Enticing Places near Rivers and Lakes in India

Known For : Marble Rocks Dhuandhar Falls Chausath Yogini Temple

Also regarded as the Marble Rocks of Bhedaghat, this small town has earned a reputation for the 100 ft tall resplendent rocks on either sides of Narmada in not only India, but all across the world. Bhedaghat is in close proximity of one of the major cities of Madhya Pradesh of Jabalpur.

Best Time: November to March

5 Bhedaghat Attractions

Known For : Bhimtal Lake Aquarium Island Cafe Hanuman Garhi

Rested at a height of 1370m above the sea level, Bhimtal is spotted with temples lying amid the verdant mountains and a pristine blue lake. The ancient town of Bhimtal is a place to lie down under the shade of nature, close your eyes and experience serenity. Furthermore, Bhimtal is one of the best places near rivers and lakes in India.

Best Time: March to June, September to December

11 Bhimtal Attractions

Known For : Nek Chand’s Rock Garden of Chandigarh Sukhna Lake Zakir Hussain Rose Garden

Chandigarh, a union territory that is the capital of both Punjab as well as Haryana is a subtle and ideal definition of the word 'city'. In a culture that includes instances of both traditional Punjab as well as a modernity, Chandigarh is a pretty town resembling a morning dream which is sure to flatter you with its innocence and pleasantness.

Best Time: August to March

56 Chandigarh Attractions

Known For : Double Decker Living Root Bridge Nohkalikai Waterfalls Mawsmai Cave

Among the wettest place on the Earth, Cherrapunjee with its clean and pristine surroundings is an excellent place to sit back and unwind. With its picturesque scenery, Cherrapunjee is one of the ideal places near rivers and lakes in India to enjoy perfect chilled-out vacation.

Best Time: October to February

22 Cherrapunji Attractions

Known For : Devi Lake Pallivasal Falls Thoovanam Falls

A lake with a legend of its own, greenest sceneries, waterfalls and tea plantations are what offer its charm to Devikulam, a hill station in Kerala. This quaint little hill-station located at an altitude 1800 m above sea level is best known for its mythical Sita Devi Lake, rolling hills, waterfalls and its innumerable tea and spice plantations.

Best Time: November to May

4 Devikulam Attractions

Known For : Mahishadal Rajbari and Goplajew Temple Marine Drive, Haldia Sataku

Often considered as a mere river port assisting Kolkata, Haldia has more to offer to India than just foreign trade. With it's rich collection of heritage locations, temples and local markets, Haldia is geared upto be the next major tourist hub of West Bengal.

Best Time: October to March

11 Haldia Attractions

Known For : Dhuandhar Falls Boat ride to Bhedaghat Sea World Water Park

Jabalpur, located on the shores of river Narmada, is an industrial city picking up as a tourist destination because of its splendid ghats, waterfalls and a mild glitter of historical and cultural structures.

Best Time: August to March

20 Jabalpur Attractions

Known For : Nandprayag Karnaprayag

Being one of the highly blessed five confluences of the Alakananda River, Karnaprayag is a splendid town by default. Surrounded by verdant locales and snow capped mountains, host to chilly conditions and perennial rivers, this place was destined to be a spectacular tourist destination.

Best Time: October to June

2 karnaprayag Attractions

Known For : Sightseeing in Lavasa Lakeside Promenade Bamboosa

Known as India's newest hill station, the Lavasa Corporation is constructing this private city. The city is a beautiful project, stylistically based on the Italian town Portofino. Spreading across 7 hills, covering an area of 25000 acres, Lavasa is a perfect blend of beauty and infrastructure.

Best Time: Throughout the year

5 Lavasa Attractions

Known For : Lonar crater lake Gomukh Temple Daitya Sudhan Temple

Along with being famous for a crater that was formed over 50,000 years ago due to the collision of a meteorite on the surface of the region, Lonar is also famous for its rich natural heritage.

Best Time: October to March

4 Lonar Attractions

Known For : Kamalabari Satra Dakhinpat Satra Garmur

Majuli is a lush green environment-friendly, pristine and pollution free fresh water island in the river Brahmaputra, just 20 km from the Jorhat city. With a total area of 1250 sq. km, Majuli is the world's largest river island and it attracts tourists from all over the world.

Best Time: October - April

5 Majuli Attractions

Known For : Mawlyngbna Mawjymbuin Cave Nohalikalai Falls

Acknowledged as one of the wettest place in the world, the mesmerizing village of Mawsynram is a nature lover's delight and the perfect destination to behold the beauty of the rains. Mawsynram trounces Cherrapunjee by a slight margin in being the wettest place in India.

Best Time: June - August; November - February

7 Mawsynram Attractions

Known For : Parasnath Hills Kangsabati dam Ambikanagar

A popular weekend getaway for Kolkata locals, Mukutmanipur in the Bankura district of Kolkata is a serene town with lush green forests, clear blue water and green hills in the backdrop.

Best Time: October to March

4 Mukutmanipur Attractions

Known For : Thrills Fun Park Umiam Lake Lum Nehru Park

Nongpoh, Meghalaya is a petite town to be found to the North of the East Khasi Hills. Situated very close to the gorgeous Brahmaputra plains, this location is quite a favourite as a stopover before reaching Shillong.

Best Time: Throughout the year

6 Nongpoh Attractions

Known For : Shilloi Lake Khezhakeno Village Glory Peak

Phek is a hilly area rich in flora and fauna. Apart from the spell bounding hills, Shilloi lake is an important attraction. The important and spellbinding hills of Phek district are Kapamodz and Zanibou, while the main rivers are Tizu, Lanye, and Sedzu.

