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Dark Tourism in India by Priyanka Shetty

People travelling to places and staying outside their usual environment for leisure, business, or other purposes for more than one year is part of tourism. Service sector tourism has become one of the important sources of money. India has seen a rapid increase in tourism in the past decade in addition to specialty forms of tourism that have also emerged over time. niche tourism has grown in this sector.

According to Malcolm Foley and John Lennon, dark tourism involves travelling to places historically associated with death and suffering (1996). Individuals are drawn to dark locations for their historical value, rather than their association with death and suffering. Because of this, this type of tourism is also known as “Grief tourism” or “black tourism”. Some of the motives for visiting this place include remembering the tragedy and its consequences, interest in human psychology, desire to pay respect to the deceased, etc.

People nowadays travel between locations both domestically and internationally for a variety of reasons, including business trips, leisure, pilgrimage, meeting friends and relatives, fairs and festivals, relaxation, adventure, sports, and economy diversification. Tourism is a very dynamic industry that has to deal with ever-changing consumer demands and a constant emphasis on consumer satisfaction. Tourism creates employment, leads to infrastructure development, foreign exchange, economic diversification, cultural awareness, preservation of natural resources, and more.

A person’s choice of vacation has changed over the years, and now tourists are interested in particular interest tourism. Special interest tourism centres on viewing and experiencing something unique with a goal in addition to viewing or enjoying scenic beauty. It provides a variety of tourism activities that are tailored and specifically targets those with particular interests. It provides a wide range of experiences including rewarding, adventurous, and educational.

India’s tourism industry is an important agent in both economic and social change. The country’s rich cultural heritage and travel and tourism have always been a part of the country. In recent years the country has enjoyed a considerable surge in tourism. We have Himalayan mountains, beaches, valleys, deserts, wildlife, and forests, all of which have healing powers and provide a unique experience. According to the forecast, the sector of tourism is expected to increase by 6.9% to 32.05 lakh crore (US$460 billion) by 2028 (9.9% of GDP). In addition, jobs have been created in many sectors as a result of the increase in foreign direct investments in tourism. The “Atithi Devo Bhava” programme, introduced by the Government of India, teaches all the parties the value of tourists and tourist places. It teaches people to appreciate the importance of preserving nature, culture, heritage, and hospitality in particular.

Since 2002, the Indian government has launched the Incredible India campaign to promote tourism. The campaign showcased different facets of the country, including art, music, yoga, spirituality, India’s unique culture, and so on. Because India is so diverse, there are numerous options for travellers who want to visit India. There are several varieties of tourism in India, including cultural tourism, historic tourism, spiritual tourism, religious tourism, health tourism, yoga tourism, eco-tourism, and many other types of tourism. Sports tourism, village tourism, adventure tourism, and recreational tourism are just a few examples.

According to Foley and Lennon (1996), dark tourism is a form of tourism that involves travelling to locations associated with death and disaster. People are increasingly interested in dark tourism in recent years because of their strong curiosity about death (Lennon & Foley, 2000). Dark tourism is still a fresh concept for the tourism industry. The idea behind heritage tourism is to combine history, heritage, tourism, and suffering (Niemela, 2010). Places that have endured social and political upheavals or conflicts or remember tragic historical significance and emotional resonance are considered to be part of this category. These destinations were formerly used as a location for a very violent act in a very dark period in history. Because of this, they are known as black tourism or grief tourism. Stone opened the Institute for Dark Tourism Research (iDTR) as the world’s first academic centre in this field.

Dark Tourism may also be experienced in a variety of ways, such as:

#1. Grave tourism
#2. Prison and Persecution site tourism
#3. Natural disaster area tourism
#4. Modern Political sites
#5. Industrial Disasters

In roman era, audiences took keen interest in gladiator fights and enjoyed them with full enthusiasm, which is evident from the fact that from medieval times to the nineteenth century, there used to be large gatherings whenever there was any public execution. It can also be seen from the facts that from medieval times to the nineteenth century, audiences took keen interest in public executions and enjoyed them with full enthusiasm. As Rome’s Colosseum was the first location of dark tourism for those interested in tourism linked to death and destruction, the first research on the topic was published in an international journal of science of cultural and heritage in 1996.

According to researchers, dark tourism involves psychological exploration of tourists, but pilgrimage has a sacred function. Dark tourism is commonly connected with heinous historical events and might be focused on simply obtaining social and economic status. In the present day, dark tourism has developed into one of the most desirable sorts of tourism. Auschwitz Concentration Camp, Poland, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, Ground Zero, New York City, the United States, Cu Chi Tunnels, Saigon, Vietnam, are a few of the world’s most renowned dark tourism locations.

