9 Indian Destinations You've Never Heard Of

Chitrakars in Jharkhand paint on scrolls made from leaves and barks as they relate ancient legends through a series of pictures. Just 65 km from Jamshedpur, Amadubi is home to these artists and presents a wonderful opportunity to watch the pictorial storytellers at work.

The Konkani settlement of Parule was once Parulya graman, built around a Surya temple where the rays of the setting sun touched the idol before disappearing over the horizon. The temple's renovation may have eclipsed this phenomenon, but the magic of the region is intact.

Stay with the Samants at Maachii while enjoying life on a farm - Milk a cow, get a fish spa treatment in a natural stream, go on a plantation walk and learn how to use a Laath(the traditional method of drawing water for irrigation) as you relish delicious Malvani cuisine

A 12km diversion from Karwar towards Dandeli on SH-955 leads you to Hankon. Spread over five acres by the gently flowing River Kali, Riveredge Paradise is an eco-adventure camp that offers a range of water sports right on the property! Try Kayaking, canoeing, rafting, tubing and river crossing, or go rock-climbing and rappelling 4km away at Pata

Visit Damro, the original village of the Adi Padam tribe, and get an insight into their unusual Donyi-polo culture, centred on the worship of the sun and the moon. Try the local staple of smoked pork, lai(leaves), raja chilli chutney and apong(rice beer)

Majuli is one of the largest riverine islands in the world, its fragile environment and unique cultural landscape make Majuli an aspirant for the UNESCO world heritage tag. Stay in bamboo cottages, feast on Mishing cuisine such as fish, duck and bamboo shoots and catch blazing sunsets at Luit Ghat

With no electricity, phones or roads. Off the Grid is a unique homestay experience in the Western Ghats Stay in teepee tents with attached bathrooms, or airy rooftop rooms with sit-outs. Go on guided walks to a private waterfall, nature treks, night safaris, and off-road drives to Dudhsagar Waterfall.

Equidistant from Udaipur and Jodhpur lies India's Leopard Country - Jawai in luxurious tents, with a private deck offering an uninterrupted view of the wilderness and experienced guides help you track the elusive big cats in customized 4x4 safari jeeps.

A Tibetan settlement in the hills of central India? Now that's a find! Mainpat's key attraction is the Thakpo Shedupling Monastery. Built in 1970, it houses old thangkas, wall murals, and a solar heater that boils water and cooks rice in just 30 minutes.

A 10km drive from Thrissur takes you to Urakam, where Clayfingers Pottery teaches you to shape earth into things of beauty. Set in peaceful rustic surroundings by a river, this multidisciplinary 15,0000 sq ft pottery studio offers artists residence programmes and internship courses.