Our finest selection of India’s hidden travel gems — Part 2
We’re giving the people what they want!
Since our piece on our favourite lesser known destinations got such a lovely reception from all of you, here’s a couple more boxes to tick off your ultimate post-covid travel list!
Catch up on the first part if you haven’t already, or just dive right into our freshest picks.
The haunted haveli to end all haunted havelis, Bhangarh Fort — Rajasthan
Fancy a vacay that would send chills down your spine?
Say no more because we have a couple nights’ stay in Rajasthan’s Bhangarh Fort lined up just for you. Considered by locals to be one of India’s classic haunted spots, the fort is steeped in folklore that adds an element of thrill to what is already a hauntingly beautiful structure.
A flourishing town of ancient times, it is believed that the Fort was built by Madho Singh, one of Emperor Akbar’s navaratnas. The construction was approved by the ascetic Guru Balu Nath, who warned the king that the shadow from the fort should not fall on his house or a great tragedy would befall the residents of the village. The king agreed to these conditions and stuck to them. However, one of his successors fortified the fort, the shadow of which fell on the ascetic’s house.
Take this next part with a pinch of salt but, according to legend, the entire village of almost 10,000 residents was deserted almost overnight! If that isn’t a tale worthy of a scream or two…
To this day, people have been reported missing while last seen wandering the premises, possibly a reason why foreign travellers need to get a special permit simply to enter the fort.
If the supernatural is not your cup of tea, there’s still so much Bhangarh has on offer. Remember to do your research before just landing up though, because the Archaeological Society of India has restricted entry to the fort between sunrise and sunset.
Shack up for the night in an igloo in Sethan Valley — Himachal Pradesh
The famous igloos of the Arctic have laid out welcome mats for you and your travel buddies in the Sethan valleys of Himachal Pradesh. The phrase “one-of-a-kind” gets thrown about a lot, but there’s no denying that spending a week in an igloo is more than worthy of such a title.
Experience the ins and outs of what it is like to live inside a house of ice. Begin your days basking in the frigid beauty of Manali as it unfolds around you, armed with mugs of hot chai and scrumptious meals, and turn your gaze skyward as the light filters out of the day, stargazing late into the night.
Add to this the opportunity to engage in unique activities such as snowboarding and skiing, and this is an experience that you definitely don’t want to miss out on! A note to keep in mind is that the bright sunshine of the summer months, ideal holiday weather though they may be, cause the ice igloos to melt. Plan your trip between the months of January and mid-March to make the most of the icy spectacles.
Ogle at Curdi, the infamous disappearing village — Goa
There’s a high chance you’ve never heard of Goa in any context other than beaches, parties and Bollywood holiday homes. That’s all about to change. The coastal nook is home to what’s fondly known as the “disappearing village,” and it’s an apt nickname.
Every May, Curdi, the mystical village, peeps out of the waters for just a bit before returning to its usual state of submersion.
Once home to a full village of inhabitants, Curdi’s resurfacing always attracts a horde of its previous settlers who celebrate the appearance of their dear home with a full-blown commemoration. Marked as one of the region’s prominent festivals, all you need to do is imagine the 600 odd displaced families coming together to reminisce about their ancestral land to get the fervour that accompanies this celebration.
Caused by the construction of Goa’s first dam, the Curdi phenomenon is one that invites even locals to return to it every year. It’s well worth a visit, even if just to marvel at the mechanics of it all.
Live exorcisms at Mehendipur Balaji Temple, anyone? — Rajasthan
We started off this list with a travel experience to curdle your blood, so it is only fitting that we end on a chilling note as well. The Mehendipur Balaji Temple in Rajasthan is famous for the, wait for it, live exorcisms that take place within its premises.
Located around 200 kilometres away from Delhi in the inlands of Rajasthan, the Dausa district seems close enough to the city to be like any other North Indian holiday experience but don’t be fooled by outward appearances. It’s very likely that you will see people chained up, muttering incomprehensible words to themselves and doing things that seem like they would normally require medical attention.
If these descriptions have not deterred you but have, to the contrary, only stoked your intrigue, head right over without a second thought! It’s just your kind of adrenaline rush.
Send in your own recommendations if you have any in mind and let us know if you try any of ours out! We’d love to hear what you think of them. As always, reach out whenever you’re planning your next sojourn and we can handle all the tedious logistical work, leaving you to just have the time of your life. Drop us a mail at stay@unhotel.in anytime!