The seven suppliers or seven foundations of dark tourism are as follows:

#1. Dark Fun Factories:
These are locations that provide thrills by focusing on the superficial deaths caused by business and financial principles. They have good tourist infrastructure. For example, the Dracula Park in Romania.

#2. Dark Exhibitions:
This idea provides tourists with death-related experiences but only for educational and learning purposes. There are locations, sites, and exhibits that display death and suffering.

#3. Dark Dungeons:
These are the places and sites that are defined as criminal history and mistreatment. These are again places that purely educate tourists on history of destination. For example, prisons

#4. Dark Shrines:
They are not so popular websites. They are located nearby to the sites of death and misery. They look very brutal and are certainly not at all eye-catching. They are visited only to pay respect to the deceased.

#5. Dark Resting Places:
To pay respect to the loved ones, these are usually visited cemeteries and graveyards.

#6. Dark Conflict Sites:
These are destinations that are linked to significant events in history. Battles were fought at these locations, and now they draw significant numbers of visitors. An example is the Battle of Jhansi.

#7. Dark places of mass killing:
There are sites where there is suffering, death, and atrocities, and these are grouped into the darkest and lightest sites.

One can glean from this information that fears, insecurity, love, humanity, sympathy, and superiority are some of the psychological motivations that lead tourists to visit dark locations and sights.

Must Read: Unheard and Unprotected Mystery of Bijapur, Is in Need of Attention! by Navya.M.S

List of places where people go to experience the dark tourism places in India
The history of India is so rich that dark tourism is sure to be popular. From natural disasters, wars, civilizations, poverty, cultural diversity, kingdoms and empires, superstitions, and freedom struggles, India has seen all sorts of unfortunate things. There is therefore a lot of potential for dark tourism in the country. There are plenty of destinations that could be marketed as dark tourist spots, particularly those that have witnessed some kind of event in the past. By drawing in large numbers of domestic and foreign travellers, these places can be made into dark places for tourists.

In India, deep tourism is focused on ghastly places.

#1. Bhangarh Fort Rajasthan-

The fort in Alwar district in Rajasthan is strictly closed after sunset and nobody is allowed to enter until sunrise. It is said that a Tantrik cursed the fort, making it the most haunted in India.

#2. Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar-

It is a historical place in India and a memorial in the memory of more than 1500 people who lost lives or got injured during the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The walls of the Jallianwala bagh still display 36 bullet marks, which are visible as bolts.

#3. Dumas Beach, Gujarat-

It is a beach in India that is ranked in the top 35 haunted places in India. After the sunset, people hear howling or laughter sounds on the beach.

#4. Three Kings Church, Goa-

People say that the Church of the Annunciation is located in Chondor, South Goa and dates back to the 15th century. They believe that the church is in the grip of evil spirits and that people have experienced unusual activity within it.

Calangute Beach Goa: Top Attractions, Things to Do, and Best Time to Visit

#5. Roopkund, Uttarakhand –

The mystery lake known as skeleton lake is surrounded by glaciers and snow mountains. When the snow melts, Roopkund’s human skeletons can be seen at the lakes’ bottom.

Must Read: 31 Best Treks in the Himalayas You Must Do in 2022

#6. Shaniwarwada, Pune-

On historic Pune fort, the Peshwas ruled before they lost the Third Anglo-Maratha War. People are advised not to visit the place after sunset because it is believed that some evil spirit resides there, especially on full moon nights where people may hear loud cries.

#7. Cellular Jail, Andaman Nikobar Island-

In colonial India, Kala Pani was a notorious prison where freedom fighters, or activists, were incarcerated and punished. Today this spot is a national memorial. The Vir Sawarkar Smaran Yatra educates the public about the life of a brave freedom fighter, Vir Sawarkar.

#8. Tajmahal Palace Hotel Mumbai-

On November 26, 2008, Tajmahal palace and hotels in Mumbai survived one of the most horrific terrorist attacks ever. Many tourists now visit Mumbai
particularly around Tajmahal palace and the hotel where they are given a tour showing the locations where incidents occurred.

Must Read: 3 Places in Kolkata to Scare You to the Core!

