Visit India in the monsoons

Rain rain rain! Call out the weather gods!! Southwest monsoon has hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands and has entered Kerala, Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu and it will soon be hitting many other parts of the country as well. But this rainy weather often restricts tourists from travelling to certain places. Which explains why most hoteliers and touristy destinations witness a lull period in the wet months. It’s time you changed your notions about the rain and stopped being sissy about it. Here are some places you can visit even when it is pouring cats and dogs and when Mother Nature is in her full element:

Goa - Golden beaches, clear waters, rivers, lakes, the most exquisite waterfalls, numerous churches and a historically rich culture invites lakhs of tourists to Goa every year but sadly all of them empty out when the rains begin. And that’s the time we suggest you get in to witness the other amazing side of Goa, i.e. ferocious winds, the sky turning into different shades of blue and grey, clouds rolling rapidly and unexpected hush falls. Rain starts off in the month of June and goes on till September. You may miss out watersports but you can catch up on some festive fun during the colorful Sao Joao Festival which involves jumping into overflowing village wells to retrieve bottles of local alcohol, ‘feni’. If you’re looking for some quiet time, you could also just spend hours watching the rough waters.

Coorg - One of the tiniest and beautiful districts in Karnataka, Coorg is nature’s gift to India. June to September offer moderate to heavy rains in Coorg and make it a serene green heaven. The rain, the clear water and the cool weather (32⁰C) work best if you are looking for some relaxed holiday. River Cauvery, the largest river here and worshiped by the locals, can be seen in full swing in the monsoon months. The lush green Western Ghats add to the romantic beauty of the city and the frequent thunderstorms are always welcomed by all.  A mindful walk in the rain and a visit to the Abbey falls, Iruppu falls, Brahmagiri hills, Nisargadhama forest is a must for all!

Darjeeling - Love tea and rain?? Darjeeling is the place for you. From July to September, it's high cropping time at Darjeeling's tea estates when the hillsides look fresh and green. Early morning fog covers Darjeeling in a beautiful haze and gives it a mysterious quality. The blissful city is a delight for all budding photographers. One can take a tea-tasting tour and experience how teas differ from hill to hill. The best are the Glenburn Tea Estate & Boutique Hotel, Makaibari Tea Estates or Zurrantee. Buddhist Gompa monastires like the Bhutia Busty monastry is a great place to experience peace and quietude in a hurried and rushed up world.

Lastly, a visit to these beautiful locations in the monsoon months will be very little on your pocket as most hotels and resorts and airlines would charge close to half the price of what they charge in the peak months. You shouldn’t be waiting any longer..