10 Less Explored Hippie Destinations In India
India for the longest time has been drawing mavericks from all over the world. Elements such as natural beauty, religion, and spiritualism that help in the attainment of ‘sanyas’ are what pioneered the hippy movement in India. Quaint Israeli cafes, anew, are a great testimonial mapping the most undertaken route to India from the countries bordering India’s north-western limits. Not to mention the gamut of Americans that flew indirectly.
Nirvana caused by sights, locally procured psychedelic drugs, and a pleasant weather is what people pursue in their quest for less explored hippie destinations. The trend has been catching up for more reasons than one leaving little to explore, albeit not much to disappoint over. Here’s a list of places that are a breather from the overdone hippie destinations that are steadily losing their charm.
1. Andretta, Himachal Pradesh - for the artists at heart
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McLeodganj and Dharamshala sure seem to have had their days of glory on the hippie destinations front. As this gained popularity, commercial settlements like hotels, hostels, and even restaurants burgeoned all over the picturesque abode of Dalai Lama. But, you can still behold the beauty of Himalaya’s Dhauladhar range, nestled 53 kilometers from here at the intriguing village of Andretta. The village is also an artist’s colony established by Norah Richards, an Irish theatre artiste, and environmentalist.
2. Barshaini, Himachal Pradesh - where two of Himachal’s fierce water bodies confluence
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Nestled around the confluence of the mighty Parvati River and a gushing Tosh Nhala, the tiny village of Barshaini is popular with those treading the Kasol-Kheerganga-Tosh triangle. Serendipitous waterfalls, tiny cafes serving hot Nutella, tables laid out against the backdrop of apple orchards and jovial trekkers smoking up on some local cream are what you can look forward to on a visit here. If you crave an adrenaline budge, a trek to Kheerganga will serve you just right!
3. Chalal, Himachal Pradesh - a blanket of pine forests
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Yet another familiar destination for those knowing Kasol and its roundabouts, Chalal is the village lying across Kasol’s suspension bridge over the Parvati River. It is a good idea to opt for a stay at Chalal over Kasol owing to the serenity that is deeper and less untouched. Given that it lies just a few minutes away from Kasol, you can shuffle between the two as you like. The entire region is clad with a thick, fragrant blanket of pine trees and you can find a great assortment of cheap hotels to stay in.
4. Arambol, Goa - of secluded beaches and empty cafes
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Goa undoubtedly is one of the hippest destinations when it comes to backpacking in India. The protagonist of the hippy movement in India, Goa is one place that holds the essence like no other. A right balance of commercialisation has made way to retain the state’s bohemia, from flea markets to rave parties on mountain tops, this state does hippy like no one else. If you wish to behold a deeper, secluded destination, Arambol is the place to be as opposed to the much popular ones of Anjuna and Baga.
5. Almora, Uttarakhand - to experience earth’s geomagnetic field
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Having been the place where Vivekananda Swami and Bob Dylan among others found enlightenment, Almora is a cantonment district in the Uttarakhand. The district derives its name from an indigenous plant called ‘kilmora’, leaves of which were dried and used to scrub utensils at the temple of Katarmal. The Kasar Devi temple and region holds great geographic significance for featuring an enormous geomagnetic field, like the Machu Picchu and Stonehenge. Almora hippie India is indeed one place to look out for.
6. Mawlynnong, Meghalaya - Asia’s cleanest village
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A beautiful maze of root bridges and a fascinating culture, Mawlynnong is your opportunity to vacation in the lap of nature, quite literally. Walking through the clouds and some mineral-rich water bodies, this place is perfect for those who associate bohemia with nature. Connection with nature and yourself is guaranteed here, to say the least. To add to the hip aspect of this village is the rebellious yet exemplary tribe of Khasi who left patriarchy to be what they are today.
7. Ziro valley, Arunachal Pradesh - for those who find nirvana in trekking
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There is an abundance of treks in the north of India, however, if you seek something one of its kind, the lesser explored north-east can truly delight you. Of late Ziro Valley has also been gaining popularity owing to the annual Ziro Festival. The festival is one of India’s biggest outdoor music festivals and draws music enthusiasts from all over the world. Some good music and a surfeit of natural goodness sure make for an entrancing experience here.
8. Pushkar, Rajasthan - a boiling pot of ethnicities and cultures
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This religious town in Rajasthan is likely to give you an impression of a town flocked my pilgrims, but hold on. Camel fairs, lakes, spiritual baths, temples, and mountains holding religious significance not to mention the number of Hebrew cafes that serving some foodgasmic food, are what you can look forward to on your visit to Pushkar. What’s more? You’ll find some of the most colourful merchandise here to take back home as souvenirs from India.
9. Hampi, Karnataka - an island that beckons oblivion
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Time and again chosen for being one of the best cheap places in India, Hampi and its Hippie Island have been attracting solo travelers and every other kind with its rich history and geographic factors. A place characterized by lifesize boulders, cane coracles to take your across rivers and some super chill cafes, Hampi albeit popular leaves with you enough scope of exploration. Its temples are a great place to find some spiritual solace through the day and evenings at cafes making merry with fellow travelers.
10. Puri, Orissa - a delightful surprise for the hippie at heart
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One of the most religious cities in India, Puri is famous for its Jagannath Temple. However, what people don’t know of is its being as one of the oldest hippie destinations in India. The city since 1970’s has been receiving substantial hippie attention owing to its location of the less explored eastern coast of India that bequeaths visitors with an unparalleled quietude. History and culture rule the roost in this much religious town in Orissa.
With this list of destinations, you are sure to come back from one nirvanic escapade of your life only with a haunting greed to go back!
