There are about ten days left until the end of August and until its back to work. My friends would like to go to some nice place, but August is a month where the monsoon kind of ruins the holiday mood with the rainy days. We have been to most of the nearby hill stations like Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie, etc. kind of, and want t different place. We are up for taking a flight to our destination as well. Kindly please list places to visit in August in India, which are of course places for a holiday! Also take into consideration the weather, we don't want it to be a rainy place or a place where the sun os scorching.
Hello, @Crusader! Welcome to the forum! Generally, the monsoon season begins in Kerala around the first week of June. After that, the monsoon season catches its way up to the rest of the country. After Kerala, the city of Mumbai later receives rainfall and Delhi by the end of June. By July, the whole country is usually affected by the monsoon season. The wettest and rainiest regions in India are Mumbai, Kolkata, Darjeeling and Shillong so it's best to avoid these places if you don't like the idea of rain. The regions which receive the least rainfall are Rajasthan and Ladakh. Tamil Nadu also receives less rainfall during the month of August as it gets most of its rain from the Northeast monsoon, from October to December. For me, here are the best regions to visit during the month of August or the monsoon months in India: Rajasthan - This is the largest state in India. During the monsoon season, this region receives rainfall but not as much as the other places in the country. Temperatures range between 35°C to 40°C though. It's better to do some sightseeing early in the morning and late in the afternoon, to avoid the afternoon heat. Even if it does rain during this time, this usually occurs during afternoons so you can still do some sightseeing during the mornings. Monsoons and winters are the best times to visit Rajasthan, especially since it's very hot and humid here during the summers. I'd recommend these two places in Rajasthan to visit that are beautiful during the monsoon season: 1. Udaipur - This is also known as the Venice of the East. The city has numerous lakes which become alive as the monsoon rains feed them. Rainfalls are very sporadic though so you can still enjoy visiting the famous attractions of the city in the monsoon season. Some of the best places to visit in Udaipur are the following: City Palace of Udaipur - This was built Maharana Udai Singh II in the year 1553. It is located on the Eastern bank of Lake Pichola. Although it was Maharana Udai Singh II who started its construction, the palace complex took about 400 years to complete. It is considered as the largest of its kind in Rajasthan. The palace complex has been built using granite and marble. All the structures in the complex face the East, as it's customary to the rulers who were worshippers of the Sun God. Some of the structures inside the complex are the Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Krishna Vilas, Jagadish Temple and Shiv Niwas Palace. Lake Pichola - This is an artificial freshwater lake built in 1362 AD by Banjara. Lake Pichola was further enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh and connected it with the other lakes in the city. It has four islands namely: Jag Niwas, Jag Mandir, Mohan Mandir and Arsi Vilas. During the monsoon season, the rain feeds the lake and it becomes full with water. Hence, it's the best time to enjoy a boat ride along the lake and visit its many islands along with the many historical structures within it. Fateh Sagar Lake - This is located to the North of Lake Pichola, connected to it by a narrow channel. It is also an artificial lake named after Maharana Fateh Singh. The lake was built in 1687 by Maharana Jai Singh. It was renovated later in 1889 by Maharana Fateh Singh. Just like the Lake Pichola, the monsoon rains feed the lake and you get to see its full beauty during this time. Lake Palace - This was built by Maharana Jagat Singh II from 1743 and 1746. You can find it at the Jag Niwas Island in Lake Pichola. It used to be the winter residence for the Maharana Mewars. For a long time, the palace was abandoned and isolated. It was only after Bhagwat Singh decided to turn the palace into a heritage hotel that it was renovated. Now though, the heritage hotel is owned by the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. Jag Mandir - The Jag Mandir is also known as the Lake Garden Palace. This palace was constructed by three rulers which were Maharana Amar Singh, Maharana Karan Singh and Maharana Jagat Singh I. It was named after Maharana Jagat Singh I, the last ruler who finished the palace. Kesariyaji Temple - This temple is also known as the Rishabhdeo Temple. It is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Lord Rishabh Dev. The presiding deity of the temple is Tirthankara Rishabha, which was carved in black stone in the Padmasana posture. However, the origins of the temple are unknown although some believe that the Digambara Jains constructed it during the 9th century. Saheliyon Ki Bari - This is also known as the Courtyard of the Maidens. This was built by Rana Sangram Singh around 1710 to 1734. It is located near the Fateh Sagar Lake. It is believed that the King Rana Sangram built the temple for his queen and her 48 attendants, who were part of her dowry. Monsoon Palace - This is also known as the Sajjan Garh Palace. It was built in 1884 by Maharana Sajjan Singh. However, the palace was completed by Maharana Fateh Singh. The palace was supposed to be an observation place for the monsoon season. From the palace, the city of Udaipur and Chittaurgarh can be seen. And since you're going to be visiting during the monsoon, you can enjoy the view of the clouds from here as well. 2. Mount Abu - If the heat and humidity in Rajasthan do not appeal to you, you can opt to visit the only hill station in the state, which is Mount Abu. This hill station has been referred to as an Oasis in the Desert, as the region is rich in rivers, lakes, waterfalls and forests. The region also experiences some rainfall although it's nowhere as heavy as in the other regions in the country. Some of the attractions here are the following: Dilwara Temples - These are five temples in the hill station of Mount Abu, namely: Vimal Vasahi, Luna Vasahi, Pithalhar, Parshvanath and Mohair Swami. These temples were built during the 