- In 2024, which weekends are long and why? Next, is a month-wise list of places to visit across India during these long weekends.
The last time when holidays gave us long
weekends was in 2017. Then wrote, Domestic tourism
may well be blessed with mangal and brihaspati . A Hindustan Times article of December 2023 told us
about the long weekends in 2024. I visited the Dripanchang site to
check exact dates and reasons for holiday.
Air connectivity/night trains are key
for short trips.
Article format is month, holiday dates
and place to visit with album link and connectivity details. Album has place
related information. Check if it is a holiday in your state for e.g. Pongal might
not be a state holiday in Rajasthan. I have assumed that Saturday is a holiday.
At times, suggested how you can take a couple of days leave to have a bigger
break. I have tried to cover places across India. Surely, there might be some
places that I missed.
Benefits of planning holidays in advance
are get a good deal, avoid stress of last minute booking and think through
options at leisure. Read on.
Places shown under January month are
good to visit anytime between November and February, some places can be visited
in March too.
1. January 13-16, 26-28
Holidays–14 Saturday is Lohri, 15 Monday are Makar Sankranti and Pongal, 26 Friday is Republic Day.
Break is for 3 days each 13-15
and 26-28. Places you shall see depends on your passion for travel and
desire/ability to pack in the most. Options are -
A. Amdavad and around includes
Rani-ki-vav Patan , Sun temple
Modhera and Ambaji Temple , Adalaj-vav
step-well
Amdavad is well connected by air, road
and train.
B. Baroda and Statue of Unity.
Albums Lakshmi Vilas
Palace , Maharshi
Aurobindo Ashram Baroda and Statue of Unity
Baroda is connected by air and train.
C. Bhuj, Dhordo and Salt Desert
Salt Desert, Dhordo.
Spend one day in Bhuj and then head to
Rann Utsav Dhordo (works from Nov to Feb usually). Salt Desert visit before 9
am or after 4 pm.
Albums Prag Palace Bhuj, Tent City Dhordo and Salt Desert .
For shopping go to village Bhujodi, app 10 kms from Bhuj, suggest Shrujan NGO
D. Jodhpur and Bikaner
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur.
Karni Mata Mandir near Bikaner.
Spend 1.5 days in Jodhpur and do a day
trip to Bikaner.
Jodhpur is well connected by air and
train.
Albums Mehrangarh Fort , Mandore Fort , Dhurries Jodhpur , Junagarh Fort
Bikaner , Gajner Palace
off Bikaner , Karni Mata
Mandir before Bikaner
If you have nine-ten days cover Jodhpur,
Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Barmer. Read here
E. Jaisalmer and around
Keep Jaisalmer as your base. You can fly
in, take a train from Delhi/Jaipur or drive in from Jodhpur as I did. Spend a
night at Sand Dunes for sure.
Albums Jaisalmer Fort , Jaisalmer City , Havelis of
Jaisalmer , Drive to the
Border-Tanot Temple , Longewal War
Memorial where movie Border was shot and Sam Dunes
F. Jaipur and around
Keep Jaipur as your base. Well connected
by road and rail.
Albums Jaipur city , Amber and
Jaigarh Forts , Chand Baori near
Jaipur , Bhangarh Fort
near Jaipur , Places to Eat and
Shop in Jaipur
G. Malwa (Indore-Omkareshwar-Maheshwar)
Omkareshwar.
Indore 1 day and drive to
Omkareshwar/Maheshwar. Make it four days for relaxed trip. Maheshwar is also
famous for saris.
Indore is well-connected by rail and
air.
Albums Rajwada Indore , Night Street
Food Sarafa , Omkareshwar
Jyotirling Shivji , Statue of
Oneness Omkareshwar , Maheshwar
Narmada Holkars , Ahilyabai Palace , Maheshwari Saris
If you have seven days then do all of
Malwa including Ujjain. Read 7 day trip
H. Gwalior and around
Once the new airport starts, Gwalior
should have improved connectivity. Now take Rajdhani Express from Mumbai (evening)
and get off at Agra next morning-drive back to Gwalior or take morning train
from Delhi to Gwalior.
