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Travel to the 5 Stargazing Destinations of India

There is so much serenity that you can experience when you lie down and gaze into the starry skies. It makes you wonder about your very existence and also lifts you away on a dreamy trip to take the unknown wonders of the universe. India has many places where stargazers can head to and get drenched in the beauty of the skies. Here is a look at the five places that you can head to and a get a clear view of the night sky.

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1. Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer also called the 'Golden City' epitomises the charm of the sandy desert, along with the royal palaces and camels of Rajasthan. This world famous tourist destination is situated in the middle of the great Thar Desert. Tourism is the major sector playing a key role in the economy of this district. The city has been named after its founder Rao Jaisal who ruled Jaisalmer during the 12th century. Nothing is more exhilarating than camping in the wide desert expanse, under the blanket of the star-studded night sky, watching the heaven from your cosy tents. The desert of Jaisalmer is the perfect place for stargazers.

2. Ladakh

Ladakh, situated on the banks of the Indus River, is a famous tourist spot in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also known as 'The Last Shangri La', 'Little Tibet', 'The Moon Land' and 'The Broken Moon'. Beautiful lakes and monasteries, mesmerising landscapes, and mountain peaks are some of the attractive features of this place. It also boasts of some of the clearest night skies in India. The view of clear skies from the Shanti Stupa makes it a great spot for stargazing. For the more adventurous ones, visit the Hanle Observatory, the world's highest space observatory for a heavenly experience.

View of the star-studded sky at Ladakh
Photo Courtesy: nevil zaveri

3. Matheran

Matheran is an amazing hill station in the state of Maharashtra situated at an elevation of 808 mt above the sea level. The tourist spot is nestled in the hilly regions of the Western Ghats range, and being a no-vehicle destination, it is one of the most unpolluted places in India. It offers a clear and stunning view of the night sky and viewpoints like the Echo Point and Hart Point here give a spectacular and clear view of the sky for stargazers.

4. Nainital

Nainital, also known as the 'Lake District of India', is located in the Himalayan Belt of the state of Uttarakhand. Situated amidst the Kumaon Hills it is often referred to as 'The Lake of Three Sages' or the 'Tri-Rishi-Sarovar'. It is a paradise for tourists because of its beautiful landscape and serene surroundings. It is believed that the British merchant, P. Barron, made Nainital famous in 1839, when he established a British colony here, mesmerised by the beauty of the region. For the space enthusiasts, the Aryabhatta research observatory, the oldest observatory in India, is a must-visit. The observatory boasts of India's largest telescope, allowing you to even observe Jupiter's rings from here in India! You must be wondering about the cost, there is none, it is free and an incredible experience.

A streak of lightening over Naini Lake.
Photo Courtesy: Yogendra Joshi

5. Andaman and Nicobar

For generations, man has always sought seclusion, such as on tropical, warm beach holidays. Be it the Brazilian Amazon or the beaches of Ibiza, seclusion brings a tourist to a state of calm that very few of the world's destinations are able to offer in today's crowded world. The Andaman and Nicobar islands are just the kind of seclusion that you have been searching for. While the many beaches here attracts tourists from far and wide, one of the lesser known feature of these islands is the opportunity that it offers to stargazers. The clear night sky is lit up with millions of stars and all you need to do is either lay down under the starry sky and marvel at the beauty of nature or get a closer view of the stars with the help of a powerful telescope. There is no observatory here and hence you would have to carry your own telescope or simply enjoy the feast the skies offer with your naked eyes.

Andaman

Colourful hues of the evening sky.
Photo Courtesy: _e.t

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