Top 8 places in India for December | Rare Techy

Planning a vacation in December? Now, there are two groups of winter travelers – one who looks crazy for snow, and the other, who runs away from anything below 10 degrees Celsius. And of course, December is the month for Christmas and New Year celebrations, and some travelers look for places to savor these. Whichever group you are, we’ve got you covered. From the snow of Auli to the golden beaches of Goa and the Christmas-New Year of Kolkata, this list will help you choose a beautiful holiday to your liking.

1. Alleppey or Alappuzha, Kerala

Kerala, one of the most beautiful states in India, is definitely not to be visited during the hot summer months. The best months to visit Kerala are during the winter and, for romantic souls, the monsoon.

If you’re looking for a lazy, secluded vacation, head straight for the houseboats of Alleppey or Alappuzha, known as the Venice of the East. Located on the shores of the Laccadive Sea, Alleppey is known for its palm groves and healing Ayurvedic centers.

These houseboats are a modern version of the ancient kettuvallams, which were used to transport rice and spices. They have all the amenities of a good hotel, including air conditioners, western bathrooms, cozy rooms, kitchens, and balconies.

As your houseboat cruises through the countryside, you’ll see views of paddy fields, rice paddies, and other scenes of local life. Dig into some puttu and kadala, shappu meen curry, and semiya payasam – all Kerala specialties. And if you’re game, try a toddy (palm liquor) at one of the many local toddy shops to add authenticity to your travel experience.

Plan a two-day trip to enjoy Alappuzha Beach (with its 150-year-old harbor and 17th-century Portuguese-built lighthouse), Marari Beach, and Pathiramanal Island. If you have more time, visit Munnar and Thekkady as well.

2. Auli, Uttarakhand

Auli is a famous hill station in Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. It’s a place for all weathers, but winter is especially important because Auli is one of the few places in India where you can go skiing.

Plan a trip of at least three or four days because you’ll want to get the hang of it before zipping down those slopes on skis. Tutors are available, and you can have a full-time appointment if you want to find one.

From December to March, the meadows of Auli turn into dreamlike snow with icicles hanging from the oak branches and snowdrifts blowing from the pine leaves. The slopes offer spectacular views of the Himalayan peaks, such as Nanda Devi, Mana Parbat, and Kamat.

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Another attraction in Auli is its cable car, the highest and longest in Asia. Auli artificial lake is one of the largest man-made lakes. Chattrakund and Chenab lake are also worth visiting.

Skiing is usually possible from December to March. However, study the weather forecast before you go because in lean years, snow can be late.

3. Ranthambore, Rajasthan

The whole of Rajasthan is a winter destination. But if you are interested in wildlife safaris, add Ranthambore to your Rajasthan list.

It is widely known for its National Park and Tiger Reserve, but Ranthambhore is much more than that. If you are a keen bird watcher, remember that Ranthambhore is home to over 330 species of birds. At the same time, you can admire its wonderful places surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravalli hills, beautiful palaces, and royal ruins.

Some of the must-visit places include Ranthambore Fort, built by the Chauhan rulers in 944 AD. Surwal lake is another good place, good for relaxation and bird watching. Jogi Mahal near Padam lake is known for its architecture and sculptures.

While in Ranthambore, be sure to try some famous Rajasthani dishes like bal bati churma, ker sangri, mawa kachori, and laal maas. To unleash the warrior in you, you can get some amazing crafts made by village women under the Village Women Craft program.

4. Go

If you want to party during the Christmas-New Year season, nothing can beat old Goa. With its pubs, beaches, seafood, Bebinca pudding, and of course, the famous feni, Goa is synonymous with decadence. And what better time for this self-indulgence than Christmas Eve!

Some of the best places in Goa to enjoy Christmas fireworks are Anjuna, Arambol, Calangute, and Vagator beaches. On the side, you can enjoy the nightlife of Goa or go for a game of luck in one of the famous gambling houses on the river Mandovi.

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During the day, visit Goa’s famous architectural treasures, including whitewashed churches, forts, unique buildings and houses with their stained glass windows. Just stay with the symbol of Goa “susegad” philosophy of life (laidback-ness).

And if you are a true-blue traveler at heart, remember that there is more to Goa than beaches and alcohol. Have plenty of time on your hands to explore.

