Top 10 Important Places to Travel in India Where Tranquility is Redefined
![10 Places Where Tranquility is Redefined]()
One of the important reasons to travel is to be away from the madding crowds and stresses of urban life, and find some peace. Fortunately, there are still enough spots on this planet, and in India, where tranquility can be redefined. Head to these to be with yourself, and to admire Nature and its bountiful ways.
1. Abbott Mount, Uttarakhand
![10 Places Where Tranquility is Redefined]()
This place was discovered by Britisher John Abbott (whose descendants now live in Jhansi) in the pre-independence era and he decided to name the hill after himself. He built 13 cottages here and some of these still survive. Panorama takes a new meaning as you treat yourself to views of peaks like Trishul, Nanda Kot, Nanda Ghunti and the Nanda Devi spanning in an arc in front of you across a valley. This is the place where you just walk around amidst the woods with no traffic or sounds, sip tea with clouds below and watch beautiful sunsets. There is a church built in 1942, locked now, where prayers are supposedly still held once or twice a year.
2. Shoja, Himachal Pradesh
![10 Places Where Tranquility is Redefined]()
Located near Kullu, the 38 km approach from Aut to Shoja is lined with apple orchards and exotic flower bearing flora. Once there, you will have to pinch yourself to believe the silence and beauty is for real. A part of the Great Himalayan National Park, sit back and enjoy the views or head out for hikes. It often rains in the afternoons, best enjoyed over tea and pakoras.
3. Mokokchung, Nagaland
![10 Places Where Tranquility is Redefined]()
Nagaland is rightly called the land of the misty mountains. And Mokokchung, home to Ao Nagas, is just the place to see it for yourself. Explore and find your spot in this area. Visit Longkhum nearby - locals believe you leave your soul here the first time you visit and must return to get it back. On Sunday, join the locals for Mass in the Baptist church. Or saunter about the spotlessly clean village chatting with the residents, chasing their chickens. Don’t miss out on Mopungchuket model village where the classic romance of poor boy Jena and rich girl Etiben played out. Forced to marry someone else, Etiben starved herself to death. Grief struck, Jena kept playing his flute till he too was heard of no more. The village has a beautiful lake with a rope bridge.
4. Triund, Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh
![10 Places Where Tranquility is Redefined]()
Triund happens suddenly. One moment you are puffing up a steep, rocky path with only a mountain wall to your left and a forested valley to the right to be seen. And then, with one last step where the path takes a sharp turn, you are upon a green meadow at 2842.26 metres (9326 ft) above sea level, surrounded by snow capped peaks of the Dhauladhar range, all seemingly an arm’s length away. And when you step into Triund, there is no option but to pause. Partly to catch your breath, and mostly to absorb what is clearly a breathtaking sight. If there is a seventh heaven, you can be sure you have left even that behind. The feeling is one of being on top of the world, surrounded by ranges even higher than where you stand.
5. Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
![10 Places Where Tranquility is Redefined]()
A four-hour mountain drive from Itanagar takes you to Ziro valley, the most picturesque and culturally rich region of Arunachal Pradesh. It is home to the Apatani tribe. It is a society in transition, where the traditional lives in harmony with the modern. With limited transport access, Ziro will retain its tranquility for a long time to come.
6. Komic Village, Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
![10 Places Where Tranquility is Redefined]()
The world is full hidden wonders and events – wish there was a way of knowing about them. One such is the Komic Monastery and its annual festival – one that no one will tell you about until you probe. And even when you know about it, you will not find it easy to get there. Komic village is located at an altitude of 4,513 metres (14,806 feet) in the cold desert of Spiti in the Indian Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. The monastery is one of the highest in the world at 4,587 metres (15,049 feet). The monastery itself is small, but its setting is very picturesque. All around you only see snow capped peaks and skies with hues of blue no artist can replicate. The population of Komic village is only 114 (in 2010) – the love for one’s land can make people survive in any condition. And still put on a happy face!
7. Ken River, Panna National Park, Madhya Pradesh
![10 Places Where Tranquility is Redefined]()
If you are looking for tranquility, take a row boat ride on the Ken River at Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh. No amount of words and images can make up for the real experience of being there. The river and the air are as clean as they can get, the bird life in the river will enthrall you, the landscapes will mesmerize you and the calm will captivate you.
8. Chambal River, Uttar Pradesh
![10 Places Where Tranquility is Redefined]()
If the Ken river is not enough for you, go for a ride along the Chambal River - just an hour from the Taj Mahal in Agra. Another of those pristine and beautiful spots on this planet, you will be in the company of Ghariyals, Crocodiles, Turtles and scores of species of birds. All adding to make for a heavenly experience.
9. Munnar, Kerala
![10 Places Where Tranquility is Redefined]()
Rolling hills, temperate weather, tea estates, wildlife - and cut off from much of what ails this world. That's Munnar for you in Kerala. Where you can find your own peace in a green world under the open blue skies - all over a cuppa.
10. Osian, Rajasthan
![10 Places Where Tranquility is Redefined]()
Few will recommend you to go to Osian, a couple of hours from Jodhpur in Rajasthan, in the middle of the Thar desert. Check into one of the many camps here, and take a morning drive in the desert like I did. The air was crisp and fresh, with no sounds, literally. No birds, no pumps, no vehicles. And then I was surprised by the silhouette of a Nilgai (Antelope or Indian Blue Bull) a few feet to my left when I was least expecting anyone. True to its nature, it scurried away behind bushes and rocks as I slowed down for a closer look. A little ahead, I saw a group of the beautiful and gentle Chinkaras, Rajasthan’s state animal, out for breakfast. And the magic took on new hues with the sun rising in my face. The golden light lit up the fields and the landscape, and the Chinkaras (Gazelles) too. Beat this.
