With winter bidding adieu and summer lazily crawling in, March is an ideal time to pack your bags for a comfortable travel spree and make the most of it. Seasonal festivities of Holi adding a dash of colours to dazzling spring time, perfect weather to let loose and get soaked and unwind in the spirit of your favourite destinations, or letting your adrenaline soar as you hit your favourite adventure sports – whether you are travelling solo or with your family and friends, March is undoubtedly a great time. So, to your respite we have a list of destinations to choose from and explore in the month of March!
Mathura and Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Since, we have already mentioned Holi, why not celebrate the festival with flowers and colours on the land of Lord Krishna! Head to the temple towns of Mathura and Vrindavan four to five days prior to Holi which is on 23 March this year, and experience the legendary celebrations!
Do not miss:
- Lathmaar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon
- Holi at Banke Bihari Temple and Dwarkadhish Temple
- Acts by local people at Gulal Kund in Braj
Jaipur, Rajasthan
A blast of spring over the vibrant galore of Jaipur! This spellbinding experience can only be lived when you are there in the ‘Pink City of India’ to witness its hearty welcome, esteemed royalty, rich culture and traditions. Organised by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, Elephant Festival is a prime attraction celebrated annually during the month of March. Adorned in gold, glitter, colourful attires and paints, these elephants move graciously in procession, play the game of polo and even Holi. This extravagant event is an absolute pride of the State!
Other best travel picks for March from Rajasthan – Jodhpur, Mount Abu, Jaisalmer, Ranthambore, Ajmer.
Goa
Go Goa if you want to rejuvenate and escape from the maddening mayhem of the city. During March, the place is neither overcrowded nor overpriced. So, even if you are travelling solo and want to spend some me time, this is a place for you. Also, if you are game for some heart pumping water sports like para-sailing, water skiing, scuba diving or snorkelling, Goa is definitely a place to go. Shigmotsav, Sabado Gordo, Good Friday and Easter are a few events and festivals that fall during the season and are uniquely celebrated in Goa.
Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
March is also a month when the Hindu festival, Maha Shivratri is celebrated in reverence of Lord Shiva. Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, popularly known as the “Cathedral of Temples”, has many legends associated with the festival. Every year, Maha Shivratri is fondly celebrated with great fervour in Mandi. A home to over 300 temples, this old hilly city of Himachal Pradesh falls en route Manali. So, in case you do not want to spend your entire vacation in Mandi, head to Manali as the weather in March is pleasant and the hill station is not crowded. It is a good time to enjoy all kinds of outdoor sports at the Solang Valley.
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Situated on the banks of the Ganges and amidst the lush hills, Rishikesh is the abode of knowledge, peace, serenity and the birthplace of yoga. And, to celebrate this legacy, every year a week-long International Yoga Festival is organised here where world-class yoga teachers offer classes to learn and practice yoga and feel connected with the divine words through satsang and spiritual lectures. The festival is scheduled from 1 March to 7 March 2016. For details you may check: http://www.internationalyogafestival.com.
The best of Rishikesh can be explored during the month of March not just because of the Yoga festival but also because it is an ideal time for river rafting!
There is also another yoga event ‘Yog Maha Kumbh’ to be held from 8 to 11 March in Haridwar, around 20km from Rishikesh. Visit the pious ghat of Hari ki Pauri and enlighten your soul!
Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Home to the Asiatic one-horned rhinos, Kaziranga National Park is one of the most visited tourist spot of the North East. Though it gets a little hot during the day, still the spring time – March and April – is great time to go bird watching, rhino and tiger sighting, and enjoy the jungle safari. This is the best time for wildlife photographers to capture some exquisite shots in the open grasslands with idyllic weather conditions.
Wildlife enthusiasts may also consider other destinations like Ranthambore National Park, Corbett National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Sundarbans and Periyar.
Kerala
Whether you are planning a family vacation or even your honeymoon, Kerala is one place which won’t disappoint you! Visit the tranquil hills of Munnar, explore the beaches and the Portuguese legacy in Kochi, go backwater cruising in Alleppey or rent a houseboat for an incomparable stay, and/or go to Kanyakumari for its splendid sunrise and sunset views. The options are innumerable!
Other best rated destinations in South and South West India for an exemplary experience during the season include Ooty, Coorg, Kodaikanal and Bangalore.
Lakshadweep Islands
With its sun-kissed beaches, turquoise blue waters, pristine lagoons, and rich marine life, inexplicable charm of Lakshadweep Islands makes it an incomparable destination. One can never get tired of this awe-inspiring place! Whether you want to go canoeing at Minicoy Islands to spot turtles and corals as you roe, or go scuba diving to get even closer to their world, March is a good time to enjoy all kinds of water sports in the Islands. So, if you are planning a romantic trip or you are craving for a week-long break to snap out the boredom and fatigue, you know now where you can go!
Shillong, Meghalaya
The capital of Meghalaya, Shillong is a hotspot of the North East India and offers a sufficing holiday to its visitors with best of accommodation facilities, myriad of popular attractions to explore including Lady Hydari Park, world’s wettest golf course – Shillong Golf Course, Don Bosco Centre of Indigenous Culture, among many others. So, you have never been to the North East India and are thinking of picking one location for now, Shillong it is!
Other places from the North East to visit in March –
- Tawang, Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh
- Tsomgo Lake Pelling in Sikkim
- Majuli, Haflong in Assam
- Dzouku Valley and Mokokchung in Nagaland
Do you have any personal favourite holiday destination for the month of March that is not on our list? Comment below and share your travel experiences and reasons to explore that place during this month!
