With an area of 3.2 million square kilometres, India is vast. This South Asian country is rife with natural wonders, from salt deserts, golden sand dunes and a floating lake, to labyrinth caves, natural bridges, and a meteor crater. Here we’ve rounded up 21 natural wonders in India that will take your breath away, literally!
Maharashtra: Lonar Crater Lake
About 52,000 years ago, a meteorite crashed into the earth and created the crater which became the Lonar Crater Lake in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra. It’s 1.8 kilometres (1.1 miles) wide and 137 meters (449.4 feet) deep, and alkaline and saline in nature. This bowl-shaped hole is the third largest crater in the world.
Lonar Crater Lake, Buldhana district, Maharashtra.
Ladakh: Magnetic Hill
A tourist favourite and riders pit-stop, the Magnetic Hill (popularly known as ‘Gravity Hill’) on the Leh-Kargil Highway, approximately 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from Leh City and at an altitude of 14,000 feet above sea level, is known for its unique forces that apparently operate contrary to the law of gravity. This spot is alleged to create optical illusions – when you put your car in neutral, instead of downwards, the hill pulls the car in upward direction. Strange, right? However, there are different theories and beliefs surrounding this bewildering phenomenon.
Uttarakhand: Valley of Flowers
Standing 3,658 meters above sea level on the West Himalayan peaks of Uttarakhand, the Valley of Flowers houses millions of species of exotic flora and endangered fauna, with the landscapes and glistening streams that beautifully complement them.
Andhra Pradesh: Borra Caves
Nearly 63 lamps illuminate the Borra Caves, nestled in the Ananthagiri Hills of the Araku Valley. With a height of 2,313 feet (705 meters) and a depth of 260 feet (79.2 meters), it is said to be one of the largest and deepest caverns in India. It is characterized by magnificent stalactite, stalagmite and natural mineral formations.
Stalagmite formations at Borra Caves | © rajaraman sundaram / Wikimedia Commons
Manipur: Loktak Lake
The world’s only floating lake is in Bishnupur district of Manipur – the Loktak Floating Lake, teeming with biological diversity – around 233 species of aquatic plants, 425 species of animals and even, 57 species of waterbirds. You not only come up and close with the rich flora and fauna of the lake, but also get stand on the only floating island in the world – Phumdis on the lake. This floating lake and islands are majestic.
Mahabaleshwar: Needle Hole Point
While it may look like it is carved by a craftsman, it isn’t! This is Mother Natures work! The Needle Hole Point is known for its natural rock formations. The spectacle formed as a result look like an elephants trunk, hence it is also known as the ‘Elephant Point’.
Mahabalipuram: Krishna’s Butterball or Balancing Rock
The formation of the ‘Balancing Rock’ is one of the rarest sights on earth. This gigantic rock – 20 feet (6 meters) high, 5 meter wide and weighing more than 250 tonne – rests on a slippy slope of a hill. It may look like it will roll down the slope, but the fact is it remains stable and has never fallen down. Intriguing, right?
Meghalaya: Living Root Bridges
Some 500 years old, the living root bridges in Cherrapunji and Mawlynnong of Meghalaya are truly a natural wonder, created by the roots of the rubber tree (Ficus Elastica) which grow naturally over years and then, bonded with betul nut tree trunks by the indigenous Khasi tribe to form ‘Living Root Bridges’ over the river.
Gujarat: Salt Marshes, The Great Rann of Kutch
A visit to The Great Rann of Kutch, seasonal salt marshes is truly a feast for the eyes. Said to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world, covering around 2,897 square miles, it is known for its pristine and surreal white landscapes. This magical spot is a sight to behold on full moon night, when the colour of both the sand and the sky, is ‘white’ – a view like no other!
