Take this fun quiz by Hemantkumar Shivsharan and guess these hidden gems -- one clue, one guess and a fun fact reveal!
Q: This desert village hosts an annual music festival and has a unique ghost-town feel. Which place?
A: Kuldhara, Rajasthan. Once inhabited by Paliwal Brahmins, the entire village vanished overnight in the 1800s! Legend says it's cursed -- no one stays here after dark.
Q: A tiny village where nature and humans coexist beautifully, and bridges are made from living roots.
A: Mawlynnong, Meghalaya. The cleanest village in Asia, with spotless streets and eco-friendly living, Mawlynnong sets an example to the world.
Q: A fort shaped like a Shivling, that clouds roll past during the monsoon, and accessible only by a narrow rock-cut staircase called the 'needle hole'.
A: Harihar Fort, Nashik, Maharashtra. Built in the Yadava period, offering panoramic views of the mist-wrapped Western Ghats, it's known for unique zigzag vertical steps carved directly into the rock face.
Q: A temple on a hill full of gigantic stone eggs said to be the eggs of demons!
A: Ramadevara Betta, Ramanagara, Karnataka. This was where Sholay was shot, today known as the Sholay Hills. Home to the endangered long-billed vultures & a Ram cave temple, plus those demon eggs. boulders!
Q: Tucked away behind a busy market street, the 17th-century church no longer has an active congregation, but its 6 antique bells, said to be the largest in South Asia, still ring once a year.
A: Armenian Church, George Town, Chennai. Built in 1712, the Armenian Church it was once the heart of Chennai’s Armenian merchant community.
Q: A spectacular natural phenomenon where river water flows over smooth rocks creating natural slides and pools, perfect for adventure lovers.
A: Prashar Lake Waterfalls, Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. Located near the serene lake, these unfrequented hidden waterfalls and natural rock pools offer stunning views of the Dhauladhars.
Q: A majestic tomb known as the Baby Taj for its resemblance to the Taj Mahal. Less crowded, it is tucked away beside a river.
A: Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah, Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Called Jewel Box, considered a draft of the Taj Mahal, the 1st Mughal monument to be built entirely out of white marble with intricate pietra dura inlay work.
Q: This long pedestrian suspension bridge hangs high over a dense forest valley, offering thrilling views and connecting remote tribal villages.
A: Siang River Suspension Bridge, Arunachal Pradesh. One of the longest in the region, it’s surrounded by untouched rainforest and often shrouded in fog, making the experience magical.
Q: A sleepy town where Buddhist ruins are situated among lush green hills, which was once a thriving ancient university older than Nalanda!
A: Lalitgiri Buddhist Complex, Odisha. Part of the state’s Diamond Triangle of ancient Buddhist sites, Lalitgiri dates back to 3rd c BC. Excavations revealed relics believed to be of Lord Buddha in a stone casket.
Q: Beneath thick forests lies a mysterious cave where a river flows silently through pitch-dark tunnels. Few have ventured inside. Local legends say the cave connects to ancient temples above ground.
A: Bheemkund Cave, Madhya Pradesh. A natural water tank linked to the Mahabharat, said to be created by the mighty Bhima. The clear blue water inside is so deep and still, it’s considered sacred.