There is no way you could make a round of all the best places to visit in India in one single trip. For once, India is a massive country and chances are you don’t have half a year to dedicate to the top 10 places to visit in India (I may be wrong, mind me). But for that exact same reason, India is spread across four different climate zones, making some areas not so ideal to visit at certain times of the year. So I’ve enlisted the help of my trusted fellow travel bloggers to help you (and me) discover not only which are the top places to visit India and the most famous tourist places in India state wise, but also when the best time is to visit each of them.
Buckle up, it’s gonna be a long one!
Top Places to Visit India: a Month-by-Month Planner
Generally speaking, the best time to visit India is between October and April. This is when you’ll dodge the monsoon to the south and benefit from bright blue skies to the North. Beware that during that time, the North can be quite chilly, especially so in December and January – but this can be appealing for some. April and May are often great value for money as it is somewhere in the shoulder season and weather can still be quite nice everywhere – it can get rainy down south already, however. The northern town of Ladakh is one of the best places to visit in India in Summer. So in short, it’s possible to always find amazing weather anywhere in India!
Best Places to Visit in India in January
Primetime for top places to visit in India planning! Pretty much anywhere in India will be nice around this time, specifically, many places to visit in South India have wonderful weather in January. Beware that it’s high season and prices might be inflated. The North is nice, but also cold!
Recommended places to visit in January in India: Goa, Kerala, Bangalore, Jaipur, Mumbai, Delhi, Rajasthan
Delhi
By Lotte from Phenomenal Globe
Delhi is the capital of India and around 20 million people are living within this buzzing metropolitan. This city is a lot to take in, it’s loud, colourful, busy and beautiful all at once. Delhi combines ancient history with modern architecture and an incredible number of restaurants, hotels and attractions and no matter if you are visiting Delhi with kids, as a couple or solo traveller, there is something interesting for everyone. There are plenty of sights to explore in Delhi, give yourself at least three days to visit some of the highlights though don’t expect you’ll be able to cover them all.
A UNESCO Heritage site and a must-visit in Delhi is the Qutab Minar. This 73-meter-high minaret was built in 1192, unfortunately, you cannot climb it. While there is a staircase inside, this is closed to the public. Nevertheless, the Qutab Minar is still worth a visit! If you are looking for an off the beaten path sight, check out the beautiful Humayun’s and Isa Khan Tombs. These colourful Mughal style constructions are the perfect place to watch the sunset. Another impressive building is the Lotus Temple, a symbol of peace created from pure white marble. If you wish to enter the temple, behave respectfully and keep silent at all times. Also, know that photography inside the temple isn’t allowed.
Last but certainly not least, an easy day trip from Delhi is the Okhla Bird Sanctuary Park, where you can see 300 different bird species. This lovely piece of nature feels a world away from frantic Delhi and is a good place to unwind after you’ve explored the city for a couple of days.
Munnar, Kerala
By Greta from Greta’s Travels
If you’re looking for the best places to visit in India, you have to add Munnar to your bucket list. Munnar is a town in the southern region of Kerala. It’s a small town surrounded by rolling hills covered with tea plantations. Munnar is one of the best places to visit in South India if you love spending time outdoors. In Munnar, you can visit the tea plantations, explore Lakkam Waterfalls or discover the many hiking trails in Eravikulam National Park.
We spent a whole day visiting the tea plantations of Munnar and found it to be a fascinating experience. We drove 4×4 jeeps on the dirt track roads of the plantations, met the women who work as tea leaf pickers and visited the factory where the leaves are dried and processed into the tea we drink. It’s very different from other parts of India, which makes it all the more worthy of a visit. Located high in the hills, the climate is considerably cooler than the surrounding low-lying regions, which is why British colonials used to come to Munnar to escape the Indian heat.
In Munnar, you can relax and explore beautiful natural landscapes, meet friendly locals and taste delicious Indian cuisine. It’s without a doubt one of the best places to visit in India.
Bangalore
By Alina from World of Lina
Welcome to Bangalore – Asia’s Silicon Valley! The city of Bangalore in the state Karnataka is among the less touristy and best cities in India and it’s mostly not on a traveller’s India itinerary. Nevertheless, the bustling and modern tech city is definitely worth a visit. Besides the many skyscrapers who form the skyline of the city, there are also quite a few cultural places to check out. One of them is Bangalore Palace, a former royal palace now mostly used as an event location. It’s located in the northern part of the city and one of the main tourist attractions. Inside you find beautiful rooms with colourfully patterned walls and breathtaking chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The lovely gardens surrounding the building are great for a short walk.
