December marks the apex of the holiday season in India. There are many places to visit in India in December. the peak season for tourism activities. With monsoon completely out of the picture and a month gap to avoid surprise monsoon, December comes with an advent beauty. This country is full of surprises with so many cultures living in the same nation. There are many tourist attractions in India which will leave you spellbound by their magnificence and vibrancy. Following we will share about some of the best places to visit in India in December. We bring to you the ultimate list of best places to visit in India in December to assist you in planning your trip to India.
Jaipur
Jaipur, also referred to as the “Pink City” is also one of the best places to visit in December in India. Among various places to visit in India with family, Jaipur is the most chosen destination, which boasts of rich cultural heritage of Indian history. You can visit Nahargarh Fort, Amer Palace, Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall, Jantar Mantar, Jal Mahal, etc. If you are visiting from different state, then it is recommended to include nearby places like Ajmer and Pushkar to your bucket list.
Goa
Goa is known as one of the finest and romantic beaches of India. The beauty of this place is something you wouldn’t want to miss out on. This is a great location to visit in the months of December as they organize the best Christmas and trance parties you shall ever see. Spending time with your loved one here is surely worth experiencing. North Goa has more abodes to fill your hearts with its breathtaking beauty. The beaches, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Temple of Bodgeshwar and famous marketplaces keep us to the place whereas South Goa has the beautiful Dudhsagar Waterfalls and the alluring monuments from the times of the Portuguese. Interestingly, Goa celebrates spring during December while the rest of the country is in winter!
Agra
The home of Taj Mahal, Agra is a city breathing the glories of the bygone era. December is the perfect time to visit as gone are the days of sweltering heat and cozy days are here. The chaotic thriving city of Uttar Pradesh has numerous tales to tell. In its by lanes, in its glorious architecture and in its vibrant markets, there is a treasure of heritage. Being the once-upon-a-time capital of Mughal sultanate, the charm of the Mughal lifestyle still lingers.
The marvelous Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan for loving wife Mumtaz Mahal is a beauty. Crowds from all corners of the world throng here to view the exquisite beauty of white marbled icon of love. The other grand architectural delights are the Agra fort, Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, Fatehpur Sikri, Mehtab Bagh, etc. Walk around the streets, take home souvenirs and take the picture of the monument of love.
Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer, the Golden City, epitomises the charm of a sandy desert, along with the royal palaces and fighting camels of Rajasthan. This world-famous tourist destination is situated in the middle of the great Thar Desert. Also, serving as the administrative headquarters of the Jaisalmer district, it shares its borders with Pakistan, Bikaner, Barmer and Jodhpur. This Golden City is just 575 km away from the state capital, Jaipur. Tourism is the major sector playing a key role in the economy of the district. The city has been named after its founder Rawal Jaisal, who ruled Jaisalmer during the 12th century. This Golden City is famous for Rajasthani folk music and dance forms which are highly appreciated in the global forum. The most sensual dance form, Kalbeliya, is performed by the indigenous tribes on the occasion of the Desert Festival at Sam Sand Dunes. This is a three-day annual festival held in the month of February. The camel races, turban tying and the best moustache competitions attract tourists from far flung areas. Besides, camping, bonfire and camel safari in the great Thar Desert are sure to give an unforgettable experience to the travellers visiting Jaisalmer.
Kohima
Nagaland, Kohima in the month of December is perfect. December is the time when Nagaland celebrates its famous Hornbill Festival. All the 16 tribes of Nagaland come together to celebrate their diversity. Started by the government to preserve the heritage, Hornbill has now become an international event. Participants of the grand affair are from all parts of North East as well as Asia.
During the festival, traditional arts, dances, folk songs and games are held. Lots of treats are available in the numerous handicraft stalls and food stalls. The major attraction of the festival is the Hornbill National Rock Concert that begins in the evening. Many music bands from all over the country come to compete and crowds come to enjoy their power-packed performances. The lively night bazaar is another attraction. Witness the Naga Chilli Eating competition, the amazing dance, music and other competitions.
Rann of Kutch
December is the best time to explore the white desert to see the salt turn blue under the moonlit sky. A stay at a tent in the outskirts of Dhordo village is an enchanting experience. Kutch becomes alive during December with loads of celebrations—The Kutch Festival. The only festival which extends for two long months is held in this salty land. Visit the Rann Utsav for an everlasting experience.
Konark
Konark Tour - Located at a mere distance of 34 kms from the holy city of Puri, Konark derives its name from 'Konarka', the presiding deity of the famous Sun Temple located here. A must add on in the East India tour itinerary of every tourist, Konark boasts of a number of magnificent excursions.