The problems that Dark Tourism in India is facing
There are several locations throughout India that are considered to be negatively viewed by society. These locations are known as dark tourism destinations, and they represent significant areas of death and destruction in India’s history. The motive of tourists is to explore the psychological effects of visiting these sites, which creates a difficulty for people to accept. There is a lack of understanding and knowledge about dark tourism, and also a difficulty with regard to cultural values, ethics, and values and morals of the people of India, which has prevented it from being marketed well. Dark tourism locations are not well promoted, and there are no proper services for tourists at these places. Because they are not well advertised, they are not accessible to tourists. The Indian department of tourism has not established policies for dark tourism sites.

Conclusion
The aim of the article is to discover the foundations of dark tourism. People are becoming increasingly fascinated by dark tourism, which is aiding to boost tourism and contribute to socio-economic development. This kind of tourism is often associated with other aspects. Dark tourism encompasses a variety of sites with little or no connection, which makes them popular. The report says that there is still a problem of values and ethics when it comes to promoting dark tourism in India. Graduate students and undergraduates of tourism studies can also now include dark tourism in their curriculum. It is also drawing the attention of PhD researchers. Dark tourism has become a frequent topic for magazine articles and newspaper write-ups due to its visibility. Places that are not particularly attractive to tourists because of various reasons may boost their economy through tourism by promoting dark destinations as a tourist destination. Very little literature on dark tourism is available, so a small study was done on Indian tourism.

Author Bio –
Mrs. Priyanka Shetty
Assistant Professor, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth Department of Hotel Management

The article you are viewing was written by Priyanka Shetty and first appeared on International Journal of Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity.

Panwali Kanta The Pilgrim’s Progress – By Asis Mukherjee

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“PANWALI KANTHA” — Sometimes it’s the name that draws our first attention without any reason. So when I got acquainted with the place in an article, the appeal was irresistible to me to visit it ,which is situated on the old pilgrimage route in the Central Garwal. Shortly we two, myself and Pradeep Biswas, set out for Tehri via Haridwar. Tehri was the ancient capital of Garhwal on the bank of Bhagirathi, but now it has lost his glamour and importance.

We left it behind and took the road to Ghuttu along the upstream of Bhilangana, a tributary of Bhagirathi. By late afternoon our only bus stopped at the road- ahead of the village Ghuttu which spread on the either side of the beautiful little river Bhilangana. It was a quiet hamlet in the lap of the Himalaya on the bank of a rivulet which was cascading down with the crystal blue water from khatling glacier and ghusing down to pour its water into the Bhagirathi.

We checked in the forest-rest-house. Putting our belongings in the room we set out again for a stroll around the village with an eye to searching two porters for our next few days trek. We walked down to the riverbed and sitting on a flat stoneslab unleashed ourselves into the tranquility of the place against the setting sun. The rivulet flowed us to the past when the pilgrims and saints used to travel and halt on their pilgrimage along this route from Bhagirathi Valley to Mandakini Valley. Presently this roadhead village Ghuttu offers a number of treks including Shahasratal, Khatling Glacier and Kedarnath via masartal etc. You can get your provisions and porters and guides for your requirement here.

We engaged two local men as our porters and when we came to know from them that approaching for Khatling Glacier wouldn’t be judicious in this early summer on account of heavy accumulation of snow in the uphill ahead, we changed our mind instantly for ‘Panwali Kanta’ which was our primary objective. So we told them likewise and returned our nest. In the early morning the two porters peeped in and awakened us with two glasses of tea. I counted it as an indication of their sincerity which proved very helpful later. We got up and prepared as they were busy on repacking their loads. We left our Nightshelter at about 6.30 in the morning and crossing the Bhilgana on foot bridge came on the left bank and immediately began to climb throuh the zigzag village foot-track. The village, the river, the foot-track to Gangi all remained picturesquely in shilhoutte as sunshine was yet to appear in the valley below crossing the high ridge of the mountain. As we gained altitude we were getting warmer under the morning sunlight, though cool bridge often soothed us as frequently as we paused for a breath. Kanta is the colloquial term of a ridge. But Panwali Kanta is not only a ridge. it is a watershed between the two valleys of the Bhagirathi and the Mandakini rivers as well as it is also lucrative to the local ‘gurjars’ or the shepherds for its vast pasture of grassland around. During summer they used to settle here with their heards and continue to stay until winter falls. The Height is about 12000 feet above sea level and this place naturally offers a magnificent view of the peaks of the central Himalaya of the Gangotri region.

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After a continuous march of three hours and half on the bare slope of the mountain, Tirpan Singh, the guidde-cum-porter of our team declared a tea break. This was well deserving. He lit a small fire and prepared the liquor within a few minutes. It rejuvenated our energy and we resumed our journey. Tirpan proposed me to reach Panwali the same day which meant
to cover up a distance of two days march. It is about 16 kilometres and the gain of altitude is 6000 feet.

