Know all About Best Union Territories In India You Can Travel in 2022
In India, there is a total of 8 Union Territories and 28 states. Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Chandigarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep are among India’s eight union territories.
The Republic of India’s Union Territory is a distinct administrative sector. They do not have their own government and are administered by the federal government, unlike the states of India, which have their own state governments (union government). Delhi, Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry), and J&K are the only three union territories in India that have their own legislatures. Each union territory has its own capital, which serves as the administrative center.
1. Ladakh
Ladakh is a union territory of India. Ladakh, which was previously part of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, became a union territory on October 31, 2019. Ladakh, which stretches from the Siachen Glacier to the main Great Himalayas, is a place more than any other. Ladakh is the world’s oldest desert, with stunning scenery.
Ladakh is a riot of intricate murals and red-robed monks, with gorgeous Gompas (Tibetan Buddhist monasteries), fluttering prayer flags, and whitewashed stupas. Only in Ladakh has it been recorded that a guy can acquire both sunstroke and frostbite while sitting in the sun with his feet in the shade. Ladakh’s people are friendly and welcoming to visitors, with a culture that is similar to Tibetan culture.
Rafting and high-altitude trekking are popular activities in Ladakh. Leh Ladakh is only accessible by car during the summer months. From October to May, the trekking trail is close, and the only way to get there is by flight. From January through the end of February, the Chadar expedition on the ice-covered Zanskar river takes place.
Here’s something that might help those of us who are often perplexed by the differences between these two areas, Leh and Ladakh. Leh and Kargil are the two districts that make up the state of Ladakh. The ancient district is home to a very well town of “Leh,” which is a famous tourist destination due to the nearby spectacular monasteries, Shanti Stupa, cafes, and Leh Bazaar, all of which belong to the region’s culture.
Best Time to visit: Jun to Sep
2. Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir is noted for its scenic beauty, snow-capped mountains, plentiful wildlife, spectacular monuments, hospitable people, and local handicrafts, and is frequently referred to as “Paradise on Earth.” Your trip to Jammu and Kashmir will be unforgettable since the state will wow you not only with its scenic beauty and snow-capped mountain ranges but also with its adventure sports that will transport you to another world.
The Himalayan mountain ranges of Pir Panjal and Karakoram are famed for their natural beauty and caring people. Jammu & Kashmir is home to the most breathtaking mountain peaks, massive glaciers, magnificent monasteries, turquoise lakes, rivers, woodlands, verdant meadows, and tall pine trees. While activities including skiing, golf, trekking, river rafting, paragliding, and camping add to the adventure of a journey to Jammu and Kashmir, Amarnath and Vaishno Devi draw a huge number of pilgrims each year. The state’s key attractions are Dal Lake, Kashmir Valley, Khardung La Pass, Gulmarg, and Shalimar Bagh. The state’s unrivaled beauty and charm, as well as the locals’ sweetness, will be imprinted on your mind for the rest of your life.
Best Time to visit: Jammu (winter), Srinagar (summer)
3. Delhi
Delhi, India’s capital, is a multicultural metropolis with a historic old Delhi and a modern New Delhi. Dilli has many personalities and is known as the city with a heart, with everything from historical monuments to bustling shopping malls, a vast network of modern metro systems, and the Delhi University campus.
The past Mughal reign is reflected in the tiny, twisting streets and bylanes of ancient Delhi. Old Delhi is home to Chandni Chowk, one of the country’s oldest and busiest markets.
If you wish to learn more about Mughal history, visit historical monuments such as the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, and Purana Qila. Only a few of the city’s notable temples are the Akshardham Temple, the Lotus Temple (also known as the Bahai Temple), and the ISKON Temple.
People in Delhi love to eat, and visitors will be spoiled for choice among the numerous dishes available on every corner of every street. Delhi is a melting pot of many ethnicities, and this is reflected in the city’s culinary palette, which includes kebabs and tikkas as well as Chhole Bhature. Travelers will find a variety of cafes and restaurants.
The Connaught Place, the drive from outside the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Raisina Hill (visitors are not allowed to go inside), the Rajpath, and the India Gate are all must-sees in central Delhi. The greatest time to visit this region is in the evening when all of the structures are illuminated and the Amar Jawan Jyoti near India Gate is illuminated.
With its colorful bazaars and posh markets, Delhi is a shopper’s paradise. The variety of markets in Delhi ensures that visitors return home with twice as much luggage as they arrived with!
Best Time to visit: October to March
4. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
According to laws issued by the Indian government, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have merged to become a single union territory (effective January 26, 2020). The capital of this new union territory will be Daman. Dadra is in Gujarat, but Nagar Haveli is sandwiched between the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. With the highlands of the Western Ghats and surrounding lush greenery, it is a great indulgence into the wild side for a tourist, and its Portuguese origin makes it famous among history buffs as well.
