Have you ever wondered about yourself sitting at eternal beauty and watching celestial wonders? If not, then think about it and to experience the breathtaking stargazing places, you don’t need to go to foreign countries. Yes, you heard it right! These places are in India, so grab your telescope and let’s begin the journey….
Nubra Valley, Jammu and Kashmir
Nubra Valley situated above 10,000 feet above sea level offers surreal celestial spectacle. The valley is also known as Ldumra or the Orchard flowers. The Nubra Valley is away from city life and in the night the sky is filled with millions of stars and can witness the Milky Way too. Nubra Valley is famous among bikers as it is famous for the highest motorable road in the world.
To visit Nubra Valley, a permit is required, as the valley connects with the borders of other countries. This is one of the reasons the valley has few people, thus, you can enjoy the natural beauty and ancient silk route.
Best time to visit: April to June or September to October
Neil Island, Andaman and Nicobar
Neil Island is a perfect place to experience stargazing, especially the Milky Way. As the sunset, and the sky glows with moon and stars. The crystal-clear blue sea illuminates with the rays of moon. Neil Island is away from city life; thus, the place is less crowded as compared to other islands in Adaman and Nicobar. Choose a secluded place and don’t forget to bring your telescope or binoculars, otherwise you will miss the clear view of stars, and celestial bodies. If you are lucky enough to experience the shooting stars which often sees in Andaman Island.
Best time to visit: November to April
Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
Rann of Kutch is also known as Salt of Desert of White Rann, but do you know Rann of Kutch is famous for stargazing. Rann of Kutch is a magical place, and it seems the desert changes colour on different occasions. If you see the salty white rann in sunrise or sunt-set, you will be amazed to see the beauty. In night, Rann of Kutch turns into magical land and the sky is filled with stars, moon, and celestial’s bodies which look like a jewel. For stargazers, this is the perfect place to witness the Milky Way.
Best time to visit: November to February
Hanle, Ladakh
Hanle is one of the famous places in Ladakh for stargazers. Hanle is famous for its moonscape like terrain and the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO). The observatory is situated at a high altitude of 14,764 feet and is known as the highest observatories in the world. The IAO has various equipment’s to observe the milk way and celestial bodies like Himalayan Chandran Telescope (2 meters long) and a seven-unit High Altitude Gamma Ray (HAGAR) telescope. The weather in Hanle is too cold, carry warm clothes and hot beverages.
Best time to visit: April to June or September to October
Tarkarli Village, Maharashtra
Tarkarli a seaside village which is only 475 kms away from Maharashtra is hidden gem for stargazers. A quaint village has tranquil crystal-clear water, white sand and the palm trees covered the village. Tarkarli Village is free from the city’s hustle, bustle life and pollution. The clear sky of Maharashtra’s Tarkarli Village is an ideal place to witness celestials, stars and the Milky way.
Best time to visit: October to March
Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Spiti Valley is a remote valley situated at a high altitude in the Himalayas. The valley is away from the city’s hustle life and the pollution is light which is the utmost reason of clear sky. The clear air is boom for the stargazer to witness stars, planets, and even galaxies with remarkable clarity. Spiti is a cold place, so don’t forget to bring winter clothes, try to do layering. As I had mentioned above, the valley is at high altitude, maybe you feel motion sickness in the first few days, do carry medicines. The connectivity lacks at high altitude, I would advise you to indulge yourself in nature and also adjust your eyes to the dark for clear view of celestial bodies in sky.
Best time to visit: September to February
Pangong Tso Lake, Ladakh
Pangong Tso Lake, the world’s largest saltwater lake, is famous for the breathtaking view of Milky Way Galaxy. Pangong Tso Lake is situated at the height of 4350 meters above sea level and surrounded by majestic mountains. The night view of the lake seems like heaven, the celestial bodies glow and the whole landscape illuminates.
Best time to visit: April to June or September to October
Coorg, Karnataka
Coorg, a popular hill station in Southern India, famous as “Scotland of India”. Coorg is famous for its misty hills, greenery, coffee plantations and the pollution-free sky. The clear sky soothes you at night with the majestic view of celestial, stars, and milky way. Coorg is a package of both adventurous and soothing journeys. You can enjoy trekking in the jungle and on the contrary you can stargaze at the sky filled with stars.
Best time to visit: March to June and September to February
Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
Sonmarg, a remote location which is situated at an elevation of 2800 meters above sea level. The village is away from city life, astro-tourists and stargazers find sonmarg a best place to observe celestial bodies and milky way. The weather condition and geography are in favour of stargazer, the low humidity and dry climate enhance visibility of astronomical objects. There are some remote locations in sonmarg which offers best view of celestial bodies which are Baltal Valley, Thajiwas Glacier, and Sind Valley. Don’t forget to bring warm clothes, and ofcourse a telescope.
Best time to visit: May to September
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Jaisalmer the Golden City and heart of Thar Desert known for rich history and breathtaking natural beauty. The vast Thar Desert, arid climate, and a remote location, makes it a perfect place for stargazers. To witness the countless stars, celestial bodies, and milky way, visit Sam Sand Dunes and Khuri Sand Dunes. These places are gems of the desert and at night it feels like you are sleeping under the blanket of sky. The local guided tour has expertise which can help you with insights into the sky.
Best time to visit: October and March
Tips for Stargazers
- For a clear view of stars, planets, and celestial bodies, carry your telescope of binoculars.
- Stargazers knows that to witness the milky way, patience is utmost important thing. Do carry a mat, blanket and be comfortable.
- You don’t need to carry any lamp or try to keep your mobile in night mode to enjoy the glow of the moon, stars, and milky way.
Note: All image credit to Google
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