TOP 20: HONEYMOON destinations in India you MUST visit!

Avni Mehrotra spoke to couples and a travel manager and drew up a list of the most desired places to go on one's honeymoon.

If you thought that traveling abroad is the latest trend with every Indian couple for their honeymoon, think again. Couples now from all across the world are coming to India to undertake their first trip together as a married couple.

A rich culture, beautiful landscape and exceptionally hospitable people, there are no guesses on why people won't prefer coming to India to begin their marital bliss. We spoke to a few couples and a travel manager to list down 20 destinations in India where couples would love to come to commemorate their new life together.

Soon-to-be-married Khushi and Abhinav Malhotra have been together for 9 years now. Truly romantic and adventurous, they list 5 places where they would love to go for their honeymoon.

The imperial destination of India, you are bound to feel majestic amidst the various forts and palaces this place boasts of. Remnants of old forts, palaces converted to museums and numerous lakes, the noble charm of this place is truly capable to give that royal and romantic touch to your honeymoon.

Major attractions of the city would be Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Saheliyon ki bari, Jagdish temple, Monsoon Palace etc to name a few. A trip to this royal place would be incomplete if you don't stay in a heritage hotel. Lake Palace hotel, Shiv Niwas Palace, Laxmi Vilas Palace are the good ones. The tariff per night ranges anywhere from Rs 20,000 - Rs50,000 .

If you are fascinated with the breathtaking beauty of Kashmir and want to spend your honeymoon there, the pristine landscape of Pahalgam could just be your destination. Obviously every couple wants a private honeymoon which makes Pahalgam an ideal choice.

Limited accessibility and restricted telecom connectivity make this an ideal place for a honeymoon. Endowed with abundant flora and fauna, the picturesque landscape are the major tourist attraction of the city.

If trekking is your forte the Lidderwat and Kolohoi Glacier provide opportunities for the same. Horseback riding, river rafting etc are some other recreational activities. You can check in at the Hotel Hilltop, Woodstock Hotel or the Grand Mumtaz hotel for Rs 2500 - Rs 9000 per night.

No honeymoon trip is complete without visiting one of the most romantic cities of India, Goa. If you are the couple who enjoys partying, clubbing, the sea and the sand, Goa could be your destination. One of the most visited places in India, Goa is famous for its beaches.

Naturally watersports are extremely popular along with the casinos and the Portuguese remnants. To spend a romantic evening, you and your spouse could head to the quieter beaches like Bogmalo or Varca.

Don't forget to indulge in some dirt-cheap shopping at Anjuna beach flea market or visit the various Churches. Accomodation options in Goa would be Bougainvillea Guest House Goa, Casa Colvale, Bardez and Pousada Tauma, Calangute. Prices would range anything from Rs 2,400 - 5000 per night.

If greenery and nature are what you are looking for in your honeymoon, then Kerala is the right place to visit. Named one of the Ten Paradises of the World, its scenic beauty comprises of the beautiful mountains of Munnar to the  serenading beaches of Kovalam.

The scenery is mesmerizing to captivate you and your spouse and enthrall you with its sheen. Rent a houseboat on the Kumarakom Lagoon for a perfectly private getaway. Kerala is rich with beaches like Alappuzha , Bekal, Cherayi etc and also waterfalls like Athirapally, Vazhachal, Palaruvi. Known for beautifully carved temples and monuments, these spots narrate the rich cultural history of the state.

Some places of accommodation are Sajhome, Kochi ,Kaiya House, Varkala, Vivanta by Taj -- Kumarakom wih tariffs ranging from Rs 2000 - Rs 8000 per night.

Would you like to spend your honeymoon lazing out and bathing on sun-kissed beaches? If exemplary beaches  and tropical rain forests are what you would like to explore on your honeymoon, the Andamans await you.

The hub of water sports, one can enjoy activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking etc on every resort. The islands have many spots reserved for the marine life of each island, especially Havelock.

Other places of interest would be Cellular Jail, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Water Sports Complex, Fisheries Museum, Chidiya Tapu etc. Good places for accommodation would be Fortune resort bay island, Barefoot at Havelock island, Dew Dale resorts with prices as ranging from Rs 1500 - 7000 per night.

