India has a reputation for its budget-friendly tourist destinations. There are many places to travel to in India without spending a huge sum of money. Here are some budget-friendly places to visit in India.
Lamayuru aka the Moonscape, Ladakh
Lamayuru, which is popularly known as the Moonscape due to its lunar-like terrain, is a village located in Leh. It is a quiet and peaceful place with wonderful sites to go on a vacation for two to three days. It may approximately cost up to Rs 15,000 Rs 20,000. The best time to visit Lamayuru is during the summer between April and June as the climate is pleasant and is usually between 25 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius.
You would find quite a lot of monasteries in Ladakh that are usually located at the peaks of mountains. Lamayuru's Yuru Monastery, the oldest in Ladakh, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The monastery originally had five buildings but currently only one of those buildings remain. Hiring a cab or driving a private vehicle would be the best way to explore Lamayuru. Buses are available for travelling from Leh to Kargil.
Hampi, Karnataka
Known for its rich cultural heritage, Hampi is a apt destination for tourists to spend their weekend. It's known for its ancient temples and architectural ruins and tourists find the workmanship of these temples attractive. Hampi can be reached by road or by air. The nearest airport is Vidhyanagar Airport and the nearest railway station is Hosapete. Hampi has a pleasant climate during October- March, which would be the perfect time to visit. An ideal trip would last up to two to three days and this may cost Rs 9,000 to Rs 10,000.
Virupaksha Temple is a seventh-century Shiva temple located in Hampi and is a UNESCO world heritage site. The Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva. The main tower in the east is a nine-story building and is 50 metres tall. Each of the floors in the temple features hundreds of gods and goddesses. Lotus Mahal stands out for its lotus-like architecture. It has 24 pillars for support and long corridors with no walls. Shree Vijaya Vitthala Temple is dedicated to Vittala, who is also said to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Ranga Mantapa, one of the main attractions of the Vittala Temple, is known for its 54 SaReGaMa pillars, named so because of the musical notes coming out of them.
Rishikesh
A city in Uttrakhand, Rishikesh is known for being rich in yoga and spiritual heritage and hence flaunts the title, ‘Yoga capital of the world’. It is a holy land and hence it is a vegetarian and alcohol-free place. The ideal time to visit Rishikesh is from September to March. A one-or-two-day would be enough to explore the beauty of Rishikesh, which may cost around Rs 6,000.
Triveni Ghat, the most popular bathing ghat in Rishikesh, is where the three most sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswathi meet. Triveni Ghat is used by devotees to perform rituals for their departed ones.
Outdoor activities to try in Rishikesh include bungee jumping, rafting, hiking and camping. India’s highest bungee jumping spot is in Rishikesh, which is 83 m. It has the perfect balance of adventurous activities and spirituality for the visitors.
McLeodganj, Himachal Pradesh
McLeodganj, a sanctuary of the Dalai Lama, is located in Himachal Pradesh. It is famous for its greenery, ancient temples, monasteries and Tibetan culture. It would be ideal for visitors to visit from April to June and from September to November. A two-day trip would cost up to Rs 2,000. Visitors usually travel to McLeodganj by air and the Kangra Airport in Dharamshala is about 20 km away from the place. The nearest railway station is Pathankot Railway Station, situated approximately 90 km away.
The 30-foot Bhagsu Falls and its serene beauty is quite a stunning view to watch. The St John In The Wilderness Church built in the woods is one of the oldest structures in Dharamsala. Though mostly in ruins, the church remains and is an example of early New Zealand church design. This church has a considerable amount of significance in terms of architecture and history. Mata Chintpurni Temple in McLeodganj is one of the most important among the 51 Shaktipeethas.
Pushkar, Rajasthan
Pushkar, one of the oldest cities in India, is located in Ajmer, Rajasthan, and woos thousands of tourists every day to explore its history and timeless architecture. The tourist season in Pushkar begins in October and the temperature during this period does not usually exceed 15 degree Celsius. A day trip to Pushkar may cost Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500.
The famous Pushkar Mela is a five-day camel and livestock fair that is held annually in the city during October-November. It is one of the world's largest camel fairs. The Brahma temple, the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, is another main attraction in the city. It is located close to the sacred Pushkar Lake. You can reach Pushkar by buses as it is well-connected to the National Highways of Rajasthan and Pushkar Railway Station is located at a distance of 11km.
Murudeshwar, Karnataka
Murudeshwar, located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, is known for its beautiful temples and beaches. It is just the right place to take a sweet vacation to put an ease to your mind. The picturesque and spiritual beauty of Murudeshwar is captivating. Trains and bus services are available but direct flights are not available. The nearest airport is Mangaluru, which is 137 km away. The best time to visit Murudeshwar is from October to May. A three-day trip in Murudeshwar may cost up to Rs 9,000.
One of the main attractions in this place is the Shri Murudeshwar Temple, where the 123-foot Shiva statue, the tallest in India, is located. Being surrounded by the waters of the Arabian Sea on three sides and built on Kanduka Hill, the view from the temple is a sight that no one should miss.
