Still exploring the beauty that is India? There are a few more sites to add to your list of India’s most beautiful beaches before you return to your homeland. White sandy beaches? Check! Crystal clear waters? Check! The only thing missing right now is you, so make sure you head towards one of these amazing Indian beaches for even more fun in between sightseeing tours throughout the country.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The islands of Andaman and Nicobar are some of the most beautiful and unique in all of India. Here you’ll find beaches that are relatively untouched by modern civilization - on tropical islands where commercial beach resorts and damaging crowds are very few and far between. These secluded islands will afford you a number of opportunities to relax in solitude or, if you choose, get to know some of the area’s colorful marine life.

Some of the most popular beaches on the islands include:

• Radhnagar & Vijaynagar Beach - This beach is perfect for environmentalists looking to enjoy nature in a completely unpolluted environment.
• Karmatang Beach - Karmatang Beach is a great destination for those who want to get close to some of the area’s wildlife. The turtle nesting ground here is fighting against tourism for survival.
• Corbyn’s Cove And Chirya Tapu - These beaches are perfect for vacationers looking for a place to simply kick back, enjoy the sun, and bathe in the picturesque sea.

Gujarat Beaches

The beaches at Guajarat sit along what is known as the longest coastline in India. Start your journey here with a trip to the beaches on the island of Diu where you’ll enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery on the west coast of India. Head back over to the mainland for over 1,600 kilometers (approximately 994 miles) of warm sandy beaches, cliffs, and wildlife.

Some Gujarat Beach favorites include:

• Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach - This incredible beach is a popular spot for locals, tourists, and fishermen. Here you’ll have the opportunity to either participate in a number of different water sports or visit with some of the area’s local wildlife.
• Somnath & Veraval Beach ­- The beaches at Somnath & Veraval are home to one of the area’s most famous temples. The beaches, while wonderful, are part of a very busy resort town and commercial fishermen spend a great deal of time here as well.
• Gopnath Beach - Gopnath Beach is perhaps the most popular Gujarat Beach, serving as the summer vacation home for the royal family. The beach is surrounded by amazing cliffs, is home to some distinct species of bird life, and will offer you some of the most amazing views of the coast you’ll ever lay your eyes on.

Family Beach Destinations

If you’re traveling with children you’ll want to make a special effort to find some of the area’s most family friendly beaches. While it’s easy to book a room in a resort hotel you will find that there are dozens of other cheap hotels in India, many of which are within walking distance of the coasts and their beaches.

Not sure where to start? Begin by exploring some of the beaches in Mumbai. Here you’ll find several popular beach resorts on Marine Drive, Juhu, and Chowpatty Beach. All are located in safe areas and are the perfect place for you and your family to enjoy the waters by day and take leisurely walks on the beach under the evening moonlight.

The beaches near Orissa, featured in the first part of our journey, are also great for families. The beaches at Puri and Konark will afford you and your family the opportunity to not only relax in the sun but to visit some of India’s most important temples as well.

No matter where along India’s coasts you end up you’re bound to find at least a handful of beaches to keep you occupied throughout your journey. Make sure you leave some time in your busy schedule to relax and enjoy some of the beautiful coastlines Mother Nature has to offer in India!

Posted in India |

Indian food is quite popular outside the subcontinent. Several  cities all over the world now have Indian restaurants that serve Indian food which is almost as good if not better than the Indian food that is found in India itself. Given this wide ranging popularity of Indian food, it is rather surprising that  Indian sweets haven’t managed to secure the  kind of widespread appeal that dishes like ‘chicken tikka masala’ and ‘tandoori naan’ (the most ordered dishes in Indian restaurants anywhere) seem to enjoy.

One of the reasons for this according to me, is  that the quality and taste of these sweets  is very different outside the borders of the Indian subcontinent. Perhaps these differences stem from the ingredients which are used in the preparation of these sweets. Most Indian sweets are made with ample amounts of milk, ghee (clarified butter) and sugar. These ingredients though widely available outside India, have subtle differences in taste and texture which perhaps contribute to the differences that arise in the finished product as well.