On May 30, 1987, the Union Territory of Daman and Diu was founded. On August 11, 1961, Dadra and Nagar Haveli united with the Republic of India as a Union Territory.
Best Time to visit: October to Apr
5. Pondicherry
In 1962, the erstwhile French colonies of Mahe, Pondicherry, Karaikal, and Yanam merged to form Pondicherry. These colonies are now Pondicherry’s districts. Tamil Nadu borders the districts of Karaikal and Puducherry, whereas Kerala and Andhra Pradesh border the districts of Mahe and Yanam, respectively. Pondicherry, also known as Puducherry and known simply as Pondy, is one of India’s seven Union Territories. It is known as the “French Riviera of the East” and is undoubtedly one of the most attractive and enthralling destinations to visit in South India.
Beautiful mustard-yellow colonial homes covered in bougainvillea line the streets of Pondicherry’s French Quarter, also known as White Town. There are also charming cafes and fashionable stores serving delicious French cuisine and beverages. Simply wandering around these alleyways might provide travelers with a peek at Pondicherry’s magical appeal.
Pondicherry has a lot to offer, including traditional French bakeries, bohemian shops, and cobblestoned roads ideal for a leisurely stroll or bicycle ride. So come down to our fantasy town on the Indian Coast and have a few beers (at Union Territory pricing; no state taxes) or simply read a book in one of the charming cafes.
Come explore Pondicherry’s boulevards and rues, which will bring you to the lovely seaside promenade where you can view the Bay of Bengal splashing over the famous Rock beach.
Best Time to visit: October to March
6. Chandigarh
Chandigarh is a union territory that serves as both the Punjab and Haryana capitals. Chandigarh, India’s first planned city, is a Punjabi city at heart with a fair dose of modernism; the capital is famed for its food and gedi culture (a leisure drive or ride across the city). Chandigarh is a popular weekend road trip destination and other major towns are located 265 kilometers from Delhi. It also serves as an essential staging location while traveling to places in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Boating on Chandigarh’s beautiful Sukhna Lake is a popular spot for locals. The city’s other major attractions are the Rock Garden, Leisure Valley, and Rose Garden. The Rock Garden in Chandigarh is well-known for being totally made of abandoned industrial and municipal trash, while the Leisure Valley is an 8-kilometer-long, well-kept park with Asia’s largest rose garden, which is a popular tourist and local destination.
The Capitol complex, also known as the Le Corbusier Centre, is another popular tourist attraction in Chandigarh. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was once Le Corbusier’s home, has been converted into a museum, and people are welcome to visit.
Best Time to visit: August to March
7. Andaman & Nicobar
Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a little slice of paradise situated roughly 1,400 kilometers off the east coast of mainland India, complete with azure blue ocean beaches and a little history. Port Blair, the capital of the union territory, has a major airport and seaport, as well as many daily ferries connecting it to the rest of the country and various tourist islands. Havelock and Neil Islands are popular tourist destinations because of their beautiful sandy beaches and excellent diving chances.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands encompasses 572 islands, only 37 of which are inhabited, while a few are open to tourists. Havelock Island is one of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ largest and most frequented islands. Travelers frequently fly or cruise from Port Blair and stay in Havelock and Neil Islands, which have several superb resorts.
Port Blair is frequently utilized as a boarding point for ferries to other islands. Tourists visit for a day or two to see the town and the adjacent beaches. Day trips to Ross Island and North Bay Island, as well as Baratang and Jolly Buoy Island, are possible from Port Blair.
The Andaman Islands have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and some of them provide water sports like scuba diving, snorkeling, and sea walking. North Bay Island near Port Blair, Elephant Beach on Havelock Island, and Bharatpur Beach on Neil Island are three popular watersports sites.
Best Time to visit: October to Jun
8. Lakshadweep
In Malayalam, Lakshadweep, traditionally known as the Laccadive Islands, means “a hundred thousand islands.”Lakshadweep, 400 kilometers off the Arabian Sea’s southwest coast, is home to some of India’s most stunning and unusual islands and beaches. Only 36 islands make up India’s smallest union territory, with a total area of 32 square kilometers. It is made up of twelve atolls, three reefs, and five submerged banks, as well as ten inhabited islands.
All travelers must obtain a permit to enter Lakshadweep, which is usually reached through Kochi (Kerala) (including Indians). Indians are allowed to visit all islands after obtaining a permit; however, foreigners are only allowed to visit Agatti, Bangaram, and Kadmat Islands after obtaining a permit. Permits can be obtained directly from Kochi.
The Lakshadweep islands’ isolation may be part of their charm. They don’t attract swarms of tourists because they’re off the beaten path. Though all of the islands are equally magical and gorgeous, each has its own set of tourist attractions. Some islands have been constructed to appeal to divers and water sports enthusiasts, while others have been developed to appeal to those seeking relaxation.
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