Here are eight such natural wonders of India that will surely take your breath away.
1. Magnetic Hill What if we told you about a place in Ladakh where your vehicle will go uphill even if the engine is turned off? Also called ‘Mystery Hill’, the 30 km stretch defies gravity by way of strong magnetic forces that pull vehicles uphill.
A local myth termed the road as one that led to heaven, going on to add that only the deserving were pulled uphill.
2. Valley of Flowers As the name suggests, this wonder is home to a wide variety of flowers, such as orchids, poppies, marigolds, daisies, etc. Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, the park is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers many treks in the region.
3. Gurudongmar Lake Situated at an elevation of 17,800 ft above sea level in Sikkim’s Mangan district, this pristine lake is a source of water for nearby villages.
A compelling fact is that even when the temperature goes as low as 30 degrees Celsius, parts of the lake do not freeze. Uncovering the reason behind this is a legend that says the locals pleaded with Guru Padmasambhava, who was returning from Tibet, to solve their water woes. Moved by their plea, he touched the lake with his walking stick. And since then parts of the lake do not freeze.
4. Laitlum Canyon The word Laitlum means ‘end of the hills’, and the canyons live up to this description. Often compared to the Scottish Highlands, the canyon in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya is full of picturesque views of sunsets, and lush green vegetation. You can trek to the top, visit the nearby village of Ra Song, and stand on the wooden bridge above the magnificent Laitlum river.
5. Hogenakkal Falls Located in Tamil Nadu’s Dharmapuri district and just a five-hour drive from Bengaluru, Hogenakkal falls offers beautiful scenery and great freshly cooked fish. The locals believe that the water has magical properties that not only wash away your health issues but also your sins.
6. Lonar Lake Lonar Lake or Lonar Crater is located in Maharashtra’s Buldhana District. It was created by a meteorite collision over 50,000 years ago and has been identified as a geo-heritage monument with saline and alkaline water.
7. Chitrakote Waterfalls Also known as ‘Mini Niagara Falls’ of India, Chitrakote falls are considered to be the broadest waterfalls in the country. It is located 38 km from Jagdalpur in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, on the Indravati river. It is in the shape of a horseshoe and offers majestic views.
8. St Mary's Island Popularly known as ‘coconut island’, this is a group of four small islands in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Malpe in Udupi, Karnataka. They are famous for their white sand beaches and crystallised basalt rock formations, which were created at the time Madagascar Island was separated from India.