Best Time: October to May

5 Phek Attractions

Known For : Rajsamand Lake Haldi Ghati Kankroli

Located 67 km North of the now popular destination wedding city of Udaipur, is the small town of Rajsamand. It got the name from the eponymous Rajsamand lake which is the second largest man-made lake in the world. Apart from the renowned historical edifices of Kumbhalgarh and Haldighati, the place also holds religious importance for different sects.

Best Time: October to March

4 Rajsamand Attractions

Known For : Chaubatia Orchards Majhkhali Golf Course

Ranikhet meaning Queen's farm, is a hill station developed by the Britishers around ancient temples, undulating Himalayan hills and forests. Ranikhet with its cool climate and simple natural beauty can freshen up your senses to the very core.

Best Time: Throughout the year

22 Ranikhet Attractions

Known For : Umiam Lake Elephant Falls Shillong Peak

A beautiful city encircled by pine trees, Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya. It derives its name from Lei Shyllong, an idol worshipped at the Shillong Peak. Standing as tall as 1496 meters, Shillong provides a relief from the heat across the country. This hill station is known for its picturesque sights and traditions.

Best Time: September to May

33 Shillong Attractions

Known For : Lion Safari Wildlife Park Vanganga Lake Island Garden

With the hills of the Western Ghats and surrounding lush greenery, it is an ideal indulgence into the wild side for a tourist and its Portuguese heritage makes it famous amongst the history enthusiasts as well.

Best Time: November to June

10 Silvassa Attractions

Known For : Barak Waterfall Zeilad Lake Buning meadows

This hilly region is an ideal setting for tourists interested in outdoor holidays. The beauty of this town is unparalleled with the unusual varieties of flora and fauna. This town of Manipur, known for the oranges grown here is the home to some of the most unique plants and animals.

Best Time: October to Apr

6 Tamenglong Attractions

Known For : Ikop Khongjom Loktak Lake

A well developed city, Thoubal is a good holiday destination for those looking for a pleasant climate and numerous activities. Thoubal is almost ideal for trekking, hiking and picnics given the abundance in flora and green landscapes as well as the various facilities available here.

Best Time: October to May

5 Thoubal Attractions

Known For : Pookot Lake Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary BeeCraft Honey Museum

62 kms off Kozhikode is Vythiri, a popular resort town famous for its old world charm of cottages, log huts & tree house accommodations cosily nestled in the forests of Wayanad. Situated at an altitude of 700 metres, Vythiri in Wayanad comprises of 18 villages.

Best Time: October to Apr

10 Vythiri Attractions

Known For : Simsang River Naka Chikong Domre Falls

Williamnagar was formed around the former town of Simsanggre, which is based on the large plains of the Simsang River. A very remote area usually known for its abundance of natural beauty i.e. being flanked by the mountains and having a rich composition of both water and vegetation.

Best Time: October to February

6 Williamnagar Attractions

Known For : City Palace, Udaipur Lake Pichola Jagmandir Palace

Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes, is the crown jewel of the state of Rajasthan. It is surrounded by the beautiful Aravalli Hills in all directions, making this city as lovely as it is. This 'Venice of the East' has an abundance of natural beauty, mesmerising temples and breathtaking architecture which makes it a must-visit destination in India.

Best Time: October to March

43 Udaipur Attractions

Known For : Dal Lake Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden

Famously known as ‘Heaven on Earth’, Srinagar is every bit the epitome of paradise on earth. As picturesque as the most stunning painting to ever be painted, Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, lies on the banks of the Jhelum river, and has a cool, pleasant climate all year round, contributing to the perpetual influx of tourists visiting this city which offers a plethora of gorgeous scenic vistas.

Best Time: April to October

59 Srinagar Attractions

Known For : Houseboats in Alleppey Alleppey Beach Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

Extremely famous for its beautiful backwaters, the city of Alleppey in Kerala is also known for its beaches, temples and traditional boat races. This popular tourist destination also has some very well reputed Ayurvedic spas and wellness centres.

Best Time: June to March

39 Alleppey Attractions

Known For : Har Ki Pauri Maa Mansa Devi Temple Ganga Aarti Sthal

No spiritual journey can ever be considered complete without a visit to Haridwar, one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Literally meaning 'the abode of Lord Vishnu', Haridwar, located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, is a land of legends and myths. Considered as one of the seven holiest cities in India, Haridwar sees millions of people flock to it every year to pay their respects to the Lord, or to wash away their sins.

Best Time: Throughout the year

36 Haridwar Attractions

Known For : Upper Lake Van Vihar, Bhopal Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya

The capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal is famous for the pair of artificial lakes (Upper Lake and Lower Lake) that split the city. Towards the north of the Lake lies the intriguing old town with rustic mosques, bustling bazaars, serpentine alleys and exquisite havelis. To the south is the new town with swanky infrastructure, shopping complexes and wide roads.

Best Time: July to March

30 Bhopal Attractions

Known For : Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Kumarakom Backwaters Thanneermukkom Bund

Situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake, Kumarakom is a cluster of many small man-made islands reclaimed from the lake. Part of the Kuttanad region, Kumarakom along with Alleppey, has beautiful backwater areas and they collectively form the most important tourist centres of Kerala.

Best Time: October - February

21 Kumarakom Attractions

Known For : Bhakra Nangal Dam Gobind Sagar Lake Water Sports and Fishing

Bilaspur is a hill town near Shimla, famous for its forts and Gobind Sagar lake, a man-made reservoir considered the lifeline of the district. Bilaspur, India's first planned hill station, is popularly known for its artificially made lake which is called the Gobind Sagar Lake on Sutlej River.

Best Time: Throughout the year

16 Bilaspur Attractions