Best Beaches in India

There are en-number of beautiful beaches in India and here are the best one's-

1) Gujarat

   a) Diu beach
   b) Umbergam beach
   c) Tithal beach
   d) Daman beach
   e) Veraval or Somnath beach
   f) Udvada beach

2) Maharashtra

   a) Kelwa beach
   b) Arnala beach
   c) Marve beach
   d) Madh beach
   e) Aksa beach
   f) Versova beach
   g) Juhu beach
   h) Band Stand
   i) Girgaum beach
   j) Ganpatiphule beach

3) Goa
   a) Anjuna beach                                            
   b) Baga beach                                                        c) Calangute beach
   d) Colva beach                                                                               
4) Kerala
   a) Alappuzha beach
   b) Cherai beach
   c) Fort Kochin
   d) Kovalam beach
   e) Kollam beach
   f) Varkala beach
   g) Poovar beach

THE BEST HILL STATIONS OF INDIA

My motherland has every thing in her, from Snowy mountains to Golden dessert and dense forest. But her sky touching mountains provides us with an heavenly experience. There were en-number of hill towns in Indian but unknown, during British raj (British rule) they used these towns to beat heat and slowly those places gain attention and now turned as major tourist spot. These hill station gives us a picturesque image of nature and show-cases creators creativity.
I list down some of the best hill station of India as per their respective state and union territory:

1) Gujarat:-
   a) Saputara

2) Himachal Pradesh:-
   a) Chail
   b) Dalhousie
   c) Dharamshala
   d) Kasauli
   e) Kullu
   f) Manali
  g) Shimla

3) Jammu and Kashmir:-
   a) Gulmarg
   b) Pahalgam
   c) Sonmarg
   d) Srinagar

4) Kerala:-
   a) Munnar
   b) Thekkady

5) Maharashtra:-
  a) Igatpuri
  b) Chikhaldara
  c) Lonavala
  d) Khandala
  e) Mahabaleshwar
  f) Matheran
 g) Panchgani  
 h) Bhandardara                                                         
                                                                                                                                        Town of Jammu in Night
 6) Rajasthan:-
  a) Mount Abu

Srinagar

Srinagar is located in the heart of the Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1730 m above sea level, spread on both sides of the river Jhelum. The Dal and Nagin lakes enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing play of the seasons and the salubrious climate ensures that the city is equally attractive to visitors around the year. Today Srinagar is a resort for the tourist who can experience, at first hand, the peculiar beauty of the valley that has attracted the Chinese, the Mughals and the British to it. Its waterways with their own quaint lifestyle, the unique Houseboat, the blossoming gardens, water sports activities, shopping for lovingly hand-crafted souvenirs and the nearby resorts make it a cherished spot among those looking for a memorable holiday.

If one is longing for the delights of a houseboat holiday, then check out lakes of Srinagar to try one. Srinagar is a unique city because of its lakes - the Dal , Nagin and Anchar. The River Jhelum also flows through a part of the city. Most houseboats on the Nagin and the Jhelum are situated on the banks of the lake, and can be accessed directly from land without the help of a Shikara. While all those on the Dal require a Shikara to get to and from them. Most houseboats on the Dal are situated in long straggling rows; some face the boulevard, Srinagar's exciting address, while others are situated singly or in groups of two and three.

Srinagar's lakes are the reason why the city receives so many tourists. Not just expanse of water, the lakes are filled with houseboats, villages, narrow water canals, lotus and vegetable gardens and houses and shops. Life on the lakes, as witnessed from the confines of a Shikara, is unique. It is possible to book a Shikara for the whole day and sightsee Nishat Garden, Nasim Bagh, Hazratbal Mosque, Pathar Masjid and Shah Hamdan's Shrine, having a picnic lunch in the boat. While Nagin is quieter, the Dal is full of local colour, with tourists being rowed in Shikara to shops selling every conceivable handicraft - all within the lake. A Shikara ride is one of the most soothing, relaxing aspects of a holiday in Kashmir. It can be an hour-long ride to see the sights of the Dal; a shopping by Shikara expedition to visit handicraft shops within the periphery of the lake; or a whole day trip to visit important city landmarks. Because the Dal is so central to the landscape of Srinagar, many places of tourist interest have, over the ages, been built in its vicinity.  

The art of designing formal gardens which the Mughal emperors expended such time and energy upon, reached its zenith in Kashmir. The Mughal gardens in Agra or Lahore may be very fine but only in Kashmir is the formal beauty of the gardens matched by the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside. The gardens follow a standard pattern with a central channel carrying water through the descending terraces in a delightful series of cascades, falls and pools.

Sonamarg

The drive to Sonamarg is through the Sindh Valley which presents yet another spectacular facet of countryside in Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 2730 m, Sonamarg (‘The meadow of gold’) has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky. The Sindh River that meanders through the valley abounds with trout and mahaseer. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier, which is a major local attraction during the summer months.

Sonamarg is the base of a major trek that passes along several mountain lakes –Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Gangabal. Sonamarg is also the take off station for the drive to Ladakh across the Zojila, a major pass in the Great Himalayan Range, through which the Srinagar-Leh Road passes.

At a height of 2740 m, Sonamarg is the last major point in the Kashmir valley before the Zoji La pass into Ladakh . At the pass the green, lush Kashmiri landscape abruptly switches to the barren, dry landscape of Ladakh. Sonamarg is thus not only a good base for treks but also a jumping off point for trips into Ladakh.
The name means 'Meadow of Gold' and although this could be due to the profusion of flowers that carpet the meadow in the spring it is also possible that the name derives from Sonamarg's strategic trading position in the days when this was a major route into central Asia. The Sindh River meanders along here and abounds with Trout and Mahseer.