Another one of the top places to visit India not to miss is the ISKCON Temple – Bangalore’s biggest and most famous temple. It’s actually not only one but three temples. On the way to the main building are two smaller temples – both having statues of the god Krishna in it.
Once inside the main temple, you’ll be stunned by the beautifully decorated golden entrance hall. It’s the place where people come together to sing and pray which is all part of a holy ritual. To get a break from the bustling city life, head to Cubbon Park. More than 600 different trees and plants and an area of 100 acres make it the perfect place for an extensive walk.
Best Places to Visit in India in February
February is much the same as January – almost everywhere in India is accessible and gorgeous — beware that places to visit in North India might still be very cold, but you’ll be rewarded with amazing mountain views as the fog starts lifting up. Just make sure to bring extra warm clothes!
Recommended places to visit in february india: Agra, Goa, Kerala, Calcutta, Mumbai, Jaipur, Delhi
Patnem Beach, Goa
I fell in love with Goa back in 2015 when I did my Yoga instructor certification and have returned a couple of times since. In part for the beaches of Goa, in part for the people, in part for the food, but in large part for this little town called Patnem Beach.
Patnem is nothing more than a little strip of sandy beach sprinkled with some very rudimentary shacks for accommodation, some little independent cafes, a few yoga studios, and nothing more, aside perhaps quite a few stray cows. It’s my dream secret place for some peace and quiet in the whole of Goa and February is generally a great time to visit as the peak season is slowly starting to wind down, but the weather is still amazing. There’s a great selection of vegan food and some neat little shops to buy souvenirs and snacks. To me, Goa is one of the best places to visit in South India.
There’s very little to do in Patnem Beach, and it’s the whole reason why it is to me one of the top places to visit India has to discover. For a little extra action, you can always rent a scooter and make your way to Palolem where the party scene is a bit more lively — but personally, I’m just here for the yoga and chill in Patnem. Patnem is on my personal dream places to visit in India list for sure.
Kumarakom
By Diana from The Globetrotting Detective
Kumarakom is a small charming village in the backwaters of Kerala. As opposed to Alappuzha which is a big city, in Kumarakom, you will experience how rural life is in the backwaters. In Kumarakom, the locals will greet you everywhere as if they have known you for years. Locals in Kumarakom are so friendly to newcomers that you will feel you are at home. In Kumarakom, the villagers move around either in a fishing boat, by bicycle, or motorcycle. By car, it’s not possible to get access to most places in the backwaters as the alleys are too narrow.
As for how to discover Kumarakom, the best is to get everything organized by your hotel. I recommend the Kumarakom Heritage Resort. There, you can rent a bicycle and bike along the backwaters. Moreover, you should also discover the backwaters in a boat, both in a shikhara and a fishing boat. With a fishing boat, you will also have access to the very narrow backwaters as well. So, what makes Kumarakom very different from other places that most tourists know in the backwaters is that you can really feel to be part of local life there. While walking or cycling around Kumarakom, you can witness how local men collect coconuts by climbing on the coconut trees, how they fish, how local women pick and organize ginger in the forest, and how women harvest in the paddy fields. Next to the paddy fields, you can even join local men in a shanty for a sweet palm wine with fried fish and boiled tapioca. They will be very happy to see that you are interested in tasting their local drinks and snacks.
Best Places to Visit in India in March
March is generally great everywhere in India, in part because, for many, it is the end of the tourism season so there are starting to be fewer people, but the weather is still mostly great everywhere. March is also a great time to visit India because of Holi, the famous Hindu festival of colours. The “best places to visit in the March India” list is much the same as January and February!
Recommended places to visit in March in India: Goa, Kerala, Delhi, Agra, Rishikesh, Jaipur, Varanasi, etc
Varanasi
By Stefan from Nomadic Boys
Our favourite destination in India is Varanasi, the Holy City, where people come to die! That’s right, families bring the bodies of their loved ones to Varanasi to cremate them along the banks of the holy Ganges river. Hindu scriptures say that dying and getting cremated along these sacred riverbanks allows you to break the cycle of rebirth and attain salvation. For us as spectators, walking along the riverbank is quite a sight to behold – bodies piled ready for their turn to be cremated in the funeral pyres as the onlooking priests chant in unison with the dead person’s family, praying for the release of the dead person’s soul.