One of the important reasons to travel is to be away from the madding crowds and stresses of urban life, and find some peace. Fortunately, there are still enough spots on this planet, and in India, where tranquility can be redefined. Head to these to be with yourself, and to admire Nature and its bountiful ways.
1. Abbott Mount, Uttarakhand
This place was discovered by Britisher John Abbott (whose descendants now live in Jhansi) in the pre-independence era and he decided to name the hill after himself. He built 13 cottages here and some of these still survive. Panorama takes a new meaning as you treat yourself to views of peaks like Trishul, Nanda Kot, Nanda Ghunti and the Nanda Devi spanning in an arc in front of you across a valley. This is the place where you just walk around amidst the woods with no traffic or sounds, sip tea with clouds below and watch beautiful sunsets. There is a church built in 1942, locked now, where prayers are supposedly still held once or twice a year.
2. Shoja, Himachal Pradesh
Located near Kullu, the 38 km approach from Aut to Shoja is lined with apple orchards and exotic flower bearing flora. Once there, you will have to pinch yourself to believe the silence and beauty is for real. A part of the Great Himalayan National Park, sit back and enjoy the views or head out for hikes. It often rains in the afternoons, best enjoyed over tea and pakoras.
3. Mokokchung, Nagaland
Nagaland is rightly called the land of the misty mountains. And Mokokchung, home to Ao Nagas, is just the place to see it for yourself. Explore and find your spot in this area. Visit Longkhum nearby - locals believe you leave your soul here the first time you visit and must return to get it back. On Sunday, join the locals for Mass in the Baptist church. Or saunter about the spotlessly clean village chatting with the residents, chasing their chickens. Don’t miss out on Mopungchuket model village where the classic romance of poor boy Jena and rich girl Etiben played out. Forced to marry someone else, Etiben starved herself to death. Grief struck, Jena kept playing his flute till he too was heard of no more. The village has a beautiful lake with a rope bridge.
4. Triund, Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh
Triund happens suddenly. One moment you are puffing up a steep, rocky path with only a mountain wall to your left and a forested valley to the right to be seen. And then, with one last step where the path takes a sharp turn, you are upon a green meadow at 2842.26 metres (9326 ft) above sea level, surrounded by snow capped peaks of the Dhauladhar range, all seemingly an arm’s length away. And when you step into Triund, there is no option but to pause. Partly to catch your breath, and mostly to absorb what is clearly a breathtaking sight. If there is a seventh heaven, you can be sure you have left even that behind. The feeling is one of being on top of the world, surrounded by ranges even higher than where you stand.
5. Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
A four-hour mountain drive from Itanagar takes you to Ziro valley, the most picturesque and culturally rich region of Arunachal Pradesh. It is home to the Apatani tribe. It is a society in transition, where the traditional lives in harmony with the modern. With limited transport access, Ziro will retain its tranquility for a long time to come.
6. Komic Village, Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
The world is full hidden wonders and events – wish there was a way of knowing about them. One such is the Komic Monastery and its annual festival – one that no one will tell you about until you probe. And even when you know about it, you will not find it easy to get there. Komic village is located at an altitude of 4,513 metres (14,806 feet) in the cold desert of Spiti in the Indian Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. The monastery is one of the highest in the world at 4,587 metres (15,049 feet). The monastery itself is small, but its setting is very picturesque. All around you only see snow capped peaks and skies with hues of blue no artist can replicate. The population of Komic village is only 114 (in 2010) – the love for one’s land can make people survive in any condition. And still put on a happy face!
7. Ken River, Panna National Park, Madhya Pradesh
If you are looking for tranquility, take a row boat ride on the Ken River at Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh. No amount of words and images can make up for the real experience of being there. The river and the air are as clean as they can get, the bird life in the river will enthrall you, the landscapes will mesmerize you and the calm will captivate you.
8. Chambal River, Uttar Pradesh
If the Ken river is not enough for you, go for a ride along the Chambal River - just an hour from the Taj Mahal in Agra. Another of those pristine and beautiful spots on this planet, you will be in the company of Ghariyals, Crocodiles, Turtles and scores of species of birds. All adding to make for a heavenly experience.
9. Munnar, Kerala
Rolling hills, temperate weather, tea estates, wildlife - and cut off from much of what ails this world. That's Munnar for you in Kerala. Where you can find your own peace in a green world under the open blue skies - all over a cuppa.
10. Osian, Rajasthan
Few will recommend you to go to Osian, a couple of hours from Jodhpur in Rajasthan, in the middle of the Thar desert. Check into one of the many camps here, and take a morning drive in the desert like I did. The air was crisp and fresh, with no sounds, literally. No birds, no pumps, no vehicles. And then I was surprised by the silhouette of a Nilgai (Antelope or Indian Blue Bull) a few feet to my left when I was least expecting anyone. True to its nature, it scurried away behind bushes and rocks as I slowed down for a closer look. A little ahead, I saw a group of the beautiful and gentle Chinkaras, Rajasthan’s state animal, out for breakfast. And the magic took on new hues with the sun rising in my face. The golden light lit up the fields and the landscape, and the Chinkaras (Gazelles) too. Beat this.