Sinchita Mitra
The gates of heaven have opened, as the refreshing drops of water have started to fall. The season of rains have come, and so has the tourist season come to an end. With a lot of places now going into more of a hibernation mode as the clouds rolled in, there are some amazing places that have just started to open their wings and usher in more tourists.
These wonderful places in India come alive when the first raindrop hits the ground and the earthy smell starts to rise and fill up everyone’s nostrils. These mesmerising places will fill you with unbridled joy, and make you appreciate the beauty of rains.
So pack your bags and umbrellas and head over to these magical places that only get more beautiful with the rains:
Lonavala, Maharashtra
The moment Mumbai is hit with rains, everyone has only one thing in their mind- an escape to Lonavala. This mesmerising place is said to be one of the most breathtaking hill stations in India, and in the monsoon, it just becomes even more intoxicating. The clouds come down and the rains start to compose a melodious song as it hits the ground. Make sure to visit the Bhushi Dam and the beautiful Pawna Lake.
Lonavala has a lot to offer during the monsoon, and the journey from Mumbai to Lonavala itself is filled with scenic viewpoints and awe-inspiring waterfalls. If you have an urge to learn more about its history then visit the famous Rajmachi Fort.
But above all, just stare at the gorgeous views that Lonavala commands as the dark clouds release the water.
Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
The romance of Mahabaleshwar and the rains are a dance of undying love.
This beautiful place located in Maharashtra is completely adorned with green hills, fishing waterfalls, clouds that touch your laps and fogs that make you smile, to welcome its love- the rains.
The scene is absolutely surreal as the two rain arrives and quenches Mahabaleshwar’s thirst and makes it even more beautiful. The Lingamala waterfalls revive themselves as the rain feeds it with love. The sight is truly magnetic.
This wonderful love story is something that must be witnessed first hand so that you can feel the romance reverberating in the air.
Shillong, Meghalaya
The name itself- Meghalaya means- the abode of clouds. This little town in the peak of monsoon definitely does and up to that name. The hill station is an absolute paradise during the rainy seasons, as the clouds come down to greet you and welcome you to their abode.
Away from the pollution of city life, the water droplets seem to be directly from heaven, since they are so clean and pollution free.
The atmosphere has a gentle chill to it, and the sky is dark and sombre, making it the perfect setting for some monsoon thrills.
The waterfalls become serene yet ferocious, and you must witness the Elephant Falls and the Spread Eagles Falls, to feel what an exuberant waterfall looks like and how it comes alive during monsoon.
This is the perfect getaway if you are looking to relax and let go of all the stress that has been bothering you.
The rain in Shillong has magical properties that heal anybody who comes here to visit.
Coorg, Karnataka
This mystical place located in the woods of Karnataka is absolutely surreal during the monsoons. The entire town is covered with lush green fields with grasses wet with droplets of rainwater, and a misty fog that makes the place look just dreamy.
Everything looks so pristine clean, and you the aroma of the coffee plantation just gets up a notch and almost falls with every droplet of water that comes your way. This wondrous town gets more and more beautiful as the rain comes with full gusto. The Abbey and Jog waterfalls acquire a whole another gush of water, and the rumbling sound is thunderous yet melodious.
The hills get a nice shade of green, and the roads are all covered with floating clouds that come so far down that you can feel them with your bare hands. If you really want to enjoy the thrill of the monsoons here then trek over to the Tadiandamol peak or just visit the Madikeri Fort, to enjoy breathtaking sceneries of the little wet town of Coorg.
Munnar, Kerala
Kerala is often called God’s Own Country, and true to its name, it does have some breathtaking beaches, hill stations, and towns that come alive in monsoon.
Munnar in Kerala is one such place that just acquires a new meaning as the rain slowly hits the Southern State. The tea plantation of Munnar come alive and sway with the water and the wind, as the entire area is painted with emerald green covers. The mist slowly touches your face, as you look around you and feel a natural bliss just washing all over you. The rain just makes everything so pleasant and appealing here.
Alleppey, Kerala
The divine bliss of monsoon is truly felt when the place itself is magical. Imagine sitting on a backwater cruise with a hot coffee in your hand, while the drops of heaven fall gently on your cheeks? Isn’t that amazing? A beautiful rainy day in Alleppey is exactly like this. With hidden treasures and the magnificent backwaters, Alleppey is a town that you will fall in love with. Ride through the winding canals, or simply indulge in a wonderful Ayurveda treatment, this town is surely the place to be at when the gates of heaven open.
Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
This picturesque place in Tamil Nadu is truly a bliss to be in during the monsoon. The wonderful town of Kodaikanal just becomes more alluring as the rain falls on the ground and enriches it in the most magical way.
Take a walk at the Bryant Park and enjoy some mesmerising and enigmatic views, or try your hand.. or feet at some adrenaline rushing treks to Dolphin Nose, or Kurunji Andavar Temple.
One of the most magical and rare moments is when you might just be able to see yourself in the clouds. This phenomenon called the ‘Brachem Spectre’, is so rare that anyone who sees it can consider themselves lucky.
Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
Keeping the fact that monsoon does wonders to this place, the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand itself in any season is one of the most beautiful places on the Earth.
As the rain hits this valley and the dark clouds roll in, the entire valleys suddenly burst with 400 different kinds of flowers all coming out of their bud. The different shades of the colour just make the valley look like a painter’s palette, who is getting ready to paint her next masterpiece.
The flowers are in full bloom once the rain subsides, and look majestic under the dark grey sky. This paradisal place is one of the best places to visit during this season.
Malshej Ghat, Maharashtra
Perched at a relaxing altitude of 700m, this monsoon destination is paradise on earth. Malshej Ghat is located in Pune and comes alive just as the rains hit the Ghats. From sprawling green hills to pink flamingos, this Ghat dons a whole new outfit during monsoon. Malshej Ghat is also interspersed with amazing waterfalls that just makes the place so much more alluring. Just get your car out, and drive along the winding path of Malshej Ghat, and spend some time being greeted by meandering streams, serene waterfalls and calming lakes.
Wayanad, Kerala
A popular monsoon destination, Wayanad is a small hill town nestled in the laps of the Western Ghats in Kerala. Off late, the monsoon in Wayanad has become so popular, that tourists have started holding the place just to catch that first drop of rainwater, that transforms this whole place into a symphony of nature. The rainy season also ushers in the ‘Neelakurinji’, which is a vibrant blue flower, and it blooms once in only 12 years.
The place has become so popular during the monsoon that they even have a three days monsoon festival that tourists can enjoy.
Just delve into the realm of monsoon in Wayanad to experience some of the most memorable times of your life.
Goa
While many call monsoon months the offseason for Goa, yet the charm of Goa in the rains is something worth experiencing. The dark clouds roll in, and the seas acquire a new lease of life, as they roar with a thunder. The winds are ferocious and will take you away with them. The entire place is transformed into a haven for nature lovers. Imagine just riding on your scoot with hair flying with the wind and the heavy drops of water falling on your cheeks as you zoom past the quaint roads of Goa- it is surely magical.
With the rains in Goa, everything is quieter as it is the offseason, and everything is more peaceful. The hotels, bike rents, and other commercial aspects, in general, are cheaper. You can also engage in many different activities like- admiring the nature, hiking up to enigmatic waterfalls or taking a tour of the famous Spice Garden.