But that’s what we love about Varanasi. It’s so raw, so real, everything done out in the open. The Ganges River is sacred and revered by Hindus because it is meant to embody the goddess Gaṅgā. Therefore, pilgrims head here in large numbers every day to bathe in the sacred River. By day, people come here to meditate and even do their laundry in the river. By night people come to watch the group of priests perform the really beautiful “Agni Pooja” (Worship to Fire) prayer ceremonies to Lord Shiva. All this activity gives Varanasi this unique and quite mystical atmosphere that even as a non-Hindu you really feel and connect with it! One of the best places to visit in India!
As a gay couple travelling in India we knew Varanasi would be a more conservative city compared to places like Mumbai and Bangalore, so we were cautious about being openly gay, such as avoiding PDAs. Yet despite this, we left feeling mesmerised by the atmosphere of the city, which we’ll never forget!
Kerala Backwaters
By Veronika from Travel Geekery
The Kerala backwaters are a system of rivers, lakes, and lagoons, all interconnected and covering a large area. Water rushing down from the Western Ghats Mountains has created this wetland made up of barrier islands surrounded by water. There are some of the best cities in India on the river shores, and small villages on individual islands, where the only mode of transportation is by boat. While in the past the backwaters were used mostly to transport goods, with the modernization of roads and railways, freight forwarding has moved away from the water. In an initiative to save the livelihoods of local families, the transport boats were rebuilt into houseboats.
So what is it like to experience the backwaters on a houseboat? You glide through the long canals, watch the swaying palm trees, the fishermen, children playing on the banks… The houseboats are well equipped and feature a crew of two to not just steer the boat but also to cook. The houseboats stop at interesting points, and otherwise, it’s just about the unique cruising experience.
It’s necessary to spend the night on a houseboat. The peaceful and gentle rocking of the anchored boat will put anybody to sleep rather fast. The mornings are early on the backwaters, but the most poetic. Watching the sunrise becomes one of the most magical experiences. So is observing the start of the day for the locals – fishermen placing their nets, people driving their boats to get to work… All waving at you, happy you’re there to support the local communities.
Best Places to Visit in India in April
April can be a busy month for locals because of the Easter Holiday, and some places in the South can get unbearably hot around this time, so the best places to visit in the April India list moves a little up north from now.
Recommended places to visit in April in India: Rajasthan, Jaipur, Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Darjeeling, Jodhpur
Nawalgarh
By James from Travel Collecting
Nawalgarh is an underrated town in Northern Rajasthan, off the beaten path but well worth the visit. It is most well-known for dozens of painted havelis and it has some of the best examples of them in the entire country. The small town is located in the Shekhawati area where, in the 17th to 19th centuries, Marwari merchants built large houses (havelis) and decorated them with brightly coloured patterned murals that completely covered the walls. Many of them still exist today and taking a walking tour is a highlight in April. It is recommended to go with a guide, as they can explain more about the buildings and even take you to some local homes in addition to the regular museums.
Highlights include the Murarka Haveli, which is an empty – and incredibly beautiful – building, and the Poddar Haveli, which is a museum and displays highlighting different aspects of Rajasthani culture. In addition to the havelis, Nawalgarh has a small but lively market. Because it is a small town with few tourists, this is also a great place to take workshops to meet local artisans and try your hand at making handicrafts yourself. I took a traditional tie and dye private workshop, which was fascinating; met a local farmer who showed me how to tie a turban and saw a lac bangle-making demonstration. Rajesh at the Tourist Pension arranged them for me, as well as a personal tour of the havelis.
Mumbai
By Kay of Enchanting Texas
Mumbai is one of the best places to visit in India. The financial capital of the country is located on the West Coast and is very popular with travellers for its variety of cultural, historical, and urban attractions. One of the top attractions in Mumbai is the Gateway of India. Built during the British colonial rule, this arch monument has beautiful architecture. It looks majestic and inspiring against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea and is a popular photo op in the city. Many other attractions are located close to the Gateway monument.