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Posted in Asia, Food, India |

A while back we uncovered some of the hidden gems along India’s coastlines in our post about India’s most beautiful beaches. Believe it or not, there are dozens of other beaches to choose from and we’re glad to let you know where some of them are located. Prepare yourself for more fun in the sun and sand as you explore the east and west coasts of what can only be described as a diverse and eclectic continent!

Lakshadweep Island Beaches

The Lakshadweep Island area, also known as “the Laccadives,” consists of a group of 36 small islands scattered throughout the Arabian Sea. Only 10 of the islands are populated and a mere two are open to the public to enjoy. The beaches on Bangaram and Kadmat are especially popular and the shores and lagoons off of the islands are a much sought after destination for divers looking to enjoy exotic wildlife. Visitors to both islands enjoy not only diving but wind surfing and kayaking as well.

Maharashtra Beaches

The state of Maharashtra is littered with incredible beaches and resorts. Maharashtra is not only well known for its beaches but for its heritage and history as well. Visitors often enjoy tours of the coastal forts found in the area as well as their time spent on the beaches.

Image Credit: Gauravonomics

Some of the most popular beaches in Maharashtra include:

• Madh Island Beach - Madh Island Beach is a hot destination for those who love throwing beach parties and picnics. Set in an urban area, the sandy beaches are littered with incredible bungalows where visitors traveling from Mumbai and the surrounding areas can relax in between parties.
• Juhu Beach - Juhu Beach is considered amongst the largest beaches along the Arabian Sea and is always packed with visiting tourists. The beach is considered one of the best places for those visiting the city of Mumbai to hang out.



• Baseein - The beach at Baseein is a historic destination, known for being the location where the Marathas defeated the Portuguese. This beautiful beach, which was once a shipbuilding area, is considered one of the best places to go when one wants to simply get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Tamil Nadu Beaches

Tamil Nadu is the southernmost state in India and every beach has its own form of elegance and charm. Some of the beaches are great for simple relaxation while others are hot spots for movie shoots, surfing, or boating.

What beaches in Tamil Nadu should you visit?

• Marina Beach - In the Chennai section of the state you’ll find Marina Beach. This particular beach is thought to be the second longest in the world and its golden sands and incredible surf draw tourists from around the world.

• Elliot’s Beach - Elliot’s Beach is a hot destination for those who’d like to catch a glimpse of some of India’s hottest stars. If a movie is set in Tamil Nadu you are almost guaranteed to see a scene being shot on this beach.



• Kanyakumari Beach­- Kanyakumari Beach sits in a unique location where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean all meet. This astounding site is an incredibly romantic place to catch the sun either as it rises or sets.

Pondicherry Beaches

The beaches at Pondicherry are some of the most serene and relaxing in all of India. On these beaches you’re more likely to see individuals and families relaxing in the sand and water than you are to see lively parties that last long into the night.

Image credit: Melanie-m

Some of the best beaches in Pondicherry are:

• Serenity Beach - Serenity Beach is true to its name. The warm sands will welcome you after you take a quick swim in the beautiful turquoise waters. Relax in the sun or in the shade - it’s up to you.
• Karaikal Beach- Karaikal Beach is popular amongst those looking to enjoy some quiet time on the water. You’ll often find kayaks and canoes dotting the shoreline. This beach is a bit more active - often hosting small volleyball games or welcoming fisherman looking to grab their next big catch.



• Plage Paradiso - Plage Paradiso, also known as Paradise Beach, is an amazing destination for those looking to enjoy a real tropical experience. Take a short cruise out into the ocean and you’re destined to see some of the area’s dolphin population at play as you soak in the warm sun.

India’s beaches are some of the cleanest and most refreshing in the world. Make sure you ask the concierge at your hotel in India where the closet beach is.  You’ll find that the trip is well worth the extra effort.

Posted in India |

Feeling sun-deprived? Believe it or not, both the East and West coasts of India are littered with beautiful beaches. On the West Coast you’ll find the Arabian Sea while on the East Cost you’ll find the Bay of Bengal. Each coastline is full of picturesque beaches, spectacular sea resorts, and incredible vacation opportunities.