Nevertheless it’s labourious but the track was well defined and good. We now noticed big trees in abundance and we halted in the shed for our lunch as the sun crossed the midday.
In the afternoon we found a thached shop in the middle of the forest to my utter surprise and entered for a cup of tea. Tirpan informed me that a local villager ran this seasonal multipurpose shop for those Gurjars of the up hill pasturage. Here we came across a Bengali sadhu to whom we offered a cup of tea. We came to know that his partner left him behind and he decided to spend the night here. We hurriedly finished our cups and rushed for the last leg of our’s days March. While going through the forest Tirpan showed us some hideouts which the local poachers used to kill ‘bharals’ and deers by shotgun.

During late afternoon we came above the tree-line and soon we crossed the final ridge where from we caught the glimpse of the Majestic Himalayan range in the horizon and in front of us laid out a vast grasay pasture — that’s ‘Panwali Kanta’ , our destination. We unleashed our rucksack from our back and laid down flat on the carpet of the nature utterly fatigued. When, after – ‘a-while, we could manage to drag us into the two storied mudhouse of the Panwali dharamshala we were greeted by Tirpan with mug full of steaming tea and plate full of snacks. He took our rucksacks in the upper room while we sat at the doorstep with our tea. When the goal was achieved, only tranquility prevailed, which we could feel all around. As the sun set, the peaks of Gangotri region in front visible from this part including Rudragayara and Khatling which I could recognise, began to change its colour to bid adieu to the setting sun. The vastness of the land, where we stood upon, the greatness of the mountain encircled us and the calmness of the surroundings entered into our soul awakening a reverential feeling in the mind. We stood perplexed till darkness engulfed the surrounding and star studded canopy was hovered in the sky. A piercing cold wind drove us back to our nest.

We came across, to my utter dismay, the counterpart of that Bengali Sadhu who was left behind enroute. I didn’t like to interact with him but Pradip collected a lot of information about them. As he told me, both of them fled from their home in the mofussil of Bengal in want and were roaming about in disguise of saints from the Gangasagar. What disgusted me most was their deceitful appearance by dint of which they lived a better life than what they did before. Moreover they didn’t think for their families and children whom they left behind selfishly.

Morning wore a bright Sunny face and as we came out our hearts filled with ecstasy. The weather was pleasant and the sign of life of a few Gurjar families around there and their herds awakened in the prevailing tranquility. There was no hurry-skurry. Life here rolls on along with the sun. After a light breakfast we picked up our rucksacks and bade goodbye to those local people who gave us shelter yesternight and stepped out on the track that led to ‘Triyuginarayan’ via ‘Khunta Khal’ the local name of a moderate pass lying a few kilometres ahead.

But soon we came to a halt as we found our porters were waiting there for us. Everything around was shining but the face of Tirpan Singh, our guide, whose wrinkled forehead bore some serious indication. “What happened?” when asked, he simply showed me the foot track in front which had been buried under the deep snow and it’s next to impossible to locate it and follow the same. The only alternative, as he suggested, if we wanted to proceed further, was to climb the cliff and to walk along its razor’s edge untill ‘Khunta Khal’ appeared on our way. Obviously his suggestion put our courage and conviction to an acid-test, because it would be a risky attempt to trek on the sharp edge of a ridge without any support of ‘lifeline’, the rope, which could resist any unwanted fall or acccident. Nevertheless, we decided to proceed.

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So we left the usual track and began to scale the slope of the ridge using all of our four limbs. Tirpan was leading followed by myself and next to me Pradeep and after him the porter all with their own load. As I came upon the top of the ridge, I paused for a while, feeling the intensity of the wind and noticed the sharp fall of about one thousand feet on the other side where no snow could even accumulate. I poised my balance and concentration, then followed the foot steps left behind by Tirpan who already crossed the riskprone zone and waited for my arrival. I traversed the razor’s edge safely and anchored beside him. Now only I could get time to look behind and anxiously noticed that my both behinders tried to cross that formidable ridge but they sank down on their knees. I immediately sent Tirpan, who was also watching them and finally he managed to fetch them safe one by one with great craftsmanship and courage.