Visitors can take a boat cruise around the harbour or take a ferry to see the beautiful Elephanta Caves. Worth noting that not everywhere in India is queer-friendly but this is one where you can safely and openly do lesbian cruises. In the evening, visit the beautiful Marine Drive. This seaside promenade has amazing views of the skyline, is a great place to take a stroll, and has plenty of restaurants surrounding it. The sea views from Marine Drive are stunning, especially during the monsoon season when waves froth near the edge. Mumbai also has a varied culinary scene and world-class shopping for all budgets. Apart from these, Mumbai is also home to a variety of festivals and events like the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Ganpati celebrations, and Christmas decorations.
Best Places to Visit in India in May
A lot of Central and South India can be unbearably hot around May, so make either the North or high altitude places your focus as the best places to visit in May in India. And if you think they’re one and the same — you’re wrong! There are seven mountain ranges spread across India and many hill stations to pick from all across the country.
Recommended places to visit in May in India: Shimla, Darjeeling, Shillong, Ooty
Ooty
By Yukti from Travel With Me 24X7
Ooty is a popular hill station in India. Its original name is Udagamandalam or Ootacamund and is located on beautiful Niligiri hills and ghats in southern India. Also known as Queen of Hills in India due to its charming and dreamy beauty. This misty hill-station with slopes covered in tea gardens is one of the unique kinds of hill-station. Here, you can enjoy the bliss of nature in tea-gardens, or sparkling waterfalls, floral gardens, green valleys, and tribal historical past. The most popular attractions to visit in Ooty are Ooty Lake, Ooty Botanical gardens, Dodabetta Peak, Avalanche lake, Sunset point, taking a ride on Nilgiri mountain railway, Dolphin’s Nose, Ooty’s Rose garden, Emerald Lake, Kalhatty Waterfalls, Tea-gardens estate, and Tea factory tour, shuttling between Coonoor (a famous village in the valley), Colonial architecture and many more. Catherine’s Waterfalls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ooty and also the second-largest in Niligiri mountain ranges.
Hill-stations are frequently visited in Summer, but Ooty is perfect in winter too with a view fog over the tea-gardens and valley. Not only is Ooty famous for tea-gardens, but you can spot forests with tall eucalyptus trees which adds a beautiful backdrop to Ooty’s beauty. The nearest city from which you can reach Ooty is Mysore and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India.
Ooty is not only famous worldwide for its beauty among tourists, but within film-makers too. Many Bollywood films have been shot here and showcased the serene and breath-taking views of this place. Minimum 5 to 6 days you need to relax at this beautiful place and enjoy the total bliss of nature. Much organic stuff you can buy from here like tea leaves, eucalyptus oil, homemade chocolates, wooden crafts, tribal art, and much more home-grown organic stuff. Ooty earlier was Toda tribal zone but was discovered for tourism in 1820 by Britishers.
Best Places to Visit in India in June
The beautiful region of Ladakh, one of the top places to visit in India, finally opens up in June and is really the highlight of this month! The rest of the country is bracing for monsoon and it’s unbearably hot in most places aside from the North – so places to visit in North India are you best bet in June.
Recommended places to visit in june in india: Ladakh!
Ladakh
By Pubali from Paradise Catchers
The clouds hovering over the barren mountains, the gushing rivers, the blue lakes and the high mountain passes constitute the Ladakh valley, a Himalayan desert in the northernmost part of India. The roads to Ladakh are open only in the summer months between June and September. Driving to the valley from the nearest big cities, like Chandigarh or Manali or Srinagar, is as exciting as the destination. The rest of the year, Ladakh is only reachable by air to the main town of the valley – Leh. Air travel has its own perks. During your flight to Leh, situated at 3,500 meters altitude, you get to admire the aerial view of the snow-capped Himalayas.
A typical itinerary of Ladakh starts in Leh. There are several destinations that can be planned based on your interests. The common destinations include Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. The Nubra Valley is an actual desert-like area with sand dunes, where the journey takes you through the highest motorable pass of the world – Khardung La. Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri are large pristine blue lakes with their surfaces reflecting the surrounding mighty mountains.
Apart from the popular destinations in Ladakh which is likely one of the best places to visit in India in Summer, there are multiple remote picturesque villages, which are ideal for camping and mountain trekking. These villages, with their agricultural fields, look like oases in this cold desert of Ladakh. The monasteries of the region are also a great way to find some solace between your journeys. Some notable ones are Diskit, Thikse, Lamayuru and Alchi. Tourism in Ladakh has grown significantly over the past decade as it is one of the best places to visit in June in India. Yet the insane beauty of the region still makes it a must-visit destination in India.