Apart from Sun Temple, another characteristic attribute of this ancient city is its cultural binding that is upheld in the form of Konark Dance Festival- an annual festival serving as an amalgamation of classical and folk dance forms.Several excursions around the city also help to make it one of the most sought after destinations of the country. Kuruma, Kakatpur and Chaurasi are some of these to name a few.
An interesting excursion from Konark, Kuruma is a very small village spread around 8 kms from the city and is much famed for its Buddhist architectural heritage. Kakatapur, is a popular pilgrim destination of Odisha (Orissa) housing a number of shrines dedicated to Goddess Mangala and Ranadurga.
The shrines of Amareswara, Laximinarayana and Barahi, situated in Chaurasi are also popular pilgrimage destinations. The deity of Barahi, the Mother Goddess is worshipped here mainly for Tantric practices. This 9th Century goddess having a boar like face holds a fish in one hand and a cup in another.
Ranthambore
Ranthambore National Park is a wildlife reserve in Rajasthan, near Sawai Madhopur. Known for its rich wildlife pool of sloth bears, crocodiles, leopards, black buck chinkaras as well the the Royal Bengal Tiger, Ranthambore has been one of the most coveted tourist destinations in India. October is a good opening month into the tourist season with cooler temperatures and filled lakes post monsoon. Tigers are more frequently and easily spotted by these swelling lakes. Ranthambore is also a former hunting ground of Rajput Maharajas but today hunting is strictly banned here.
Pushkar
Pushkar is best known for having the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma – The Creator – in the whole world. Thus it holds a special place of devout Hindus who consider a visit the Pushkar to be the ultimate pilgrimage that must be undertaken to attain salvation. The four-faced idol of Lord Brahma is housed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple while the marble statue of Sun God stands guard.
One of the most famous tourist destinations in Pushkar, the sacred Pushkar Lake is mentioned in the scriptures as ‘Tirtha Raj’ the king of all pilgrimages. According to legends, it is believed that the lake was immediately formed when Lord Brahma dropped a lotus flower. The lake is surrounded with 52 bathing Ghats and 400 temples which make up for a spectacular sight.
Another famous temple at Pushkar is Varaha Temple, which is the most ancient temple in the region dedicated to third avatar of Lord Vishnu. Savitri Temple is a shrine dedicated to the first wife of Lord Brahma situated right behind the Brahma temple. Rangji temple is another beautiful temple which showcases a unique blend of Mughal, South Indian and Rajput style of architecture. Atmateshwar Temple, Panchkund Shiva Temple, and Pap Mochini are other famous temples in Puskhar.
Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh)
Khajuraho Temples are among the most beautiful medieval monuments in the country. These temples were built by the Chandella ruler between AD 900 and 1130. It was the golden period of Chandella rulers. It is presumed that it was every Chandella ruler has built atleast one temple in his lifetime. So all Khajuraho Temples are not constructed by any single Chandella ruler but Temple building was a tradition of Chandella rulers and followed by almost all rulers of Chandella dynasty.
The first recorded mention of the Khajuraho temples is in the accounts of Abu Rihan al Biruni in AD 1022 and the Arab traveler Ibn Battuta in AD 1335. Local tradition lists 85 temples in Khajuraho out of which only 25 temples are surviving after various stages of preservation and care. All these temples are scattered over an area of about 9 square miles.
Khajuraho is believed to be the religious capital of Chandellas. Chandella rulers had tried to discriminate politics from religious & cultural activities, so they established their political capital in Mahoba which is about 60km. away from Khajuraho and religious/cultural capital in Khajuraho. Whole Khajuraho was enclosed by a wall with about 8 gates used for entry/exit. It is believed that each gate is flanked by two date/palm trees. Due to these date trees present Khajuraho get its name Khajura-vahika. In hindi language, “Khajura” means ‘Date’ and “Vahika” means ‘Bearing’. In history Khajuraho is also described with the name of Jejakbhukti.
Chennai
Chennai is the fourth largest city in the country, and it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in South India. A city that has a rich cultural history, Chennai perfectly balances its heritage with its thriving modern lifestyle. A metropolis with a heart, Chennai?s skyline is famous for its towering skyscrapers which form a scenic vista along the coast, but the heart of Chennai still remains in the multitude of old temples and churches dotting various parts of the city. Steeped in rich South-Indian culture, Chennai is a city that has a plethora of dimensions that one can explore, and regardless of where you go, the city has an old-world charm to it that refuses to be overshadowed.
Chennai is home to the second largest beach in the world, the Marina Beach, which is one of the most happening spots in the city. At any hour of the day, Marina Beach is filled to the brim with people, both locals and tourists, basking in the soft warmth of the sun and the sand, with the crystal clears waters of the ocean lapping at their feet. The beach is lined with eateries and stalls where you can go for a quick snack, or for some souvenir shopping. It usually takes two full days to visit major attractions in Chennai.