5. Kohima, Nagaland

If you have not visited Nagaland yet, visit Kohima before December 10. The Hornbill Festival is usually held from December 1 to 10. To experience the best of this northeastern province, pack your bags, book your flight, and head. for his capital Kohima.

For more than ten days, the Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima is the main event that showcases the culture, art, and food of all Naga tribes. The stalls are called “morungs,” named after each Naga tribe and you can hop from one to the other to taste their food and pick up local delicacies like pork and soyabean pickles and processed goods.

Another thing to pick up is Naga coffee, which is not very popular but has a nice aroma. The middle floor is where dancing and other performances take place. All you need is to grab a seat in the open-air platform and enjoy the Naga cultural experience. Western music shows will also be held as part of the festival.

In the city of Kohima, what is known as the Night Bazaar is also worth a visit. If you are an adventurous eater, you can try some exotic items such as snails and fried silk, which you will get as a feast with the Night Bazaar. If you’re game, wash your meal down with a local rice beer, and you’ll have plenty to enjoy at the festival.

In addition to the Hornbill Festival, you can also book a cab and visit some of the most famous places in the city, such as the World War II cemetery, the museum, various churches, and local markets.

6. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

The ancient city of Khajuraho, in the Chattarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, is one of the most famous historical sites in India. Known for its beautiful temples and magnificent sculptures, Khajuraho is perfect for winter travel.

Built between 950 and 1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty, the site originally consisted of 85 temples spread over 20 sq km. Of these, only 25 mosques exist now, spread over 6 square kilometers. The temples of this Unesco World Heritage site are famous for their Nagara architectural style and erotic sculptures.

The churches are divided into three sections: East, West, and South. The Western group, with about 870 magnificent sculptures, includes the temples of Lakshmana, Matangeshwara, Varaha, Kandariya Mahadev, Chitragupta, Parvati, Vishwanatha, and Nandi.

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The Eastern group includes the Vamana, Javari, Parsvanatha, Adinatha, Santinatha, Ghantai, and Brahma temples. The Southern group includes the Duladeo and Chaturbhuja temples.

Apart from appreciating the amazing art of Khajuraho, you can also go on club trips to Panna National Park (96 km from Khajuraho), Raneh Falls (21 km), Pandav Falls (34 km), Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum (62 km), and the Jain Museum. (1 km).

7. Kolkata, West Bengal

If Durga Puja is a good time to visit the City of Joy, it’s Christmas-New Year. Kolkata may not be a Christian city, but nobody loves festivals better than Kolkatans! Regardless of religion, Kolkata knows how to party – and party hard. And the sign is at Bow Barracks and Park Street.

Kolkata’s Anglo-Indian barracks, Bow Barracks, usually come to life two days before Christmas between December 20 and 22. You can expect live music. open, house-made liquor, and delicious homemade snacks. above. It’s a breeze, and we promise you’ll want more.

On Christmas Eve, join thousands of Kolkatans at St. Paul’s Cathedral to attend Midnight Mass. And on Christmas Day, Park Street isn’t the only place for a carnival to remember. Kolkata’s most beautiful roads are lit up from end to end, with live music, delicious food, and endless fun.

Before you go, don’t forget to try the super fruit cake at Nahoum and Sons in New Market, something Kolkatans swear by this time of year. That is, if you don’t mind queuing for your cake for hours and then come back empty-handed!

8. Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

If you are in the mood for history and heritage this winter vacation, you can consider the Unesco World Heritage site of Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu.

It is a small town in the south-eastern part of the state, stretching between the Gulf and the Great Lakes, just 58km from Chennai. It was one of the two major cities during the Pallava reign in the Deccan from the 3rd to the 9th centuries. The city was named after the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, also known as Mamalla.

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Mahabalipuram is famous for its temples and monuments, especially the Shore Temple and the Pancha Rathas (five buildings built in the shape of chariots). The Shore Temple is a complex of three churches built in the 8th century.

Among the other famous places in Mahabalipuram are the Descent of the Ganga or Arjuna’s Penance, the Crocodile Farm, the cave temples, the Indian Seashell Museum, and the Krishna’s Butterball. You can also enjoy beach time at Kovalam or Sadras.