The monsoon season is here and though it might be a pain to commute to work -- getting stuck in traffic, walking on mucky roads and jumping puddles -- nothing beats those rainy nights when you can cuddle in bed with a good book. The feel of the rains is even better if you are in a hill station where you can hear the winds whispering through those towering pine and fir trees and the pitter-patter of the raindrops on the roof.
While a lot of us prefer to sit indoors and watch the rain with some steaming cups of coffee, a lot of people choose to go out and enjoy the downpour. And if you are one of those people who does not mind the puddles and instead enjoy that smell of the earth and cold, moist winds we suggest you pack your bags, put on those raincoats and take a trip to these lush green and amazing locales that add tonnes of colour and fun to the monsoons.
Here are our top 5 picks for that perfect monsoon trip
Cherrapunji, Meghalaya
Cherrapunji, more commonly known as Sohra by the locals, is the second wettest place on earth after Mawsynram. Considering the amount of rain it receives, Cherrapunji soils on the plateau are not the best for vegetation. However, valleys around the place see a constant green cover of lush and diverse vegetation.
There are a lot of things one can learn from the culture of the place. The locals follow a matrilineal culture, where after getting married the husband of the youngest daughter lives with the wife's family and the children also take the mother's surname. Cherrapunji is also extremely popular for the living bridge, the oldest one being about 500 years old.
Malshej Ghat, Maharashtra
Malshej Ghat is a mountain pass in the Thane-Pune district of Maharashtra. The pass is home to a variety of flora and fauna and also boasts of an exquisite avian population such as flamingos, cuckoos and quails.
The valleys and the dark woods are a rage among the tourists who also come for the wildlife and the waterfalls. The Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, about 40 kilometres from Malshej Ghat, is also a popular tourist attraction.
Kausani, Uttarakhand
Kausani is a hill station in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand. It is well-known for its scenic view of peaks like Nanda Devi and Trisul. If you are looking for a calm and pleasant place to clear your mind away from the hustle-bustle of the city, Kausani is where you must head.
Kausani also has a lot of trekking options like the Pindari Glacier trek, Kafni Glacier trek, and the Sundar Dhunga trek among many others.
Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Mount Abu is the only hill station in the desert state of Rajasthan and is an extremely popular destination among tourists. Often referred to as an "oasis in the desert" the hill station is home to many lakes, rivers, waterfalls and evergreen forests.
Agumbe, Karnataka
Agumbe is a place located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka and known for its medicinal plants, trekking trails, waterfalls and cottage industry. It is also popular among tourists for its hilly terrain and the heavy rainfall it receives. It also boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna.
Apart from these, Agumbe also attracts a lot of people as some of the episodes of the famous television show Malgudi Days were shot here.
