Matroc/Parks

This article is a basic list of the natural wonders of India for one to see and enjoy. For several religions in India there is a connection with nature, religious belief and history. Be aware of this and as with all places in this country, be respectful. This a not a complete and comprehensive presentation; however, it does represent many of the important sites of interest to those that enjoy nature or natural sites or wonders. To further complement an overall general presentation of India and assist you in your travels: Visit individual articles on regions (e.g. Himalayan North), states (e.g. Jammu and Kashmir) and cities (e.g. Agra) to find other interesting places as well as natural sites to visit. Many of these can be found by following the links located within the individual entries listed below. In addition, special topical articles may also be of some guidance: Forts and palaces of India — a list of important forts and palaces of India Indian National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries — a list of many of the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries Indian Zoos and Botanical Gardens — a list of many of the important zoos and botanical gardens of India Sacred sites of the Indian sub-continent — a few of the most notable sites of the Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Jainist, and Sikh faiths UNESCO World Heritage List (India) — a list of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in India (a few natural sites are listed here)
Ice Lingam at Amarnath Cave Athirappilly Waterfalls Krishna's Butterball Balancing Rock of Jabalpur Meditation Hall inside Bellum Caves Chitrakote Waterfall Skyline of Borra Cave Basaltic Formations, St. Mary's Courtallam Main Waterfalls Clownfish Dhuandaar Waterfall in Madhya Pradesh Heart Shaped lake, Chembra Peak Adult Deodar trees in Himishal Pradesh Dudhsagar Falls Dzukou Valley Lotak Lake Hogenakkal Falls Kas Plateau Jog Falls Indroda Fossilized Dinosaur Eggs Khandadhar Waterfall, Sundagarh Kutumsar Cave Lonar Crater Rann of Kutch Living Root Bridges, Nongriat National Fossil Wood Park, Sattanur Needle Hole Point Giant Turtle replica - Shivalik Fossil Park Sambhar Lake Yamuna River Siachen Glacier Sunderbans tree-lined river in the park Talakona Waterfall Teerathgarh Waterfall Thoseghar Waterfalls Deer beside the road at Mudumalai National Park 1 Akal Fossil Wood Park, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. This is a unit of the Desert National Park located approximately 17 km from Jaisalmer on the way to Balmer. This contains the fossilized remnants (fallen and broken logs) of a large Jurassic forest.  2 Amarnath Cave (Amarnath Temple), Jammu and Kashmir (near Pahalgam). Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva - a stalagmite formation created from water drops from the roof of the cave that freeze. This is considered a holy cave. Except for a period of time during the summer it is covered with snow. Because of the mountainous terrain it is difficult to reach. In addition, there are many rock cut caves (temples) in India that may be of interest.  3 Athirappilly Waterfall (Niagara of India), Athirappilly Panchayeth, Kerala. Athirappilly Falls are the largest waterfall in Kerala and located 28 km from Thrissur.  4 Balancing Rock (Krishna's Butterball), Mahabalipuram. Krishna's Butter Ball; a giant natural rock, perched on a hillside, seemingly in defiance of all laws of physics  5 Balancing Rock, Jabalpur. Jabalpur is also famous for eroded volcanic rock formations called Balancing Rock of Jabalpur. Amazingly this rock survived even in earthquake of mag 6.5. It is said that it`s impossible to disturb its balance.  6 Banni Grasslands Reserve, Gujarat, Kutch.  7 Barren Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A volcano island and the only volcano in India. Day trips can be arranged from Port Blair. No additional permit is required to visit the island, however it is not possible to set foot on the island, only to view it from the boat.  8 Belum Caves, Bellum, Andhra Pradesh. Formed in black limestone, Bellum Caves is one of the largest and longest caves in India. There are stalactite and stalagmite formations, long passages, several large chambers and fresh water galleries.  9 Borra Guhalu (Borra Caves), Araku Valley. The Borra Caves are called Borra Guhalu, located in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku valley on the East coast of India are the deepest cave(s) in India and home to bats, golden gecko, fulvous fruit bat and Insects.  10 Chitrakote Waterfall, Chhattisgarh. The widest waterfall in India.  11 Columnar Basaltic Lava, Karnataka. St.Mary's Islands (Coconut Island and Thonsepar) are 4 islands in the Arabian Sea with columnar basaltic lava formations.  