With the dawn of November, the weather in India starts getting cooler and drier. The entire country is in a festive mood. And it is not just the religious festivals celebrated pan India that we are talking about. There are some cultural festivals, fairs, and events hosted by the famous Indian cities that attract a number of tourists. Also, most hill stations are a delight to visit.
Have a look at these amazing places to visit in November. You wouldn’t want to miss these!
1. Bir Billing, Himachal: A delightful place to try paragliding
It was in 1992 that a world record of 135 km for an out and return flight was set at the small town of Billing, at an elevation of 2600 meters above the sea level. This put the duo of Bir & Billing on the word map as a paragliding and hand-gliding destination. The Tibetan colonies of Himachal also house three wonderful gompas and have slowly developed as prime tourist destinations for the autumn and early winter seasons.
Places to visit: Sherabling Monastery, Bir Tea Factory, Tibetan Colony, and Bir Road
Things to do: Paragliding in Bir Billing is the most popular activity, but you can also go trekking through difficult trails, camping, nature walks, and hand gliding
2. Nag Tibba, Uttarakhand: Take an easy trek to the Nag Tibba Temple
And for those who seek adventure, an easy trek to Nag Tibba begins in mid-November. Beginning from Dehradun, the trek goes up to the Hindu pilgrimage site of Nag Tibba – the temple of the Snake God.
Altitude: 3,050 m
Duration: 5 days
Route: Dehradun-Pantwari-Nagtibba-Devalsari-Thatyur
Highlights: Sight of the Swargarohini & Nanda Devi peaks from Thatyur, temple of Nag Tibba, and remote villages around
3. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Head to the river banks for the Ganga Festival
One of the oldest and the holiest cities in India, Varanasi is the beating heart of the Hindu universe. The city is a crossing place of the physical and spiritual worlds. And come November, the city will be hosting the grand Ganga Mahotsav on the ghats. This 5-day event includes aartis and musical performances.
Places to visit: Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Manikarnika Ghat, Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Dhamek Stupa, and Sarnath Museum
Things to do: Attend Ganga aarti, take spiritual tour, bathe in the Ganges, take morning boat ride, and shop for knick & knacks in the local market
4. Bundi, Rajasthan: Be charmed by the art forms at Bundi Utsav
The small town with narrow lanes of Brahmin-blue houses, lakes, hills, bazaars, and temples, Bundi is under the watchful eyes of Chhattar Mahal. The erstwhile capital of a princely state, Bundi is a reminiscent of the architecture of the bygone era. And if you are planning to visit Bundi in late November, you can witness Rajasthan’s grandeur and craftsmanship through the exhibits at the Bundi Festival.
Places to visit: Garh Palace, Taragarh Fort, Nawal Sagar Lake, and Raniji ki Baoli
Things to do: Shop for colorful knick knacks, enjoy cultural performances, sports, and even bridal dress competition
5. Old Goa, Goa: Enjoy the Feast of St. Francis Xavier
Located only 9 km east of the current capital Panaji, the former Portuguese colony capital of Old Goa was once said to be equivalent to Lisbon in magnificence. Today, half a dozen imposing churches and cathedrals are all that remain in this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site.
And during the months of November and December, Old Goa hosts the Feast of St. Francis Xavier that is attended by over 2 lakh devotees from around the globe. Take care of the dates while booking your tour package as the feast begins each year on 21st November and continues till 2nd January.
Places to visit: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Se Cathedral, Goa State Museum, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Calangute Beach, Baga Beach, Anjuna Beach, Aguada Fort, and Panaji Market
Things to do: Customize your tour package to explore the destination on rented bike, go for water sports, go on heritage walk, shop till you drop, relax in a shack, enjoy nightlife of Goa, take spice plantation tour, and meet the dolphins
6. Pushkar, Rajasthan: Imbibe the Rajasthani vibes with the famous Camel Fair
The small, desert-edged, magical town of Pushkar is said to have appeared when Lord Brahma dropped a lotus flower. The pale-onion domes and the 400 milky-colored temples curl around the Pushkar Lake. The important Hindu pilgrimage center is also known for hosting the Camel Fair in November. In addition to the trading of livestock, the festival also includes some quirky competitions – longest mustache, camel decoration, cricket, turban tying, and more.
Places to visit: Pushkar Lake, Brahma Temple, Varaha Temple, and Sri Raghunatha Swamy Temple
Things to do: Camel safari, hot air ballooning, and shopping
7. Delhi: Enjoy sufi singing & dances at the Qutub Festival
The capital of India needs no introduction. A plethora of historical and modern tourist attractions – forts, museums, parks, malls, religious centers, and memorials – offer a good tourism scene. And the perfect November weather make it a must visit destination in this month. And not to forget the popular Qutub Festival that showcases the cultural art forms of the nation.
Places to visit: Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Akshardham Temple, Red Fort, India Gate, Lotus Temple, Chandni Chowk, and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
Things to do: Go on a heritage walk, shop in flea markets like Sarojini Nagar & Janpath, taste the incredible Delhi street food, enjoy qawwalis in Nizamuddin Dargah, and spend a lovely Sunday in Rahgiri
8. Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh: For a soulful waterfall therapy
Sitting at an altitude of 1100 meters above the sea level, Pachmarhi is popular for its lush greenery, ancient caves, and waterfalls. A delight for the nature lovers and backpackers, the quaint hill station is often called the Queen of Satpura.
Places to visit: Handi Khoh, Apsara Vihar (fairy pool), and Pandava & Jatashankar Caves
Things to do: Go for a nature walk, listen to the soothing splash of water at Rajat Pratap waterfall, and catch the sunrise exclusively from Hathi Shikhar
9. Kutch, Gujarat: Soak in the spirit of Rann Utsav
India’s westernmost region, Kutch is a tortoise-shaped flat land of white sand desert. The full moon shining over the white desert gives it a bluish appearance. The tribal villagers in the villages dotted throughout the inhospitable landscape produce and sell some of India’s finest folk textiles, glittering with exquisite embroidery & mirror work. And from November to February, the region is in festive mood with its world-famous Rann Utsav.
Places to visit: Mandvi Beach, White Desert, The Wild Ass Sanctuary, Aina Mahal, Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, and Prag Mahal
Things to do: Sightseeing, birdwatching, watching cultural performances, jungle safari, staying overnight in traditional Kutchi homes, camel riding, stargazing, and dressing like a local
10. Hampi, Karnataka: Take a dip into the culture of Hampi during the Vijaya Festival
The UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site of Hampi was the erstwhile capital of the ancient Vijayanagar Empire. The historical importance of the ancient ruins and the religious significance of the Virupaksha Temple makes it a must-visit destination. And the city also hosts the 3-day annual Vijaya Festival that exhibits the culture and history of Hampi through dance & music performances, processions, and puppet shows.
Places to visit: Archeological Museum, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Monkey Temple (Hanuman Temple), Queen’s Bath, Hampi Bazaar, Underground Temple, and Virupaksha Temple
Things to do: Rent a bike & explore, watch the sunset from Hemakuta Hills, bathe Laxmi (temple elephant) early in the morning in Lotus Hall Complex, and go cliff jumping & swimming
Don’t you feel inspired to travel already? Plan a holiday now and take a tour of these amazing places in India this November. Bon voyage!
