1. Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh:

Located in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh is this pristine valley, an ideal sojourn for nature and culture enthusiasts with lush green rice fields, small rustic villages, and rolling hills—that is Ziro. The land of the Apatani tribe, this valley has been in the limelight since identifying its own facial tattoos and traditional farming, which recently found a place in the lists of UNESCO cultural heritage. One can get familiar with the local culture, attend the Ziro Music Festival, and trek through the green landscapes that offer striking, panoramic views of the valley.

2. Chettinad, Tamil Nadu:

Chettinad, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, holds upon itself a land of absolutely surreal wonders condensed together into architectural and culinary marvels. This land, with its opulent mansions of rich Chettiar merchants, speaks of a glimpse into the enhanced history and enriched cultural heritage. Skilfully designed wooden doors, large inner courtyards, and Athangudi tiles in various colours relate to tales of a glorious past. Chettinad cuisine boasts of legendary aromatic spices and great taste—paradise for any foodie.

3. Gokarna, Karnataka:

This is one small coastal town on the Karnataka coastline, which is known for its raw natural beauty. Though this town is very close to Goa, along the Konkan coast, it is still quite far away from the chaos of Goa. Beautiful beaches with divine landscapes of emerald green forests and pure, clear beaches are simply captivating here. This beach is exactly in the shape of the letter ‘Om’, apt for sunbathing, swimming, and relaxation. It is also the land of temples, notably the Mahabaleshwar Temple, a pilgrim centre that sees countless devotees visit every year.

4. Mechuka, Arunachal Pradesh:

Mechuka forms one of those areas situated in the far-flung corner of Arunachal Pradesh, which one definitely can say to be very equal to entering a different world. Mechuka means a land of snow-capped peaks, emerald green valleys, serpentine rivers, and fast-flowing streams. It is endowed with charming views that would delight one’s senses, among which are the crystal-clear waters of the Siang River, allowing one to indulge in rafting and adventure fishing activities. This is a village oozing Tibetan-Indian culture through architecture and various traditions. One can also see the spiritual heritage in this place in the 400-year-old Samten Yongcha Monastery.

5. Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh:

In the midst of adventure and rugged beauty, you will find Spiti Valley. A high-altitude desert representing landscapes, ancient monasteries, and vibrant culture, it has been named as “Little Tibet.” Key Monastery lies at the top of a hill from which one can get panoramas over the valley and also have a peek into monastic life in that area. The hues change with the colours of the waters of the lake and the nearby peaks, creating an illusion of a piece of turquoise set right in the heart of a barren silvery terrain. Then, when it seems that one has seen it all, Spiti greets with mesmerising valleys and ancient hidden villages.

6. Majuli, Assam:

It is the world’s largest luminescent river island in the Brahmaputra River. It serves to carry the great culture and natural heritage. With its vibrant Assamese culture, Majuli boasts of some Vaishnavite monasteries known as Satras, which form the very centre of art, dance, and music. The landscape on this island is provided by lush green areas along paddy fields and water bodies, giving the viewers beautiful scenic views, quite perfect for a pastime of watching birds flying and riding boats. It decorates itself onto the world map with its annual festival, the Raas, conducted with much pomp and show, illustrating the rich culture prevalent here.

These offbeat destinations in India are soaked in varied experiences that are way beyond the beaten track. Each destination, be it the green valleys of Arunachal Pradesh or the tranquil beaches of Karnataka, blends beauty, culture, and adventure in its own perceptive style. Traveling to expose the unknown identity of India, these were some places that would guarantee a journey so unforgettable, diverse, and enchanting.

The Monsoon Tourism Festival is going to present many varieties of activities and events. Water sports of a new genre would be on display to enthral the visitors, showcasing the adventure potential of the islands. An exciting tug-of-war event will be organised to instil community spirit and this will turn out to be an entertainment for both participants and viewers. All these cultural programs will be a representation of the rich cultural heritage of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the form of live music, dance shows, and an immersive experience provided to visitors.

A rain dance arena will provide an activity zone through which the visitors can enjoy the monsoon rains in an active, chirpy atmosphere. To engage all visitors with entertainment, a beach volleyball arena will showcase interesting volleyball matches on the beach.
Stalls will be allotted for Rs. 2500 per day with applicable GST. Interested parties should apply through application forms that will be available from the Directorate of Tourism’s Planning Cell and to be submitted with a security deposit of Rs. 5000 before 9 July 2024. Fuel in the stalls shall be allotted on a lottery system, subject to other criteria prescribed hereinafter that makes the process of allotment fair and transparent for the applicants.

The Monsoon Tourism Festival will then have massive global effects on travellers. It is taken up with the intention to achieve all-year-round tourism so that the Andaman Islands can be projected as a destination to be enjoyed irrespective of the season. This will eventually attract international tourists who seek new tourism experiences and would like to travel to the Andaman Islands during the monsoon season. The lineup of socio-cultural events in the festival is likely to provide international visitors the opportunity to engage with and appreciate the local heritage and people, directly contributing to enriching all parties concerned with social-cultural understanding and exchange. Coupled with the fact that the monsoon season is a high time for tourist inflow, this inflames the local economy, giving an opportunity to provide income and employment to the people inhabiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.