India is truly a unique and fascinating country. Too often is it overlooked for more ‘exotic’ and ‘tropical’ destinations when it shouldn’t be. There are so many incredible hidden gems of India, that anyone who did enough research would find it hard to resist.
We’re here to open your eyes to some of those incredible hidden gems of India and to help motivate you to get out there and visit the incredible country. The list below has a couple of places which make for truly incredible traveling destinations, but they are far from all of them.
Hampi
Hampi is home to some amazing ruins overlooking landscapes which look more akin to images of Mars than of earth. The ruins themselves are the remains of the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire and are some of the most fascinating in the world. Whilst this may very well be a UNESCO world heritage site, it’s very often forgotten about by visitors to India in favor of other destinations. That makes this one place you should make sure to uncover.
The area has more to offer than just the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire, too. Head to the Hampi Bazaar to find an incredible market, from which you’ll be able to buy an assortment of things you may or may not need. Alternatively, head over the water and into Virupapur Gaddi for a bit of peace and quiet and this tranquil hangout spot.
Finally, the area is home to several temples, including Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, and Achyutaraya Temple. Spend the day visiting them all, or if you just want the biggest then make sure to stop by at the Virupaksha Temple first. Overall, Hampi is great for anyone looking to find the hidden gems of India.
Orchha
Orchha is home to a palace which some reckon rivals the Taj Mahal in magnificence. Orchha’s incredible structure is that of the Raj Mahal. This incredible 17th-century palace is the place to visit if you’re looking for a tour of India’s architectural history, or just history outright.
The walls of the palace depict great battles and wars between the deities of Vishnu, Sita, Rama, Krishna, the Buddha, Ganesh, and more. Their artwork is intricate and detailed and an unbelievable look at India’s religious history. Make sure to spend your tim