12 Coral Reefs, Lakshadweep. The Lakshadweep is a group of islands made exclusively of coral atolls. It has beaches, coral and lagoons. Other coral reefs in India include the Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and a few others.  13 Courtallam Waterfall, Courtallam, Tamil Nadu. Believed to have medicinal qualities, this waterfall is popularly known as the Spa of the South.  14 Dandak Cave, Chhattisgarh. Limestone cave located in Kanger Ghati National Park  15 Deodar Forest, Himachal Pradesh. Native to the Himalayan Mountains, deodar cedar forests are found in Western Himalayas. The deodar tree is the national tree of Pakistan.  16 Dhuandhar Waterfall, Madhya Pradesh. Dhuandhar's meaning is derived from the words Dhuan (smoke) Dhar (flow). These falls are located on Narmada River in Bhedaghat. This river runs through the famous Marble Rocks before plunging down this waterfall.  17 Dudhsagar Falls, Goa. Monsoon brings the Sea of Milk or the magnificent Dudhsagar Waterfall from the high peaks of the Western Ghats. Dudhsagar Falls is listed among the top 10 highest water falls in India and one of the most beautiful in the world.  18 Dzhatinga Valley (Jatinga Valley), Jinga, Assam. From August to November, ornithologists and birders visit Jatinga to observe migratory birds apparently hurtling themselves to their imminent death. It appears that disorientation caused by fog and the high altitude. Locals view these birds as evil spirits. These are usually fledglings and are attracted to light sources.  19 Dzukou Valley. This valley is located between the states of Nagaland and Manipur. Its beauty is complete with seasonal flowers and diversity of flora and fauna. Similar to The Valley of Flowers and the Kas Plateau.  20 Floating Lake (Loktak Lake), Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur. The only Floating lake in the world known as Loktak Lake of Manipur is home to endangered sangai or brow-antlered deer. It provides habitat for many species of waterbirds and wetland associated birds.  21 Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim. It is among the highest lakes in the World.  22 Heart Shaped Lake, Chembra peak, Kerala. A heart shaped lake located half way to the top of the Chembra peak.  23 Hide and Seek Beach (Chandipur Beach), Balasore, Orissa. An interest phenomenon in that when the tide goes out the beach fully appears and when the tide comes in the beach completely disappears.  24 Himalayas. A range of mountains that span the many states found in the Himalayan Region and parts of Assam and West Bengal. These mountains are responsible as a large source of water to India. Many rivers that have their source in the Himalayan Mountains such as the Ganges and Yamuna are considered holy. A large diversity of flora and fauna can be found here. Some of the highest mountains in the world are situated in these ranges. Opportunities for trekking, mountain climbing and dramatic views abound.  25 Hogenakal Falls (Hogenakkal Falls), Hogenakal (Village), Tamil Nadu. Sometimes this waterfall is referred to as "Niagara of India" as is Athirappilly Waterfall. This area is noted for medicinal baths and boat rides during dry seasons when the Kaveri River is low.  26 Hot water Spring, Manikaran, Kullu (district). Manikaran is a pilgrim centre for both Hindus and Sikhs. Pilgrims often bathe in the Hot water spring  27 Indroda Dinosaur & Fossil Park (Ahmedabad, Gujarat). The park displays life-size models of various dinosaurs, fossilized dinosaur eggs as well as dinosaur tracks and bones. The area has been described as one of the largest dinosaur hatcheries in the world.  28 Jog Waterfall (Gerosoppa Falls or Joga Falls), Karnataka. Located on the Sharavathi River, it is the second highest plunge falls in India after the Nohkalikai Falls. Jog Falls has various steps which include the Raja Fall, the Roarer, the Rocket and the Rani.  29 Kas Plateau. This is a Biodiversity World Heritage Site noted for a large diversity of flowers, shrubs and plants including orchids. This plateau is located near the city of Satara. Very similar to the Valley of Flowers.  30 Khandadhar Waterfall, Sundagarh, Orissa. One of two Waterfalls with the same name in the Kendujhar district in Orissa. These both apparently on opposite sides of the same hill.  31 Krem Liat Prah Cave, Meghalaya. Located in the Shnongrim Ridge, Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, it is the longest cave (25km) yet discovered in India and noted for a large passage called the Airplane Hanger. Meghalaya has over 1000 caves to explore.  