Sanjay and Chhavi Khanna, married for over 21 years now kept us with the tradition and travelled to the most exotic destinations trending during their time. Married with two children now, the couple gets nostalgic and reminisces the places with which they embarked on their married life.

Ooty

Adorned with sprawling tea gardens, dense jungles, tranquilizing lakes and lofty peaks, Ooty is any honeymooner's paradise.  Famous places to visit would be Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens and Wax World. As Ooty is famous for its many lakes don't forget to visit the Porthimund Lake, Upper Bhavani Lake, Emerald Lake, and Avalanche Lake. For accommodation, good hotels would be The Monarch, Holiday Inn and Hotel Lakeview. Tariff would range from Rs 1500 - Rs 6000 rupees per night.

Due to their sheer proximity, a visit to one city goes incomplete without the other one. If trekking and connecting with the nature is what intrigues you and your spouse, then you can as well as undertake a trek to the Himalyas, starting from Gangtok.

A tremendous view of the mountains coupled with breathtaking tea estates add to the scenic wonder of this part of northern Bengal.  Make sure you try out the local food. Hotels cost anywhere between Rs 1300 - Rs 3500 with Hotel Berries and Sterling Resorts being the recommended ones.

Atop the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, is situated the magnificent town of Manali, famous for its snowcapped peaks and deep valleys.

If you both enjoy adventure sports, Manali could be exactly your prime destination. There are various places to see in Manali like the Naggar Fort, Hidimba Devi Temple, Rahla Waterfalls, Solang Valley and ofcourse the Rohtang pass.

You could stay at the Hotel Silmog garden, Hotel Sun Park or the Holiday Cottages. The price would range from Rs 1100 – Rs 3500 per night.

Well we needn't explain why every Indian must pay a visit to Khajuraho soon after the beginning of his married life. Thought the city is the temple town of India, it is way beyond just religion and worshipping deities. Every sculpture, every statue oozes with eroticism.

Constructed way back in the 9th century, the temples of Khujraho are the evidences of the architectural geniuses during the times of Chandela dynasty. Apart from various erotic positions depicted in sculptures, these temples portray other creative aspects like dance, music etc in the form of images and sculptures. You can stay at the Hotel Clarks, Hotel Surya or the Hotel  Usha Bundela in an affordable price range of Rs 1000 - Rs 2500.

Named after the lake Naini, this hill station is a beautiful spot for couples to soak in the beautiful scenery and splendid mountain landscapes.

Take a horseback ride and go for one of those wilderness trails or simply surround yourself in the enchanting scenic beauty by renting a paddle boat and floating along the Naini Lake. You can also visit the Cave Garden, Naina Devi Temple, Tiffin top, Snow view point etc.

Accommodation is available at the Shervani Hilltop, Vikram Vintage Inn and Grand Hotel from anywhere between  Rs Rs 2500 - Rs 7500.

Married over a year ago, Pawan and Shreya Malhotra believed in blending together conventional with contemporary while deciding their honeymoon destination. A nature trek enthusiast, Pawan and a heritage lover Shreya went to the following places for their honeymoon

Leh-Ladakh

Named the cold desert, Ladakh is situated in the rain shadow area of the majestic HImalyas. Beautiful snow covered peaks and the panoramic  view of the place attract vistors from all over the world every year. Courtesy the difficult terrain and weather condition, it is very sparsely populated. Various Budhist monasteries and bizarre surroundings make this one of the most exquisite destinations for a honeymoon. Accomodation is available  at Ladakh Sarai, Ladakh Residency and Hotel Omasila. The tariff ranges from Rs 3500 - Rs 9000 per night.

Situated in upper Dharamsala, Mcleodganj is the renowed seat of the Holy leader Dalai Lama. An amazing learning centre of Tibetian culture, you would enjoy this place if learning about new cultures and religions appeals to you. The city is enriched with various ancient temples, monasteries and structures. Buddhist religious practices and Mother Nature's beauty bless this place with all magnanimities. Make sure you take away with you Buddhist Handcrafts, garments and thangkas.  Accommodation is affordable with Hotel Akash, Surya Mcleod and Hotel India House offering rooms at Rs 1000 - Rs 2500 per night.