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Posted in India |

Despite what the movie Slumdog Millionaire shows, not all of India is swamped in squalor. After all, what other country boasts of a train ride fit for a majarajah? The Palace on Wheels combines at least three things that India is renowned for: the world’s largest rail network, the elite lifestyle of its former monarchs, and the rich heritage of buildings and structures still existing today. Following the trail of history in Delhi, Rajasthan and Agra, this touring carriage is reserved only for those visitors with simple needs: only the best will do for them.

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Posted in India, Transportation |

As the month of March gives way to the month of  April, people who live in countries which have long hard winters usually look forward to the advent of the season of spring with much eagerness. However in India, it is not the change of season that excites the populace during this period, for the Indian subcontinent located as it is in the tropics doesn’t really experience the drastic change in seasons as do other countries. All over India and especially in the country’s financial capital of Mumbai, people eagerly look forward to the end of the month of March as it heralds in the Indian mango season which usually extends until the end of May and early June.

Indians are extremely fond of the this juicy and heavenly fruit which appears only for three months of the year ,when the many mango trees whose long and narrow shiny leaves are otherwise used as accouterments in Indian  religious ceremonies get heavy with their precious bounty. India is the world’s largest producer of mangoes and it produces many varieties of this soft and juicy delight which is absolutely adored by much of its population.
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Posted in Food, India |

Danny Boyle’s Academy-Award winning film, Slumdog Millionaire, has been garnering both praise and controversy for his outsider’s view of Mumbai, a city that has been portrayed in urban squalor, yet full of the hopes and dreams of millions of Indians. This sudden worldwide attention to the mega-city, the 4th largest in the world in terms of  population, has even sparked a boom in what is being called poorism: a subset of urban adventuring where backpackers are taken by local guides to what one Slumdog Millionaire character called “the real India”: a place where extreme poverty and inner-city survival mesh to create moving scenes of humanity. One of these poorism tours focuses on Dhavari, a district in the central suburb of Mahim that is Asia’s biggest slum, with around 1 million residents. Visitors can pass through homes where families to make a living making clay pots or recycling the city’s wastes, and a children’s shelter, one of many in the area.

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Posted in Guides, India |

Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and the favorite summer destination of the British Raj a century ago. It is a hill station, a community located far above sea level, allowing it to remain cool during the blistering dry season heat. Shimla is notable for its tudorbethan and neo-gothic style of architecture, a heritage from its colonial days. The Viceroy, his administration, and their wives and children, would take the trouble to move from Calcutta to this wondrous community every year, and tourists still do so today, to soak in the cool weather in the summer and relish in winter activities six months later.

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Posted in Attractions, India |

Dehli is one of the oldest cities in India. So old, in fact, that it could have already been considered ancient when the British got around to discovering it. The city, once coveted by Asian rulers, now leaves behind a legacy that speaks volumes - if only you could hear it above the contemporary roar.

Image credit: Stuck in Customs

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Posted in India |

The beach front paradise of Goa is located on the Western coast of India. Goa is the smallest state India and the coastal state has a natural border in the form of the Arabian Sea. Goa has long 105 km coastline that is made up of many simmering sand beaches and quaint villages which are surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. The state is often referred to as India’s  Sunshine state as the Goan people who live here are generally  happy laid back folk  who believe in enjoying life while following a philosophy of ‘Sosegad’ . The word ‘Sosegad’ is derived from the Portuguese word ‘Socegado’ meaning tranquility. It is fitting that the Goans should follow this policy as Goa was a Portuguese colony for nearly four centuries.

Goa became a haunt of the hippies and the flower children in the 1960’s as they reveled in the tranquil atmosphere of this congenial state where the sun always shone and the beach sands glistened in the cool sea breeze. These hippies with their liberal care-free lives and their ideals of free love often scandalized the locals but over time they got accustomed to them so much so that some old hippies in fact settled down  in Goa.  They can now sometimes be seen at Goa’s famed Anjuna flea market which is held every Wednesday at the beach town of Anjuna. The flea market   is a major tourist attraction as it attracts traders from all over India who congregate at the flea market to sell their wares which include mirror work embellished apparel, brass ware, glassware, silver jewelry and much more.
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Posted in India, Things to do |