32 Kutumsar Caves (Cotumsar Caves), Chhattisgarh. Limestone caves located in Kanger Ghati National Park - see also: Dandak Cave  33 Living Root Bridge (Double Root Bridge), Nongriat Village, Meghalaya. The Root Bridges of Cherrapunji are also known as Double Decker Living Root Bridge was made from the roots of the Ficus elastica tree.  34 Lonar Crater Lake (Lonar Sarovar), Buldhana or Buldana. The third largest crater with a two kilometer radius and approximately 100 meter deep. It is perhaps the world’s oldest meteoric crater and one formed in basalt rock.  35 Magnetic Hill, Ladakh. Area on the Leh-Kargil-Srinagar national highway approximately 30 km from Leh. The landscape is such a way that it creates an optical illusion when you put your vehicle in neutral and it appears that gravity is pulling your vehicle uphill.  36 Majuli Island (Incredible Majuli Island), Assam. The largest river island in the world located in the banks of Brahmaputra River in Assam. Majuli is a known for its diversity of flora and fauna and is home to many rare and endangered species.  37 Marble Rocks, near Jabalpur. The Marble Rocks located near Jabalpur is a canyon or gorge on Narmada River. The river has carved the soft marble creating a beautiful gorge approximately 3 km in length.  38 National Fossil Wood Park, Sattanur, Tamil Nadu. This park has a fossilized tree trunk estimated to be 120 million years old.  39 National Fossil Wood Park, Tiruvakkarai, Tamil Nadu. A geological park located in the Villupuram District with 20 million year old fossilized trees.  40 Needle Hole Point (Elephant Point), Mahabaleshware, Maharashtra. Natural rock formation that looks like an elephant's trunk  41 Nellitheertha Cave (Nellitheertha Cave Temple), Nellitheertha, Karnataka. Located within the Nellitheertha Cave Temple, it is a cave with a low ceiling. Also located here is a small lake and Shiva Lingam  42 Nohsngithiang waterfall (Seven Sisters or Mawsmai Falls), Meghalaya. A seven-segmented waterfall (seven strands or cascades). Mawsmai Cave is located nearby.  43 Rann of Kutch, Kutch. Largest salt desert in the world  44 River Yamuna (Jamuna River). One of the major holy rivers of India, considered as a goddess in Hindu culture. It merges with the Ganges (Ganga) which flows from Himalayas and further downstream, while passing through Delhi. Other major rivers besides the Yamuna in India include Ganga, Narmada, Mahanadi and Brahmaputra. Many religious sites or holy sites are located along this and other rivers. This is evident in the Punjab. At Agra the Taj Mahal is situated close to the Yamuna river.  45 Shivalik Fossil Park (Suketi Fossil Park), Saketi, Sirmaur (district), Himachal Pradesh. This park displays fossil finds (skeletal remains) and has life size replications of several extinct animals. It also has a museum.  46 Sambhar Salt Lake (Shakambari Jheel), Sambhar. Largest desert inland salt lake in India located west of Jaipur. For thousands of flamingos and other migratory birds, Sambhar Salt Lake provides them a wintering area. It is also a major source for salt in Rajasthan.  47 Siachen glacier, Kashmir. India controls the majority of the Siachen Glacier area, including the Saltoro Ridge passes, whilst Pakistan controls the lower territory just southwest of the Saltoro Ridge. Both Pakistan and India keep military forces in the area.  48 Sundarbans Mangroves (Sundarbans National Park), West Bengal. The Sundarbans mangrove forest is the largest such forests in the world and one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger. Sundarbans freshwater swamp forests and Sundarbans Mangroves provides a unique ecosystem and a rich wildlife habitat.  49 Talakona Waterfall, Talakona, Andhra Pradesh. Highest waterfall in Andhra Pradesh  50 Thoseghar Waterfalls, Satara, Maharashtra. Series of waterfalls with viewing platform and picnic area.  51 Tirathgarh Waterfalls (Milky Fall or Teerathgarh Falls), Chhattisgarh (38km from Jagdalpur). Located in Kanger Ghati National Park. Kutumsar Caves are nearby.  52 Valley of Flowers (Yumthang Valley), Uttarakhand. The flower valley of Uttarakhand is known for its beautiful meadows of endemic alpine flowers, variety of flora and stunning landscape. Valley of Flowers National Park is also home to rare and endangered animals and birds.  53 Wildlife Corridor, Tamil Nadu. The Mudumalai Sanctuary is the meeting point of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats, Situated at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka on the North Eastern Slopes of Nilgiris hills.  There are many more natural wonders to see and enjoy in India, those sites listed above are but a notable sampling — National Parks, Zoos, Museums of Natural History, Gardens and Reserves etc.; though not listed, are also good sources for viewing and understanding the natural beauty of India.

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