Every monsoon, a few places in India change so dramatically that they feel worth planning an entire trip around. In Rajasthan, green hillocks sit surrounded by water like tiny islands. In Karnataka, a 160-year-old church slips halfway underwater. Manipur has islands that actually float, Kerala’s paddy fields turn pink, and strong winds in Maharashtra can send a waterfall back towards the sky.

The best part is that these sights belong to the rains. Water levels, blooms and winds decide exactly what you will see, so the view can change from one week to the next. If you like travelling for experiences that appear for only a short part of the year, these five places deserve a spot on your monsoon list.

1. Banswara, Rajasthan: Where green hills turn into 100 islands

Rajasthan during the monsoon can look completely different from the Rajasthan in your head. Head south to Banswara and the Mahi River opens into a landscape of water, green hills and scattered islands, earning the region its name, the ‘City of a Hundred Islands’. 

This is the time to head towards the Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam and Chacha Kota, where water surrounds green hillocks and gives you wide views across the river and backwaters. Add the waterfalls around Banswara and you have one of Rajasthan’s most surprising rainy-season escapes. July to September is particularly good for seeing the district at its greenest. 

Plan your visit: Ratlam, around 80 km away, is the nearest major railway station, while Udaipur is the closest major airport. Banswara is also well........

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