Jammu and Kashmir: Amarnath Cave
Set at a height of 3,888 meters (12755.9 feet) from Srinagar, Amarnath Cave is amongst the most sacred shrines in Hinduism and frequented by thousands of devotees every year. Believed to be over 5000 years old, it is known for its splendid ice stalagmite formations that resulted in the creation of the ‘ice lingam’ of Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, in the cave. However, the ice lingam thaws gradually during summer months, owing to rise in temperature.
Amarnath Temple, Baltal Amarnath Trek, Forest Block, Anantnag, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
Odisha: Chandipur Beach
It’s not called ‘Hide-and-Seek’ beach for nothing – the sea water recedes up to 5 kilometres (3 miles) during low-tide, leaving behind sand dunes and casuarinas trees. You need to witness this strange yet unique natural phenomenon at least once in your lifetime!
St. Mary’s Islands, Karnataka: Columnar Basaltic Lava
They aren’t regular rocks, these are formed because of volcanic eruptions. What makes them unique is their peculiar geometrical shape, the ‘hexagonal shaped basaltic rock’ is only found in India. It exists in Malpe, Udupi district of Karnataka and is accessible only via boat from Malpe fishing harbour. Clearly, it should be on every geology lover’s hit list!
Tamil Nadu: Hogenakkal Waterfalls
Popularly known as the ‘Niagara Falls of India’, this waterfall gushes down into the Kaveri River and consistently awes tourists with its grandeur, beauty and natural healing powers. It is said that the carbonatite rocks here are the oldest in South Asia and amongst the oldest in the world.
Hogenakkal Falls, Chamarajnagar, Hoganakkal, Tamil Nadu, India
Assam: Majuli Island
One of the largest river islands in the world with 352 square kilometres (136 sq miles) is Majuli Island, teeming with flora, fauna and endangered avifauna species. Accessible by ferry from Jorhat city.
Jabalpur: Marble Rocks
In the town of Bhedaghat in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh lie the spectacular Marble Rocks. They reach up to approximately 100 feet (30.4 meters) in height and were carved out by the Narmada River.When the sunlight falls on the rocks, casting shadow on the clear waters they are utterly magical! You can take a boat ride on the river through the naturally formed marble rocks.
Chembra Peak: Heart Shaped Lake
At the apex of the Chembra Peak lies the Heart Shaped Lake. As the name suggest, the lake is shaped like a heart.
Andhra Pradesh: Belum Caves
Said to be the second largest caves in the country, the Belum Caves are 10,594 feet (3,229 meters) long. These caves are made up of black limestone. As water passed over the limestone deposits, stalagmites and stalactites were formed over millions of years, creating the natural decor that you can witness today. There are also sink holes, water galleries, natural waterfalls and sculptures.
Andaman Islands: Barren Island
This island is home to India’s only active, often erupting volcano. And, as the name suggests, there is no human presence whatsoever on this island. You can catch the view of the flowing lava only via chartered boats with the permission of forest department. It is also known to be one of the best scuba diving and snorkelling spots in India.
Barren Island, Andaman Islands
Tirumala: Natural Arch
Some 2.5 million years ago, this arch was crafted by nature. More precisely, weathering and stream erosions should be thanked for this unique formation. Its eight meters wide and three meters tall, and called ‘Silathoranam’ in Telgu – meaning ‘garland made of rocks’.
Natural Arch, Sila Thoranam Rd, Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Goa: Dudhsagar Falls
Enchantment has no end, the Dudhsagar Falls, literally meaning – ‘Sea of Milk’ are among India’s top waterfalls, at an elevation of 310 meters (1017 feet). The white, milky water cascades down the mountains and the lush surroundings. It’s at its best during monsoon season.
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Himachal Pradesh: Manikaran Natural Springs
Admire nature’s wonder at the Manikaran Natural Springs, which is at an elevation of 1760 meters (5774 ft). The water of the spring is extremely hot and said to have therapeutic powers, thus drawing hordes of tourists from across the world to bathe in the steaming water every year. It’s a pilgrimage site as well as a tourist spot.
Manikaran Natural Springs, Hot Water Spring, Sosan, Himachal Pradesh