Albums Gwalior Fort , Jai Vilas Palace , Rock-cut Jain . In
Morena Bateshwar
temples , Padawali temples and Mitawali temples
If you have two days more drive down or
take a train to Khajuraho. Read about
Temples
I. Bhopal and Around
Sanchi Stupa.
Keep Bhopal as your base. It has lakes
and a tribal museum. Close by are Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Sanchi Stupa, in
Vidisha temples and Udaygiri Caves and Bhojpur Shiv Mandir.
Albums/articles Bhimbetka
, Sanchi
stupa , Bhojpur
Mandir
J. Orchha near Jhansi
If you want to relax then take a train
from Delhi to Jhansi (5 hours) or overnight Rajdhani from Mumbai to Jhansi from
where Orchha is about 15 kms. This is Bunderlkhand, has a history of its own.
Orchha on banks of Betwa river.
Albums Orchha,
Bundela
Paintings , Jhansi Fort
and Travelogue
. 70 kms away is amazing Garkundar
Fort
K. Bhubaneshwar/ Puri
Fly into Bhubaneswar, The City of
Temples (keep 1 day) and drive to Puri via Sun Temple Konarak. Puri has lovely
beaches too.
Albums Temples of Bhubaneswar , Mukteshwar
Temple , Raja
Rani Temple , Sun Temple
Konarak . In Puri visit Heritage Village
Raghurajpur , Jagannath Temple and Totapuri Ashram. If
have an extra day visit Chilika Lake
L. Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh via Bengaluru
Rajat flew in from Delhi to Bengaluru
and drove to Gandikota, The Grand Canyon of India. Also saw enroute Devanahalli
Fort, Lepakshi Temple, Belum Caves and amazing Shiv/Vishnu temples at Tadipatri.
Read Rajat
travelogue here and about Lepakshi Temple
here
M. Hampi via Bengaluru
Bengaluru to Hampi drive is about 5.5
hours. Or take flight from Bengaluru/Hyderabad to Vidyanagar airport from where
Hampi is an hour drive. Good buses are available from Mumbai/Bengaluru to
Hospet/Hampi.
Travelogue with albums links on Hampi
N. Belur/Halebidu Temples via Bengaluru
Scene Mahabharata. Right Chakravayu war formation. Left war between Karan & Arjun.
Bengaluru to Belur is about 4 hour drive. Keep 1 day each for Belur and Halebidu temples. In Karnataka, also visit Mysore.
Albums Belur Temples
, Halebidu
Temples , Halebidu
Jain temple
O. Bandipur and Nagerhole National Parks via Bengaluru
Travelogues Bandipur
Park, Nagerhole
National Park
P. Kodaikanal via Madurai
Fly into Madurai. See Meenakshi Temple and
Nayak Palace and then drive to Kodaikanal, takes about 3.5 hours.
Albums Meenakshi
Temple , Nayak
Palace
Q. Chettinad via Madurai
Fly into Madurai from where Chettinad is
less than two hours. Chettinad is known for Chettiar Homes, awesome is the
word.
Albums Palaces
of Chettinad , Bangla
Hotel Chettinad , Visalam
Hotel
R. Trichy/Tanjore via Trichy
Srirangam
Temple.
Fly into Trichy or train. See Srirangam
Temple etc. From there Tanjore is app. 1 hour drive. See Brihadesvara Temple
and Maratha Palace.
Albums Trichy-Srirangam
Temple , Rock
Fort Temple , Jambukeswarar
Temple
Albums Tanjore- Brihadesvara
Temple , Maratha
Palace
S. Mahabalipuram/Pondicherry/Kanchipuram via
Chennai
Pondicherry has Auroville and Sri
Aurobindo Samadhi not to forget beaches. Other two have temples. Depending on
what you like chose two out of three places unless you have four days.
Albums Shore
Temple , Five
Rathas Mahabalipuram , Matri
Mandir Auroville ,
Albums Kanchipuram – Kailasanathar
Temple, Varadaraja
Perumal Temple
T. Tranquebar via Chennai
If you wish to relax by the sea side, it
is 270 kms from Chennai.