The Ridge became flattened and we felt comfortable and safe and resumed our walk ahead in a row as usual through kneedeep snow. But ‘Khunta Khal’ or the pass was still a long-way. While plodding through the soft snow I hoped that after crossing the pass this hazardous journey might come to an end. Tirpan brought to our notice the pagmark of a Himalayan Bear on the soft snow which thrilled all of us. We paused en-route to “Khunta Khal” where Tirpan showed us the remains of a group of poor pilgrims who were burried under and an avalanche last year. But all these could not stir our mind to a great extent because we were too embarrassed with the condition of the snow which now and then reached our west level.

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Ultimately we came upon the pass and with utter dismay noticed the terrible condition of the age-old foot track completely burried under snow and beyond negotiable condition.

So as Tirpan begin to descend the slope through the thick bush and hedge leaving the foot-track aside, we came to his heel with leaden feet.He already noticed a shaphered’s hut at the bottom of the slope amidst a small green pasture of land and selected it as our night’s shelter and when we all reached there he broke off the dayIn no time we rearranged the lonely hut and composed ourselves with our mattrasses and sleeping bags laid out while the porters brought a huge log and lit a fire. With steaming mugs of tea and snacks we soon recovered our energy which was drained out to the buttom in last eight hours of prolonged march through soft snow at about twelve thousand feet above sea level. There was no human being in the vicinity though ‘Mogguchatti‘ was only a few kilometres further. The starry night-sky was visible through the perforated thatched roof of the hut and we rolled down in the womb of our sleeping bags after early dinner.

The following morning, as we left for ‘Soneprayag‘, the road head on the Kedarnath route, a heavy downpour accompanied us till Triyuginarayan where we halted for a while. Though drenched to the buttom we visited the temple where the holy marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati took place under the priesthood of Lord Vishnu according to mythology. Once important pilgrimage has now lost its importance to the modern travellers of Kedarnath who normally have very little time in their tight-scheduled package-tour to visit this beautiful place and the temple. It seemed to me that the temple along with a few habitats around remained in the hoary past with the ever-burning holy-fire as an evidence of the great marriage. We also added some wood to the fire and prayed to the holy couple and headed for a hotel in the usual life of din and bustle of our world.

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Landour: Distant From the Crowd, Into the Silence – Radhika Pansare

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This year, I organized an impromptu vacation to Uttarakhand, and Landour, Mussoorie was one of the places where I left a piece of my heart. Landour is a stunning off-the-beaten-path hill station in Mussoorie. Landour, a British Indian cantonment town, was named after the settlement of Llanddowror in south-west Wales. The tranquility and serenity of the surroundings guarantee to captivate you. I could go on and on how lovely and quote this place is. Do I discuss the locals, the dogs, the roads, or the restaurants? Everything about this site is amazing and makes you feel like you’re in a fairytale. Meandering roads, fresh mountain air, and magnificent views of nature make hiking in the Alps a truly thrilling experience.

The road in Landour is shaped like the number ‘8’, with all the activities to do and places to visit dispersed along the sides of the route. This is known as the ‘Upper Chakkar’ or ‘Gol Chakkar.’ If you want to experience the actual heart of Landour, it is advisable to walk rather than drive. The road is very well constructed, and the surroundings are densely forested with huge lush Deodar trees.

Discovering the Town’s Gems

#1) Lal Tibba View Point

As its name suggests, Lal Tibba refers to the reddish-brown soil on the hill where it is located (Lal = Red and Tibba = Hill in Hindi). It is Landour’s highest point, from which you can see numerous prominent Himalayan peaks. There are two restaurants in Lal Tibba that have binoculars on their terrace for viewing the Himalayas and distant villages, and they charge INR 50 each. The view from Lal Tibba is spectacular, and from here, one can adore all of the Char Dhams. Lal Tibba is best seen at sunrise or sunset.

#2) Char Dukaan

Char Dukaan is a row of four stores in Landour. The Char Dukaan takes care of the domestic requirements of international students at Landour Language School. All of the stores sell cuisine as well as hill-friendly snacks and drinks such as a hot cup of tea/coffee, Maggi, pakoras, parathas, noodles, pancake and waffles.

#3) Landour Language School

The Kellogg’s Memorial Church is directly behind Landour Language School. When the British governed India, they sent their children to this school to study Hindi. Dr. Samuel Kellogg created a book on Hindi Grammar in English to help British people grasp the language. The Landour Language School is still in operation and presently teaches Hindi.

#4) Kellogg’s Memorial Church

When you get at the crossroads of Gol Chakkar, you will notice Kellogg Memorial Church, the largest church established in 1903 by an American missionary. The chapel was founded in 1903 as a Presbyterian church and is called after Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Kellogg, an American Presbyterian missionary who worked in Landour. We couldn’t get inside the church since it doesn’t allow tourists due to Covid-19.

