The month of October kicks off the official tourism season in India as the weather becomes cool and pleasant across the country and remains the same till the end of March. Starting this month, tourists swarm to the best of the best travel destinations in the country with their family and friends for vacations. If you too have similar plans, then we suggest you to take a look at our list of 10 places to visit in October and to plan your vacations accordingly:
Places to Visit in October:
1. Agra
Agra, located on the banks of the Yamuna River, is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World – Taj Mahal, which has put the city’s name on the list of every ardent traveler in the world. The beauty of this monument is far from being expressed in words; it can only be witnessed and admired. October presents the ideal weather to explore this fine piece of architecture and many such remarkable Mughal structures dotted in and around the city.
Places to visit in Agra: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, Chini-ka-Rauza and Akbar’s Tomb
Things to do in Agra: Relish some authentic Mughlai delicacies; go on a shopping spree at Raja ki Mandi, Sadar Bazaar or Kinari Bazaar; enjoy a fine light and sound show at Agra Fort and take a trip to Fatehpur Sikri
2. Kolkata
October is probably the most awaited month for the people of Kolkata as festivities take centre stage with ‘Durga Pujo’. There is happiness on everyone’s face and sparkle in the eyes as they get ready to welcome their revered deity – Goddess Durga. The festivities go on for a week or so and the whole city comes to life with families hopping from one spectacularly decorated Puja pandal to the other to take blessings from Maa Durga. Come to Kolkata in October to witness this grand celebration, and you will be utterly impressed!
Places to visit in Kolkata: Victoria Memorial, Kalighat, Nicco Park, Alipore Zoo, Dakshineswar Temple, Kalighat Kali Temple, Indian Museum, Eco Park Princep Ghat and Belur Math
Things to do in Kolkata: Attend Durga Pujo festivities, shop till you drop at New Market, enjoy a day at the wonderful Science City and gorge on mouth-watering Bengali dishes, especially sweets
3. Rishikesh
If both sightseeing and adventure is on your mind, then coming to Rishikesh in October can be the best choice. The holy city of Rishikesh is home to several revered temples, ghats and the famous – Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula. Considered as the Yoga Capital of India, Rishikesh also offers different avenues for adventure junkies – white river rafting, bunjee jumping, zip lining and camping along the shores of the gushing river Ganga.
Places to visit in Rishikesh: Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Neer Garh Waterfall, Triveni Ghat, Rishi Kund, Beatles Ashram and Swarg Ashram
Things to do in Rishikesh: Camp at Shivpuri, go for exciting white water rafting and get your adrenaline pumping with bunjee jumping and zip lining at Jumpin Heights
4. Hampi
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi in Karnataka – once home to the erstwhile Vijaynagar Kingdom – is famous for its ruins of monolithic structures, temples and monuments. The Hindu architectural style of these historic structures is worth witnessing, especially that of Virupaksha Temple, which is devoted to the patron deity of the kingdom. You can plan a trip to this city if you seek a bit of solitude and love exploring historical buildings.
Places to visit in Hampi: Vijaya Vittala Temple, Sri Virupaksha Temple, Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex, Hanuman Temple, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Riverside Ruins and Queen’s Bath
Things to do in Hampi: Shop at Hampi Bazaar, trek to Matanga Hill, explore the Archaeological Museum and enjoy scenic views of Tungabhadra River from Tungabhadra Dam
5. Pachmarhi
.
Fondly called as the ‘Satpura ki Rani’ – Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh – is one of the scenic hill stations of India. As per legends, during their exile, the Pandavas had lived on the hills of Pachmarhi. In 1857, a British officer by the name Captain James Forsyth discovered this scenic region and since then it has caught the eye of every avid traveler to Madhya Pradesh. The Pachmarhi Hills offer the chance of exploring the mystical caves of Pandavas, visiting some locally revered temples and indulging in adventure activities, for which the place has made a name for itself in recent years.
Places to visit in Pachmarhi: Jata Shankar Caves, Pandava Caves, Rajat Prapat Waterfall, Handi Khoh, Dhoopgarh, Mahadeo Hills, Chhota Mahadeo, Chauragarh Temple
Things to do in Pachmarhi: Enjoy adventure rides at Handi Khoh, witness wildlife at Satpura National Park, indulge in parasailing and zip lining at Satpura Adventure Club and go on an adventurous waterfall trekking mission at Apsara Falls
6. Bir Billing
Bir Billing is probably among the most sought-after destinations in the country for adventure sports. This small town in Himachal Pradesh has etched its name on the world map as the venue for the World Paragliding Championship, which is held generally in the month of October. This is the time when the weather suits perfectly for paragliding and other adventure sports, and hence, you can see people flocking to this small town during this month. Apart from this, Bir is also popular as an important centre for meditation and spiritual studies, with large part of its population belonging to the Tibetan community.
Places to visit in Bir Billing: Bir Tea Factory, Sherab Ling Monastery, Deer Park Institute, Chokling Monastery, Drukpa Kagyu Monastery and Bajinath Temple
Things to do in Bir Billing: Immerse yourself in the fun of paragliding and hang gliding, go on a shopping spree at Bir Road, trek in the mountains of Bir and enjoy a toy train ride to explore Bir