Natural Wonders of India

We Bet You Missed In Your

Geography Books!
One of the world’s most varied countries in terms of geographical
diversity, India has an astonishing array of natural wonders.
Here’s a round up to reignite your wanderlust!
by Sanchari PalOctober 30, 2017, 12:37 pm

When we think of natural wonders, the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier
Reef, Mount Everest and the Amazon Rainforest are the names that
typically come to mind. However, there lies a treasure trove of strikingly
scenic natural wonders a little closer to home too.

One of the world’s most varied countries in terms of geographical diversity,

India has an astonishing array of natural wonders. Some are pretty well-
known and undeniably spectacular, while others are less-discovered gems.
However, they have one thing in common — they will all take your breath
away!

So if you are looking for some travel inspiration to

reignite your wanderlust, here’s a roundup of 20
lesser-known natural wonders in India.
1. Lonar Lake
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Incredibly old at 50,000 years, the Lonar crater is the youngest and best
preserved impact crater formed in basalt rock and is the only of its kind on
earth. The crater was formed fifty-two thousand years ago, when a gigantic
meteor crashed into the earth at an estimated speed of 90,000 km per
hour.

Over time, the jungle took over the deep depression, and a perennial
stream transformed the crater into a tranquil, emerald green lake. Today,
the forest-fringed lake (located in the Buldhana District of Maharashtra) is a
wildlife sanctuary with a unique ecology that is vastly different from the
surrounding flat landscape. Its water supports micro-organisms rarely found
elsewhere on earth while its surroundings are peppered with fragments of
unique minerals like maskelynite.
2. Borra Caves

Photo Source

Most people have never seen a real cave in their whole lives; still, those
who do remain permanently fascinated by the amazing display of natural
forces. The rock formations at the Borra caves (located in the Ananthagiri
hills of Andhra Pradesh’s Araku Valley) are proof that wonderful things can
appear when water meets limestone.

Among the deepest caves of India, the Borra cave was created millions of
years ago by the karstic action of the Gosthani river and has some
spectacular speleothems. The local tribals also associate several legends
to the cave. Interestingly, the cave is also highly valuable for
anthropological research, with excavations unearthing stone tools of middle
Paleolithic culture (confirming human habitation in the area dating back to
between 30,000 and 50,000 years ago)

3. Riverine Potholes of Nighoj

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Home to a basalt-rock river bed hollowed out by primeval potholes like a

giant block of cheese, the village of Nighoj is a place that stays with you
long after your visit is over. These pot-shaped craters (called kunds by
locals) have been carved out by the waters of river Kukdi over thousands of
years.
Some of these potholes run 40 feet deep, with swifts building nesting
colonies in their overhanging rocks. Winter or summer is a good time to
visit Nighoj, about two hours away from Pune, as there is not much water in
the river. A visit to this geological wonder can also be combined with a visit
to the Morachi Chincholi, a unique village whose eco-friendly residents co-
habit with hundreds of peacocks

4. Gandikota Canyon

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With striking grandeur reminiscent of USA’s majestic Grand Canyon,

Gandikota is a 300-feet-deep valley located in Cuddapah district of Andhra
Pradesh. Believed to be more than a thousand years old, the canyon is
also known for the 13th-century Gandikota Fort – an intricately-carved
citadel made of red sandstone.
Few sights in India can beat Gandikota in instilling stupefying awe. Peering
over the edge of this giant hole in the ground is enough of a thrill for some,
but to really appreciate the canyon’s grandeur, one can hike all the way up
to the top of the gorge for unforgettable views of the river Pennar flowing
through the forested canyon.

5. Loktak Lake
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The largest natural freshwater lake in northeastern India, Loktak Lake is

home to unique ecosystems called ‘Phumdi’ (a Manipuri word meaning
floating mats of soil, vegetation and organic matter). Resembling miniature
islands, these phumdis are found in various forms, floating on the
picturesque freshwater lake that serves as a lifeline for the communities
living around it.