#5) St. Paul’s Church

The church was constructed in 1839 and dedicated on May 1, 1840, by Bishop Daniel Wilson of Calcutta. This is the first chapel where troops were permitted to bring their guns inside to avoid theft. During church, the benches have notched seats to place the gun on. The church is surrounded by large pine/deodar trees and looks stunning. The yellow-painted church stands out against the blue sky and deodar trees in the background.

#6) Landour Bakehouse

Landour Bakehouse provides bakeries, sweets, croissants, scones, buns, cookies, crepes, and puddings made from tried-and-true Landour recipes. The recipes in this section have been adapted to local requirements and put in a book called Landour Cookbook. The menu of Landour Bakehouse highlights these foods. The bakery/café has an ancient appeal with its wooden design, earthy environment, and kitchen construction in the manner of the nineteenth century. ‘We don’t have wifi; pretend it’s the 1980s and chat to each other,’ said a black chalkboard at Landour Bakehouse, which made us laugh. Another amusing remark is scrawled on an abandoned van immediately outside Landour Bakehouse: ‘We’ll start deliveries as soon as our vehicle is fixed.’

Related Article – Top 15 Famous Food of Uttarakhand | Travellers of India

#7) Anil Prakash store

‘Prakash & Co – Since 1928’ is the name of a business as well as a company that offers the famous Landour jams, preserves (10 types prepared the American manner), and English-style Cheddar. Christian missionaries arrived in the 1830s, and Landour quickly became one of India’s first commercial peanut butter producers. Anil Prakash’s family ended up in possession of their peanut butter and food-processing machinery this way.

#8) Doma’s Inn

The ancient cottage has been transformed into a multi-colored sunny vision with Tibetan elements. Its wood-paneled rooms are deliciously comfy, with the biggest even having a sit-out porch. The elaborately hand painted walls and ceilings are a sight to behold. When you walk into the dining room, you’ll notice that it’s covered in mishmash of old Hollywood and Bollywood movie posters. Another unique feature of this location is that it shares a wall with “The Ivy Cottage,” the home of renowned author Ruskin Bond. Let us not forget to mention the cuisine. All of the Tibetan cuisine is exquisite.

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#9) Emily’s by Rokeby Manor
Rokeby, built in 1840 by Captain GN Cauthy, is a Landour landmark. Its name is derived from Sir Walter Scott’s writings, which chronicle heroic battles at Rokeby Castle in England in a book-length poem. The home has been owned by a variety of people, including a British soldier, Rev. Woodside, one of the founders of Woodstock School, and the Methodist Episcopal Church. It has also used as a boarding house for missionary women learning Urdu and Hindi. It was in Rokeby’s DNA to be managed as a hotel, with a restaurant named after Emily Eden and carefully rebuilt rooms with stone walls and hardwood flooring! It’s the most exclusive stay in Landour, along with Rokeby Residences, a cluster of colonial villas nearby.

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Top 20 National Parks in India That You Need to Visit!

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India is a land of incredible biodiversity, boasting a vast array of national parks that are home to diverse ecosystems and fascinating wildlife. From the majestic tigers of Ranthambore National Park to the pristine beauty of the Sunderbans National Park, each national park offers a unique and captivating experience. Let’s explore the top 20 national parks in India, categorized by states.

In Uttarakhand, the Jim Corbett National Park beckons wildlife enthusiasts with its iconic Bengal tigers, while the Valley of Flowers National Park showcases a breathtaking display of alpine flora. Moving to Madhya Pradesh, the Kanha National Park entices visitors with its dense forests and thriving tiger population, while Bandhavgarh National Park is renowned for its stunning landscapes and frequent tiger sightings.

Rajasthan boasts the famous Ranthambore National Park, where the royal Bengal tigers roam amidst ancient ruins. In Assam, the Kaziranga National Park stands tall as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. Karnataka showcases the lush forests of Bandipur National Park and the mesmerizing wildlife of Nagarhole National Park.

Kerala’s Periyar National Park offers a chance to spot majestic elephants and explore the serene Periyar Lake, while Maharashtra boasts the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Sanjay Gandhi National Park Mumbai, and Pench National Park.

These are just a few examples of the remarkable national parks in India. Each state has its own unique offerings, allowing visitors to delve into the wonders of nature and witness incredible wildlife up close. With their conservation efforts and breathtaking landscapes, these national parks are a testament to India’s rich natural heritage.