Album Tranquebar
U. Guwahati
Well connected by air and train. City is
known for its temples, Brahmaputra river and close by is Kaziranga.
Albums Temples of
Guwahati, Sankara
Kalashetra , Lachit
Borphukan Memorial
If you want to relax go to the island
town of Majuli via Jorhat. Some other trips. Fly into Patna and visit Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda-3 days. Next, Bengaluru to Mysore-3 days. If you have more time visit Sravanbelagola and Somnathpur Temple. All albums on site. Udaipur is another favourite for 3 or 5
days. To see
all albums on Udaipur and around
2. February 17-19
Holiday-19 Monday Chhatrapati Shivaji
Jayanti. Break is for 3 days. See above.
Next we cover North locations when break
is for 3 days.
A. Rishikesh and Devprayag
Relax at Rishikesh. You can learn Yoga, take
a dip in the Holy Ganga and a short river rafting experience.
Devprayag is the meeting point of two
rivers Alakananda and Bhagirathi where they join to become the Holy Ganga.
B. Jaipur – covered above.
C. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Bharatpur is about 4.5 hours from Delhi.
Besides the bird sanctuary it also has a fort, palace and museum.
D. Manali
Manali Winter Carnival that is held in January on Mall road.
You can fly to Bhuntal Airport near
Kullu or take an overnight bus from Delhi or drive from Chandigarh. Do use Atal
Tunnel to cross into Keylong. Source of Beas River is at Rohang Pass.
Albums Hadimba
Temple, Solang
Valley , close by
Manikran
E. Chail in Himachal Pradesh
Chail has an old palace and relaxed
place. It is about 2.5 hours drive from Chandigarh i.e. well connected by air
and road.
F. Mussoorie
It is less than an hour’s drive from Dehradun which is well connected by air, rail and road.
G. Nainital
Naini Lake
Stay in the less crowded parts of
Nainital, away from the main market to enjoy. If have time visit Almora, Binsar
and Jageshwar Shiv Mandir.
Albums Nainital, Almora, Binsar , Jageshwar
Temple
H. Jim Corbett National Park
It is about a six hour drive from Delhi.
Better to hire a vehicle from Delhi because you will need transport there too.
Albums Tigers
of Jim Corbett , Corbett
beyond Tigers
I. Amritsar
Take a night train or drive is about 7
hours. A new Expressway is being built. When ready it shall reduce driving
time.
Albums Golden Temple-Hari
Mandir, Durgiana
Temple , Attari Wagah
Border. Read Best
Places to eat in Amritsar
J. Varanasi – covered in month November.
K. Gopalpur on Sea via Bhubaneswar
It is a very popular beach resort and
about 3 hours drive from Bhubaneswar i.e. well connected by air and rail.
L. Sundarbans in West Bengal
It is about a 2.5 hour drive from
Kolkata.
Read Travelogue
and see Album
3. March 8-11, 29-April 1
Holidays-8 Friday Shivratri, 25 Monday
Holi, 29 Friday Good Friday, April 1 is Bank Holiday.
Break is 8-10, 23-25 and 29-1April so 3
breaks of 3 days each. Weather in March is usually ok. Check any of the above
places.
4. April
Holidays-9 Tuesday Gudi Padwa Ugadi, 10
or 11 Wednesday Eid and 17 Wednesday Ram Navami.
Take Monday off i.e. 8th and
if Eid is on the 10th you get 6-10th April 5 days. Ram
Navami is mid week. If take 15-16th off then break from 13-17th
5 days.
Two breaks of 5 days each. Travel
options below.
A. Almora / Binsar in Kumaon
Take a train to Kathgodam and drive to Almora or fly to Pantnagar Airport from where Almora is about a 4 hour drive. Binsar offers a great view of the Himalayan peaks.
Albums Almora, Binsar , Jageshwar
Temple
B. Chaukori, Kumaon
If you want to relax, read a book Chaukori a small hill-station is the place. It is about 7.5 hours drive from Pantnagar Airport and 7 hours from Kathgodam. It is famous for sunrise and sunset.