What makes the Loktak Lake even more special is the Keibul Lamjao
National Park located at the south western part of the lake. It is the world’s
only floating national park and is home to the endangered Manipuri brow-
antlered deer, Sangai. The biodiversity hotspot is also home to 233 species
of aquatic plants, more than 100 species of birds, and 425 species of
animals!

6. Hogenakkal Falls
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It is not for nothing that this breathtaking waterfall is called Hogenakkal

(“smoking rocks” in Kannada) — after winding its way through a placid
valley between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the river Cauvery cascades
from a height of 150ft, creating a spray so strong that feels more like smoke
than mist.

Bounded by giant black granite rocks on either side, Hogenakkal is not one
huge waterfall but a series of smaller falls that merge into a stream
meandering towards the hills in the distance. A peaceful coracle ride on this
stream takes you to a makeshift market of freshly fried fish while also
letting you take a closer look at the little caves dotting the craggy cliffs
lining its shore.

7. Living Root Bridges

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Centuries old living bridges over swift flowing streams provide a stable
alternative to the easily destroyed wooden bridges in the fiesty rainy
season of Meghalaya’s Cherrapunji. Some well-known examples are the
180-year-old Nongriat double decker bridge, the Ritymmen Root Bridge
(the longest at 30 m) and the Mawsaw Root Bridge (that has several
natural swimming holes nearby).

Constructed by the native Khasi tribe, these bridges have been built by
tangling the naturally growing roots of Ficus Elastica rubber trees (native to
the region) through hollow betel nut tree trunks to form a structure that
grows stronger over the years. Once built, they don’t need maintenance,
with thickening roots enhancing the solidity of the base and smaller vines
growing into a protective railing.

8. Marble Rocks of Bhedaghat

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Perched on the banks of Narmada river, about 25 km away from Jabalpur,

the marble rocks of Bhedaghat are emblematic of the region’s ancient
geology, characterized by marble-like limestone rocks, all lifted over eons
into its present rugged relief. The white-grey of these rocks is due to the
presence of a large amount of magnesium, which also lends it a
soapstone-like texture.

At Bhedaghat, it’s not just the height (about 100 feet) that impresses, but
also the stunning spectacle created by the massive rock cliffs rising up
perpendicularly from the placid blue-green waters of the river. One can take
a rather rickety boat ride through the 3 km gorge that runs between these
canyon-like cliffs or make a short detour to soak in the majestic beauty of
the nearby Dhuandhar waterfall.

9. Sangetsar Lake
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Formed as a result of an earthquake, Sangetsar Lake in Arunachal

Pradesh is spellbinding in its beauty. This name of high-altitude lake is
actually pronounced as Sho-Nga-seir by locals, after the Shok-Tsen village
that was transformed into a lake due to an earthquake in 1971. It is also
known as Madhuri Lake, after the actress shot here for the
movie Koyla, and is deeply revered by Buddhists in both India and Tibet.

Numerous dead tree trunks, which were once alive before the earthquake,
emerge from the serene waters of the lake creating a hauntingly
picturesque imagery before visitors. Do note that a special permit from the
District Commissioner’s (DC) office at Tawang (about 30 kms away) is
required to visit this lake.

10. Floral Blooms at Valley of Flowers (Uttarakhand)

and Kaas Plateau (Maharashtra)
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One of the most beautiful floral bloom phenomena in the world, the Valley
of Flowers is a spectacular natural show of over 500 species of alpine
blossoms that takes place in the lush meadows of Uttarakhand’s Nanda
Devi Biosphere Reserve between June and October. Now on UNESCO’s
World Heritage List, it was discovered by three British mountaineers in
1930.

The equally stunning yet distinct floral bloom of Kaas plateau takes place in
Maharashtra’s Satara district between September and early October. The
soil of this unique plateau is made up of large quantities of basalt, which
makes it ideal for the interesting and vibrantly coloured species of flowers
that bloom here (like orchids and insectivorous plants).

So the next time you’re travelling to these two states, consider adding
some flower power to your trip!