Here is a list of the Top 20 National Parks in India:

#1. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India
#2. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India
#3. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India
#4. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India
#5. Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India
#6. Sundarbans National Park, India
#7. Bandipur National Park, Karnataka, India
#8. Nagahole National Park/Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Karnataka, India
#9. Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand, India
#10. Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India
#11. Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India
#12. Silent Valley National Park, Kerala, India
#13. Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu, India
#14. Japdapara National Park, West Bengal, India
#15. Gorumara National Park, West Bengal, India
#16. Pin Valley National Park, Himachal Pradesh, India
#17. Dachigam National Park, Jammu and Kashmir, India
#18. Mount Harriet National Park, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
#19. Papikonda National Park, Andhra Pradesh, India
#20. Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat, India

1. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India – The Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India that was established in 1936. It is located just a few hour’s drive away from Delhi, but takes one away from the bustle of city life to a completely new world of thick forests and natural beauty. Tourists at Jim Corbett may catch a glimpse of a tiger, or see some other beautiful creatures like deer and elephants. Know more – Top 44 Astounding Places To Visit In Uttarakhand In 2021

2. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India – The Kanha National Park is one of the best national parks in India in terms of its conservation programme. The Sal forests, bamboo groves and open grasslands of the Kanha National Park have played a very important role in tiger conservation and research in India. Tourists can take elephant safaris to visit the tigers in the wild or click beautiful pictures of wild birds and deer.

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3. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India – This national park is another representation of the natural diversity of Madhya Pradesh. Pench is known for its thick teak woods and tiger sightings. This park also has facilities for river rafting which attracts a large number of tourists.

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4. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India – This national park is very unique because of the fact that it has been built up around the ancient Indian Ranthambore Fort. The steep cliffs and rocky terrain surrounding the fort now house many varieties of wildlife. Some tigers are also present. But in recent years due to overcrowding by tourists, the facilities of this park have suffered greatly. Know more – Places to visit in Rajasthan

5. Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India – Home to the world-famous one horned rhinoceros of India, Kaziranga National Park has now become a fixture in the travel itinerary of all international tourists. Domestic tourists can also visit the park to photograph some beautiful animals in open grassland and experience the thrill of seeing the huge rhinoceros up-close.

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6. Sundarbans National Park, India – This national park is built on one of the most unique natural formations of India. The Sundarbans National Park spreads over more than 12o deltaic islands that are covered in mangrove forests rich in wildlife ranging from tigers and crocodiles to beautiful birds and reptiles.

7. Bandipur National Park, Karnataka, India – This national park was once the hunting ground of the mighty rajas of the ancient kingdom of Mysore. Now it protects a large number of animals like monkeys, deer and elephants. The Bandipur National Park is a segment of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The native flora of this area is deciduous plants known for creating a deep dark canopy of green over a forested land. The serene greenery of Bandipura has earned it the name of being one of the most scenic national parks of India.

8. Nagahole National Park/Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Karnataka, India – This national park is also part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Kabini River runs between the two parks of Bandipur and Nagahole. Elephant herds can often be seen going across the river.

9. Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand, India – This is national park is located at a comparatively higher altitude than most national parks in India. The main feature of this national park is its massive bloom of beautiful alpine flowers during the monsoon season. But it is a bit of a strenuous hike to reach the Valley of Flowers and tourists should keep this in mind when travelling with kids or elders.

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10. Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India – This national park covers an area of 524 sq km. It is a unique landscape dotted with sandstone peaks, deep thicket and narrow ravines. This national park is known for their wide variety of wildlife like leopards, black buck, boars and bears. This park is also a good destination for bird photography. Boating tours and walking tours have also been started at the Satpura National Park to attract more tourists. The more brave-hearted tourists can even camp overnight in a safe and protected area of the national park.

11. Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India – This national park is favorite among nature lovers because of its intense natural beauty. A comparatively lesser known site, this park is home to elephants, tigers, jackals and mongoose. The most unique feature of this national park is the presence of the Neelakurinji trees. These trees bloom every twelve years and cover the entire forest in an otherworldly shade of deep blue. Photographers and nature lovers all wait for years to see the Neelakurinji trees in full bloom.

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12. Silent Valley National Park, Kerala, India – India was once characterized by its dense tropical evergreen forests. As settlement spread these forests were reduced in size. The Silent Valley National Park of Kerala is one of the last remnants of the typical tropical evergreen forests of India. Elephants, tigers, wild pigs and the majestic panthers can all be found here. The ancient and undisturbed origins of the Silent Valley National Park attract scientists and tourists from all over the world.

