature long passages, water galleries, siphons, sinkholes, and unique stalactite and stalagmite formations. The perennial underground stream called Patala Ganga and the stalactites of the Saptasvarala Guha that produce musical sounds are the two most interesting features of these deep caves.
Best time to visit: September to February
Krishna’s Butter Ball, Mahabalipuram:
Have you ever seen a huge boulder standing on itself on a steep slope without rolling down? No? Then, you should take the flight to Chennai and travel to Mahabalipuram to behold this natural wonder of India! This giant boulder called Krishna’s butter ball is 6 m high and 5 m wide weighs nearly 250 tons. Unbelievably, it balances itself at a 45-degree inclination on a steep hill. Can you believe it stayed in the same position for more than 1300 years?
Best time to visit: November to February
Also Read: 5 Wonderful Things to do in Mahabalipuram
Magnetic Hill, Ladakh:
Another mind-boggling natural wonder of India, Magnetic Hill seems to defy the basic principles of gravity. If you leave your car at this spot that lies 14,000 feet above sea level, you see that the car goes uphill instead of sliding downhill. Many theories related to optical illusion etc., are attributed to this bewildering natural phenomenon. Regardless, Magnetic Hill located on the Leh-Kargil Highway, at a distance of about 30 km from Leh is definitely a place to stop by and witness something you probably don’t believe unless seen.
Best time to visit: May to October
St. Mary’s Island, Karnataka:
Known for its unique columnar basaltic rocks formed as a result of volcanic eruptions, St. Mary’s islands are a group of 4 small islands lying off the coast of Malpe. These distinctive polygonal rock formations are a geological wonder. Geologists say that they were created about 88 million years ago when Madagascar got separated from India. These islands attract hordes of travelers every year. They are accessible only by boat from Malpe fishing harbor in the Udupi district.
Best time to visit: October to January
Living Root Bridges, Meghalaya:
Meghalaya’s Cherrapunji and Mawlynnong areas are home to these amazing living root bridges. The local tribes have created these natural bridges by winding the long roots of rubber trees (Ficus Elastica) through the hollow trunks of betel nut trees. Some of these ever-growing living root bridges are even 500 years old. Walking across the double-decker living root bridges that span the rivers has actually become a favorite thing to do in Meghalaya among nature lovers.
Best time to visit: September to May
Additionally, the Hide-and-Seek beach in Odisha, white salt desert of Rann of Kutch, Heart Shaped Lake at Chembra Peak, Natural Arch at Tirumala Hills, Manikaran Natural Springs, Needle Hole Point in Mahabaleshwar are other astonishing wonders of nature. How many of these places have you been to? Plan your trip to the undiscovered natural wonders of India and visit Indian Eagle to book your flight tickets at the lowest airfare.
