World Photography Day 2021: Channelize the photographer in you at these lesser-explored Indian picturesque destinations

1. Doodhpathri, Kashmir

Doodhpathri is a lesser explored hill station in Kashmir that is surrounded by greenery. The destination's lush emerald meadows, mountains and abundant waterfalls makes it a nature trail, worth framing on your device. Metaphorically speaking, be sure to capture shots of the clouds on the hills, as you will find plenty of sheep with snow white coats grazing in large herds along the hills. You will also get to see unique wildflowers like buttercup, daisy and forget-me-not here, which make for good closeup shots. And in case you are travelling with company, #wanderlust takes, featuring you standing atop the hills become perfect additions to your collection.

2. Orchha, Madhya Pradesh

Orchha is a medieval city located in Madhya Pradesh, that makes ‘taking a walk back in time’ even more enriching when you go for a photowalk. Consider this for a weekend trip, as the destination is a few hours by train from New Delhi. The town still showcases impressive 15th century architecture through the remnants of Ram Raja Temple and Chaturbhuj Temple, in particular. So if architectural photography piques your interest, Orchha is a good place to head out to.

3. Lunglei, Mizoram

Lunglei in Mizoram is well known for its natural landscapes and overall scenic beauty. The name of the destination itself translates to ‘bridge of rock’. So if you have a knack for hiking, bird watching and photography, Lunglei beckons! Fill up your Instagram with photos of panoramic mountain views, a variety of avian species and unique local street food while exploring the area. And as always, be sure to carry safety for your equipment owing to high moisture in the air.

4. Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh

While most people flock to Ziro for the destination’s self-titled music festival, the place also has a lesser known cultural wonder to explore. The Apatanis tribes are one of the oldest Northeast Indian inhabitants, who have, over time, welcomed tourists to experience a day in their lives. A trip to Ziro to experience tribal life makes for exclusive instagrammable content. With the locals’ consent, here’s your chance to make reels of their high-altitude fishing; static posts to put forth their traditional outfits; and even capture the process of creation of local handicrafts through IGTV videos! Ziro is a must explore destination for experiencing a different culture and indulging in different forms of new age photography.

5. Valparai, Tamil Nadu

If you are someone who enjoys road trips and also has a soft spot for getting up close with wildlife, a trip to Valparai is what you should consider this World Photography Day. Apart from doing a time lapse of the road trip, the destination gives you great photo ops. Wide angle shots of the hairpin bends in the roads, green landscapes & waterfalls along the way and closeups of the fauna, including wild boars, flying squirrels, elephants and more, are what you can expect whilst getting there. You will also find beautiful tea and coffee plantations that are worth a story on the gram, as well as refreshments for the road left to cover.

6. Kalimpong, West Bengal

For a path less taken, Kalimpong is an undiscovered gem in West Bengal with views waiting to be framed in any photographer’s diary. The hill station is located at the foothills of the Himalayas, with a variety of views to offer. Apart from the snow clad Himalayas, you have unique pine trees along the valleys, several Buddhist monasteries, and colonial era buildings to help create an array of genres in your photo album. And in case wildlife excites you, head on down to the Neora Valley National Park,where you can capture the local fauna in their natural element.