Best Places to Visit in India in July
July is another good month for Ladakh and a handful of other places up North, but very little more. While it’s raining and hot everywhere else, some areas of the north are great for trekking. One plus side of the monsoon season is that prices are really low all over India however!
Recommended places to visit in July in India: Dharamshala, Spiti Valley, Ladakh
Best Places to Visit in India in August
Very much like July, August in India is another great month for discounted travel where the monsoon is hitting hard if you dare — but also warm hikes up North.
Recommended places to visit in August in India: Dharamshala, Spiti Valley, Ladakh
Best Places to Visit in India in September
Although the weather can still be iffy and it’s considered the off-season, September officially marks the end of the Monsoon and Rajasthan can be a fantastic value around this time. September is also the last month to visit Ladakh.
Recommended places to visit in September in India: Dharamshala, Rajasthan, Ladakh
Jaisalmer
By Džangir from Dr Jam Travels
Jaisalmer is a city in the Western Indian state of Rajasthan, located in the centre of the Thar Desert as a part of the ancient Silk road. The city got its name by Jaisalmer fort built in the 12th century by the ruler Jaisal. Because it lies on a yellow sandstone hill with a yellow fort on the top it has the nickname Golden City. The fort is probably the one place you wouldn’t want to miss while there. It is part of UNESCO World heritage. Fort can be admired from afar as it stands out from its surroundings by its height and towers. Also, it is one of the few still living forts, meaning that most of the population is living there. So it is best experienced from inside. Walking around small narrow streets, admiring three rings of fortification, massive four entry gates, beautiful palaces.
Seven Jain temples are the second point of interest here, with rich and detailed ornaments in sandstone. At dusk, you should move to the outskirts of the city to Gadisar Lake and admire temples and birds. While this is a desert expect high temperatures (record 50 degrees Celsius), but nights get cold (record -5 degrees Celsius). One can take a tour on a camel over dunes close to the city or even stay overnight in the desert.
Best Places to Visit in India in October
October marks the beginning of the travel season all over India! The rain stops and gives way to sunshine in the North but the South can still be a bit rainy, so I’d recommend the North as the best place to visit in India in October. October also marks the beginning of Diwali, the gorgeous Hindu festival of lights.
Recommended places to visit in October in India: Agra, Udaipur, Delhi, Jaipur
Udaipur
By Stella Jane from Around the World in 24 Hours
Udaipur is often called one of the most beautiful and best cities in India. In fact, it has even earned the nickname “The Venice of the East” because of the many lakes that surround the city. No trip to Udaipur is complete without taking a ride on one of the boats that explores these beautiful lakes. The public boats are affordable and offer fantastic views. The top attraction in Udaipur is its centrally located City Palace. This palace is fascinating to visit because it was originally built in the 16th century. But each Maharana who ruled here added different architectural features and rooms, so the palace is now an unusual combination of many different styles.
Because Udaipur is so beautiful, it has been used as a location for many films. One of the most famous is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Visitors to Udaipur can even stay at the Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel where some of the movies was filmed and enjoy the amazing views from the rooftop. Even if you can’t stay there, you can always stop in for lunch.
Udaipur is also a wonderful city for exploring on foot and one of the best places to visit in India with friends. Head into some of the local shops like Sapna Saree Emporium and get ready to bargain. Afterwards, stop in the Jagdish Temple, which is especially beautiful at night. Keep in mind that it is an important religious site, so no photo taking is allowed and neither are shoes.
Jaipur
By Sally from our3kidsvtheworld
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan state and once home to the Indian Royal Family that ruled the region in 1700s. There are so many palaces and significant historic buildings in Jaipur in particular around the Old City also affectionately known as the Pink City. Jaipur is a city of three million people and does have issues with traffic and overpopulation, however much of India suffers the same fate.
The main tourist attraction is the Amer Fort, a fort/palace made from red sandstone and white marble, it was constructed in the 1500s by Raj Man Singh I. The Amer Fort is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and holds a significant history of the Rajasthan area. Hawa Mahal, built in 1799 is probably the most photographed Jaipur tourist attraction, the pink structure consisting of five storeys containing various windows is where royal women would watch life and processions taking place in the city. Hawa Mahal is very close to Jantar Mantar, a collection of 19 architectural astronomical instruments completed in 1734. Also a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the world’s largest stone sundial. There are many other attractions worth visiting in Jaipur such as City Palace, Jal Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, Birla Temple and these are only a few. If Jaipur isn’t on your India bucket list, you should consider placing it on and get there soon.