Album Chaukori
C. Darjeeling
Take a night train from Kolkata or fly
to Siliguri and then 2.5 hours drive to Darjeeling.
Album Darjeeling
, Sunrise
Tiger Hill
D. Mussoorie
It is less than an hour’s drive from Dehradun which is well connected by air, rail and road.
E. Manali
You can fly to Bhuntal Airport near
Kullu or take an overnight bus from Delhi or drive from Chandigarh. Do use Atal
Tunnel to cross into Keylong. Source of Beas river is at Rohang Pass.
Albums Hadimba
Temple, Solang
Valley , close by
Manikran
F. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
Fly into Madurai, see Meenakshi Temple and
Nayak Palace and drive to Kodaikanal about 3.5 hours.
G. Mahableshwar near Mumbai
It is about 5.5 hours drive from Mumbai.
Good hotels, lots of history w.r.t Shivaji and has a Lake (boating too).
H. Sikkim
Check the weather. Read travelogue The
Best of Sikkim in 5 days
I. Bhutan
Although Bhutan is a separate nation, it
is close to India and good weather.
For Travelogue 7
days on Bhutan . To see 5 albums on Bhutan
You can also visit BIHAR namely Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda. Another good 5 day trip is Aurangabad,
Ellora, Ajanta, Lonar Crater. All albums on esamskriti. Buy Paithani Saris in
Aurangabad.
5. May 23-25
Holiday-23 Thursday Buddha Purnima.
Take Friday 24th off so 23-26
i.e. 4 days.
Head for the hills, details above.
6. June 15-18
Holiday-17 Monday is Bakri Id – 3
days i.e. 15-17. See above.
7. July
Holiday-17 Wednesday Muharram
8. August 15-18, 24-27
Holiday-15 is Thursday so take 16 as holiday,
26 Monday Janmashtami.
If take 16th off, 15-18 so break
of 4 days, 24-26 is 3 days. Break of 4 and 3 days.
See travel options above. Check for
heavy rain and landslides.
9. September 5-8, 14-16
Holiday-7 Saturday Ganesh Saturday, 16
Monday Eid milad-birthday Prophet.
Break 14-16 i.e. 3 days.
See travel options above. Check for
heavy rains and landslides.
10. Oct 11-13
Holiday-2 Wed Gandhi Jayanti, 11 Friday Maha Navami, 12 Saturday Dussehra. Mysore Dussehra is worth a visit and so is Bastar Dussehra at Jagdaplur in Chhatisgarh.
If take September 30-October 1 off then 5
day break, 11-13 is a 3 day break.
Travel options for 5 and 3 day break
above.
11. Nov 1-4, 15 to 17
Holiday-1 Friday Lakshmi Pooja/Diwali, 8
Wednesday Chhath Puja and 15 Friday is Kartik Purnima, Guru Nanak Jayanti and
Dev Deepavali.
Diwali is spent at home. Break 15-17 is 3
days.
On Kartik Purnima, visit Pushkar or
Kashi and have a snan in the sarovar or Ganga. At Kashi, witness Dev Deepavali
for sure i.e. usually on Kartik Purnima. Varanasi is well connected by road,
rail and air. For Pushkar fly to Jaipur from where it is about a 2 hour drive
or take train to Ajmer.
Albums Pushkar on
Kartik Purnima, Dev Deepavali
Kashi, People of Kashi
celebrating Dev Deepavali Close by visit Sarnath and Ramnagar Fort
12. December
Holiday-25 Wednesday is Christmas.
If take Monday-Tuesday off, break is of 5
days.
Best time to travel in the plains of
India is November to February, in some states also March.
You
can also travel to select locations in Southeast Asia
1. Angkor
Watt, Cambodia
2. Bangkok,
Thailand
3. Bali
4. Prambanan
Temple, Java
5. Yatra
to Mount Bromo in Java
6. About
My Son sanctuary, Vietnam
Hope you found this useful.
Also read Marry in India - Why are Indians marrying abroad