 One of the most popular short walks from Sonamarg and a major attraction during the summer months is the 4 km route to Thajiwas, a small valley at the foot of the Sonamarg glacier. A path leads up to the Shakhdar hill, overlooking the glacier from the northeast. It is dangerous to climb the steep slope leading up to the glacier. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier. Often in early summer one will meet groups of Gujar passing through Sonamarg on their way to the alpine meadows for the summer.

Places of Attraction:-

1) Nilagrad

2) Krishnasar Lake

Nearest airport is Badgam and nearest rail head is Jammu. Sonagam is 81 km from Srinagar.

Pahalgam

At an altitude of 2130 m and about 95-km from Srinagar , Pahalgam is probably the most popular hill resort in the Kashmir valley. Since it is rather lower than Gulmarg the nighttime temperatures do not drop so low and it has the further advantage of the beautiful Lidder River running right through the town. 
Pahalgam is situated at the junction of the Aru and Sheshnag Rivers and surrounded by soaring, fir-covered mountains with bare, snow-capped peaks rising behind them. The Aru flows down from the Kolahoi glacier beyond Lidderwat while the Sheshnag from glaciers along the great Himalayan. 
At the confluence of the streams flowing from the river Lidder and Sheshnag Lake, Pahalgam was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking views. Now it Kashmir's premier resort, cool even during the height of summer.
There are many short walks available from Pahalgam and in addition it is an excellent base for longer treks such as those to the Kolahoi glacier or to the Amarnath cave. Pahalgam can also be used as a starting point for treks out of the region. Pahalgam is particularly famed for its many shepherds and they're a common sight, driving their flocks of sheep along the paths all around the town.

Places of Attraction:-
1) Mamaleshwara
2) Baisaran
3) Tulian Lake
4) Aru
5) Hajan

Nearest airport is Badgam and the nearest rail head is Jammu. Srinagar is 95 km from Pahalgam.

Gulmarg

A huge cup shaped meadow, lush and green with slopes where the silence is broken only by the tinkle of cowbells, Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set in a film and not surprisingly have been the venue of several films. 
The valley of Gulmarg, a large meadow about 3-sq-km in area, stands at 2730 meters, 56-km south west of Srinagar . The name means 'Meadow Of Flowers' and in the spring it's just that, a rolling meadow dotted with countless colorful Bluebells, Daisies, Forget Me Not's and Buttercups. The valley itself is about 3-km long and up to a km wide.
All around are snow-capped mountains, and on a clear day one can see all the way to Nanga Parbat is one direction and Srinagar is another. It's a popular day trip from Srinagar to Gulmarg, although many people extend their stay or use it as a base for trekking. The road from Srinagar rises gently towards the lower slopes of the range, passing through rice and maize fields. From Tangmarg, at the foot of the range, there are two paths to Gulmarg - a steep footpath or a winding sealed road. There is also a pony track from Gulmarg that leads upwards to Khilanmarg, Kongdori and seven springs.
In winter, Gulmarg acquires a new persona - that of the country's premier skiing resorts. Skiing, to many who watch it on TV, seems like a very elitist sport, requiring a high level of training and expensive equipment. They are surprised, when they visit Gulmarg for a day's expedition to "see the snow", that others with the same level of physical fitness and training are skiing down slopes. Gulmarg is the ultimate beginner's skiing resort. One doesn't requite a heavy woolen wardrobe - slacks or a Salwar Kameez will do fine. In Gulmarg one will also be able to drift to one of the many Ski shops and hire skis, sticks and goggles. Just find yourself a ski instructor and set off down a slope. 
Neither does one need to exert oneself climbing up slopes. The gentlest slope of 200m is linked with a ski lift, which helps one to go up. When one graduates to intermediate level - which will happen after the first few days of practice, there are other slopes, longer and steeper, which are connected by chair lift. The longest ski run in Gulmarg is provided by the Gondola cable car, which allows a ski run of 2213 m.

Places of Attraction:-
1) Khilanmarg
2) Alpather Lake
3) The Ningli Nallah
4) Ferozpore Nallah

Nearest airport is Badgam district and nearest railway station is Jammu.

Mount Abu

Mount Abu is a unique destination for adventure and Eco tourism. During the period of the Maharaja's, it was used as a place of leisure by the royalties semi-royalties. The place presents an interesting contrast of British style bungalows and holiday lodges of the royals with various tribal communities residing amidst the thick lush forest on the hills surrounding the region. The flora and fauna enjoys the adulation of the tourist to the fullest. The highest point of the Aravali is the Guru Shikhar with a vast sanctuary that shelters a number of species like Langur, wild boars, Sambar, leopards and many more along with a number of flowering plants and trees, which enhance the beauty of the whole scenery. A rich collection of monuments of different religious sects like the famous shrines of Jainism are also found here. The tribal community of this area still maintains its pristine ways of living despite progress of the modern times.
The Delwara temple is famous for its architectural splendour. The intricate carving on the marble stone is simply mesmerizing. A cluster of Hindu temples also marks the land with their historical past.
Summer temperatures can go as high as 33°C. Minimum summer temperatures remain at a pleasant 23°C. Winters in Mount Abu are mild with maximum temperature at 28°C and the minimum at 11°C.

Places to Visit:-
1) Dilwara Temple
2) Gurushikhar
3) Toad Rock
4) Sunset Point
5) Nakki Lake
6) Gomukh Temple
7) Achalgarh

The nearest airport is Udaipur. Mount Abu is easily accessible from major cities of Rajasthan and Gujrat.