11th to 13th centuries by different individuals, although Vastupal and Tejpal were two of the most well-known individuals related to the temples. These temples are very sacred for the Jains and some even consider them as the most beautiful Jain temples in the country. The temples are famous for their use of marble and elaborate carvings in the premises. Nakki Lake - The Nakki Lake was named after Nakh, meaning nail, since according to legends, it was dug out from the ground using nails. This is also where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in 1948. Nearby the lake, you can find the Toad Rock, which is a stone resembling a frog about to jump on the water. There are also boating facilities within the lake for tourists. Peace Park - This is about 8 kms away from the Brahma Kumaris Headquarters in Mount Abu. The park has ornamental shrubs, climbers, creepers, coles, orchards and a citrus corner. But the best thing to do in the park is to meditate as it has several spots for it like a grass hut, a stone cave and a bamboo meditation hut. There's also a playground with swings and a picnic area in the park. Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary - This is located on the Aravalli Range and was declared as a sanctuary in 1980. There were reported sightings of lions and tigers here but that was years ago. Now though, the apex predator in the sanctuary is the leopard. Other animas here are jackals, hyenas, wild boars and bears. There are also about 250 species of birds here but the most famous attraction of which is the grey jungle fowl. Raghunath Temple - This temple is located near the Nakki Lake. The temple is dedicated to Lord Raghunathji, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is very popular among Vaishnavite pilgrims and is considered as one of the most sacred temples to them. Sunset Point - This is located on the West of Nakki Lake. It's best visited during the sunset when the peak offers you an amazing view of the surrounding areas. The peak is also lined with numerous stalls, shops and food joints that's why it's popular amongst locals and tourists alike. There are also horse rides available that most of the younger tourists enjoy. Adhar Devi Temple - This temple can be reached by climbing a 365 flight of stairs. The temple is located in a rocky cleave and you need to pass through a small opening to reach it. It is dedicated to the Goddess Durga. Its name was derived though through a legend that the deity's Adhar fell here. Ladakh - You have mentioned that you have been to Shimla and Manali, but you didn't mention Ladakh so I'll include it here. Leh Ladakh is a rain shadow area so it doesn't get rainfall unlike the other regions in the country. For the past few years, due to changes in the environment, the region had been receiving some rainfall though but the higher regions like Zanskar and Spiti are pretty much unaffected by the rains still. 1. Leh - This is about 3,524 metres above sea level. The roads leading to Leh are open only between June to October, hence the monsoon season is the best time to visit the region. Aside from that, it receives little rainfall as well due to its location. There was an incident of a flash flood in 2010 here which experts attribute to climate change and environmental changes. There are many attractions that you can visit in Leh, which are: Leh Palace - This was built by King Sengge Namgyal during the 17th century. The palace was once the residence of the royal family of Ladakh until the family was forced to move into the Stok Palace. It is now a museum with a collection of the artefacts and items owned by the former royal family. One of the most prized possessions here are the Tibetan paintings which are about 450 years old. Stok Palace - This was built by King Tsepal Tondup Namgyal. It is still the residence of the descendants of the royal family of Ladakh but there's also a museum here featuring the history, the items and weaponry of the former royal family. Hall of Fame - This museum is dedicated to the soldiers who died in the Indo-Pakistan War. Its first floor has the names and information of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the war. The second floor has some information about the weapons used during the war. There's also a small souvenir shop within the premises of the memorial. Shanti Stupa - This was built in 1983 by Bhikshu Gyomo Nakamura and was opened during the year 1991. At its base, the relics of the Buddha are located. The stupa is supposed to be a symbol of the peaceful relationship between the Ladakh people and the Japanese. Jama Masjid Ladakh - This mosque can be traced back to the 1666 or 1667 AD. It was Raja Deldan Namgail and Aurangzeb who built this mosque. It's a type of symbolism for both the rulers, where the latter would protect the former, but as a consequence, they have to pay tribute to Aurangzeb. The Shah-I-Hamdan Memorial can also be found within the mosque. It is a memorial dedicated to the Sufi saint Mir Sayed Ali Hamdani. Wanla Gompa - This Buddhist monastery is believed to have been built around 1,000 AD. Its main attraction is the 11-headed Mahakaruna or Avalokiteshwara statue covering three storeys of the gompa. There are also different paintings of Buddha, Bodhisattvas and Mandalas in the gompa. Hemis Monastery - This monastery is believed to have existed since the 11th century as evidenced by the manuscript found in the monastery. It connects the monastery to Naropa, which was a pupil of Tilopa and also the teacher of Marpa. The annual Hemis Festival is held within the monastery complex. Lamayuru Monastery - This is the oldest monastery in Ladakh. It was built around the 11th century by Naropa. About 150 monks reside in the monastery and it is also the venue for the two masked festivals held during the second and fifth months of the Tibetan lunar calendar. Pangong Tso - This lake is about 4,350 metres above sea level. It extends from India to China but about 60% of it lies in the latter. Its name means high grassland lake and it's best visited before the winter months as it remains frozen after it. It is also the home to several species of birds in the region. I hope this helps.
That is quite the list! It will be a super helpful resource for anyone looking to experience the most out of their trip to India. I am travelling in March next year, and if the weather allows, I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of these interesting local sites.
