5 Not So Obvious Stargazing Spots In India
You don't need to go to Ladakh to see the cosmos flex. Across India, hidden between crater lakes and dense forests and hilltops are places where stargazing feels mesmersing.
It's late, the city is sleeping not you. You're looking up, mid-whisky. There's something there. Something steady that makes you wonder about the realm beyond. The stars, the constellations and everything in-between planets.
If you have been thinking lately of going for a stargazing trip in the country, you can start planning now as September to February are best months to look up than look around. The night skies are the perfect canvases for stargazing.
And you are right to think of stargazing trips as the best way to recalibrate. In pockets of altitude, desert, and forgotten dark , skies still show up. Fully. Fiercely! So, with no further wait, here are five places where you can lie back, shut up, and let the universe do its magic!
Mandarmani, West Bengal
With low light pollution and air pollution Mandarmani beach in West Bengal is one of those spots that may not be on top of the list but surely an experience you will cherish forever. A place that feels starightout of a fairtayle, Mandarmani is small costal village in Midnapore in West Bengal.
All season destination, for stargazers, monsoon is the only time to avoid as extremely cloudy weather will not be fruitful.
Best Time To Visit September to March
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Lonar, Maharashtra
At Lonar Lake in Maharashtra's Buldhana district, you'll literally be standing near a hole punched in by a meteor, making it a perfect spot for stargazing. A one of its kind in the whole world, Lonar Lake is the only meteorite impact crater in basalt.
This impact was initially expected to have occurred an estimated 52,000 ± 6,000 years ago, however, some new studies show that the impact could have occurred 576,000 ± 47,000 years ago. It was declared as a National Geo-heritage Monument in the year 1979.
Best Time To Visit: November to February, as during summer is furnace level hot.
Chopta, Uttarakhand
Nestled in Uttarakhand's Garhwal Himalayas, Chopta, known as mini Switzerland of India, is one of the best stargazing spots with its unique high-altitude, minimal light pollution and clear skies.
The panoramic views of snow-capped peaks like Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Chaukhamba enhance the stargazing experience. A gateway to the Tungnath and Chandrashila peaks, Chopta offers other activities you can do is setting up a camp in the meadows and trekking.
Best Time To Visit: March to June
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Taregna, Bihar
A village in Bihar popular because of its association with the astronomer Aryabhatta, Taregna is a primary location for viewing location for solar eclipses.
Best Time To Visit: November to March
Bekal, Kerala
A small town in Kerala famous for its ancient forts and beautiful beaches, a stroll along the coastline of Bekal beach during the night tome is enough to mesmerize you. The vast expanse of the Arabian Sea in front of you adds a touch of mystique to the experience, making it even more enchanting.
Best Time To Visit: December to February; March to June