Places In India to Chill And Do Absolutely Nothing

Known For : Virupaksha Temple, Hampi Vithala Temple Lotus Palace

Hampi, a UNESCO world heritage site, is a place where history stores much of its grandeur and architectural marvels. Add to it a mystical and laid back ambience with ancient markets and you get the relaxing, simple and idle destination you always wanted.

Best Time: October to March

31 Hampi Attractions

Known For : Manikaran Sahib Nature Park Kasol Tosh

This hushed and pristine village is an ideal place just to be and let go, walkthrough and chill around, with sceneries and landscapes borrowed from paradise and distinct culture from its frequent Israeli visitors. With its glittering markets and breathtaking views, this is a magic spell in Hebrew, which will leave you asking for more. One of the most popular places to chill in India, Kasol has been infamous for its prevalent cannabis culture.

Best Time: October to June

30 Kasol Attractions

Known For : Om Beach Mahabaleshwara Temple Paradise Beach, Gokarna

There are many shades to this simple beach town and all equally refreshing, chilled out and pristine. There is an untouched beach, a young dash of hippie culture and a wave of spirituality and religion, for an ideal holiday brimming with sunshine and glittering sands in this simple place called Gokarna

Best Time: Throughout the year

20 Gokarna Attractions

Known For : Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Dashashwamedh Ghat Ganga Aarti, Varanasi

Varanasi, more popular as a religious centre, only made more holy by the Ganges neighbouring it is where relaxation, meditation and spirituality are found in all forms so that you can find yourself in a way that appeals to you.

Best Time: October to March

42 Varanasi Attractions

Known For : Rafting in Rishikesh Lakshman Jhula Triveni Ghat

Rishikesh becomes what you want it to be. It could be your spiritual nirvana, a wisp of adventure, chilled outbreak in cafes or relaxed time off in yoga ashrams. With its so many faces, you choose which one you want to lose yourself in while you time in Rishikesh.

Best Time: Throughout the year

53 Rishikesh Attractions

Known For : Paradise Beach, Pondicherry Aurobindo Ashram Auroville

History just doesn’t leave this town called Pondicherry, where time stopped a bit when its streets, shops, food, styles, architecture borrowed inspiration from the French. There are more than one ways to relax here from its beaches, ashrams to yoga and meditation.

Best Time: October to March

48 Pondicherry Attractions

Known For : Varkala Cliff Sivagiri Mutt Water Sports in Varkala

Varkala is relaxing in its every sphere, from glittering beaches, adjoining forts to a mild yet distinct hint of spirituality. But what standouts here is a sparkling market with hints of hippie culture surrounding it, making it a one of kind place in the state. While your time off here, volunteer at Ayurveda centre, for an unwinding experience in the truest sense of the word.

Best Time: October to February

31 Varkala Attractions

This destination which is more often than not a getaway from favourite spots around it is surprisingly relaxing and with little to do is perfect for some idle time off. Add a bit of meaning to this break by working with projects here, for a more organic and sustainable range of mountains. With the names like hippie hill and Baba Cake as the popular hangout place here, you can only imagine what kind of place would it be.

Known For : Jehangir Mahal, Orchha Fort Ram Raja Temple Raja Mahal, Orchha Fort

This is a historical paradise and a perfect place for a simple and lazy break off the everyday and into the richness of its forts, palaces and temples with the most detailed artwork, murals and paintings. This little other parallel world is a bit stuck in its glorious past and a perfect opportunity to unwind.

Best Time: July to March

16 Orchha Attractions

Known For : Pushkar Lake Brahma Temple Savitri Temple

A legend to its origin, a unique temple, a camel festival, a holy lake and fairs and festivity-and yet this modest town, Pushkar will give you the laid back and lazy ambience, that might just be the thing you need, in its many cafes and an idle and relaxed culture.

Best Time: October to March

27 Pushkar Attractions

While Kasol gets the spotlight amongst the villages of the Parvati Valley, one can enjoy the true serenity of the magical Himachal Pradesh by trekking a little further from this major town to the quaint little village of Chalal. Situated at an altitude of over 5300 feet and a 30-minute trek away from the tourist hub of Kasol, Chalal has managed to retain its old world mountain village rustic charm. Set in the beautiful Parvati Valley of the Himalayas, with a grand view of snow-capped mountains and majestic pine trees, this quaint town has been nicknamed as the "Israel of Himachal Pradesh", and rightfully so!

For your time off, skip the famous attractions and spend a month in the guest houses that foster the old world charm. Walk through orchards and find a home right out of your early morning dreams with typical, yet refreshing hill station scenery.

Anjuna beach in Goa is about quiet walks on the beach, lazy hours under the sun and refreshing swims into the sea. Along the beach will be local markets vibrant with haggling and the everyday sparkle, that you just can’t miss. Between your lazy encounters with the beach, you can also volunteer at an eco-village.

Known For : Longkhum Ungma Village Langpangkong Caves

This can be your break closer to nature- both in geography and culture. With hilly landscapes dotted with tribal villages, untouched in their colours, cultures, perspectives and livelihoods, it can be a unique vacation where you share lives with the tribal clans and find a second home in their villages.

Best Time: October to June

7 Mokokchung Attractions

Known For : Morgan House Durpin Dara hill Cactus Nursery

A modest hill-station for a relaxing break into tea plantations and scenery filled with old churches and monasteries. The area, with little ambition, gives you full freedom to choose the way you want to unwind yourself on your vacation.

Best Time: March to June, September to December

24 Kalimpong Attractions

The little hippie village of Dharamkot is located near Dharamshala and Mcleodganj, but unlike these places, Dharamkot is a quaint town not visited by a lot of tourists. Popular as the Yoga Village, it is ideal to spend some time away, meditating in peace. The tiny hamlet is blessed with astounding views of the nearby Kangra Valley the mighty Dhauladhar ranges. Home to the Dhamma Shikhara Vipassana Meditation Centre and Tushita Buddhist Meditation Centre, Dharamkot manages to maintain a fine balance between a serene yoga retreat town, and an adventurist's oasis.

Known For : Tarin Fish Farm Kile Pakho Ziro Music Festival

A fish farm, hills with a view, pine trees and paddy fields all over and pristine scenery. This place in Arunachal Pradesh comes with absolutely nothing on its list of ‘must -do’ things and makes up an ideal place to chill, in an almost picture perfect way.

Best Time: September - November ; March - May

9 Ziro Attractions

Sarahan has countless views, sceneries and landscapes and no matter for how long you stay at this place, a walk through its endless forests and valleys will let you leave behind all you want to and let go.

Endless mist pervading gorgeous and expansive hills, breezy cool weather throughout the year, wide patches of lush greenery, a fun trekking experience, wild bisons idling amongst eucalyptus trees -- these are some of the things you’d associate with a trip to Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. Yet there’s a place just nearby that harbors the same charm and pleasantness, that offers the same enriching experiences but without the crowdedness that you’d expect out of the former.