India is a country that surprises the travelers of its own residents. There is so much of exploration potential in this country is its exquisite and a vast distribution of naturally dropped wonders of cascades, beaches , mountains and Culture. Most of it engraved chiseled so carefully that stood the wrath of time and stand magnificently till this day radiating the level of greatness and the talent we have had in the people who made these monument, buildings and all other marvelous architecture that surely is an aspect of wonder and way more superior than that of the rest of the world! While we are at it,  some of the best places in South India are unexplored And surprisingly they make it into the best offbeat destinations that we think you surely should get a hold of!  So here we go-

1. Araku valley

You may be a person who likes peace and serenity or adventure and thrill! There are very few places that satisfy both of the sectors simultaneously and Araku is one of them for sure. With a picturesque panorama surrounded by a backdrop to the Eastern ranges, Araku is a destination of an instant offbeat adventure getaway.With a spot for not so dense trees and a marshy land that makes an excellent place for camping, stargazing and also a spotting of wilderness amongst the nature! 

2. Athirapally falls

Waterfalls never fail to fascinate anyone- However small or large or dense or hard to reach they are! They always manage to endow a certain type of vibe among anyone  near them. With a majestic 80 feel fall of gushing water among the beauty of the Sholayar Forest Range , Athirapilly falls which is the largest waterfall in the cultural state of kerala is a natural sublimation of the adventure seeker in you to rejuvenate alongside nature!

3.  Dhanushkodi 

An abandoned gem on the southernmost tip of the Pamban island is a cultural significance- It is said that this is where Lord Rama’s army built a bridge to reach Ravana’s Sri Lanka.  The “lost land” of Tamil Nadu, is the perfect place for that. This serene island-like patch of land which connects India and Sri Lanka provides the most picturesque view that is sure to take someone’s breath away. This almost barren stretch of land can take you to a state of calm that will help you get rid of all the stress and hustle bustle of city life.With the Pamban Islands, the ram setu and a lot of panoramic scenes, this place- THE LAST ROAD OF INDIA is sure to make your trip a memorable one! 

4. Vattakanal

Perched on the high hills of South India, this tiny and an unexplored hamlet is a tranquil hill station cupped calmly in the hands of cliffs and dense lush green forests.Hanging over the Palani hills , it almost seems like Vattakanal is where clouds descend upon!  Completely void of pollution and hurrying tourists, with a weather so heavenly pleasant and undisturbed , this hill station surely makes a stand of exploration potential in the offbeat list in the states of south India. 

5. Chimmony and Ponmudy 

The best kept secret of the Western Ghats-a number of rivulets and rapids, some even across the road. The lush forest area has tropical vegetation. A variety of wildlife inhabit the hills. The Golden Valley offers vistas of the hills and access to the Kallar River. Flowing through a wilderness area, it has rounded pebbles, cool water, fish, and lush green trees. Travelers can find a deer park and wood and stone cottages coloured in bright hues. Located about 1.5 km from the hill station, is the Ponmudi Falls. Around 3 km from the Ponmudi Resort, is the Deer Park. What else can be interestingly offbeat and peaceful than a combination of wildlife and nature!

6. Badami 

A culture filled offbeat exploration can be a surreal one! With the ancient capital of the Chalukya Kingdom, the place of Badami possesses the cultural aura of rock cut architecture and caves alongside richly carved monuments that date back to the 6th and 7th centuries. A fine blend of the Nagara style and the South Indian Dravidian style architecture monuments make this one an essential for the cultural buff in you. This location is an often underexplored one and surely is an exploratory offbeat dive into the past of the glorious time of the country’s past !

7. Devbagh beach 

Not only the monuments of the south give you a peace and calmness that you seek. One of the most underrated and offbeat yet beautifully placed beaches in the country is the Devbagh beach in the state of Karnataka. With the shiny golden sands and the cool breeze alongside the soft adventure activities like Banana boating and Jet ski is a potential offbeat spot and you surely can expect privacy, calmness and serenity that is ideal for couples to spend some quality time with each other!

8. Pollachi

A paradise that is underrated amongst drifters, this teeny tiny spot is an year round exploratory spot due to its natural beauty and Due to its proximity to the Western Ghats, Pollachi has a pleasant climate throughout the year. It is one of the very few places in India to enjoy both North-East and South-West Monsoon seasons significantly. Temperature may never exceed 35 degree Celsius even during summer. 

9. Tharangambadi

The name literally means “Place of the singing waves” and it should surely be on your bucket list of an offbeat trip. Radiating an emergent historical past of A Danish Colony from 1620 to 1845, the Fort Dansborg still stands tall as an evidence of the Danish colonial history of this town. A beach side that makes a good spot for photography and a ride along the beach with a tint of exploration is a good one to not miss out!

10. Thalassery

Popularly termed as the “Paris of Malabar” , the town is a cheerful one. This one is for the one who loves to mingle along with the locals instead of being one in a herd of tourists. What makes this an offbeat one is the innumerable unexplored town itself! Walk to the nearby Dharmadam Island or drive on the Muzhappilangad Beach, the longest drive-in-beach in India. Enchanting locals, the street food and the rich colonial history waiting to be seen by someone – this place surely is one of the perfect ones for an offbeat exploration.  

By, Ghanshyam Prasad