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13. Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu, India – This national park also doubles as a wildlife sanctuary. It is known for its dense greenery. This reserve is most well-known for its large elephant population. There are also golden jackals, leopards and striped hyenas. This national park in recent years has had to implement many strict measures to protect their wildlife from animal poachers. As a result many endangered species of wildlife in India are now thriving and regenerating their population in the Mudumalai National Park of Tamil Nadu.

14. Japdapara National Park, West Bengal, India – This park highlights the flora and fauna of the eastern part of India. The park is populated by elephants, bison, wild pigs and rhinos. But the biggest attraction for tourists is the elephant safaris through the forests of Jaldapara. Click to know – 10 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Kolkata

15. Gorumara National Park, West Bengal, India – This park is located just a stone’s throw away from Jaldapara and tourists usually make a visit to both these parks. The Gorumara National Park is a comparatively smaller national park, but it is rich in wildlife. Tourists can see Bengal tigers and large Asian elephants moving leisurely through the forests of Gorumara.

16. Pin Valley National Park, Himachal Pradesh, India – This national park is one of the most unique national parks of India. This national park is situated in the cold and barren terrain of Spiti. But in the midst of these mountains and barren slopes reside some wild creatures like snow leopards. Snow leopards however are typically very hard to spot. Tourists mostly spend their time photographing the stunning beauty of this mountainous landscape. There are also many opportunities for trekking and hiking around this spot.

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17. Dachigam National Park, Jammu and Kashmir, India – If Kashmir is said to be heaven on Earth, then the Dachigam National Park is a perfect scenic slice of that heaven. It is located just 22km away from Srinagar, but it houses around seven exotic species of fauna. Some of the most well known inhabitants of this national park include the Himalayan Black Bear, jackals, marmots, leopards. The Kashmiri Stag or the Hangul that lives in this park is also a major draw for wildlife photographers.

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18. Mount Harriet National Park, Andaman and Nicobar Islands – Stepping away from the mainland of the subcontinent; let us now visit the islands of Andaman and Nicobar. Here the Mount Harriet National Park stands as a beautiful representative of the natural treasures of the islands. Varieties of crabs, turtles and wild pigs populate this national park. Tourists visiting this national park often choose to enjoy a stay in the heart of the park at the Forest Guest House with its picturesque views.

19. Papikonda National Park, Andhra Pradesh, India- This is one of the newest entrants to the list of national parks in India. The Papikonda region between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana was very recently declared as a national park because of its huge natural wealth and diversity. The region is an example of a tropical rainforest populated by a large variety of wild animals like tigers, hyenas, sloth bears, panthers and many more.

20. Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat, India – And last but not the least we have the Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. This is one of the most successful wildlife conservation projects of India. Started with a mere 12 lions, the sanctuary has now become home to more than 600 Indian lions. Tourists visiting this national park get to have the unique experience of getting close to the kings of the forest roaming around in their natural habitat.

These are a few of the best national parks in India. But there are many more unique such places scattered all over the country. Tourists can visit these spots on a trip to a particular state or plan a trip to the national parks separately. Just a few days of wandering through the beautiful forests of India on a national park safari can prove to be a very thrilling as well as a refreshing experience. So pack your bags today and book a trip to meet up with some of India’s majestic residents of the forests.

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Here are the top 10 FAQs about the top 20 national parks in India, categorized by states:

Q: Which are the top national parks in Uttarakhand?
A: Jim Corbett National Park, Valley of Flowers National Park, Nanda Devi National Park, Rajaji National Park.

Q: What are the famous national parks in Madhya Pradesh?
A: Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Pench National Park, Satpura National Park.

Q: Which national parks are popular in Rajasthan?
A: Ranthambore National Park, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Keoladeo National Park.

Q: What are the well-known national parks in Assam?
A: Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Nameri National Park.

Q: Which are the top national parks in Karnataka?
A: Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Bannerghatta National Park.

Q: What are the famous national parks in Kerala?
A: Periyar National Park, Silent Valley National Park, Eravikulam National Park.

Q: Which national parks are popular in Maharashtra?
A: Some of the renowned national parks in Maharashtra are Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and Pench National Park.

Q: What are the well-known national parks in West Bengal?
A: Sunderbans National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve.

Q: Which are the top national parks in Himachal Pradesh?
A: Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park, Khirganga National Park.

Q: What are the famous national parks in Tamil Nadu?
A: Mudumalai National Park, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Guindy National Park.

Note: The above list provides an overview of popular national parks in each state, but there are many more national parks in India that offer unique wildlife and natural experiences.