15 Places To Visit In India In December

Courtesy:http://www.holidify.com/blog/places-to-visit-in-india-in-december/

While snow claims India’s northern bits, the sun lulls its beaches, its southern outlines acquire an effortless charm and the plains get used to a much awaited extra layer of clothes, the Indian Peninsula enters one of the best seasons to travel here. Here are 15 places to visit in India in december  and a month marked by a string of holidays, itching your feet to get out and travel.

Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha

1. Konark, Odisha

A December festival with the Sun temple in the backdrop

While Konark is identified by the Sun temple located here, December in Konark is better known as hosts to an annual dance festival by the name of Konark Dance Festival. The temple, each and every structure and element that it finds itself adorned by, together with a celebration of the classical dances, leaves few better specimens of classical Indian arts and culture. Definitely a must visit place in India in December. While in Konark, don’t miss a stroll on a pristine stretch of golden sands, the Konark beach.

2. Patnitop, Jammu and Kashmir

Wide views of white in December

Patnitop. Source

What is known for its parks, valleys, views and nature walks in summers turns into one of the best paragliding and skiing destination in India in December. One of the most popular hill resorts in Jammu and Kashmir, Patnitop is located in Udhampur and is surrounded by beautiful coniferous forests and snow capped mountains of the Pir Panjal range. The calm and serene atmosphere of this place offers a perfect relaxing getaway. Its slope as modest as the town itself, Patnitop is equally enjoyable for first timers, especially in December with a number of setups and ski courses coming up during the winter months.

3. Ranthambore, Rajasthan

Place to Spot tigers in December in India

Ranthambore: Source

One of the best tiger reserves of India, Ranthambore finds itself all the more welcoming in December with the pleasant drop in the temperature. A region known for being the richest centers of flora and fauna, a dreamy terrain amidst the Vindhya and Aravalli, this one also houses the Ranthambore Fort in the reserve. Apart from being the home of the endangered tiger, several other animal species are found here such as the wild cats, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, Indian foxes, crocodiles and jackals. Compared to other tiger reserves, chances of tiger spotting are relatively higher at Ranthambore.

4. Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Places to visit in India in December

A city of churches, temples and beaches in south India

Chennai, Source

A growing city with a sleepless nightlife, this one effortlessly breathes in December with its humid summers long forgotten, Chennai becomes an amazing place to visit in India in December. Under Chennai’s metropolitan charm with a rich heritage in the backdrop, churches marking its maps and beaches tantalizing its fast moving life. While here do not miss its temples and their elaborate and intricate architecture and the very famous Vandalur Zoo. Something else that Chennai is famous for, is the Marina Beach, which is the longest beach in India. Watching the sunset at Marina Beach is truly an amazing experience altogether.

5. Murudeshwar, Karnataka

Land of Shiva and Scuba in India

Murudeshwar, Land of Scuba and Shiva – Source

A small temple town located on the western coast of India in the state of Karnataka, Murudeshwar is marked by the second highest Shiva statue in the world. This structure watches over the sea and all that’s around and is worth the sprain in the neck. Murudeshwar in December is also surprisingly a venue for Scuba Diving. With its scuba diving facilities active during a few months, head to the city in December, to see the most of all that’s below its seas. It’s golden history, scenic beauty and calm, serene environment, makes it one of the places to visit in India in December.

6. Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Place to Spot rhinos in india in December

Kaziranga National Park (Source)

Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India and a well known, protected animal reserve. It is known for housing more than half of the world’s one horned rhinoceros and that’s not even it. It is also an important tiger reserve, with a large density of tigers present within the national park. Apart from these animals, there are also leopards, foxes, deer, flying squirrels, pelicans, hornbill and plenty of other floral and faunal speices, which would more than make up for a pretty exciting and enjoyable trip. One of India’s most bio-diverse regions, this place comes alive in December.

7. Thrissur, Kerala

Of Temples and Festivals in December

Thrissur- cultural capital of Kerala: Source

Located in south India and also known to be the official cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur has countless festivals on its calenders and countless temples on its maps. Spend a December, under its pleasant weather, in a hub of classical Keralan arts and culture. Several efforts have been made by the people living here to promote the dying Keralan performing arts and cultural activities. One can learn a lot about the ancient practice of Ayurveda over here as well. Also on its itineraries are falls, a zoo, a dam, gardens and a river.

8. Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, Source

One of the oldest cities in India, historically significant and well known for it’s heritage, arts and culture, Lucknow is one of the most popular tourist cities in North India. Food, Architecture, Heritage, a ‘Nawabi’ old world charm or your shopping spree- there are one too many reasons to spend your winters in Lucknow. One of the most pleasant months to visit the city, the weather in December lets you enjoy the most of hopping form one market to another, Mughlai Cuisine or a heritage walk through its monuments.

9. Mangalore, Karnataka

A December at the beach

Mangalore beach and lighthouse: Source

With all the hustle bustle that it has managed to gather around itself, Mangalore still finds time for and has at its heart its beaches. An important port city of Karnataka, Mangalore is an ideal weekend getaway from Bangalore and several other places in Karnataka. It also very famous for it’s scenic beauty, and hence is considered to be a nature lover’s paradise. The blue waters of the Arabian sea, the picturesque hills of the western ghats and the Portugese influence which can be seen in the red roofed houses, all add to the loveliness of this small town. If your idea of December holidays is to laze and go back with a perfect tan, Mangalore is your pleasant surprise.

10. Goa: Places to visit in India in December

EDM and Partayyyy

Sunburn festival, Goa

This list of places to visit in India in December would be incomplete without adding Goa to it. December and Goa in the same sentence could only end with the SUNBURN festival. Electronic Dance Music, with Goa’s own charm, head to this bit of trance, and party your way all the way to the New Years. Goa is easily one of the best places in India to spend the year end. And obviously, the laid back atmoshphere, the numerous beaches, the yummiest of seafood and the booze, all make Goa an ideal place to visit. To know more, you can read Visiting Goa in December.

11. Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

Temples, Caves, Beaches and Crocodiles

The Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu (Source)

Earlier known as Mamallapuram, Mahabalipuram is one of the most popular and beautiful destinations located in the Southern part of India. Famous for its elaborately carved, intricate temples and rock cut caves, Mahabalipuram is a real treat to visit in India in December. The local made handicrafts and curios also add to it’s splendour. With its wide and pristine white sandy beaches, the cool casuaraina trees, along with the pleasant and cool temperature that the state acquires by this time of the year, Mahabalipuram is definitely one of the places to visit in India in December.

12. Kutch, Gujarat

A bit less ordinary December

A Collage of Kutch

An expanse of white sands for most parts of the year, Kutch transforms into a center of celebration, festivity, countless tints, arts and culture in December as it hosts its grand Rann Mahotsav. While the summers at Rann are extremely hot and unbearable, winters are quite cool with temperatures sometimes falling as low as 0 degrees! Visit this moon like desert of India in December for an extraordinary experience that will continue to charm you for much longer. The Rann Utsav will only add to the mesmerizing feel and experience while there.

13. Jodhpur, Rajasthan

The Blue City.

Umaid Bhavan, Jodhpur (Source)

View of Himalayas from Auli (Source)

Famously known as the “Blue City”, Jodhpur is one of the most popular tourist places in Rajasthan. Having a rich and vivid culture and history, one can find numerous forts, palaces and temples here. They’re very appealing aesthetically and are popular among the locals and tourists. In December, the weather becomes considerably cooler and much more pleasant than the usual aridity, thus making it a perfect winter destination.

14. Auli, Uttarakhand

Himalayas from Auli (Source)

Winter and snow always go hand in hand, and what’s a better place to find both in December than in Auli? Renowned for being the skiing destination of India, it’s flocked by tourists from within the country and from abroad as well. December is the best time to be here due to the amount of snowfall which takes place. So have snowball fights, indulge in some skiing and other adventure sports, or relax and taken in the scenic views of the Himalays from your resort. Whatever you do, you’re in for the time of your life.

15. Kohima, Nagaland

Hornbill Festival, Kohima, Nagaland (Source)

Break the trend of going to conventional places and plan a trip to the North East. Nagaland is one of the best places to visit in December in India, especially in the North East. The very famous Hornbill festival occurs during this time and hence it would be really wise for you to visit this amazing place at the same time. Traditional dances, folk songs and theatrical performances are held, which will make you fall in love with the local culture. Also, bands from all over the country perform at the Hornbill Rock Festival, which happens at the same time. Wouldn’t want to miss that, would you?

Courtesy:http://www.holidify.com/blog/places-to-visit-in-india-in-december/