There’s magic in the night, a sweet smell in the air, the eyes rest on pleasant sights—this April, we take you to the cleanest destinations in the country. As they say, take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints.
Make it a clean break this summer. Leave smog-veiled cities and litter-strewn beaches behind and head for India’s cleanest, least polluted places. While you go trekking, traipse through museums or soak in local culture at these destinations, you’ll also marvel at how they manage to be the bright spots in Swachh Bharat.
MAWLYNNONG
When the words ‘cleanest village’ and ‘India’ are uttered together you cannot but think of Mawlynnong. This little village – population 500 – in the West Khasi Hills of Meghalaya earned the tag of ‘India’s Cleanest Village’ over a decade ago and still wears it proudly; its streets remain free of litter, its water sources pristine. Travellers go to Malynnong to see what appears to be a little miracle in a country struggling to stay clean. They come away having fallen under the spell of a picturesque little hamlet within easy reach of the famous living bridges and whose inhabitants, belonging to the Khasi tribe, preserve their ancient traditions and live in complete harmony with nature.
Clean mantra Even if Mawlynnong’s clean ways only came to the notice of the rest of the country in 2003, its people have been practicing them for a century and more. A cholera epidemic in a place that had no access to medical care prompted the village to scale up cleanliness and hygiene standards. In Mawlynnong, keeping the village clean is everyone’s business. Bamboo dustbins outside homes and along streets collect garbage that is composted. Even children know the cleanliness rules.
NAVIGATOR
Getting there Shillong is the nearest airport, and it’s a 90-km drive from there to Mawlynnong. You can hire cabs at the airport.
Stay There are comfortable home stays in the village which also give you a glimpse of the local lifestyle.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2017 من Discover India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2017 من Discover India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
New Gear For New Travels
Here’s our selection of some nifty new gear that’s certain to add extra oomph to your next vacation.
10 Hidden Gems Of India
The last two years have prepared us to expect the unexpected, so why not explore the unexplored in 2022? India boasts some of the most culturally abundant and visually spectacular places in the world. Pick one or more of these 10 indian destinations to travel to and discover new lands in the coming year.
When Travel Heals
Going for a holiday just after you have lost your mother to COVID-19 may not be the most popular idea, but it was the only way for a grieving family to escape the agony with which they were living. And so, they headed to the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu in search of peace and recuperation.
BOOKS FOR THE BACKPACK
Journey across India through these books that shed light on the intriguing history and vibrant culture of the country.
Masks of Glory
Charida is not the most popular tourist spot in West Bengal. But its obscurity is one of the reasons we choose to discover the undiscovered ‘mask village’ of India.
Palace of Grandeur
The Grand Mercure Bengaluru at Gopalan Mall offers a slice of Karnataka’s rich architectural and culinary history and culture. We check-in at the palatial property for a plush staycation.
The Road to My Roots
A family finds harmony and plenty of nostalgia in the hilly forests of Ramgarh, Uttarakhand and the Kumaon Himalayas.
GARDEN of FABLES
On the fringes of Darjeeling, Kurseong is home to India’s most expensive tea, the world’s first tea factory, and a mystical natural phenomenon.
MORE than just FOOD
Kochi’s boutique cafés go beyond the traditional meal to o er artisanal experiences that reflect the port city’s varied expressions. From artist residencies to couverture masterclasses and upmarket design stores, there’s much to explore and savour.
Magical Moments
Travel blogger and dancer, Nina Okhotina, is also the founder of the clothing brand, The Dress Stories. Her fl owy, one-tone dresses add a touch of magic to her Instagram pictures from her Indian trips. The Russia-born social-media star reminisces about her time in India and the people that made it special.