Celebrate the season of joy: Must-visit destinations this monsoon

By Rashmi Hemrajani

India wears a beautiful mask of beauty, serenity and tranquillity during the monsoon season be it a city, town or a rural area. Here are some of the must-visit destinations this monsoon:

- Shillong receives heaviest rainfall during the monsoon season and the rain usually lasts longer than rest of India. Cherrapunji and Mawsynram located at 16 kms from each other are the two wettest places in the world with an annual rainfall of 11,872 millimetres. Shillong is surrounded by picturesque valleys of Khasi and Jayanti Hills, adorned by numerous waterfalls and offer a panoramic view of green natural scenery

- Ooty is known as the Queen of Hill Stations and it will charm tourists with her stunning scenery during the monsoons.

- A vacation in Puducherry will be sheer bliss in this monsoons. It is an experience to walk on wet cobbled streets and pass through bougainvillea-draped colonial-era townhouses in the French colony.

- Our readers have also shared some interesting and lesser-known destinations. So we suggest, don't put your travel plans on hold this season.

CITY LOVE

Region: Chennai

As the rains fall pitter patter on the windowsills it's time to witness Tamil Nadu in it's glory and gaiety. Tourists head to The Marina Beach in Chennai, regarded as the second largest in the world in terms of area. There are so many memorials of great leaders built on this beach. During the monsoons, the dark grey clouds along with green waters create a beautiful canvas that set the mood to welcome the rains.

QUICK GETAWAYS

Kanchipuram is also known as the Silk City, apart from the gorgeous traditionally crafted silk sarees, the city is also known for its temples. Tourists can also headto the Vedanthangla Bird Sanctuary, a bird watcher's paradise. This sanctuary also gets many migratory birds during the monsoons.

Biligiriranga Hills is nestled at the convergence of the Western and Eastern Ghats in Karnataka. These hills are home to some of the most diverse flora and fauna, there is an abundance of biodiversity that hills flaunt, its green thickets are also home to the Soliga Tribe. The temple of Lord Rangaswamy, the BR hills tiger reserve, the Jenukurba and Soliga tribal hamlets are some of the must-visit places. Tourists can trek, spot rare birds, go mountain biking in the hills.

DID YOU KNOW?

Make sure you visit some of the greener areas of Chennai such as IIT Campus, Annanagar, Thiru Vee Ka Park zone, part of Kilpauk, towards Ormes Road and Bain School.



CYCLING MOOD: Hop on a bicycle and ride in and around Chennai.




Get on the Marina Beach in Chennai to enjoy the beautiful melody of grey skies and clear waters.