Best Places to Visit in India in November
November is likely the best month to travel anywhere in India as it is not yet so busy with the Christmas holidays, the Diwali festival is still going, and the weather is gorgeous pretty much everywhere.
Recommended places to visit in November in India: Chennai, Goa, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Mysore, Kerala
Mahabalipuram
By Anuradha from Country Hopping Couple
Mahabalipuram is a port city located in the Kanchipuram district near Chennai. It is one of the famous tourist attractions and a must-visit place in India. Mahabalipuram was once a flourishing port city during the Pallava Kingdom, who ruled the Southern part of India during the early 7th century. Today Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a collection of stunning 7th-century rock monuments. The site has 40 ancient monuments, monolithic temples and rock carvings that depict stories and tales of Hindu epic.
Shore Temple is one of the most popular landmarks among the entire monument list that sits right next to the shore. Another stunner monument is Arjuna’s Penance (giant open-air rock relief carved out of two monolith boulders). The sculptures depict the scenes from Mahabaratha, and there are as many as 146 carvings.
Also worth visiting are Pancha Rathas (five chariots, each carved out of a monolith stone), a series of rock-cut caves, known as Mandapas, Krishna’s butterball (a huge boulder standing on the tip of the rock) and the lighthouse. Seeped with a rich history, Mahabalipuram is a testimony of a well-preserved legacy of the bygone era and depicts exemplary craftsmanship of Indian architecture. Best time to visit Mahabalipuram is between October to March.
Best Places to Visit in India in December
December is another peak month for great weather anywhere in India. The downside is that it is so popular and is likely — in part also because of Christmas — the most expensive month to travel to India. The South of India is really at its peak in December, while the North is nice but can have very chilly and foggy mornings and evenings. Plan and book well in advice to avoid any bad surprises in December!
Recommended places to visit in December in India: Jodhpur, Chennai, Goa, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Mysore, Kerala
Jodhpur
by Linn Haglund of Brainy Backpackers
Jodhpur is known as the Blue City and one of the most beautiful places in Rajasthan. With one of the most prominent forts of the region, Mehrangarh Fort, overlooking the blue-painted houses that make out the city, Jodhpur is a must-visit in India. The fort is without a doubt the main attraction with temples, museums, and palaces inside its walls. Other places of interest include Umaid Bhawan Palace, which houses Jodhpur’s former royal family and is one of the world’s largest residential palaces. Parts of the palace is a museum displaying the royal family’s history and an implausible collection of classic cars, while another part is set as a luxury hotel. Another important landmark in Jodhpur is the Jaswant Thada which is a mesmerizing marble memorial house built by Maharaja Sadar Singh.
While in Jodhpur, make sure you visit the Sardar Market. This is where you will experience everyday life, people buying and selling goods, from colourful saris to traditional jewellery. You can easily find the market by the Clock Tower. You can also wander around the Mandore Garden outside the city to enjoy a beautiful green space. This place was once the Pratiharas capital, the rulers before the Mehrangarh Fort was built. You can still see the ancient ruins from the 6th century.
Chand Baori Stepwell
By Chris from The Aquarius Traveller
Would you like to visit one of the hidden secrets of India, then maybe the Chand Baori Stepwell might be what you’re looking for. The Chand Baori is one of the oldest and largest stepwells located in Rajasthan. It was built by King Chanda of the Nikumba Dynasty during the 8th/9th Century. This is a four-sided 30-metre deep Baori, which has a double flight of steps on three sides with a large temple on the back of the building. The northern side consists of a multi-storeyed corridor supported on pillars and two projecting balconies. These pavilions are decorated with carved jharokhas and house some beautiful sculptures. The 3500 steps are arranged in perfect symmetry and lead five or six storeys below the ground.
In prior days, the stepwells were built in arid regions to help provide water all year round to the locals. The area would see seasonal monsoons with water disappearing immediately. As soil ponds would not hold water for long, the stepwells were a practical solution. They were not only a source of drinking water for locals and travelling between towns, but a way to access cool sanctuaries for bathing, prayer and meditation. These days, it’s not used as a well but the history and construction attract local and international tourists each year. If you look hard enough, you might even see some remnants of the lime-based paint used to colour the walls. Be amazed at the geometric maze and plan for the Chand Baori Stepwell on your next visit.