15 Natural Wonders In India That Your Geography Teacher Forgot To Tell You About
With a vast geographical range and an ever larger size, India doesn’t cease to amaze the world with its wonders – both man-made and natural. This land of wonders offers many unsolved and intriguing mysteries.
Here’s a list of 15 most amazing natural wonders of India that takes you through hills, rocks and caves; and leads to strangest of beaches and islands.
1. Natural Arch, Tirumala hills: A Rocky Wonder Of India
Located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, this 2.5 billion years old arch was formed due to natural erosive forces. The formation of the rocky wonder is attributed to the intensified weathering and erosion of stream action that has withstood the torque of nature.
2. Magnetic Hill, Ladakh: Illusion To Defy Gravity
Located in the celestial Ladakh valley, the Magnetic Hill defies gravity. Put your car in neutral on this hill and it will move upwards instead of downwards.
3. Marble Rocks, Jabalpur: Soft Enough To Be Cut By Scapels
The grand marble rocks at Bhedaghat near Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) are carved and cut by the flowing waters of the Narmada River. This exquisite beauty is about 3 km in length and soars to a 100 feet on both sides of the Narmada.
4. Balancing Rock, Mahabalipuram: The Precarious Boulder
At the heritage-rich destination of Mahabalipuram, is the famous Balancing Rock. The massive rock stands on a slippery and tiny hill but has never lost balance.
5. Needle Hole Point, Mahabaleshwar: Naturally Crafted Elephant Trunk Hill
The Needle Hole Point/ Elephant Point in Mahabaleshwar offers a rare view of what seems like an elephant trunk crafted by a fine craftsman. But, as much as it is hard to believe, this Indian wonder has been formed by the forces of nature and nothing more.
6. Nellitheertha Cave, Karnataka: Hiding The Lingam And Lake Within
Wide in the beginning, this cave continues to become narrower as you go further inside. The visitors have to crawl through until it starts widening again. Inside the cave is a natural lingam of Lord Shiva and a lake. People often carry back with them the mud from the banks of the lake.
7. Amarnath Cave, Jammu & Kashmir: The Iced Lingam Of Lord Shiva
Inarguably the holiest shrine in Hinduism, the Amarnath cave holds religious importance due to the formation of the mystical ice lingam of Lord Shiva. The freezing of water drops, which trickle down from the roof of the cave onto the floor beneath, leads to the formation of the natural stalagmite. This ice lingam waxes and wanes with the moon.
8. Belum Caves, Andhra Pradesh: Longest Caves In Indian Sub-Continent
Located in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, Belum caves have been formed due to the continuous flow of underground water. These caves are the second largest caves in India and the longest in the plains of Indian sub-continent. In here are lengthy passages, airy chambers, fresh water galleries, and siphons.
9. Borra Caves, Andhra Pradesh: Deepest Caves In India
Located in the Ananthagiri Hills of the Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh, the Borra Caves are the deepest caves in the country. The stalactites and stalagmites formed inside the cave are beautiful. The caves are also the home to bats, golden gecko, fulvous fruit bats, and insects.
10. Loktak Floating Lake, Manipur: Only Floating Lake In The World
The only floating lake in the world and the largest freshwater lake in North-East India, Loktak Lake is rich in biodiversity. The habitat for 57 species of waterbirds and another 14 species of wetland-associated birds, this floating wonder is also the only home to the endangered sangai (brow-antlered deer).
11. Lonar Lake, Maharashtra: World’s Oldest Meteroric Crater Lake
Located near Mehkar in Buldana of Maharashtra, the Lonar Crater Lake is the world’s oldest meteoric crater-lake and third largest in size. The crater dates back to approximately 50,000 years.
12. Manikaran Natural Springs: Hot Water Bath In River Beas
Manikaran, a pilgrimage centre for both Hindus and Sikhs, is located in the Parvati Valley between the rivers Beas and Parvati, in Himachal Pradesh. Well known for its hot springs and beautiful landscapes, the gurudwara houses a hot water bath. Though not the only one in India, Manikaran has become extremely popular and a major tourist and pilgrim attraction.
13. Hide-and-Seek Beach, Orissa: Vanishing Beach Of Chandipur
16 km from Balasore, Chandipur is a quiet beach on the Orissan coast. Counted as one of the most unique experiences of the world, the sea water here recedes about 5 km during low tide and advances to the shoreline again during high tide, each day.
14. Majuli Island, Assam: The Riverine Island In Brahmaputra
One of the largest riverine islands, Majuli Island lies in the river Brahmaputra in Assam. A hotspot for flora and fauna, the island is home to many endangered avifauna species.
15. Living Root Twin Bridges, Meghalaya: The One-Odd Tree Wonder
These twin-living-root-bridges, located close to Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, offer an unbelievable sight. The roots of the ‘Ficus Elastica’ tree extend up to 3000 feet. They form a twin layer that the locals have been using as bridges over the river.
The Indian nature never ceases to amaze us. Let us know which natural wonder amazed you the mo
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