There is a lot you can do in India- a country united by its diversity. There are the usual touristy experiences, and then there are some offbeat ones, for people who love to walk down the unbeaten path. If you are looking to explore Indian beyond the guide books, here is the lo-down on top 10 offbeat places in India. It’s a mish-mash of experiences, and there is something for everyone.
1. Magnetic Hill, Ladakh- mysterious experience
Switch off the ignition of your car, park it in neutral at designated spot in Ladakh and then watch it go uphill. The mystery behind the Magnetic Hill, Ladakh might have been solved, but it takes nothing away from the experience. If you ignore the optical illusion bit, it is truly a surreal experience.
2. Bike trip to Ladakh- Adventure at its best
For those into extreme adventure, a bike trip to Ladakh can be a heavenly experience. There are quite a few routes through the Himalayan region to Ladakh, two of the best ones being one starting from Jammu and the other starting from Manali. In fact, the one starting from Manali is the best one. It takes you through Rohtang Pass, Spiti and Lahaul Valley to Leh and other fantastic terrains of Ladakh, including Nubra Valley, Deskit etc. There may be fantastic treks in Ladakh, but biking in Ladakh is an altogether different experience. You need good riding skills though, and a sense of adventure and enthusiasm to complete this experience.
3. Malana- Away from the world
How about a place where people consider themselves direct descendants of Alexander the Great? A place where people do not follow the Constitution of India, but rather follow their own system? A place where there are just about 100 houses, cut off from the rest of the world? That’s Malana for you. It’s a small village, located close to Kullu valley in the Himalayan region. Nestled amidst the Chandarkhani range, Malana is a treat for all your senses.
4. Shani Shignapur- where belief wins over everything else
This is a must visit village, especially for the cynics of the world who believe that everyone has an ulterior motive. Shani Shignapur village is situated about 35 away from Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar. The interesting thing about the village is none of the houses or buildings have any doors. The belief is that Shani, a Hindu God, presides over the village and protects the people from any kind of crime. In fact, UCO Bank has even opened a lockless branch in the village. The most interesting thing, though, is the fact that the area has almost a zero crime rate. Belief does work wonders.
5. Karni Mata Temple- a religious place with a strange belief
There are a lot of temples in India, but this one is a little different. Located in Deshnok, Bikaner, Rajasthan, the temple is dedicated to Mata Karni, a reincarnation of Goddess Durga. The interesting thing about the temple is that rats are worshipped at this temple. In fact, if you kill a black rat here, even by accident, it is supposed to bring bad luck to you. And if you spot a white rat here, it is supposed to bring good luck. You will have to explore the temple yourself to know the truth behind those beliefs.
6. New Lucky Restaurant in Ahmedabad- a “different” kind of dining experience
If you think the restaurant finds a place in this list because of sumptuous food, you are in for a surprise. While the food is good here, it is the experience which is totally different. New Lucky is a tea stall located outside a Muslim cemetery in Ahmedabad which dates back to centuries ago. That’s not all, though. Randomly scattered here are graves between the tables, which are believed to belong to a Sufi Saint of 16th century. Eating with the dead definitely counts for an offbeat experience, right?
7. Bhangarh- It’s scary
Located beneath the Sariska Forest in Rajasthan is Bhangarh. It is a historical town with quite a few ruins, the most notable of which is Guru Bala Nath’s tomb. But you dare not explore the ruins here during night time. Bhangarh is India’s scariest town, with plenty of firsthand accounts of people actually experiencing the supernatural here. The town is only open during the day for exploration. It is believed that it was actually Guru Bala Nath’s curse which made the town a haunted place. The fact that Archaeological Survey of India does not have an office at this historical site means there is definitely truth behind those claims.
8. Living root bridges- strength of nature
The people of Cherrapunji do not use concrete to build bridges in order to cross rivers. Instead, they use the rubber trees of the region to build them. Rubber trees of Cherapunji are believed to be more than 500 years old, with roots of magnificent strength. The secondary roots of these trees can withstand the weight of 50 people at once. The tribals of the region use beetle nut to make the roots of rubber trees grow in a particular direction in order to build a bridge. There is even a double decker bridge here, where one living bridge is placed over another.
9. Chilkur Balaji- where all your visa woes end
Located in the Telangana region of Hyderabad is Chilkur Balaji. It is believed to be one of the oldest temples of the region, but that’s not it. Chilkur Balaji is more famously known as Visa Balaji temple. It is believed that if you want a visa but are facing difficulties in getting one, a trip to the temple could help you get one. We all know a visa to USA could be difficult to get, but Visa Balaji is there to help out. The best part is there are no special lines and entries for VIPs or VVIPs at this temple.
10. Snake Boat race- sport of a different kind
Every year, the quaint Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha in Kerala comes alive with the snake boat race event. About 90 to 100 rowers get aboard a long canoe made out of wood and battle it out to win the prestigious event. The long canoes make their way through water like snakes, which gives the event its name. Be a part of the crowd and cheer your favorite team. Cheering the underdogs is especially a delightful experience, no matter what the sport is.
There are offbeat destinations and experiences in India, but those were the crème de la crème.