travels across India
Photo: Ibrahim Rifath/Unsplash
by Nikhita Arora Travel
January 26, 2020

Republic Day travel ideas: 5 unique spots in India that should be on your bucket list

Think art colonies, quaint islands, a village divided by a border, and the world’s longest cave

You might’ve been on the stereotypical graduation trip to Goa, marveled at the backwaters of Kerala, and have a framed photograph of yourself holding the tip of Taj Mahal. But the thing about living in a country as culturally diverse as India is that there is always more to see. So, this Republic Day we decided to plan our travels across India for 2020, while ensuring that we learn a tad bit more about the country we call our home.

Visit the weavers of Pochampally

The revival of handloom has been transformational for Indian fashion. Handwoven fabrics are suddenly a rage, and the traditional fabric that seems to have shone the brightest is Ikat.

Ikat is the name given to a weaving and dyeing technique that creates beautiful patterns – the distinguishing factor of the fabric.

Pochampally is a cluster of 80 villages located in Telangana, which has grown to become famous for being home to numerous Ikat weavers. The best way to travel to Pochampally is to couple the visit with a trip to Hyderabad as it’s a car ride away from the home of mouth-watering biryani.

A day-long trip should be enough to shop, interact, and look around, which makes it perfect for a weekend getaway.

This Republic Day, instead of buying off the rack, include a trip to Pochampally. Sit across from people who conjure magic on looms, dive into the depths of this painstaking process, and come home with not just heavier suitcases, but a better informed mind.

Head to Cholamandal Artist’s Village for a one-of-a-kind cultural experience

Cholamandal is invaluable to Indian contemporary art. The artists’ colony was created over four decades ago to create an environment that would help artists flourish and help them create without any restrictions or inhibitions. It is also India’s largest self-supporting artists’ village.

Cholamandal is located nine kilometres from Adyar, Chennai. Every structure including galleries and homes were built by the artists who established Cholamandal, which to begin with was nothing but a barren stretch of sand.

Today, the village is home to artists’ families as well as new occupants who aren’t artists. A visit to the colony is especially interesting for art enthusiasts looking to dig deep into the origins and evolution of contemporary art forms of India.

The best way to get to Cholamandal is by road from Chennai.

Plan a charming weekend getaway to Dharavi Island

The villages of Dongri, Uttan, Pali, Chowk, Manori, and Gorai make up Dharavi Island. The island is home to the East Indian community – said to be the original inhabitants of Bombay. Portuguese words that punctuate the Marathi dialect, delicious traditional cuisine, quaint churches, and homes painted in vibrant hues – Dharavi island is a beautiful coming together of Portuguese and Marathi culture.

The preferred way to travel to the island is via ferry, which shuttles between Marve beach’s ferry point in Malad, Mumbai, to the coast of Manori. You can also drive down to the island or hop onto buses that you can take from Malad or Goregaon in Mumbai.

Float away to the caves of “The Abode of Clouds”

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Mawsmai cave, Meghalaya. Limestone caves have the distinction of being the only caves in Meghalaya that are lit enough to enable tourists to enjoy the natural formations in awe. Though the caves are long, only a distance of 150 meters is open for tourists, while the other section is closed. The stalactites and stalagmites caves have innumerable forms, shapes and sizes inside leaving one to imagine as many life forms as possible. This magnificent natural wonder is the handiwork of years of natural abrasion and underground water. #mawsmaicave #mawsmai #meghalaya #meghalayatourism #instameghalaya #northeasttourism #northeastindia #travel #travelforlife #instatravel #travelgram #travelphotographer #incredibleindia

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While planning your travels across India, don’t forget about the marvels of nature that our country houses. Apart from being the wettest place on planet Earth, Cherapunjee, Meghalaya, is also home to the longest caves in the world.

Walk among astounding rock formations including stalactites and stalagmites created thousands of years ago. This trip will make for the ideal getaway for adventure junkies who are planning their travels across India.

Think wading through waist-deep freezing water, crawling through narrow passages and, if you’re not easily freaked out, spotting one of the rarest species of bats.

Drop by the last village of India

Towered over by snow-capped mountains, Turtuk is a village located in Ladakh. It isn’t just famous for being the last village of India, but also because it is a village divided by a border.

After India regained independence in 1947, Turtuk was claimed by Pakistan and remained a part of the country until the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971, which is when it assumed the status of the village divided by a border.

It’s not just the village’s geopolitical nature that makes it a special addition to your travels across India. The allure of the destination is heightened by its unique cultural composition, and old world charm that Turtuk has managed to retain thanks to its home-run businesses, simplistic lifestyle and lack of Wi-Fi.

Also, through the course of your trip to Turtuk, don’t forget to taste their famous yak butter tea.