Recently named as Puducherry, Pondicherry is a small town tucked away on the Eastern seaboard of India. A stretched coastline of 32 kms laced with palm trees, a walk around the seaside transport you into a much more tranquil world. You can even enjoy fishing and various water activities in the backwaters. The town is blessed with the Sri Aurobindo Ashram where people from all across the world flock in numbers to seek solace and solitude.  Immersed with French architecture, Pondicherry is a land of great wine, food and adventure. Accommodation is available at the Annai  Residence, Hotel Sun Park and Hotel Mass from Rs 1500 - Rs 3000 per night.

What could be better than the most romantic destination of India to start your wedded life. Pay homage to the most romantic couple of all times, by visiting the Monument of Love, Taj Mahal. Beautiful inlay work of precious and semi precious stones in pure white marble are enough to take your breath away.

There are various other monuments like Agra Fort, Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra, Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb and Chini-Ka-Rauza to visit and explore. You can also visit the Ram Bagh, Dayal Bagh and Soami Bagh. You can stay at The Grand Imperial, Mansingh Palace or ITC Mughal from Rs 5000 - Rs 9000 per night.

The cultural capital of Karnataka, Mysore is the city best known for its Dusshera celebrations. Celebrated for a period of 10 days, the festival is celebrated with great zeal and vigor. There are various temples in the city clearly reflecting the Vijaynagar school of painting. Other attractions of the city would be its various palaces. The Jagmohan Palace and the Lalitha Mahal boast of their  majestic splendor.  The JAyalakshmi Vilas Mansion is being converted to a museum now. You could stay at the Green Hotel, Pai Vista or the Wildflower Spa and Resort from anywhere between Rs 3000 - Rs 7000 per night.

With a lot of weddings happening after November, travel agents have their tables full. We spoke to Vinit Mehta, a Mumbai based travel manager to list down some places which newly wedded couples have booked this year for their honeymoon.

Lakshadweep

Isolated from the rest of the country, yet full of life and energy, these islands in the Laccadive sea are loved by every newly married couple. Stretched with coconut groves and basked in abundant sunshine, the islands are a postcard picture material. If this was not enough, you and your spouse can enjoy various water sports like surfing, diving etc. Make sure you visit the Kavaratti Islands, Kalpeni Islands, Minicoy Islands, Kadmat Islands, Agatti Islands and Bangaram Islands. Accommodation is available only at the Agatti Island beach resort, Bangaram Island resort and Kavaratti Island beach resort.

Since time memorial, Shimla has been the favorite spot for a mountain getaway. Attracting honeymooners for quite some time now, Shima is India's most famous honeymoon destination.

Calm and serene air coupled with an enchanting view of the peaks is what attracts honeymooners here. If you and your spouse want to start your wedded life with a religious excursion, there are various Buddhist monasteries to visit in the city. For accommodation there are options like Toshli Royal View, Bridge View Regency and Hotel Auckland. The tariff ranges from Rs 1500 - 3500 per night.

Populary known as the Scotland of India, Coorg is a pace of beautiful landscape abundant with trees. The small town with friendly people, make it an ideal choice for a isolated honeymoon.

Hidden off the main road through many coffee and cardamom plantations lie the Abbey Falls, the most picturesque location to visit.

You can even enjoy a secluded walk and dwell in the wildlife by strolling around the Nagarahole and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuaries.

A secluded spot situated arpund 115 kms from Mumbai, this place is a haven for nature lovers. Though there are no tourist spots, the natural beauty is enough for a private honeymoon for a couple. A lot of couples these days prefer going here because of the Nature Trails by the Sajan Nature Club Resort.

The resort offers tree top rooms and tiled huts to its guests which works out best for married couples to ensure their privacy. Renting a room amidst lush green forests and waterfall replicates paradise for any honeymooner. The rooms are affordable at a price range of Rs 4500 - Rs 7000 per night.

Situated on the Western Ghat of the country is the beautiful city of Mahabaleshwar. Apart of being abode to the Mahabaleshwar Temple, the city has one of the few evergreen forests of the world. Known for its honey and strawberries, there are one too many farms of the fruit in the city.

A boat ride at the Venna lake in the evenings completes the mesmerizing experience at this hill station. Accommodation is available at Hotel Rajesh, Fountain Hotel and Hotel Lakeview from Rs 2000 - Rs 6000 per night.