Monsoons and Tourism in India

The two monsoons in India, Southwest Monsoon from July to September and Northeast Monsoon from December to early March bring in droves of domestic tourists to scores of tourist destinations. Indians, as a rule, enjoy monsoons after being scorched by the hot sun for months on end unlike the residents of Northern Hemisphere who suffer invariably from rainy day blues. They go out into the rain drenched streets, beaches and forests and let themselves go.

Goa

The Western tourists too have learned to enjoy monsoons in India. Among the prime locations for tourism is Goa, a sleepy town on the West coast. This former Portuguese colony has an old world European feel to it. The rain-drenched Gothic and Greco-Roman structures, washed by the rain, glisten dazzlingly and tourists stand and gape at them.

The beaches

Goa possesses a number of good and functional beaches. The monsoon rains falling on the raising waves hold the tourists in trance and they just refuse to go away, digging their feet literally in. Hotels fill the landscape near the beaches and the prices range from exorbitant to shoestring.

Nightlife

Sporadic monsoon singing parties known as trance parties and dancing in the rains are to be enjoyed. Hotels hold jam sessions with local groups and you can watch the rain sitting in the comfort of shelters with songs wafting through the air. Live groups touch your nostalgic nerves with Rock and Roll numbers.

Kerala

Kerala is a geological extension of Goa and has same different terrain. The people however, are quite distinct and the culture is different. Monsoon rains are not incessant. Now it rains, now it shines. Thiruvanandapuram, the capital of Kerala is home to the very popular Kovalam beach. During monsoons, foreign tourists some times outnumber the domestic travelers, so famous is it abroad! Alappuzha has a unique tradition of houseboats. They line the backwaters and venture out in monsoon rains till the mouth of the backwaters and the ride along the scenic banks. Coconut tree fronds almost brushing against you is an exhilarating experience.

Valley of Flowers National Park

This park ls situated in the Northern state of Uttarkhand, near Chamoli Garhwal, some 400 miles away from Delhi. While the mountainous terrain is a challenge to the adventure-minded during the monsoon and trekking is the activity they can indulge themselves in, there are safe passages for the less intrepid. The name tells it all. This park, in the Himalayan hill ranges burst into at least 300 varieties of flowers in monsoon and look like a carpet of myriad colors and shades through the valley. As the flowers bloom only in monsoon, It is advisable to visit it July to September.

There are hotels and camping is an option too. The government-run GMVN guest houses are your best bet.

By: Asokan Ponnusamy